El Rancho Hotel's New Gift Shop Opens

The new gift shop at the El Ranch Hotel in Gallup has opened. It is in the former location of the hotel's restaurant. It looks great!

It is much larger than the former location across the hall from it. I asked but nobody knows what the gift shop's former location is going to be used for. Apparently, they haven't decided. 

The new gift shop has a lot more items to choose from. 

Here's what it looks like: 

ECV El Rancho Hotel Plaque Dedication Gallup Sun Article

Above, the plaque dedicated August 10, 2019 at the El Rancho Hotel. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Even though it has been a few years since the Lost Dutchman Chapter of E Clampus Vitus dedicated a plaque at the El Rancho Hotel & Motel in Gallup, New Mexico, I hadn't seen the following article from the Gallup Sun until this morning.

I was looking for something else and the article popped up during a search.

They began it with:

The Lost Dutchman Chapter No. 5917 of the Ancient and Honorable Order of E Clampus Vitus, a fraternal organization dedicated to preserving the heritage of the American West, dedicated a plaque to the El Rancho Hotel, Aug. 10.  The location, at 1000 E. Hwy. 66, is now a historical site.

The El Rancho Hotel was constructed in 1936 for R.E. Griffith, brother of filmmaker D.W. Griffith, and served as a base camp for movie crews and actors. That site and its proximity to western landscapes, made it an ideal place to make movies.

Above, some of the ECV brothers at the El Rancho Hotel. 

The plaque is in the hotel's main lobby under a portrait of Armand Ortega.

To read the full article, go here.

In Gallup

Yesterday was somewhat busy.

In the morning, I had the new dishwasher installed. The old one started acting up. It wouldn't run for six days. On the day the new one was to be delivered, the old one started working again. I decided to replace it anyway as it could be a sign it was about to totally fail.

Above, the new dishwasher. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

In the afternoon, I took Larry Lucier to his physical therapy session in Gallup. While he was doing that, I headed over for a latte at Gallup Coffee Company in the historic district. After I finished my latte, I headed over to the El Rancho Hotel and relaxed by their big fireplace in the main lobby.

Above, the El Rancho Hotel fireplace. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Once Larry's therapy session was done, we headed to Applebee's for dinner. Their service left much to be desired. 

It was a sunny day, but cold out. The wind made it more uncomfortable. 

Movie Star Paper Coaster

Last Sunday, before going grocery shopping, I stopped at the El Rancho Hotel's Silver Screen restaurant for some breakfast.

They've recently started providing paper coasters of stars who've stayed at the El Rancho.

The one I received last Sunday:

 

Breakfast At The El Rancho

Above, the El Rancho lobby this morning. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

This morning, I had to go into Gallup to do some grocery shopping.

Before doing my shopping, I stopped first for some breakfast at the Silver Screen Restaurant at the El Rancho Hotel & Motel. 

When I arrived at the El Rancho lobby, it was already adorned with Christmas decorations. I think they will add more as the month progresses. 

I had my favorite El Rancho breakfast dish: Monument Valley Enchiladas. 

Here it is:

Above, the Monument Valley Enchiladas had more green chile peppers than
 usual. It was actually better, not that they were ever bad. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Rain Squall In Gallup

Above, the El Rancho Hotel after the rain squall clouds passed. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

A little while ago, I returned home from a trek to Gallup for some grocery shopping.

On the way there, I noticed a big black cloud with rain downpouring from it towards the southwest. I figured that it would hit Gallup within the hour.

Upon reaching Gallup, I stopped at the El Rancho Hotel for some breakfast (Monument Valley Enchiladas). While there, the storm arrived and we had some claps of thunder overhead along with downpour rain squall.

After finishing my breakfast, sure enough, the storm dumped some rain on Gallup and proceeded to head towards the east. (There was no evidence of any rain in Jamestown when I got home.) After the storm clouds passed, it got nice and warm outside.

This is probably one of the "last hurrahs" of the monsoon season which ends this month. 

Dinner At The El Rancho

Following my screening of Reagan, I headed into Gallup for dinner at the Silver Screen restaurant in the El Rancho Hotel. By the time the movie was over, it was my dinner-time anyway.

Interestingly, inside the restaurant is a poster of Santa Fe Trail (1940) starring Errol Flynn, Olivia de Havilland and Ronald Reagan. Reagan had stayed at the hotel during his movie days.

I had chicken enchiladas.

Today In Gallup

Finally, I got my order of Alien Amber Ale today. It took longer since the liquor department manager, Eric Romero, passed away last month. I ordered it on April 2. Apparently, the person now handling liquor department orders wasn't too familiar with the process (or something). Eric usually had it in within a week.

I wasn't too concerned about it as long as I have it by next month's three-chapter Clampout. Besides, I received my income tax refund the other day, so my wallet was fortified with extra cash.

I went to Gallup this evening for dinner at the El Rancho Hotel's Silver Screen Restaurant. Following that, I went to the market to pick up a few things, including the beer. 

Caught A Cold

Above, Karina at the Silver Screen. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Yesterday and today, I wasn't feeling much for blogging. I did start yesterday with some, but today I didn't until now.

I apparently caught a cold on Monday. The only person who seemed to have a cold on Monday was server Karina at the Silver Screen Cafe at the El Rancho Hotel. She was coughing a lot while I was there. 

My great-grandfather, who was a doctor, said that it takes three days for a cold virus to manifest itself. So it sounds about right that it hit yesterday,

The good news is that I am feeling better.

Happy New Year!

Above, yours truly at the Red Rock 10 Theaters in Gallup.

As previously mentioned, I decided to give Godzilla Minus One another viewing. This time, it was at the local Red Rock 10 Theaters in Gallup. The first time I saw it was in Albuquerque at the beginning of the month. 

It was as enjoyable as the first time. The theater was about half full. It was a nice way to close out the year.

Godzilla Minus One is doing great business worldwide. It is closing in on $80 million! I would surmise that this will be the most successful Japanese Godzilla movie in history. I am certain that Toho is quite happy.

Above, the chicken enchiladas (the Rita Moreno on the menu). Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Following that, I headed over to the Silver Screen restaurant at the El Rancho Hotel. I had chicken enchiladas. 

Above, yours truly about to have dinner under the watchful eyes of The Duke.

Now, I am going to sit at home and relax. I will likely be asleep in bed by midnight. If that's the case, Happy New Year to all!

What A Day!

Above, the El Rancho's lobby had more Christmas decorations yesterday. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Yesterday was rather interesting.

I had to go into Gallup to do some grocery shopping. Before doing so, I stopped at the Silver Screen cafe at the El Rancho Hotel for a breakfast of their Monument Valley Enchiladas. They were good (as usual).

In case I didn't see my waitress again before Christmas, I gave her a monetary Christmas bonus with her tip. I made her day, especially since business had been slow yesterday.

Above, the Silver Screen cafe's Christmas tree. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Before leaving home, I was somewhat concerned over the starting problems with my 1989 Mustang. But it had been starting good for this past week, so I decided to chance it. In back of my mind, if it should act up in Gallup, it would be near enough to my mechanic's so that if probrems should arise, they could finally find out what's causing the problem. They can't diagnose it if it starts.

Above, another view of the El Rancho's lobby. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

From the El Rancho, I headed to the market and got my groceries, including dairy and frozen foods.

Well, after loading the car with the groceries, the car tried to start but something choked it off and it wouldn't start. Luckily, it was only a few blocks from the mechanic, but I had to wait for Auto Club's tow truck to arrive, which ended up being a hour and a half later. Thankfully, the market put my perishables in their cooler. Greg Lucier came to give me a ride home. 

Finally, the tow truck arrived and it was towed to the mechanic's. 

The way the car was acting, I suspect the problem lies with the fuel system. In any case, I am having the fuel filter changed. Hopefully, the starting problem will finally be fixed.

When I got home, waiting for me on the porch was the 6" Godzilla Minus One vinyl figure by Bandai that I ordered on December 5. It arrived from Japan. Nice, fast service!

Above, the Bandai 6" Godzilla Minus One figure. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Now for the wait to find out what ails the Mustang. Thank God I have the Jeep to drive around here.

El Rancho Hotel's Gallery

Above, the main entrance to the El Rancho Hotel & Motel. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Regular readers of this blog know that I frequent Gallup, New Mexico's El Rancho Hotel & Motel on Route 66 for relaxing meals. 

I was perusing the El Rancho's website and came upon their gallery of photos of the hotel and what they have to offer to travelers.

We'll begin with their introduction of the hotel:

IF YOU BUILD IT, THEY WILL COME

Since the 1940s Hotel El Rancho has played host to some of Hollywood’s biggest movie makers and movie stars including Robert Mitchum, Elia Kazan, Spencer Tracy, Katherine Hepburn, Melvyn Douglas, William Holden, Billy Wilder, Kirk Douglas, Gregory Peck, Ward Bond, Lon Chaney, Jr., Jose Ferrer, Kim Hunter, Troy Donahue, Suzanna Pleshette and many more. Even today the hotel continues to host film crews.

Above, the plaque by the Lost Dutchman Chapter of E Clampus Vitus. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

In August 2019, the Lost Dutchman Chapter No. 5917 of E Clampus Vitus held a plaque dedication at the hotel that included Zuni Pueblo dancers. The plaque is located in the hotel lobby under a portrait of late owner Armand Ortega. Many attendees of the plaque dedication stayed at the hotel and found it enjoyable. 

Above, the El Rancho's main lobby. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

During recent years, the El Rancho has undergone many renovations, including the guest rooms, restaurant (The Silver Screen), bar (The 49er Lounge) and facilities. 

From their website:

The 49er Lounge

Legend has it that John Wayne once rode a horse into the bar and ordered a beer — for both him and his horse. We can’t vouch for the story’s veracity, but we do know plenty of celebs passed their movie making downtime right here. Join us and revel in the history and fun.

One of the things I like doing is to bring out-of-state visitors to the El Rancho. All have been impressed with it.

To see their gallery, go here.

Snow Right On Schedule

Above, the El Rancho Hotel has their Christmas tree up. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Right on schedule, the latest snowstorm arrived in Jamestown, New Mexico overnight. It is snowing now.

This one is supposed to dump snow up to around noon and then take a break or a few hours and start again tonight.

It was a good thing the storm held off while I was taking Larry Lucier to his physical therapy and doing grocery shopping in Gallup yesterday. We had dinner at the El Rancho Hotel's Silver Screen Cafe.

I will likely be holed up in the house all day today.

I took a couple of photos of this morning's snow.

El Rancho's Restaurant and 49er Lounge

Above, the Silver Screen Café. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Since I moved to New Mexico five years ago, I have often mentioned the historic El Rancho Hotel & Motel on Historic Route 66 in Gallup. Mainly, it has been in regard to its restaurant.

I noticed the other day that the hotel's website had been updated and, it turns out, the hotel restaurant (the dining room opened last year) has a name: the Silver Screen Café. 

Above, Mitch Geriminsky and yours truly in the Silver Screen Café.

From the website:

The Silver Screen Café

The original ranch-style dining room with high ceilings, exposed wood beam trusses and rustic cowboy décor. The Silver Screen takes an uncomplicated approach to familiar favorites with an emphasis on traditional Southwestern flavors. It’s a fun, casual setting so you can dig in after a day of exploring National Monuments and Native Pueblos or get off on the right foot for a new day’s adventures.

Hours
We’re open seven days a week for visitors and neighbors alike, from 7am to 10pm.

This is the first time I heard of this name as there are no signs (that I've seen) in the hotel stating such.

Next to the Silver Screen Café (which has its own bar, by the way), is the 49er Lounge, the El Rancho's main bar.

Above, Clampers enjoying the spirits of the 49er Lounge. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

According to the website:

The 49er Lounge 

Legend has it that John Wayne once rode a horse into the bar and ordered a beer — for both him and his horse. We can’t vouch for the story’s veracity, but we do know plenty of celebs passed their movie making downtime right here. Join us and revel in the history and fun.

Hours
We’re open 7 days a week from 4pm to 11pm.

Following the 2019 Lost Dutchman Chapter of E Clampus Vitus plaque dedication in the El Rancho's lobby, the Clampers migrated to the 49er Lounge and partook in adult beverages and munchies. Their verdict of the bar: Satisfactory!

By the way, if one has never tried out Screwball peanut butter whiskey, one may purchase shots of it at the 49er Lounge. I actually like it better than regular whiskey.

To read more, go here. 

Breakfast At The El Rancho

Above, Santa Fe Trail poster in the El Rancho dining room. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

This morning, I was about to make my morning breakfast oatmeal and found out that I was out of it.

Since I have to take my meds with food my recourse was to go to a restaurant for breakfast. Since I was going to go into Gallup anyway today to grocery shop, I figured I would go to the El Rancho Hotel in Gallup for breakfast. It was about 28° outside when I left the house. 

Above, the front of the Historic El Rancho Hotel & Motel in Gallup this morning. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

That's what I ended up doing. The El Rancho is only a block away from Lowe's market, where I was going to get some items. I had huevos rancheros for breakfast.

While there, I took the above photo of a movie poster for Santa Fe Trail (1940) that starred Errol Flynn, Olivia de Havilland, Raymond Massey and Ronald Reagan. A placard next to the poster read that location filming for the movie took place in Santa Fe, New Mexico. Cast and crew members stayed at the El Rancho during the 1940 movie shoot.

El Rancho Hotel Drops Chile Rellenos From Menu

Above, El Rancho's chile rellenos last April. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Yesterday evening, after picking up Larry Lucier from his physical therapy session, he, Russell Azbill and I headed over to the El Rancho Hotel & Motel for dinner. It had been a few weeks since we were last there.

The menu at the restaurant was unchanged, but when I ordered the chile rellenos (Russell was going to order them too), we were told that they were dropped from the menu, despite them still being listed. The waitress said the restaurant manager decided that they weren't selling enough. 

I ended up getting chicken enchiladas. 

As Larry pointed out, chile rellenos should be considered basic food items along with enchiladas, tacos and burritos at Mexican restaurants, which is what the El Rancho restaurant is. We protested the change, in a humorous way, but we got our point across. It was a dumb move on the restaurant manager's part. They'd sell more if they weren't listed in the back page of the menu.

Larry tried to flag over the restaurant manager several times, but he didn't respond.

Their rellenos, in my opinion, were the best in town. It looks like we'll have to find another place for dinner who has decent chile rellenos. 

Five Years

Above, at the house after getting the keys and electric service. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Five years have certainly passed quickly.

It was five years ago today that I went to the title company in Gallup and handed them the cashier's check paying the balance of the house and got the paperwork and keys.

I flew into Gallup the evening before at the Albuquerque Sunport, picked up a rental car and drove into Gallup. I stayed at the Motel 6 in Gallup.

The next morning, I checked out of the Motel 6 and took care of business. I used the lobby of the El Rancho Hotel as my base of operations.

After business was concluded at the title company, I headed over to the electrical company and opened my electrical service account. I also got a post office box as there's no mail carrier delivery. 

I then headed back to the Albuquerque Sunport to fly back home that evening. A few days later, I left L.A. for good and moved to New Mexico.

Day In Gallup

Above, the main lobby of the El Rancho Hotel in Gallup last evening. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Yesterday was spent in Gallup taking Larry Lucier to a doctor's appointment and to his physical therapy.

Fortunately, the temperature was reasonably comfortable after a while (in the mid-40s). There was still some snow on the ground from the storm of a few days ago. 

After his doctor appointment, we headed to Cracker Barrel for breakfast. It was almost full, but we got a table with no problem.

Above, at Cracker Barrel with a triangle golf tee game. Photo by Larry Lucier.

Following that, we headed off to do some errands around town. In no time, it was time for his physical therapy. While he was doing that, I headed off to Walmart and then to Safeway to pick up a few things. When I was done with that, I went to Gallup Coffee downtown and had a mocha latte. 

We got word that eastbound Interstate 40 was to be shut down for two to four hours at Continental Divide due to roadwork. Hopefully, that would be over by the time we headed back to Jamestown.

I was there for a while and soon it was time to pick up Larry. After that, we headed to the El Rancho Hotel for dinner. 

Following dinner, we headed back home and found some traffic backed up near the Iyanbito exit. It wasn't too bad. We stopped at the Flying J to check the mail before heading home. 

Saturday Night Dinner At The El Rancho Hotel

Above, the El Rancho Hotel lobby last night. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Last night, Mitch Geriminsky and I headed to the El Rancho Hotel in Gallup for dinner. 

It was raining out as we drove into Gallup. It must've been a warmer storm as the temperature was around 43°, too warm for snow.

Above, in the El Rancho Hotel dining room under the watchful eye of John Wayne. 

For the first time, I decided to get a John Wayne Burger, which was a half pound of Angus beef with guacamole, lettuce, tomato and onion. It was quite good with a char broiled taste. Normally, I get chile rellenos there, but a I was still a little bit full from breakfast. Mitch had the W. C. Fields Burger. It was basically the same burger except it had chopped green chile peppers instead of guacamole.

The restaurant was almost full when we arrived. I was told it was busier the night before. Opening a bigger dining room last summer is paying off.

Above, the John Wayne Burger. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

The hotel lobby was full of people, many of them connected to the Red Rock Balloon Rally. Speaking of which, it was too rainy and windy for any ascensions, I was told. Better luck next year. 

The lobby had its Christmas tree and decorations up.

Mitch headed back to Lake Havasu this morning around 5:00. 

Heavy Rains Over The Weekend

 

The National Weather Service posted the above map showing that the Four Corners region is subject to possible flash flooding (dark green area). Arizona reports receiving above-normal monsoon rains. It is a sure bet that New Mexico has received the same.

While we were having dinner last night at the El Rancho Hotel in Gallup, we heard a loud noise that lasted about 20 minutes. We thought it was some machinery at first, but it actually was heavy rains hitting the roof.

Above, the new El Rancho Hotel's dining room. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

It did rain hard at times during the drive back to Jamestown. More of the same is expected through the weekend.

Today

Showers and thunderstorms, mainly after noon. Some of the storms could produce heavy rain. High near 78. Light and variable wind becoming northeast 5 to 10 mph in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 90%. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.

Tonight

Showers and thunderstorms likely, mainly before midnight. Some of the storms could produce heavy rain. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 58. East wind around 5 mph becoming south after midnight. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.

Saturday

Showers and thunderstorms likely, mainly after noon. Some of the storms could produce heavy rain. Partly sunny, with a high near 78. Calm wind becoming south around 5 mph in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 70%. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.

Saturday Night

A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly before midnight. Some of the storms could produce heavy rain. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 57. West wind 5 to 10 mph becoming light and variable after midnight.