Our drive from Arizona to New Mexico was fairly uneventful but our stop at Petrified Forest National Park was a wonderful break and a highlight of the entire road trip.
In what would quickly become a trend, we did not get an early start…I worked all morning, we had a late breakfast and did not get on the road until 1:00 pm.
But it was a nice morning. The kids went swimming again and then enjoyed a great breakfast at the Andaz Scottsdale, one of my last as a Globalist. Great food and my pastrami skillet had a nice kick to it.
Breakfast for four was over $137, but fully wiped from the bill…I do appreciate how Hyatt cares for its Globalist members.
While the kids swam some more, I worked out…and sat in the steam room as well.
Yes, our delayed departure would mean a late arrival, but it was nice to enjoy a productive morning of work and exercise.
But as the clock struck one in the afternoon, we pulled out of the hotel and took AZ-87 North and AZ-260 East to get to the Petrified Forest National Park.
The initial drive was quite varied as we went from the barren desert to the thick pine forests of Tonto and Sitgreaves national forests.
We got back on “Route 66” in Holbrook and there I made the decision to go directly to the Petrified Forest National Park, bbecauseit was approaching 4:00 pm, rather than stop for gas in Holbrook (which would have required a 10-minute diversion).
This was not a car I was used to and my heart skipped a beat when the “refueling” light went on as I dove down the desolate road to the park entrance.
In fact, I even thought about turning around immediately to fill up in Holbrook, but then figured we’d go see the park and hopefully make it back if necessary. Upon our arrival, the park ranger told me that there was filling station on the opposite end of the park, 28 miles away.
I breathed a sigh of relief…we’d make it.
Ok, Petrified Forest National Park is just amazing.
First, I appreciated the kid-friendly museum. My kids had a great time hunting for “fossils.”
We spent the next 90 minutes walking around until we were told it was time to go…the park gates shut at 5:00 pm and people were asked to return to their cars by 5:30 pm.
We stopped at the Crystal Forest trail on the way out to catch the remainder of the post-sunset light…what a beautiful afternoon.
We drove out of the park and there was not much to see after the sunset, but I did find the filling station and was pleasantly surprised that it was cheaper here for gas than anywhere else nearby until we reached New Mexico.
By this time, we were hungry but we drove to Gallup, New Mexico where Heidi found a great Medeteriean place called Oasis on Yelp.
Middle Eastern food again? Yes, after the poor meal the previous night, we were hungry for some delicious Middle Eastern food, and we found it.
A very kind woman named Salwa Sarameh runs the restaurant and bestowed such kind hospitality on us. Looking around the restaurant, it looked like she had taken over an old diner that served American food.
And the food was so delicious! My lamb kabob was succulent and the knafeh with Turkish coffee for dessert really hit the spot (and helped to keep me awake for the remainder of our drive).
Refueled, we got back into the car and continued our drive to Santa Ana Publeo, just past Albeuqaure.
We arrived after 11:00 pm (Heidi and the kids had fallen asleep in the car) but I quickly checked in and got everyone up to our suite.
What a sweet day.
Tomorrow: a rest day with no travel.
This trip report covers my road trip along the old Route 66 from Los Angeles to Chicago.
Great report. Now, how can you explain that an OK breakfast at the hotel cost you $137 (I understand you did not pay for it) while an amazing real meal like you had at Oasis only cost you $100? Hotel breakfasts are so overrated and absolutely not worth it if you are not getting it for free.
Agreed. This is why after the Globalist expires, I’ll just stop eating hotel breakfasts, period.
I am a very moderate breakfast person so when travelling all I need is a large latte or cappuccino, a small pastry or a yogurt and maybe a banana. If I have time, I usually try to find a local bakery or pastry shop where I can get something freshly made and be on my way. So for maybe less than $15 I am good to go.
@Santastico … Do you eat Too many pastries , and Not enough peanut butter and jam sandwiches ?
I grew up in Latin America and never heard of peanut butter until I moved to the US. Thus, I am not a peanut butter and jam guy. When I say pastry, I am talking about something simple like a muffin, slice of banana bread or croissant, just to get some filling in my stomach. I do not eat donuts, cinnamon rolls, or anything with frosting.
@Matthew … Except when you are hungry , no ?
I don’t think you could have taken Arizona state route 80 to get from Scottsdale to the northeastern portion of the state. Did you mean to say state route 87?
Minor correction: I think you meant AZ-87 in this sentence below.
“But as the clock struck one in the afternoon, we pulled out of the hotel and took AZ-80 North and AZ-260 East to get to the Petrified Forest National Park.”
Glad you enjoyed the Beeline highway views and hope you appreciated one of our main ways out of the valley into the forests!
Correct! I’ll fix it.
All the National parks in the SW are amazing. Arches, Bryce, Zion, Canyonlands, Grand Canyon, etc. really a beautiful corner of the country
For your next visit to NM, consider White Sands – it is amazing and there is a great space museum nearby. Also, there are wonderful atomic energy museums in Los Alamos and Albuquerque. There are also some wonderful hot spring resorts both north and south.
When in AZ make sure that you watch for Historic RT 66 to Slegman, Az and visit the stores and places. You might get a chance to meet some of the People that Helped get the Historic RT 66 Route MARKED.
Hi Matthew. Always enjoyable and educational to read your comments. I kind of feel like it might be imposing and inappropriate, but I gotta ask. And I suspect the reason is that you and Heidi want Claire Marie to make her own decisions, presuming of course those decisions are not unsafe or unhealthy.
Every picture I remember of Claire Marie on your blog, she’s wearing boots, similar in style to Wellington boots which I believe are mainly worn in wet weather or when one knows they’ll be walking in ankle deep water.
Yet Claire Marie appears to always be wearing that style of boots, even on a clear blue sunshine day. Simply curious why. Thank you.
Sounds like you’re possibly headed to Tamaya! We love Oasis! Best food in Gallup. El Rancho Hotel is worth a visit as well.
We loved Tamaya!
Gallup and you didn’t get Mexican food? My goto is breakfast at Sandra’s Place on route66. The handmade tortillas are like pancakes.
I stay at the Hilton Garden Inn near Oasis and have always wondered about it. Will definitely try it next time.
That drive is one of the best for sure. I’ve done it in the fall and it’s even more beautiful.