Sandia Peak

Hiway 536 starts at Sandia Park on Hiway 14 (The Turquoise Trail) and heads in to the Cibola National Forest. It is a fourteen mile long ribbon of twisting, curving asphalt that leads to the top of Sandia Peak. With an elevation of 10,678 ft., it is 5,364 ft. above Albuquerque. Even now, in the middle of May, snow can be found in patches. In the winter, Sandia Park is the local ski area complete with one chair lift. The view from the top to the valley below is spectacular.

For some reason people like to ride their bicycles up this stretch of road. If you make the trip, watch out for them - especially as they come flying down the mountain. As with any stretch of road like this, it is popular with the sport bikers. They race each other to the summit, dragging knees and grinning like mad men.





I continued my search for local diners, drive-ins and dives that haven't been part of the television show. Today I found "Rudy's Country Store and Bar-B-Q". It is in truth a meat market that sells smoked meats pulled from their pit, cut in full view of the customers and served on white butcher paper by the pound. You can serve yourself and eat in or take it home. They provide breads and have sides, desserts and drinks. Don't let the sign fool you, it is not the world's worst B-B-Q.