Gallup, NM

 The view out my back window in the campground here is lovely. 

Before going into Gallup, I took a quick trip to Window Rock, AZ, named after this natural arch. In the shadow of the rock formations are the extensive Navajo Nation government buildings, some of which seem inspired by their traditional architecture. A nearby Navajo Nations Museum is small but interesting. 

Gallup is a classic western town, with many older buildings, some abandoned buildings, & a modern American commercial strip at each end toward the interstate exits. My husband's brother's wife's mother (my brother-in-law's mother-in-law) sent me an article about Gallup a couple of years ago, which put it on my radar. Other than this old hotel (now a shuttered museum), all of the other locations were mentioned in the article. 

Richardson's Trading Post looks very big, but ho-hum from the outside. Inside is a HUGE assortment of all sorts of native crafts & items: blankets, jewelry, hats, belts, saddles, artwork, hunting trophies, etc, etc, etc. It is extremely well organized & beautifully displayed. Behind the counters are entrances to other rooms with tons more merchandise, in case you don't find exactly what you're looking for out front. This place amazed me! 

Similarly, City Electric Shoe store deserves its reputation beyond Gallup. Not as huge as Richardson's, but more focused, it's large & well organized with shoes & clothing items. 

The El Morro theater opened in 1928, & has an orchestra pit from its days showing silent films. It  appears to still operate, as the posters out front feature recent movies. 

And then there's something for those of us who enjoy roadside kitsch.

 

Don Diego's is a cross between an old diner, a 1960s hotel restaurant, & a modern Mexican-American restaurant. It was packed even mid-afternoon. 

Red Rock Park, where I'm camped, has trails to several rock formations. 

  

A fun day.