Standing on the corner in Winslow, Arizona...(la la la la )

What an interesting day.

Before we left Holbrook we went to the Tee Pee Motel – about 10 motels in the shape of teepees and there a stack of old cars parked outside.  Neil was in heaven.

We left Holbrook and headed to Winslow, Arizona – yes of the Eagles – Standing on the corner in Winslow Arizona fame – and we stood on that corner too!  Quite a pretty town when you get into it.  Was talking to a shop owner who moved there about 4 years ago and she said the town  has really improved in the last couple of years, trying to build it up.  I wish that sadly could be said the same for the residential areas that we drove through.  As Neil put it there seems to be a lot of projects!  A rubbish bin would help.  As a visitor here, I really didn’t want to ‘go on’ about this, but since we’ve left Oklahoma the small towns have looked so neglected and it’s really upset me.  It’s very sad.

The Wigwam  Motel 

The route 66 from Holbrook to Winslow is kinda non-existent so we were on the freeway.  Landscape rugged and dry

From Winslow however we were able to stay on the ‘mother road’ going thru tiny towns until we arrived at the Meteor Crater – this is a huge hole in the ground- caused by a meteor hitting earth about 50 thousand years ago – it’s 2 ½ miles in circumference and can hold the down town of San Francisco it’s so big.    Neil went on a guided walk up to the rim while I watched a couple of movies about it, then when he came back we went out to the viewing platform.  It really is awesome and apparently only a pimple compared to the size of the meteor that hit earth that caused the dinosaurs to become extinct!

The meteor crater - really this doesn't do it justice - its HUGE

Imagine the entire of downtown San Francisco being able t fit into this!

Next on the travel agenda was Flagstaff – the gateway to the Grand Canyon.  However, we’ve both been before (I’ve been twice) so we missed it this time. Driving through the historic area of the city we came to a farmers market – all health food and real fresh food!  Nice!

After Flagstaff we had to go back onto the freeway – and we had rain!  Quite heavy too.  Those big black/purple clouds really have followed us all afternoon.

We stopped at Williams a small town where you can take the train up to the Grand Canyon.  It’s really thriving, lots of cafes/shops, route 66 stuff – and we had some rain. 

In Williams Arizona

Route 66 is great from here on.  A good quality road.  Small towns, rugged landscape.    We stopped at Seligman which was featured in the Billy Connolly programme on Route 66.  Really commercial in a tacky kind of way and again I go back to the tidy/cleaning up of the townships.  No use trying to have businesses if the rest lets you down.  Sorry but this has been one thing that has been constant these last few days. 

The rain was off and on as we traversed more of 66.  We didn’t stop off anywhere except outside Hackberry – where there is this great garage with lots of old cars, memorabilia.  While it was shabby it was really quite neat.  We actually drove passed and quickly turned round to come back  - glad we did.

We’ve arrived at Kingman – in rain – I can’t believe this is the 3^rd time I’ve been to this city – the first time in 1979!

Anyway, we’ve bunked down for the night and have yet to decide what happens tomorrow.

See you tomorrow

Jane and Neil