10/2/14 - Mid-point on Route 66
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We left Amarillo, TX early because it is still a long way to go to get to Albuquerque, MN. Our first stop was the Cadillac Ranch. We missed the turn-off for Home Depot, so we arrived with no spray paint. Luckily, previous visitors had left plenty of paint for us to play with. We each chose a chassis and preceded to leave our marks over the marks of so many other artists who drove many, many miles to make their marks. That's what happens there. What an interesting art piece in process!
Our second stop was Adrian, TX which is the mid-point of Route 66. We are 1,139 miles from Chicago and also 1,139 miles from LA. We had breakfast at the Mid-Point Cafe and watched other tourists cueing up for their opportunity to take pictures at the half way point. The cafe is right on the line marking the middle of Route 66. We encountered Japanese tourists in a caravan and 8 Danish motorcyclists on Harleys. Some wore well worn leathers and looked like experienced riders; others' leathers were brand new. We talked to the owner of the cafe and he signed our book and took our picture with the Thunderbird in front of the mid-point sign.
On to New Mexico! One of the things we noticed about this part of the country is that it is fairly flat. Even though we are at 4,500 feet elevation, there aren't many mountains...or trees. Our time frame was narrowing but we still had time to stop and wash the car.
The T-Bird drives fine, but as soon as we slow down and the engine starts to heat up it runs rough, due to the ethanol in the modern fuel we are using. It has a low boiling point. Modern cars have electronic fuel injection which monitors temperature and keeps constant fuel pressure to the engine. Our carburetor doesn't have that ability, and is open to varying pressures so the fuel sometimes boils out of the carburetor. That gives us vapor lock. BUT we managed to get to the airport by the time our wives' plane landed.
The hotel where we are staying is in Rio Rancho near the site of the Albuquerque Balloon Festival that we came to see along with friends and relatives. Some of them live in the area and others flew in for the event and to celebrate the half way milestone on our trip.
Robbie and Gayle, who live in Prescott, AZ recommended El Pinto for some authentic Mexican food. It is well known and the food was great. We passed the evening drinking Margaretas and sampling each other's meals. Have you ever heard of a Mexican sundae? It is coffee ice cream with Kahlua, chocolate, whipping cream and nuts with a cherry on top!
