Travelogue

Herb at Stone Age Climbing Gym in AlbuquerqueOnce we hit New Mexico, the scenery began to change for the better – more beautiful vistas of colored rock, mesas, and badlands. It felt like we had finally reached the West and that the SuburbanShip (the Lunatic Module) – knock on wood (or rust in this case) might actually make it home.

Since there was no physical activity yesterday due to the false promise of a fitness center at the Super 8, I searched once more for a climbing gym on route, to stretch the muscles and break up the monotony of another long driving day.

I repeated my methodology of a few days back, and used the Waze mapping app to search for terms like “rock,” “granite,” and “climbing” along our route. Once again, it worked. I found Stone Age Climbing Gym, just a stone’s throw (no pun intended) from I40 in Albuquerque, New Mexico.

I then continued my routine of calling to inquire about parking 45-feet of vehicles and was told that there was ample parking along the street across from them. They were right! We parked along the curb right across from the place.

The gym was great, but then again, as I previously said, I have rarely met a climbing gym that I didn’t like. The only down side to visiting new gyms is that you have to get belay tested in each one to make sure you know what you’re doing and won’t let your partner fall to the ground. I definitely agree that checking one’s competency is a necessity, but I wish there was some kind of nationally recognized belay certification so that you didn’t have to waste a half hour every time you visit a new gym. Plus, I zoned out and almost failed this one when I spent a bit too much time setting the rope through the belaying device.

Fortunately, the fog lifted and I rallied. We spent the next couple of hours joyfully climbing in what was a really nice gym.

Another hour and a half on the road brought us to our resting place for the night – a Travelodge in Grants, NM, which was located in walking distance to several dining establishments. After a quick Yelp and Trip Advisor search, we headed to the Asian Super Buffet, just a short distance from the motel.

“Super” was right. This place was unbelievable. I have never seen so much food for $9.99 a person. I could have eaten $30 worth of shrimp alone. Needless to say, we were so stuffed afterwards that we definitely needed that walk back to our motel.

Description

Continuing west along I40 with a side trip to Stone Age Climbing Gym in Albuquerque