Route 66 Day 6 Part 2: Albuquerque to Gallup

Rio Puerco is the first stop after leaving Albuquerque. The Route 66 Casino there is nicer than most of the New Mexico casinos.

The Rio Puerco Bridge was on the original Route 66.

Between Mesita and Laguna, you'll see Owl Rock, Deadman's Curve and some beautiful red rock vistas. The 1699 Lake Mission Church is a gem.

In Budville you can definitely get a Bud at the Midway Bar.

Some say the Ernest Hemmingway wrote "The Old Man and the Sea" in Villa de Cubero. Locals will tell you the story.

Grants has a bunch of run down motels, but some teriffic neon signs remain.

Milan has the Wow Diner, which will wow you.

Continental Divide has the Indian Village and Indian Market Trading Posts, as well as the relic of a Whiting Brothers Motel.

Gallup has the El Rancho Motel, which boasts the Charm of Yesterday and Convenience of Tomorrow. All the rooms are named after movie stars who stayed there. The El rancho also has the 49er Bar, which is one of the great bars on Route 66.