What's going on, Albuquerque?

1st Annual – Route 66 Days and Nights in Nob Hill.

There's few things that make me happier than having a street festival a stone's throw from my casita in Nob Hill. The teasing rain gave way to a cool and gorgeous afternoon and evening, drawing out thousands of ABQ hipsters for summer music, great food, and fun. A few new stores hastened their grand openings to be included in the evening's festivities...

Great service made up for our new Malt Shop's lack of preparedness---they were so popular that they ran out of ingredients a few times and had to rush to the store to restock. This was just a teaser opening for them, and they're poised for great success when they officially launch in August. We actually had dinner at the new Sala Thai at Copper and Carlisle---there the service was slow due to the festival yet the food was absolutely awesome. Sala Thai is by the same acclaimed folks that had Ginger Thai, and will be on our heavy rotation list, especially since it's very literally in my backyard.

There were multiple stages of great bands, although I was partial to this group of impassioned drummers---I should have shot some video on this.

It was good to know that Albuquerque's finest was ready for any Mayberry Mayhem, although Officer Fife was nowhere to be found.

Precious Hoopsters Abounded.

I was particularly enchanted by this '60's Airstream, all decked out in Route 66 memorabilia. Here, the doorway is graced by Albuquerque Massage Therapist Karla Linden. It was a great time all the way around; I'm already looking forward to next year.

All Photos copyright 2010, Kelly Vickers
www.MasterPieceMediation.com

Tags: 66, Hill, Nob, Route, airstream, albuquerque, festival, karla, kelly, linden, More…malt, shop, street, vickers

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Comment by Joe Cardillo on July 25, 2010 at 6:03pm: What're the coordinates on that new malt shop? Trying to place it in my mental landscape....

Comment by Kelly Vickers on July 25, 2010 at 6:38pm: The Malt shop is in the new shopping center at Central and Solano--east of Carlisle. There are two or three available shop spaces in the complex, however, the outside open space where you see the tables is going to be a big draw. I'm looking forward to seeing what else comes in there.

Comment by Edith Grove on July 25, 2010 at 10:19pm: This was a fun event! We took Lucinda the '56 DeSoto down to put in appearance at the afternoon car show.

The malt shop is none other than a shiny new location for the Route 66 Malt Shop that used to be down by Old Town. It's great to see them get some new digs. They make their own root beer - and it is fantastic. The lady said that they are going to shut down for about a week to get all their equipment sorted out and then will be open seven days a week from 11 to 10. I'll be stopping by after the official opening.

Comment by tomas on July 26, 2010 at 7:16am: I was a vendor in the Arts & Crafts show on Saturday. The number of people strolling by the booths was incredible and just kept growing all day. The evening was almost overwhelming with 'opening day at the state fair' numbers of happy people on the north side of the street, a classic car parade on the south side, climbing tower for the kids, music... And that was just in the vendor area! Looking forward to next year. The organizers did a great job!

Comment by once banned twice shy on July 26, 2010 at 8:58am: Does the Malt Shop owner still have his anti-Obama signs prominently plastered so they're the first thing you see when you enter the joint?

Comment by Edith Grove on July 26, 2010 at 9:02am: once banned - I didn't notice anything like that. The last time I was over at the Old Town location was well before the election.

Comment by Kelly Vickers on July 26, 2010 at 7:28pm: Once Banned---I can't imagine a business owner in Nob Hill thinking that would be a good idea. If I had seen such signage, I would have respected their freedom to express themselves, then I would have expressed myself by turning away.

Comment by ze barefoot pirate on July 29, 2010 at 1:58pm: Don't necessarily agree with his views, but love those bacon chile cheeseburgers way past politics.

Comment by ze barefoot pirate on July 7, 2011 at 10:18pm: Update: A few months past I took my family here for what I figured was a good feed. My sister ordered a chocolate shake; upon arrival she said it lacked flavor. We all tasted and agreed that whoever made it probably forgot to add enough chocolate syrup. Okay, so I requested another. No big deal, right? Way wrong. The owner (can't remember his name) came to the table and berated my sister, my sister who never ever complains without good reason. This was completely unacceptable behavior, and though I dearly love their bacon chili cheeseburgers, I will never go back.

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