Zebulon Montgomery Pike Trail to Red River, Mexico Journey 1807

Day 15: October 12th, 2003 Albuquerque — Socorro

I have breakfast again at Denny’s. On my way I still see some balloons in the air. But I am sure, once I am finished with breakfast, everything is over. Anyways, I give it a try and take I–25 north after I had my usual stop at a gas station.

I–25, NM I–25, NM
I–25, NM

Around a quarter past nine I am on the Interstate and I really have the chance to see some balloons in the air. But there is no chance to get some good video taping out of my driving car. And there is an almost two miles long waiting line of cars to enter the festival area. In that case I decide to skip the event and continue my journey back south.

Highway 303, NM Highway 303, NM
Highway 303, NM

At downtown Albuquerque I leave the Interstate and follow Highway 47 south. The Rio Grande river banks are way more populated around here. In between there is still some farm land to see.

Highway 304, NM Highway 304, NM
Highway 304, NM

At Belen I take Highway 304, which takes me further along the Rio Grande River south. After passing Highway 60 I see a warning sign, that the highway will end in 15 miles. But I still hope, that there will be a backroad from La Joya, which I can follow further along the Rio Grande river banks.

Historical Marker La Joya, NM Historical Marker La Joya, NM
Historical Marker La Joya, NM

When I arrive there, I have to realize, that the road really ends here. My original planned route would take me along through private property again. Therefore I have to drive all the way back to Highway 60. Lucky me that I have been up this early. Looks like I will develop to be an early bird this year…

Highway 60, NM Highway 60, NM
Highway 60, NM

I cross the Rio Grande on Highway 60 and continue on the west side south on Interstate 25. At Alamillo is the first chance to leave the Interstate and I follow again my backroads along the Rio Grande.

Rio Grande, NM Rio Grande, NM
Rio Grande, NM

At Pueblito is the next chance to reach the east side of this river and to follow Pike’s footsteps. Just past the bridge is a small road which takes you down to the river and under the bridge. As it is already noontime, I decide to make a brief lunch stop here. This gives me also the chance to get some nice pictures and videos from the river. The water has already a lot of adobe in it and it flows as dirty brown mixture to the south.

Bosquecito Road, NM Bosquecito Road, NM
Bosquecito Road, NM
Bosquecito Road, NM Bosquecito Road, NM
Bosquecito Road, NM
Bosquecito Road, NM Bosquecito Road, NM
Bosquecito Road, NM
Bosquecito Road, NM Bosquecito Road, NM
Bosquecito Road, NM
Bosquecito Road, NM Bosquecito Road, NM
Bosquecito Road, NM
Bosquecito Road, NM Bosquecito Road, NM
Bosquecito Road, NM
Bosquecito Road, NM Bosquecito Road, NM
Bosquecito Road, NM
Bosquecito Road, NM Bosquecito Road, NM
Bosquecito Road, NM

Around half past twelve I leave this place and continue to Pueblito. From there a dirt road takes me to the Quebradas National Scenic Byway. But after a short distance I leave this road and take Bosquecito Road, which follows Pike’s footsteps more closely to Bosquecito.

I pass Pike’s camping spot from the 12th of March and finally reach Highway 380. From there I get back to the east side of the river and on Interstate 25 back north. I plan to spend the night at the Motel 6 in Socorro.

Already around half past two I check in and receive a room on first floor. But unfortunately I cannot park in front of my door. My room is to the inside of the motel complex. But it is still only a couple of steps to my door. First I take a look at the video taping of today.

Around half past six I leave to look for a nice dinner restaurant. I end up at the Ranchero Steakhouse. The restaurant is in the cellar of this building. The lady at the entrance is even dressed up with an evening gown. This looks like being very expensive here. The restaurant is really classy. Also the prices are adjusted to this environment.

There is even no sirloin on the menu, just fillets. So I order a big 10 ounce filet. The 8 ounces are not enough for me. The dinner is absolutely excellent. It’s the first time I receive a filet wrapped up in bacon. This tastes really great. Also the salad looks much more fresh than in the usual steakhouse chains. You can tell that they put everything together themselves and buy everything fresh. Then you are absolutely willing to pay more than usual, even when the dinner almost reaches the overnight costs of my motel…

At a quarter to eight I drive back to my motel and prepare myself for my tomorrows journey.

  • Sights
  • General
  • Breakfast: Denny’s, Albuquerque
  • Dinner: Ranchero Steakhouse, Socorro
  • Motel: Motel 6, Socorro
  • Distance: 150 miles