Road Trip - Day 2 - Kingman, Arizona to Holbrook, Arizona
We left Kingman, and set off on the longest stretch of old route 66 that is still intact from Kingman to Seligman. It starts out as desert but gradually changes from grass to scrub oak.
It has a wild beauty about it with its red cliffs and canyons. The first place we stopped was in Hackberry at the Hackberry General Store. It has "time warp" written all over it with the old fashioned gasoline pumps, vintage cars, and 50's souvenirs. Inside they have a whole wall of pictures and notes from all over the world of visitors who adore their store!
After visiting Hackberry we drove through the little town of Peach Springs which is just south of the Grand Canyon. My favorite kind of drive, beautiful scenery on a pieceful two lane highway.
We entered the town of Seligman, Arizona just before we had to go back on the freeway. I was amazed by the devotion of Seligman to the preservation of the "mother road". We discovered that they were the first town along old route 66 that started a revival and historical movement.
All along the main street are old stores, gas stations, and cafes dedicated to keeping the history alive. The most recognized place was the Snow Cap Inn. A truly awesome 50's diner with all sorts of antique items and vintage cars. This was another place that I believe Disney/Pixar drew from for the "Cars" movie. Look at all of the cars faces : ) I couldn't believe it when I saw them and they have been this way for years. Do you see a relative of Tow Mater in the group ? I had a root beer float sitting amongst these personality cars and then we had to be on our way.
It was time to stop for lunch so we pulled into Williams, Arizona. We were now in the forests
near Flagstaff with some beautiful photo ops. Williams is another town that is a joy to visit.
We decided to eat at the "Cruisin Drive In" on main street. Chris and I had homemade chili and listened to live entertainment. The weather was beginning to get a little dark and ominous and we had the first few drops of a coming thunderstorm before we left.
We finished in Williams and drove through Flagstaff and down the mountains into scrub oak country again. Here we stopped at the old Twin Arrows Trading Post and diner. It has been long boarded up though I remember stopping their as a child and standing beneath the twin arrows as my parents took pictures.
A short drive east of Twin Arrows brought us to another long abandoned site, Two Guns.
More memories.......
Next stop was The Meteor Crater. I am not sure if I have ever visited this site before.
It is the actual impact spot of a crater that hit the earth thousands of years ago. Is it ever deep!
A huge thunderstorm hit us after the meteor crater visit so we were glad to be on the freeway. No small road with low areas that could get flooded easily! The storm lifted about the time we reached Winslow, Arizona. Yes, it is the town made famous by the Eagles song "Take it Easy" Remember the line "Standing on the corner in Winslow, Arizona, such a fine sight to see. Its a girl my lord on a flat bed ford slowing down to take a look at me" Well, they have a spot in downtown with a mural of the girl in the ford and a statue of the man right on the corner! If you look in the top left part of the wall with Winslow on it you will see an "Eagle" sitting in a window : )
The last place we stopped was one where I have some of my fondest travel memories. It is
the Jackrabbit Trading Post!
Only someone who remembers the fun of searching for their favorite souvenir as a child in the 50's would appreciate Jackrabbit. My sister and I would pick up packages of cactus candy and desert rock candy to eat in the car : ) When I entered my teen years I would spend time in the mocassin section trying to pick the right pair of mocassins to go with my fishnet stockings and hippie looking skirts. I can't believe I ever dressed like that.
We got to Holbrook just before dinner and went to a little restaurant in downtown Holbrook called Joe and Aggies cafe. The rainbow we saw before dinner was a special ending to a satisfying day.
Stay tuned for Day 3!
2 comments:
Stunning trip down memory lane...with your folks smiling down.
That's great you went to the crater. Mike and I considered going there on our way to Phoenix, but we were already packing too much into our trip. We plan on going next time. Looks fun :)
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