Day Six was the first day I got to stay in one place and really explore it. I had heard good things about Albuquerque and just thought it was a solid rest point almost a week into the trip.

Krystal and I barely saw even the most touristy things Albuquerque has to offer in this one day, but the things we did see were fun and interesting, including:

• Old Town (which also has tours if you're interested}
• Dog House for lunch (recommended by Nancy & John)
• Rattlesnake Museum ("Slither on in")
• brief stop at the Botanic Garden (because Krystal's obsessed haha)
• Sandia Peak Tramway (so awesome)

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That first night being by myself was kind of weird. It was nice to have the time to be alone and gather my thoughts and to let my choice to make this trip and move to Nashville sink in more. Cell phone service was dismal, but wi-fi was good enough that I could watch the "Cars" movie — fitting since there were so many references in that movie to Route 66. 

Day five was a more designated relaxing day. And I needed it. Apart from the lack of sleep that I had gotten before going on the trip in trying to spend as much time with friends and family and getting all the projects I wanted to finished, as I think you've caught on — the driving was tiring. I was so thankful for this particular Sunday, the Sabbath Day, to have the time to rest. I was able to find a church near Holbrook and then started driving on to Albuquerque.

It was fun to see that — what felt like — in the middle of nowhere Holbrook, that looked like it had one grocery store and a lot of run down buildings, that amidst that there was a beautiful LDS church building with a massive organ that looked out on top of a hill over the land below. 

I had more plans to stop at various places along the way to Albuquerque but the time jump ahead one hour threw me off and my detours onto the actual Route 66 where possible became a not-so-good choice when the road turned into a speed-bumpy road that I couldn't go more than 5-7 MPH on. It extended the time a lot.

Day five itinerary:

• Petrified Forest National Park 
• Indian Kachina Statue {Gallup, NM}
• Continental Divide {Continental Divide, NM}
• El Morro National Monument {Ramah, NM}
• Ice Cave & Bandera Volcano {Grants, NM} 
• El Mapais National Monument {Grants, NM}
• end in Albuquerque, NM

*Did not originally make it to El Morro National Monument, Ice Cave & Bandera Volcano, or El Mapais National Monument so it's not included in the mileage, or drive time but I was able to go to the Ice Cave & Bandera Volcano with Matt, so that's included as a "bonus" at the end.

Approximate mileage: 239

Approximate driving time: 3.5 hours

Approximate expenses: $0 (seriously, nothing)

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