ABQ

Albuquerque, New Mexico. It was at this point that we joined the traditional Route 66. 

The old mother road passes through the downtown area of the city. Having two days set aside for here, we had more time to explore the city and surrounding areas.

After reflecting on my time there, it seems that there are three things that will enhance your life (or at least your time in Albuquerque). 

1) Get a bird's eye view 

A short drive to the edge of the city, and the Sandia Mountains loom on the horizon, providing a sharp contrast of snow against the otherwise arid landscape. Those of us wishing to climb these giants are ably served by the Sandia Peak Tramway; one of the longest aerial tramways in the world. 

In glorious sunshine, we rode the fifteen minute ascent up the side of the mountain. As the gondola swayed, we watched the trees below us; a place where size and scale of reference lost all meaning. 

From the tram station atop Sandia Peak, almost three miles high above the city, we were transfixed; gazing for miles around. Grid lines crisscrossed the orangey brown desert where the city was sprawling out miles below. In the distance it's possible to view the Rio Grande valley and the Redondo Peak. It was a fitting place to reflect on the physical power of nature and the recognition of how small we are in comparison. A better view you'd have to travel for hours to find. 

2) Embrace the past

Driving, and/or walking along the original stretch of Route 66 is essential. I loved the whole feel of the area. Yes, it looked a little run down and it didn't heave with throngs of shoppers, but that is a great part of its charm. 

The architecture of the buildings, and even lamposts and street signs, offered a glimpse into the glory days. Art Deco shapes the sides of theatres, 50s curves and pastel colours adorn the empty shop fronts and this taste of wholesome Americana is juxtaposed with Spanish colonial style structures just to remind you how close to the border you are. 

Stopping and browsing in some of the local shops is not just an act of consumerism. I spent an enlightening time in a well-established Native American shop. The wares on display were just as interesting as museum pieces, and the people in the shop were eager to talk to us about the history of the shop and surrounding area. 

3) Geek out

To be fair, this stage is most exciting if you have seen a low-key little television series called Breaking Bad. 

As this television show was filmed here, familiar sights are all around. We lunched at The Dog House, swung by the White homestead, had an A1 time at the car wash and ended the day feasting at Los Pollos Hermanos. 

You can see how much those with an entrepreneurial mind in the city are trading in on their new found interest by talking to The Candy Lady in Old Town. This old fashioned candy shop is now raking in a sweet profit by flogging tiny plastic bags of crystallised sugar, which can be paraded around as the infamous blue meth from the show. Happy customers entering the shop looking for a fix can even indulge in a photo opportunity with a tub of the blue product and top it off with the Heisenberg hat. 

It may seem that my comprehensive medal podium of ABQ tourism points has missed a vital stop on the whirlwind tour. But I feel it's a stop that should go without saying. 

Clearly, the first port of call would be one of the original Route 66 diners. Refuelling is an integral part of any long road trip, and is particularly poignant along this stretch of road. You can call in at a diner that transports you back to the 1950s. Milkshakes, burgers, hot dogs and a plethora of pies. But the food is only part of the fun; a phrase I never thought I'd say! 

It was a real treat to dine in surroundings that we're so familiar with through years of television and film sets. The vinyl booths, the stools along the bar, the neon coloured lights, the 50s memorabilia covering every spare inch of space, the jukebox, and I believe milkshake never tastes so good as it does out of an ice cold stainless steel beaker. 

This journey was taking us back in time as well as further West. It was time to get back into the driving seat, but we did so worried that we'd never again find a diner that ticked so many boxes of the nostalgic American dream...