Albuquerque, NM

Based on the events from Friday, July 19, 2013

Today was an awesome day! Definitely one of my favorite days on our trip! Everyone we met on our journey who heard we were going to Albuequerque said, "Why would you wanna go there? There's nothing to do there.  Go to Santa Fe instead." I am very happy we didn't listen to them and stuck to our travel plans because I am in LOVE with Old Town Albuquerque! The old towns we have explored have given us insight into times when these were new towns.  I am inspired by these simpler times and enjoy  taking in my surroundings, pondering how life once was. 

Our first stop was at the oldest Catholic Church in Albuquerque, San Felipe de Neri.  I love visiting churches, while traveling! There's a peaceful presence and sense of "home" when I walk through any religious denomination's church doors.  This church has been at the heart of Old Town since 1706.  It's adobe structure, blossoming rose garden and simple beauty inside make the church very inviting.

Papa G and I strolled through the adobe styled-town, walked into the speciality shops, met Navajo American Indians selling their gorgeous hand-crafted jewelry and admired the gardens & chili peppers hanging from the buildings. Dad & I then ventured into a courtyard with a sign above us reading "Nick Garcia's Patio Shops."  We entered this lovely courtyard garden, hidden from the busy Old Town streets.  Dad's find was a secluded treasure.  The stone patio was filled with brightly colored flowers, benches and a refreshing fountain.  There were numerous shops in the back of this courtyard and a delicious New Mexican find, Quesadilla Grill.  We tried the street taco special.  The shrimp stree tacos were by far the tastiest street tacos I have ever had! We enjoyed our lunch on the sunny & relaxing patio. 

Red Hot Chili Peppers

Venturing inside, I spoke with our waiter, Leroy, who informed me that this restaurant is a family run business.  His great-grandfather, Nick Garcia (from the sign entrance) was one of the first of four families to settle in Old Town, Albuquerque.  In front of the courtyard stands an adobe structured shop, which was Nick's original house.  The restaurant was the Garcia Family's second, larger home. Leroy told us that his great-grandfather was in construction and designed many of the adobe-structured homes and buildings in Abuquerque, including his own homes. People could recognize his work from his flower trade-mark imprinted on the adobe buildings.  What an amazing story! We were so grateful to have met Leroy and hear of his family history! I will never forget this one-of-a-kind history lesson in Old Town Albuquerque! Thanks, Leroy! It was a pleasure meeting you! I look forward to stopping back at Quesidilla Grill, and enjoying an ice, cold beer on your new patio in the future ;)

Our next stop was Amarillo, Texas.  Our first impression was..."It smells like shit! Literally!" But, our views on Amarillo changed when we went to The Big Texan Steak Ranch for dinner (special thanks to my dear friends, Trish & Jen for recommending this place).  In the words of Papa G, "This place if crazy!!!" Shooting games, slot machines, a GIGANTIC chair & boot, live country music & the bar kept us quite entertained for an hour while waiting for our table.  The time flew by because we were having so much fun! 

Sharp Shooter! 

The "challenge" at this restaurant is if 1 person can eat a 72 oz. steak in 1 hour it's FREE! If not, he/she must pay $72.  According to history, back in 1960, 4 hungry cowboys came into the restaurant and bet who could eat the most.  The cowboy who won had eaten 4 1/2 16 oz. steaks, or 72 oz.  The challenge was born and has stuck ever since! Thousands have taken the challenge and succeeded since then! We did not take the challenge but we enjoyed our 23 oz steak (split of course ;) 

This kid attempted the challenge to eat a 72 oz steak in 1 hour.  I don't know if he overcame the challenge but I DO know he was barfing in front of everyone!