See photos below. Rambling from Albuquerque to Gallup was very scenic. Departing our Albuquerque campsite on Nine-mile Hill, we followed the southern edge of the Navajo Nation to the Laguna Pueblo Mission. It was a clear day and we saw Ladron Peak (9176’) to the south and Mt. Taylor (11,301’) to the north. The old Spanish Mission serves the Pueblo people, who have a good income from uranium mining, on their reservation. The Spanish introduced wheat and the “horno”, an above-the-ground, beehive-shaped, stone oven, and the Native Americans made their first wheat-bread. Now, the wood-fired horno can be seen behind almost every Pueblo dwelling. Catch them on baking day for a sample!

Toward Grants, we encountered massive volcanic lava flows scattered all around the area. Glad the volcanoes are silent now! We picnicked at Grants, named for three railroad “Grant” brothers. I would have called it Grantville! We met a couple (snowbirds) traveling from Minnesota to their winter quarters at Lake Havasu. They had a huge 5th- wheel rig and lots of “stuff”.
It was windy at mid-day, as a northern cold-front was moving in., so you had to hold on to your hat!

Along the northern edge of the Cibola National Forest and Bluewater Lake, we crossed the Continental Divide (a gentile transition, not a high mountain pass) and headed down the western slope to Gallup (6200’) and found a very cozy camp spot at Church Rock Canyon, in Red Rock Park. Red Rock Park is situated on the Navajo Reservation and owned and managed by the Navajo people. We were mesmerized by the beauty of the setting sun on the red rock cliffs, with the golden Cottonwoods in the foreground.
Gallup, an 1881 railhead for the Atlantic and Pacific Railroad, was named for David Gallup, paymaster. Gallup is situated in the heart of “Native American” lands and has lots of hiking trails, art, and good food. An outstanding collection of murals tell Gallup’s dynamic story of history and heritage.
At the dining table, they; “ask red or green”? The green Chile is hotter than the red, but red or green, it’s included in every entrée. Chile is the number one crop in New Mexico and they are the number one producer, world-wide.
We met a couple from Bordeaux, France at the campground and exchanged travel information and shared our past travel experiences. I had to tell them about my travels in the wine regions of France, trying to sample the ”wines of France”, in conjunction with my summers at LSU. It was a clear, cool day with lots of interesting discoveries and tonight a low of 26 degrees is predicted.

This morning, I went out at 6:30 and the red rock cliffs, bathed in the rising sun were stunning. It was quite brisk and the cold air was invigorating. Glad Diane gave us the Keurig, because a hot cup of coffee is sometimes “priceless”! Thanks again, friend!
Later, I saw a Road Runner chasing lizards and grasshoppers, amid the Prairie Dog town that surrounds the campground. Our dogs can hear the little buggers in the burrows and want to dig them out! Unfortunately, we are in the land of “goat- head stickers” and the dogs hate those encounters, as do we.
Mid-morning, we hiked up the Pyramid Rock Trail for a panoramic view of the Red Rock Park and the I-40 corridor. The Red Rock area is the southern end of the Colorado Escarpment with the rock layers dating back 20 million years to the Dinosaurs. 
On the south side of I-40 is old (1868) Fort Wingate, established to deal with Indian Affairs, later a munitions depot and test range through WWI and WWII. It also housed the Indian School, where the Navajo “code-talkers” trained. It’s abandoned now but we could see the network of old storage bunkers from our view of the valley.
It was an anomaly to be so close to Interstate 40 and yet be so far away that it was silent, as the cars and trucks sped to distant destinations, oblivious to the awesome panoramic views from the cliffs.
Daisy got her chance to dig-out a Prairie Dog and after she was exhausted I had to pull her away. She failed to learn the age-old fact that Prairie Dogs don’t get dug out!

This morning we explored Gallup along Route 66 to see the murals, “tourist stuff”, and lunch. Next, we headed to Painted Desert National Park for a tour of the Painted Desert Inn and a drive along the overlook road. Afternoon clouds gave the Painted Desert a different look.
In a conversation with the Ranger (Volunteer Coordinator) at Painted Desert Inn, we were offered a “host job” and exchanged contact info. Maybe a possibility, we’ll see! Leaving the Park, we traveled over to Holbrook and found a nice campsite at OK RV Park. The RV Park has a large collection of petrified wood, several specimens being entire trees. It’s difficult to imagine that this high desert was once located close to the equator, with 200-foot trees and tropical marches. It’s also a treasure-trove of fossils, some being new species of Dinosaur creatures. Boy would that have made an awesome cable network, outdoor/hunting show!
Today was a hang-out in Holbrook day, doing laundry, and catching-up on “stuff”.
Petroglyph National Monument in Albuquergue NM:

Red Rock Park, Gallup NM: