The Orange Ninja and Friends: ?estamos alli todavia?

Day 8
Santa Fe, NM to Gallup, NM

Santa Fe is just as a vibrant city during the day as it was in the night. This town is the town where artists go to die. I couldn't keep count the number of the women who looked like they sprung from the pages of Chico's and Coldwater Creek. We spent the morning exploring around the hotel, and happened upon revitalized industrial part of the city (think Mancester only with nicer buildings and fewer guns.) The area used to be the old rail yard of Santa Fe, and now was teeming with city parks full of child friendly areas, farmer markets, art galleries, and beautiful gardens. Also, everyone we passed was enamored with Napoleon with people telling s stories left and right about how they know someone with a pug, boston terrier, english bulldog...of course no one ever has a frenchie. Unfortunately, Napoleon wasn't allowed in the market areas, the only strike we had against the city, so we decided to head back downtown to check out some of the local Navajo artists. Downtown was even more colorful during the day as well. Around every corner there was a street vendor selling handmade silver and turquoise jewelry or kachina dolls. We ventured into Sun Country Traders where I picked up a carving of a rooster wearing hi-tops from Navajo artist Matt Yellowman. He just had some pieces picked up by the Smithsonian, so hopefully it will be an heirloom. After a light lunch at Sage Bakery, we headed back on the road finally heading West again. We stopped by El Malpais National Monument. This 42 miles stretch of road was part lava beds part gigantic sand bluffs and home to a small natural arch. We saw about 3 people in an hour and it made me wonder why such an amazing area was absent of visitors, a stark contrast to Rocky Mountain a few days ago. We ditched the camping idea after thunderstorms and a flood advisory loomed on the horizon and are spending the night in Gallup. Gallup looked like it was an oasis in the days of Route 66, but now is a ghost town full of pawn shops and boarded up motels. It also may very well be future place of employment. Tomorrow Nikki is being a good sidekick and tagging along while I go play grown up for a few job interviews..wish me luck!