[Bigfoot424]

Originally Posted by SluggoF16

I may be misreading that, but you won't be doing any exploring in ABQ. State's on a lockdown, very measured response to COVID. I drove I-40 from Amarillo to Holbrook and then AZ 77/377/260/87 to Scottsdale a couple weeks ago, there are strict occupancy restrictions everywhere; Santa Rosa was our first "potty stop" and it was very desolate, a lot of places closed.

I-40 added almost an hour to our trip when we got through Gallup, which was also mostly closed. Three construction zones from about milepost 45 to the AZ state line, with signs stating there was road work ahead, but no communication which lane was closed until right on top of them. Which meant a lot of drivers ended up in the wrong lane right up to the "merge now" signs, turning I-40 into a parking lot. We took the I-10 through Tucson on the way back for the construction, to minimize time in NM, and to avoid the snow which fell from Gallup to Amarillo; the southern route adds an hour (15 versus 14 total) to our time to SW Oklahoma.

When I say exploring I mean riding through the areas. Maybe getting pics of the historic buildings and so on. We have no desires to go into museums and such. I keep looking daily at Googlemaps through our route with Traffic turned on and so far I've not seen these issues so maybe things have improved. And I am fully prepared to drop down to I-10 if necessary meaning canceling our hotel stops and hoping we can find new ones along I-10.

[SluggoF16]

Originally Posted by Bigfoot424

When I say exploring I mean riding through the areas. Maybe getting pics of the historic buildings and so on. We have no desires to go into museums and such.

Understood. Old Town Albuquerque is full of older historic buildings, a bit hard to observe from the street but worth the drive-through. Avoid the southeast area of the city, just east of Kirtland AFB and the Atomic Energy Museum, the locals call it "The War Zone". Think Cabrini Green or Garfield Park in Chicago, Monroe Street in Baltimore, Whitman Park in Camden, or just about anywhere in West Memphis.

On the way out (or back) it may be worth the stop at Cadillac Ranch, just west of Amarillo and right off I-40. Arnot Road exit, double back if going west. Great way to socially distance, see the links below for pictures. The last time I went through (two weeks ago, westbound) it was cold and rainy and yet we could see there were still a few die-hard visitors.

Alternately, there is a copycat east of Amarillo, the VW Slug Bug Ranch, off I-40 at the TX-207/Conway exit. Next to an abandoned and dilapidated US-66 gas station and café, it has a choice selection of VWs stuck in the ground inviting graffiti artists to decorate them with spray paint. As with Cadillac Ranch, anyone bringing in cans of paint must take the empties off-site.

Side note: If the winds are out of the south, and the preponderance of nearby wind turbines will tell you if it is, put your vehicle's air to recirculate or turn it off, because unless you live on a dairy farm or feedlot you will greatly dislike the aroma (stench) as you approach the feedlot right off I-40 about ten miles west of Amarillo and just east of Wildorado.

Slug Bug Ranch

Cadillac Ranch, TX

[eddie gein]

Originally Posted by Bigfoot424

While I am asking these questions I really am not that concerned as I am smart enough to keep us out of the bad areas while we are stopped for the night. My biggest concern is the car break ins while stopped for the night. It happens at even the best hotels

Yes, there is no doubt that the break ins can occur. That being said, I'd still rather take my chances in a small I-40 Oklahoma town than I would in OKC or Fort Smith or Amarillo regarding car break ins.

But since we've had this convo I think it would be fun if you would update us on your trip as you go. I know you will be excited to get to AZ and see that grandchild.

[Rogarven]

I live in El Paso and all these adds on TV to visit NM over the holidays are funny in my opinion. The Guv there has locked down everything and , IMHO, there is no reason to go up there. There Covid cases are through the roof now. I would advise the OP to spend the night in ABQ but don't plan on any site seeing or exploring. Crime there has been a big problem for years. I have my fav places to eat there ( and in Las Cruces) but I do not plan on crossing the state line until this is better. Perhaps the OP will be able to get take out for dinner as there is no dine in now.

[Bigfoot424]

Thanks for the help all.

[Bigfoot424]

Originally Posted by SluggoF16

Understood. Old Town Albuquerque is full of older historic buildings, a bit hard to observe from the street but worth the drive-through. Avoid the southeast area of the city, just east of Kirtland AFB and the Atomic Energy Museum, the locals call it "The War Zone". Think Cabrini Green or Garfield Park in Chicago, Monroe Street in Baltimore, Whitman Park in Camden, or just about anywhere in West Memphis.

On the way out (or back) it may be worth the stop at Cadillac Ranch, just west of Amarillo and right off I-40. Arnot Road exit, double back if going west. Great way to socially distance, see the links below for pictures. The last time I went through (two weeks ago, westbound) it was cold and rainy and yet we could see there were still a few die-hard visitors.

Alternately, there is a copycat east of Amarillo, the VW Slug Bug Ranch, off I-40 at the TX-207/Conway exit. Next to an abandoned and dilapidated US-66 gas station and café, it has a choice selection of VWs stuck in the ground inviting graffiti artists to decorate them with spray paint. As with Cadillac Ranch, anyone bringing in cans of paint must take the empties off-site.

Side note: If the winds are out of the south, and the preponderance of nearby wind turbines will tell you if it is, put your vehicle's air to recirculate or turn it off, because unless you live on a dairy farm or feedlot you will greatly dislike the aroma (stench) as you approach the feedlot right off I-40 about ten miles west of Amarillo and just east of Wildorado.

Slug Bug Ranch

Cadillac Ranch, TX

LOL. We live in farm country in VA. Lots of cattle around us as well as the standard farm odors. Go a few miles NE of us and you'll hit the odor of a poultry processing/rendering plant. So we get a lot of this as well.

[Bigfoot424]

Originally Posted by eddie gein

Yes, there is no doubt that the break ins can occur. That being said, I'd still rather take my chances in a small I-40 Oklahoma town than I would in OKC or Fort Smith or Amarillo regarding car break ins.

But since we've had this convo I think it would be fun if you would update us on your trip as you go. I know you will be excited to get to AZ and see that grandchild.

We'll be bypassing OKC and staying in Weatherford for the night. It comes highly recommended.

[Rogarven]

When we stopped at Cadillac ranch a year ago Oct., they set up a stand and were charging people( I forget how much) to go in closer and paint ( if you wish). We had stayed on the far west side of Amarillo the night before so I just zoomed in with my camera and that was our experience.