EARL'S - GALLUP NEW MEXICO

Last week I took an 18-person mission team to conduct a Vacation Bible School at our Navajo sister church in Tsaile AZ. This is the third team I've taken since becoming the Lead (Senior) Pastor at the church. The teams always fly into Albuquerque NM where we rent vans and SUVs and then travel the final 4 1/2 hours to Tsaile, which is located in the Lukachukai Mountains of southeast Arizona.

Our journey ALWAYS takes us through Gallup, New Mexico and our vehicles ALWAYS stop (both going to Tsaile and returning from) at Earl's. The attraction isn't specifically the food, although the food is very good and moderately priced. It's not the service, although this is one of the friendlier and more accomodating serving staff I have encountered.

No, for our team - it is the Navajo jewelry and pottery. Earl's is surrounded on two sides tables of items created by Navajo artists - sand paintings, beautiful pottery, necklaces, bracelets, rings. All lovingly crafted and priced in affordable ways - so affordable that after several years I have a nice collection of Navajo pottery.

But inside, there's more - craftspersons, that is. As you eat, Navajos come up and display their creations. You barter right at the table, after you have had a chance to look at things closely and talk with the artist themselves. Most of the "indoor" craftpersons seem to be persons just trying to make a modest living off of the shopping habits of tourists. The outdoor artists are more small business owners, complete with descriptions of the provenance of each item and a credit card reader to expedite the transaction.

My teams love the place - from its Navajo tacos to its ice cream to its pottery and necklaces. Earl's is one of those places, you just want to come back to.

Do you have a favorite place(s)? Feel free to post a response.