Gallup Flea Market: Antiques, Native American Jewelry, Car Parts and Fry Bread

People watching includes
admiring the cute kids

I've heard about the Gallup Flea Market for years. So on my four-day trip to the Gallup area I put the Gallup Flea Market at the top of my list. And I found a great place to go on a treasure hunt.

The Gallup Flea Market is scheduled for Saturdays, with the first Saturday of the month, a more happening time to go. Some resources indicate the market is also open, on a smaller scale, on weekdays.

We went the first Saturday in October. The market opens when the first vendors arrive, close to 8 a.m. We went at 9 a.m. and found plenty of interesting vendors with many more opening up later in the morning.  The author of this fun "Haul Video" suggests arriving after 10 a.m.

Gallup Flea Market Treasures
Four of us, with four different reasons for going to the flea market, had a wonderful time. When we first got there, we noticed people purchasing bales of hay, car parts and tires. As we walked down the rows of tables we found such interesting treasures:

One great find was this string
of Sterling beads or, as the locals call
them, Navajo pearls

- An ancient-looking cow hide trunk. My friend thought it dated to the 1800's and belonged in a museum
- Navajo dolls made by an elderly Navajo woman. I think these were the best made dolls I have seen. Cost: $10 for a pair

- Large Sterling handmade beaded necklace quickly snapped up by my jewelry artist friend for a reasonable $60.
- Navajo-made two strand necklace with spiny oyster beads reasonably priced at $20 (after I asked for a reduced price)
- The best jerky in New Mexico, according to my friend, was offered in many flavors and went for $5.00 a bag.
- An old cast iron figure of a miner, snapped up by another friend for $10.00
- Sodas and water for 50 cents.
- Local honey
- Navajo tea and herbal cures
- Zuni inlay jewelry
- Horno bread
- Roasted corn
- Delicious-looking tacos, fry bread, tamales, bar-b-que

There were tables with rocks and minerals, antique tools, Navajo traditional clothing, Indian jewelry, antiques, household junque, and several litters of puppies.

Hand made Navajo dolls - $5.00 each.

 People watching was out of this world. It is fun to see what the locals buy and this is a local market, not a tourist market. That is why it was so attractive. The vendors sell primarily to the Native American families from the area. The market had a carnival atmosphere with families walking along eating roasted corn ears, looking at CD's, buying produce and stopping for an early hot lunch.

Recommendations
I highly recommend a visit to the Gallup Flea Market for some local flavor and shopping fun. We all agreed there were bargains to be had. None of us were shy about asking for a reduced price.

Be sure and bring water, a hat and sunscreen. You will be outside. Wear closed toed shoes as it is dusty. And when it rains, people complain of the mud.

Bring cash. Some vendors took checks and just a few took credit cards.

When You Go
The market is located off NM Highway 491 on the East side of 9th Street. It is accessible from I-40. Take exit 20 and head north. Turn right on West Lincoln Avenue, then proceeding to 9th Street, then turning Left and proceeding North up 9th Street, the market is on your right.  Map

Parking is free.

 Phone Number: 505.722.9857

Gallup Flea Market Website

Facebook Page
Instagram

Photo Credit: Elizabeth R. Rose

Earl's Restaurant in Gallup, New Mexico: A dining and shopping tradition

Earl's is a Gallup Tradition

Have a turquoise necklace with your burger at Earl’s in Gallup, New Mexico and enjoy a true Indian country dining experience.

Earl’s has to be the only restaurant where people go to shop for Native American jewelry.  Jewelry, pottery and an assortment of Native American handicrafts are paraded by diners as they sip on cokes and savor turkey sandwiches and burgers.

Earl’s has been a mainstay of Gallup, New Mexico since 1947. It’s where the locals come to eat and enjoy a down-home meal for breakfast lunch and dinner. Except between meal times, Earl’s is always bustling.

Outside you will see tables of Native American vendors, loosely screened to try and provide shoppers with genuine merchandise.  You’ll find Indian-made jewelry and crafts here. It just isn’t clear if all the components of necklaces, for example, are hand made by the artist. But the prices are right and the shopping is fun.

Inside you will be seated in a comfortable booth or table and the friendly wait staff will take your order. You’ll have a quite a selection ranging from eggs and bacon to enchiladas. But don’t expect gourmet fare. Earl’s is all about feeding the locals. Look around and see how many Navajo families are dining at Earl’s.

Vendors will come by your table but accept, “not today,” easily and move on. Bargaining is acceptable.

Earl’s is a place for a rest while you are driving I-40 through Gallup or a place to hang out during your Indian country vacation. Earl’s will provide you with a unique southwest experience, for sure.

When You Go
Address: 1400 E. 66 Ave (Old Route 66), Gallup, NM
Hours:  Mon-Sat 6am-9pm; Sun 7am-9pm
Phone:  (505) 863-8858 

Resources:
Native American Jewelry and Art
Fun Place to Stay in Gallup
Buy Authentic Native American Jewelry

Hound Dog Traveler: Santa Fe to Flagstaff

Here I am riding shotgun and being the best "Watcher" I can be.

By Guest Writer: Cinnamon (Canela) Rose

Day #1 Yesterday... Santa Fe to Flagstaff. All in one day! Can you believe it? I was so exhausted. It was such hard work.

Yes, I got to ride shotgun. But that also meant that there was no real comfort involved. I missed my spacious car but she packed everything into that space and all that was left was the front seat. So I had to work! I decided, since it was very windy on the trip, that I would force myself to stay awake and help her drive. I watched all the trucks. I decided that if one swerved into our lane, I would bay my houndiest bay. And, even though I often looked like I was drifting off to sleep, I made myself stay awake to help her drive safely.

She gave me the official job of "Watcher." You know, I watch when it says "Watch for Falling Rocks." I watch when it says "Watch for Deer." And, I watch.

So how was the trip? Well, once we were out of Albuquerque, the ugliest desert city I have experienced, I thought I would enjoy the open spaces. But soon I was bored. It was pretty dry and deserty out there. There weren't any animals to "watch."

It was fun stopping for gas at the Route 66 Casino. Not that I got to gamble, but I got to get out of the car and use their "pet comfort area." It was a small fenced enclosure where we dogs could, well.. you know. I did my business (off leash) and came to the gate immediately. This was kind of like using a porta-potty. Then we got gas and I waited a bit for her to do her thing, inside. I decided to curl up on the seat and sleep but she was back all too soon! It was back to work for me. "Watch" on!

I thought we might go sight-seeing. As we drove past Grants, I saw a billboard advertising "See the Wolves." I thought I might like to visit them. But we didn't stop. :(

Here I am at the Continental Divide in New Mexico

We kept driving I-40 and it got windier and windier. I couldn't sleep because I had to watch the trucks, car carriers and boats that were cruising down I-40. I was really glad when we got to the Continental Divide and I could take a break, smell around a bit and have my picture taken. Then it was off to Gallup.

The Turquoise Room truck graphics made me really hungry. I wanted to stay at La Posada.

I was relieved when we got off I-40 and drove down Route 66. We passed El Rancho, Richardson's and many more interesting places.  Then we pulled into a place that sold Native American jewelry wholesale. I had to stay in the car while she shopped for Santa Fe Rose. So I curled up into a nice "coonie ball" and had a snooze. When she came back (finally) I hoped that she had bought a new turquoise necklace for me ... but I was wrong. Nothing, Nada!

We stopped at Winslow where she does volunteer work with the Adopt a Native Elder Program. I got to get out and walk around at La Posada, the former Fred Harvey hotel. I love that place. They allow pets and have lots of grass and a view of the trains that pass by. When I saw the Turquoise Room truck with some great food emblazoned on its side, I really wanted to stay. But we had to leave.

We were then off to Flagstaff and the winds subsided. I was excited when I started seeing pine trees. Soon we headed off the freeway into Flagstaff to the La Quinta Inn. This was my first night in a hotel. We were assigned a really nice room on the second floor. I helped her make four trips from the car up to the room. I helped by showing her the way up the stairs. I learned it the first time around. Then we walked in the pine needles before dinner in the room. I hit the sack early and snoozed until dawn. I was so glad she brought my bed... so glad!

Later, Cinnamon

Shopping with the Courtyard Vendors at the Gallup Ceremonial

One of the enjoyable things to do at Gallup Ceremonial is shopping with the vendors who make authentic hand made items. The Ceremonial screens the vendors and I think this year there were an exceptional number of very high quality items for sale.

I visited with the vendors in the outdoor courtyard at the Convention Center (outside the exhibit hall) and enjoyed seeing some well-known artists from Hopi, Zuni and, of course, the local area.

I visited with Brad Panteah whom I first met at the Heard Indian Market in Phoenix. He does some interesting contemporary overlay silverwork. My friend purchased bear earrings from him years ago. I was concerned about Brad as he often came to shows on oxygen and seemed very tired. However, this year, he looked much healthier and was cheerfully selling sans oxygen. He's a smart businessman who has items at all price points. He makes simple stampwork silver tree ornaments that sell for only $30.

I watched as D. Smallcanyon (I'm sorry I forgot her first name) from Gallup sold a beautiful Squash Blossom necklace that she made. The necklace and earrings went for only $400. The elderly woman whose husband purchased the set was noticeably moved. She was so thrilled to be able to have the necklace that she had tears in her eyes. I purchased a lovely corn or squashblossom pair of silver and turquoise from her for only $20 for the pair. I thought that was very reasonable.


Farther down along the row of vendors I encountered a nice couple with jewelry done in the Hopi style. It was very well done....lovely. Calvin Peterson is from Chandler, Arizona and anticipates opening a jewelry store soon. Meanwhile his simple silver creations were going well. I purchased a nice heavy sterling ring with a turtle symbol for $40, again a reasonable price.

There was a wonderful variety of bead work, silver jewelry, pottery, quilts and so many more creative products I can't list them. If you shop the vendors at Ceremonial, there is a good chance you will come home with a collectible item at a bargain price.

Photo Credit: Elizabeth R. Rose

Look Who's in Gallup!

I've been traveling New Mexico and writing about my love for the land, the culture and the fun for years now. But imagine how surprised I was to run into a real celebrity at the Gallup Inter-tribal Ceremonial.

I had just finished enjoying the award-winning Native American art, listening to a Native flute player and I headed toward the horno (oven) to see if the bread was done. And there were my friends from northern New Mexico... Jack the travelin' bull dog and not far behind, Ms. Jill! It was so fun to see them. Jack was noticeably afected by the warm weather (after all, he is from a much cooler climate).

Later we saw Jack, in the Exhibition Hall, happily posing for photos near some absolutely splendid Navajo weavings. He really liked the cool floor.

Jack was just a pup when I first met him. But he's doing a great job of promoting tourism in New Mexico. Go Jack!

Follow Jack's exploits on his blog.

Photo Credit: Elizabeth R. Rose