“on legendary Route 66”
As you continue your journey from Grants you’ll head on out to through several small villages including Milan, Bluewater, Prewitt and Thoreau before reaching the Continental Divide. Between Milan and nearby Prewitt is an interesting section of the old road as it is quite wide but very seldom used. At intervals, abandoned motels and empty gas stations can be seen along this stretch of the road. When Route 66 was young this was a major carrot-producing area covering thousands of acres. About seven miles beyond Grants you come to what was once the stopping point of Bluewater. Although never much more than a railroad loading station; a trading post, two motels, a café, garage, and gas station once did a brisk business in this tiny hamlet. All that’s left today is the old Bluewater Motel and Allen’s Garage. Both silent now, they attest to the better times along this old chunk of the road. Near the interstate is the Bowlin’s Trading Post and gas station. Now called the Bowlin’s Bluewater Outpost, it’s all modernized today and has no resemblance of what might have stood here in the early days of Route 66.
You need to get off at exit 47. If you are heading west towards Gallup, it is the next exit past Thoreau. The sign is a little washed out, but still a neat place to stop.
Can you say photo op? The store itself is packed with really neat authentic Native American arts and crafts. If you're traveling this portion of RT66, make a stop, because you won't have much else to see for a while.
The Historical Marker is off of exit 47, should say "Continental Divide Exit 47." First right, then first left if you're heading on I-40 East. Pretty neat, not anything fancy.
Exit 47 signage says Continental Divide. On the north side of highway, so very easy off/on. Beautiful scenery and painted sign explaining the divide. Large lot--easy for RV's to pull into and swing around. Pebbled lot with a small perimeter of scrub grass for your pup.
What a cool shop! The owner/manager was very welcoming and Kevin is a sweetheart. ❤️🐾 We bought a few souvenirs and chatted with the manager. Great place to stop along historic Rt. 66.
This has turned into a really sketchy stop. Was looking forward to a tourist shop and a picnic with the kids, but all there is, is a sign right off the freeway and signs saying private property behind it with people living there. We did get out to stretch and eat a quick sandwich, there were people sitting in their cars, another car would come, some talking and they'd leave. This happened on a few occasions.
Already closed when we got there. Seems like if would be an awesome shop to check out.
4 stars because this specific store was closed, but the address still took me to the location and I was able to get a photo opp in and shop at another nearby store
We weren’t able to check out the trading posts...they were closed. But honestly the historical marker was why we stopped. Heading west exit 44...the app gave bad directions. It was right off the highway and actually had a marker on each side of the highway. Good photo opp.
Love this place. Great prices, lovely people. Gave us some insight on Indian culture. So glad we stopped.
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Continental Divide
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