RED ROCK PARK GALLUP, NEW MEXICO

Huge rock faces surround you in this beautiful campground at Red Rock Park. Located on Navajo land, it was once a state park and is now run by the city of Gallup.

The park’s most famous feature is Church Rock, clearly visible from the park and the road as you drive to Gallup on Route 66/interstate 40.

We drove around the park to admire its grandeur. This edifice demarcates the Rodeo grounds.

The world championship roping  competition is held here in June with rodeo events every weekend in June and and on into July.

Smaller rock faces, and the huge bluffs, all red, are beautiful. On our drive in, we noticed the unusual topography nearby. Once unhooked,  we jumped in the Bronco and  back tracked about a mile or two to take pictures of the roadside cliffs and bluffs.

What formations and colors. It put me in mind of ice cream.

Layers of creamy white.

Rocky spires.

The formations  make up a relatively small area, but well worth the drive to see them.

We drove on into old town Gallup to look around. Gallup is credited with having the most number of old Route 66 buildings and signs still intact within 10 miles on either side of the city and in town as well.

In the old days, crossing Indian lands through  New Mexico brought you to a string of Trading Posts. There are over 100 of them left in New Mexico, one called the Outlaws dating from 1883 right here in the park. And several in town and nearby Gallup. This turquoise covered cattle skull was in Richardsons, one of the posts well know for turquoise jewelry.

The Navajo are famous for their jewelry. This piece was about the size of half a dinner plate. We don’t know what it would be used for.

The one piece I thought I’d buy was this beautiful squash blossom necklace. I thought it was the most beautiful piece in the store. The clerk took it out of the case and said you have good taste. I tried it on and fell in love. The price?  $150,000.  It is Navajo made and old. The piece under it, with the smaller pieces is Zuni. The Navajo are famous for their large pieces, the Zuni for their fine, small work.  We didn’t stay long. Richardsons Trading Post was overpriced. We found nice stuff, cheaper on the back streets, but nothing like that wonderful antique squash blossom (drool) necklace.

I took a picture of this boot for my daughter, Stanne since she collects shoes.
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