Moab Want-A-Be

IF YOU ARE GOING TO THE BALLOON RACE GET YOUR CAMERA READY
A Moab Want-a-be

You may not have visited Gallup, New Mexico before but chances are you have seen the town in a movie.
During the 1950’s, when western movies, were at their peak of popularity. Stars like Ronal Regan, Errol Flynn, Spencer Tracy, Katharine Hepburn, Kirk Douglas, Burt Lancaster, and Lee Remick made movies in Gallup, all similar to Moab, Utah.
A effort is being designed to take advantage of the areas beauty, from high desert landscapes of red rock to ponderosa pines.
There are 24 miles of High Desert Trail system of single tracks and additional 50 miles of primarily mountain bike trail.
A rock climbing area at Mentmare. Motorized vehicles are barred , unlike Moab where a jeep rally is held every year.
Gallup does have hot-air ballooning which is very popular. The annual Red Rock Balloon Rally is held each December.
This event is the second largest in the United States.
Gallup has a historical feel. The history includes rail roads, mines, American Indians, movies and route 66.
In my opinion Gallop could never compete with Moab. In just this one example, the area of Moab is huge with many acres of red rock. Gallop just does not have the playing field that Moab has.
If you visit Gallup, New Mexico a fun place to eat is at Earl’s Restaurant. Founded ii 1947 it is a Route 66 icon. The diner can seat 400 and often does.
Navajo venders from the nearby reservation, set up shop outside the diner doors. Very polite venders wonder from table
To table selling everything, from jewelry to trinkets.
They have some very beautifully designed jewelry, they will bring it to your table to look at and to Purchase . They cause no problems and will leave if you say no thank you.