Pulled into Gallup, NM, just ahead of a storm. Only had a couple of hours to spend as more miles needed to be traveled.
Quick stop at the visitor's center for recommendations of how to spend our limited amount of time. Left with some ideas and a map of the historic downtown area.
Didn't walk very far before the rain started plinking. Went into Gallup Coffee Company for a quick "to go" order so we could keep roaming. Apparently the universe had other, better, plans for us.
Placed our order, the storm arrived, found a place to sit, watch, and wait. The smell of fresh roasted coffee. Bagels being toasted. Watching the world go by with my tea steeping in my cup.
Conversations with the barista and other locals while sipping our drinks. Finding out that this part of the old building was once a bank, and the vault still remains.
The clanking of cups, people rushing in. Some stay, most head back out into the rain.
What was going to be a quick stop became a delightful time of something delicious to drink and fun conversations with the locals. With a break in the rain, head back out to continue our roaming.
We didn't get far.
Next door is the El Morro theater with the entrance behind closed iron gates. Take a few photos through the bars, then find that the gate is unlocked. Open the gate just enough to sneak in for a few more shots, thinking the theater was no longer being used. Retro movie posters adorn the entrance.
Wait. The smell of popcorn. Some of the lights are on. Someone comes out and starts a conversation. Wonderfully surprised when, explaining we were on a road trip, we get an invitation to come inside to see the interior.
Jerrod, who oversees the 98-year-old theater, shared some of the history, and talked about the restoration and continuing updates. You could feel his love and respect as he talked about how they are keeping it alive as part of the community. In addition to showing movies, they host live performances, and use it for community gatherings. A play was scheduled to take place that evening.
Decide we have taken up enough of his time, start to head out, but can't walk past the popcorn machine. The delicious smell of freshly popped popcorn has been wafting throughout the theater, and my mouth is watering. Handed a partially filled bag, I am directed to the butter and told to add as much as I want. End up with a full bag of three layers of perfect popcorn to go.
Head back out once again, rain is still present. Quick visit to the nearby library for additional history and conversation with a very welcoming and knowledgeable librarian.
End the visit to Gallup with a mad dash to the car in a downpour. So involved in the delightfully unexpected experiences, we hadn't even looked at the time. Hit the road just in time to get to our next stop. Visit was so much better than what was originally planned.
No, Thank YOU Gallup. It was a wonderful rainy visit. I'll be back....
Oh, and the resident ghost at the theater is much happier and more playful now that her portrait has been dug out of the pile of stuff in the basement and placed in a prominent public place...
Realized after we left that I had not gotten a good photo of Jerrod - here he is in work mode prepping the all important hot dogs....
Great shots and thoughts, Lynette.