Interstate 40 Now Open In New Mexico

Above, a view of the derailment from the eastbound lanes of I-40.

Interstate 40 is slowly getting back to normal in New Mexico.

Both directions (east and west) of the major thoroughfare are now open. 

From the photo above, I know exactly where the derailment took place. It is just beyond the eastbound on-ramp of Interstate 40, fairly near Chief Yellowhorse Trading Post. I've been there many times while going to Tee Pee Trading Post in Lupton, Arizona.

Many people posting on the Facebook New Mexico Road and Weather Reports Updates have been posting warnings to others such as this:

I-40 near NM/AZ Stateline by Lupton is opened EB, WB! Just be careful of some traffic backup!

FYI: Seen people try to stop or slow down on i40 to take pictures of the crash site, pls don't. You're might cause an accident!!

Good advice!  

Chief Yellowhorse Family Backs Trump

At the Arizona-New Mexico border at Interstate 40 stands the Tee Pee Trading Post and Tee Pee Smoke Shop. It is there that I occasionally pick up some cigars as they have the best selection in the Gallup, New Mexico area. Officially, it is in Lupton, Arizona.

Today, while heading to the Tee Pee Smoke Shop I noticed a sign at the Chief Yellowhorse Trading Post, which is a quarter mile up the road from the Tee Pee Trading Post on Route 66.

After my business at the Tee Pee was completed, I drove up to Chief Yellowhorse Trading Post to take a photo of the sign. The trading post store sits smack dab atop the Arizona-New Mexico borderline.

Here's the photo:

Above, the sign that caught my attention is on the right. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

The Chief Yellowhorse Trading Post is operated by the Yellowhorse family.

Sunday Drive

Above, the Tee Pee Gift and Smoke Shop in Lupton, Arizona. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Today, I took a nice drive to the Tee Pee Smoke Shop in Lupton, Arizona (at the border with New Mexico) to pick up a few stogies. The only place that sells cigars in Gallup has a poor selection and what they do have are overpriced.

While there, I browsed around and took a few photos.

It was interesting to see a mix of Indian and alien figures there.

Afterwards, I went down the road (historic Route 66) to the Chief Yellowhorse cliff dwelling cave and found that it was open.

I went inside the gift store there and found that it was built right on top of the Arizona-New Mexico border. The floor has the border line painted just inside the entry. Visitors can stand over it with one foot in Arizona and the other in New Mexico.

Photos below.


Tee Pee Gift and Smoke Shop

Above, an alien with his Arizona t-shirt. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Above, what's a cigar store without a cigar store Indian? Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Above, a general view of the gift shop. The humidor is directly in back. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Above, another alien stands guard in the Tee Pee Gift Shop. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Chief Yellowhorse Trading Post

Above, the Chief Yellowhorse cliff dwelling cave. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Above, another view of things to see. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Above, Chief Yellowhorse even has a dinosaur for you dino fans. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Above, Chief Yellowhorse gift shop. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Above, the main entrance to the gift shop. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Above, the border crosses through the gift shop. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Above, the view of Interstate 40 and Route 66 from the parking area. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Make Chief Great Again!

This morning, I took a little jaunt to the Tee Pee Smoke Shop in Lupton, Arizona (at the Arizona-New Mexico border) to pick up some stogies for this weekend's clampout.

I've been there several times before, but not with my Canon camera. This time I brought it and took some photos.

The first stop was just down the road from the Tee Pee Smoke Shop where there are several Navajo gift shops operated by Chief Yellowhorse.

Above, Indian stores at the Arizona-New Mexico border on historic Route 66. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Above, above the Indian stores, we're being watched from above on the rocks. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Above, the Tee Pee Trading Post that contains the Tee Pee Smoke Shop. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

According to Roadside America, Chief Yellowhorse died September 27, 1999 of a heart attack. But the Chief Yellowhorse Trading Post near the Tee Pee Trading Post (down old Route 66) is still in operation. It is currently operated by the Yellowhorse family.

Above, this section of the Chief Yellowhorse Trading Post operations
 appears to be closed for the season. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Above, the old Chief Yellowhorse fort. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Above, there are cave dwellings at the Chief Yellowhorse Trading Post. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Above, tee pees above the cave. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Above, looking west in Lupton, Arizona on Route 66. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Why is this blog post titled the way it is?

Here's why:

Above, signs to catch the eyes of tourists. Note the third sign from the left. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

After visiting the Chief Yellowhorse landmarks, I headed back into New Mexico on historic Route 66 as far as this stretch of it lasts, before merging into Interstate 40.

Above, the sign on Route 66 welcoming drivers to New Mexico. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Back in Gallup, I stopped at the Navajo Travel Plaza (on Route 66 at Exit 16 of Interstate 40) to pick up something to drink. Inside, a vintage Buick was on display. I asked the clerk if I may take a photo of it. He said okay. (Indians are somewhat touchy about photography in their businesses, so it is best to ask first.)

Above, a 1950 Buick on display at the Navajo Travel Plaza in West Gallup. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Following my stop at the Navajo Travel Plaza, I made a quick stop at the Flying J to check my mail and headed home to pack up for the clampout.

Make Chief Great Again!

I couldn't resist:

Above, "Don't call me Chief!"