Before we leave Albuquerque we decide to take a short drive and grab some lunch so we stop at Tim’s Place, a small local restaurant in a strip mall. We are very happy that we stopped by. Tim Harris is the owner of the restaurant known as “The World’s Friendliest Restaurant”. The theme is casual, the food is good, the staff is very nice and Tim gives free hugs to anyone who wants one. Tim’s statement “My favorite part of all is the people coming through the front door. My hugs are way more important than the food… The food is just food!”. We had a great time, by the way, Tim was born with Down’s Syndrome but it doesn’t stop him from dreaming big and making his dreams come true.
Okay off we go to look for some piece of Route 66 before leaving New Mexico. We find it in Gallup, New Mexico, right near the Arizona border. Gallup features many of the same type of sights we’ve seen all along the route, retro motels, art deco signs, and fun wall murals, and an incredible southwestern landscape. The population here is largely native American so it is a great place to absorb some of that culture and enjoy viewing the handmade jewelry and crafts available for purchase.
We only have a day to absorb the beauty and culture of New Mexico because it is time to head up to Utah.