Meteor Crater to Trading Posts

After departing Flagstaff we headed towards the first pit stop on the Arizona/New Mexico border at Yellow Horse Indian Trading Post and Tomahawk Indian Store near Lupton, Arizona. I thought we were going to have our picture taken with a Native American Indian but learned it was just a sign of Route 66. Oh well, we stopped first at the Meteor Crater that is over a mile across. Then we traveled to the photo op and saw other Mini drivers posing with the same sign.
Then we hunted for the nostalgic trailers where the best Navaho flat bread and other local delicacies tempted our sons. The ride to the location was phenomenal except for the occasional cow or horse coming on to the highway while we traveling at more than Mini speed! The place looked like it had been abandoned for years ala Montgomery Wards and other formerly famous places.
We then passed Navaho Nation and headed into Gallup,New Mexico. We then passed Navaho Nation and headed into Gallup where we went to the Ellis Tanner Trading Post where we visited with Lynn Tanner. We asked about Joe Tanner whom we had dealt with in years past when we had a gallery in Florida. Lynn asked if we knew Betty Jones at the American Indian Store in St. Augustine. We exchanged mutual greetings. Then Lynn wanted to take pictures of the GP since one of his friends had a Mini and he wanted to show him the latest. We also took a picture of him in his store in front of the famous September 11, 2001 rug that was hand- made at the Navaho radio station "Navaho all the Time" as part of a healing after the national tragedy. Ellis Tanner had acquired the rug on E-Bay out bidding others for the charity. The rug then went on a national tour. After spending some time at the Tanner trading Post we headed to Albuquerque in the rain. Just as we were entering the city on went the engine light again. When we parked the vehicle it went off. And so it goes. Tomorrow it is the sacred chapel at Chimayo and Santa Fe after leaving Albuquerque. We are probably leaving the "official Minitakesthestates tour and starting our own on the way back to Florida. Keep motoring!