Visitors Today

Above, at the Silver Screen Café in Gallup.

Today turned out to be a good one as friends Mitch Geriminsky and Dwight Kuntz stopped in Gallup en route to home in Lake Havasu, Arizona. They were visiting a friend in Colorado. They were going to return home tomorrow, but decided to head home today.

We met up for breakfast at the Silver Screen Café at the El Rancho Hotel.

While in Arizona, they did take in the railroad museum at the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad station in Durango. They also went to, upon my recommendation, the Durango Bagel shop.

We talked about anything and everything while at breakfast.

Above, Dwight and yours truly in the cigar humidor room
 at Tee Pee Trading Post. Photo by Mitch Geriminsky.

Afterwards, we migrated in separate vehicle to the Tee Pee Trading Post in Lupton, Arizona to pick up some stogies. While there, we had a nice conversation with a long-haul trucker about cigars.

From there, they headed for Lake Havasu and I headed home to Jamestown.  

Yesterday's Downpour

Yesterday, I had to pick up a few things at the market in Gallup. So I went and got them and, since I was in town, went to the El Rancho Hotel's Silver Screen Café for dinner. 

Afterward, I headed home. On the way, it rained here and there, but nothing steady.

However, after getting home, we got ourselves a good downpour. Monsoon season is definitely here. I got home just in the nick of time.

I took a short video of the downpour:

Hot Day Today

Above, today's temperature. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

A prescription was ready for me to pick up in Gallup.

Rather than head there during the latter part of the day with higher temperatures, I elected to head there in the morning. It is a good thing that I did. According to my WeatherBug phone app, it is 95° outside. The above photo confirms it.

After getting my prescription, I headed over to The Silver Screen Café at the El Rancho Hotel for a plate of Monument Valley Enchiladas.

Above, today's plate of Monument Valley Enchiladas. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

I have mentioned the Monument Valley Enchiladas before, but some may be wondering what they are.

According to the hotel's website, here's what the Monument Valley Enchiladas are:

Corn Tortillas, Scrambled Eggs, Crispy Potatoes, Chorizo, Green Chile, Cheddar & Asadero, Avocado, House Salsa and Warm Tortilla

Above, my server, Karina. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

The enchiladas were good, as usual. I had some coffee with them and, for some reason, the coffee tasted extra great.

While at the restaurant, I was perusing my phone and saw that the temperatures in Arizona appeared to be uniformly over 100°. I showed the map of Arizona with the temperatures to my server, Karina and we both agreed that we're better off being in New Mexico. Lake Havasu City, for example, has a forecast high of 121° today. 

Following breakfast and coffee, I went over to Albertson's market to pick up a few things, but the store was closed due to a power outage. I then headed over to Walgreen's and got a couple of things I needed. The power outage wasn't affecting them, even they are in the same shopping center.

After getting home, I spent the rest of the day inside with the swamp cooler on full. 

Gallup Restaurants: Good Luck This Weekend!

Above, it was a packed house at Genaro's last night. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

If one is in Gallup, New Mexico during Independence Day weekend and want to go out for a meal, good luck!

I went to Zen Steak and Sushi last evening and found that it was closed for the holiday. So, I headed from there to Jerry's Café. They were open, but had a waiting line that stretched outside on the sidewalk.

I then went to Genaro's. They were open, but would be closing at 5:00. Well, since I was there at 4:20, I gave my name and phone number to the hostess (in case I waited in the car) and waited for about 20 minutes for a table. The place was packed.

While waiting, I saw a sign that they would be closed until July 18. They usually take breaks like this every July and December. 

Generally, most restaurants in Gallup are closed on Sundays and some are also closed on Mondays. There are a couple that usually remain open those days that I am aware of: Silver Screen Café at the El Rancho Hotel and the El Sombrero Mexican Restaurant. There may be more. I don't know what their status is this weekend.

Even though I had my heart set on having sashimi last evening, at least I was able to have some chile rellenos at Genaro's instead.

Happy Independence Day, folks!

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.