Continental Divide Then & Now

Every so often, I'll head about eight miles east on Interstate 40 to Continental Divide, New Mexico to do some shopping (or just browsing) at the Indian Market on Historic Route 66.

A friend sent me a post card photo of what Continental Divide looked like on Route 66 in the 1940s.

The old gas station is gone, but there is still a Phillips 66 there today.

Here's Continental Divide today:

Here's Continental Divide in the 1940s:

Took A Drive

Earlier today, I decided to take a drive about eight miles east of home on I-40. There are several Indian stores worth perusing, although some people may consider them tourist traps.

The stores are located off Exit 47, where the Continental Divide bisects the United States.

The first one wasn't worth mentioning as they had very little in goods available. The other two had lots of stuff.

The are:

Above, Indian Market was the best of the two that I would recommend visiting. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Above, Indian Village. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

I rummaged around Indian Village and Indian Market. I found Indian Market's selections more interesting and, their prices were very enticing. They had kachinas at 50% off. So I bought one that normally sells for $72.00 at half off. It is now residing in the glass cabinet in the dining room to add a little color. It's name: Thunder.

Here it is:

Above, the kachina with its mask on. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Above, the kachina with its mask off. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

In-between the two stores is a Phillips 66 gas station. It reminded me of when they were in the Los Angeles market in the early 1960s (they took over Flying A gas stations), but later pulled out.

For some nostalgia, here it is:

Above, the Phillips 66 gas station between the Indian Village and Indian Market stores. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

It was an enjoyable little excursion.