The Albuquerque Journal reports that Fred Rael is building what is tentatively called Sedillo Hill 66 in the East Mountains between Edgewood and Albuquerque.
Rael pointed out that the travel center site has a lot of history.
Not only was the store once used as a truck stop and rest area back in the 1930s, but an uncle of Rael’s, Procopio Rael, used to own and operate a similar business just across the highway. He ran a service station that included a bar and dance hall until the freeway came through and forced him out of business at the age of 71.
The Raels say they are are picking up a family tradition and they hope to preserve a “traditional mountain ambience” with their operation.
The travel center project has been four years in the making, Rael said, and has been a “work of joy” for the couple, who were named outstanding citizens of the East Mountains four years ago. They get a kick out of the many people who already stop by to ask if they are open yet, and point out where the counter or cash register used to be in the existing building that is being renovated and expanded for the convenience store.
One man even claimed to have spent his honeymoon on the site, although to Rael’s knowledge there has never been a hotel or motel on the property before.
“But he ought to know where he spent his honeymoon,” Rael said with a laugh.