We left the Albuquerque area heading west on I-40, but didn't get too far, as the lure of the casino struck. We pulled in to the Route 66 Casino, and enjoyed almost two hours at a blackjack table. Well, "enjoyed" included losing a modest amount of cash, but we did have fun with the dealers and a couple of young University of New Mexico students (who, by the way, were there 3 hours before our arrival, and still were there after an hour lunch at Johnny Rockets' ...mmmm, love those onion rings).
We knew we had a short trip, planning a stop in Gallup, some 150 miles from ABQ, so we were fine with the casino 'detour'. We stayed at a City Park, Red Rock Park, which used to be a NM State Park. The grounds included a lot of extra camping sites, as there is a large rodeo area, plus a balloon launch area, and as well, a Native American Museum.
It was a nice quiet stay at Red Rock Park, far enough from the busy east west route of the BNSF railroad, and not too many rv's. The park has hiking trails, and amazing gigantic red rocks, jutting up from the sandy soils and drifts. In the distance Church Rock towers above the small mountains. The park was pretty empty, until a group of 20+ students started pitching their tent. It was a field trip for an Anthropology class. Oh, and then with all the emptiness, a fifth wheel parked right next to us, squeezing between us and his utilities and picnic table! He seemed fine with it. At least he and his wife were quiet and they didn't light a campfire. They happened to be from Waukesha, WI, a city less than 20 miles from where I grew up. 
These are our last nights in New Mexico as we are headed for Moab, UT!
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