I Was Mooned By a Meteor Crater!

Aww Man:/

Today we went to the Meteor Crater in Arizona!  It was way way cool.  Much cooler than I thought a hole in the ground could be.  I expected a very chintzy, touristy place but that's not what I got!

Tommy and I in front of the Apollo Test Capsule!

This place was coo-ell!  They had an astronaut park outside and were doing renovations to make it even better!  Now this is not owned by the government but the people that own and operate it have put considerable thought into what to add.

Basket Meteor

  When we walked in we immediately saw a chunk of the  meteor that helped form the crater.  They called it the basket meteor and it has an interesting history.  Seems it was stolen at one point and then later rediscovered at an estate sale.

Unzoomed view of rim with house sized rock - can you see it?

We went out onto the rim and explored a bit.  The crater was huge but didn't look as big as it actually was.  It was a mile across.     I took a couple of pictures to give perspective.  One is of the rim that is not zoomed focusing on a rock in the distance.  The other is a zoomed view of a HOUSE sized rock.

House sized rock on rim.. zoomed

Tommy and I on the rim

  They have an informative video on how the meteor crater formed and how they can tell it's not a volcanic crater.  Evidently the astronauts who went to the moon trained there so they could differentiate between volcanoes and meteor craters.

 

Eddie our tour guide expanding upon the geology of the meteor.

When the movie ended, we took a guided "tour".  The tour consisted of going 1/4 of a mile on the rim of the crater and listening to the guide talk about science stuff.  Our guide was Eduardo or Eddie.  He was the head tour guide and was really enthusiastic and knowledgeable.  He gave a lot of into in a short time and then took our pictures standing on the rim.

After we came in from our 30 minute tour.  Trust me, 30 minutes in the Arizona heat was more than enough.  We went into the museum.  Lots of stuff to look at but we pretty much got it all from the video and the tour.  We did manage to see another piece of the meteor that caused the hole.  We even got to touch it!  94 percent iron, 5 percent nickel and 1 percent of other minerals.  It looked like you could pick it up until you read that it weighed 1500 pounds! 

1500 pound meteor!

Tommy and I had gone to the upper and lower viewing platforms and taken several pictures.  The crater itself is 570 feet deep and to give you some scale, the white circle you see in pictures of the crater has a fence surrounding it and a six foot astronaut holding an
American Flag on the fence.  You cannot see it with the naked eye.  !!

Look closely.

 We took several photos of the Meteor Crater.  Tommy and I , Mom and Tommy, me by myself.  We sat and looked at the crater for a while and I noticed something in the distance.  If you look over my shoulder you should be able to see it.  It is also apparent in this picture of Mom and Tommy.  This fufills my belief that God truly has a wicked sense of humor.  It appears that the Crater is mooning us!

Look over mom's shoulder in the distance.

 You gotta find humor in everything;)

Close up of the offending piece of the crater.

Standing on the Corner

We made it to Winslow, Az and all I can hear is the Eagles!  We did pose for the mandatory corner pics and went into a few shops but we had an early hotel night.  It's 11 right now and Mom and Tommy have been asleep for a few hours.  They both missed their car naps as today was so busy.  Strangely enough, after being tired enough to cry before dinner, I find myself energized.  I'll finish this post and hit the hay soon enough.  We have a Meteor Crater and Petroglyphs calling our name!

Reuthers has noted this shop three years in a row. 

Mom and Tommy Standin on the Corner in Winslow, Arizona

Such a fine sight to see.   It's a girl, my Lord

In a flat bed Ford!

Take it Eaaaaaaasy!

Winslow does indeed have a corner all set up for photo opportunities.  Their attention to detail is striking.  Notice the eagle in the window:0 )  We ate dinner, had our photo shoot and now it is time to sleep.  Looking forward to another day but also looking forward to another mile closer to my bed!

Walnut Canyon

Got a picture of the sign...

After the snake incident, Tommy decided I was too stupid for words and we left Bedrock for Canyon rock.  We traveled to Walnut Canyon National Monument.

View from the trek down of the canyon wall

We wanted to do the trail from the visitor's center but half of it was closed due to construction.  I'm not really sure what construction one does at an ancient cliff dwelling but something was going on because they were making ALOT of noise.  At any rate, half is better than none, so away we went.  We started down a ramp to some stairs when mom decided her knees would be better off without attempting the return.  Down is good for her.  Up, not so much.  She went back up and Tommy and I, again, sans sunscreen ( I really need to tape a note to my forehead), went down.  We turned a corner and there were a whole lot o' stairs so I'm thinking mom made the right choice.

The canyon path

The trail was narrow and windy and only big enough for us to go single file.  I get a little nervous with Tommy in these instances as he tends to not watch where he is going. His balance isn't the best and one trip would send you down.  Luckily, he recognized this and was extra careful!  I was the one who tripped and almost landed on her face.  Go figure.  Any how the first dwelling we came upon was completely destroyed.  People had dug and ruined the walls and floor in their attempt to find relics.  This happened before the park was a park, but luckily only one part was damaged.  The rest we were able to go in and out of and look at.

Cliff Dwelling Wall - How exciting to touch the past

Inside a dwelling.  MUCH cooler!

Row of dwellings

Tommy coming into a dwelling!

In other words... Take is slow!

  We could also see across the canyon to other dwellings and along the path were interesting tidbits on the how and why of plant use by the Navajo.  They also had information on the history of the dwellings and canyon.  We really had a good time and at the halfway mark we trudged back up all those stairs.  I must be getting in shape with all this hiking.  It didn't seem near as bad as I had feared it would be!

I got attacked by a snake at Bedrock!

On our way back to Williams .. because we forgot to get our 66 passports stamped, we stopped at Bedrock city for lunch.   It was pretty good.   It was just burgers but they were real burgers not the processed fast food kind.  Tommy and I went into the back yard.  I know, I know, it's really for kids but have I told you all that I will act  12 forever?  I thought I'd feel awkward but then noticed that there were definitely more adults out there than kids! 


It's like 5 bucks to go in the back and if you have kids or just really want a unique experience, it's totally worth it.  We went to all the photo opportunities and loaded up.
  

Why Freddy....

Yabba Dabba Dooo

Barney you dog...

Tommy and his Rack of Pterdactyl.

They had the whole town recreated.  They had a post office, a grocery store and a beauty salon to name a few.  They even had a movie theater where you could get out of the sun and watch cartoons!  Of course, every movie starred the Flinstones.  They even had a dino slide!  Tommy and I both had to try it out.  It was fast and smooth and HOT!  When we were done we definitely had hot cross buns!

Remember this from the intro?

Whee!

After the slide, the most AWFUL thing happened.  I was walking along and I saw a SNAKE!  Now, you all know how I feel about snakes.  I keep a wary distance at all times!   This time however, it snuck up on me and before I knew it I was trapped.  Instead of helping me, Tommy decided to snap a picture .. that rat!

Oh c'mon ..ya'll know I got you!

Grand Canyon

Today we got up early.  Got ready and hauled ALL of our accumulated crap to the new car.  It fit ... barely....

The fam at the Grand!

We got on the road and went to the Grand Canyon!  I have never seen the Canyon and have always wanted to.  It was beautiful! Glorious! and full of Barf. Well, the Vader kind anyways.  Squirrels were everywhere.

Barf Vader family member!

Lizards too.

Do you see two?

 I even saw an elk first thing and  I am blaming my lack of sign on that.  I was so taken with the Elk I didn't even see the Grand Canyon Sign so no picture.  I know you are all just devastated but put on your big girl/boy pants and do go on.

Mom and I with the canyon at our backs!

We only stayed for two hours and went to two of the stops.  I really wanted to go to Hermit's Rest but didn't really want to take a  70 minute ride there and a 70 minute ride back so we stayed local.  We did walk to a look out and a geologic museum.  It was all very beautiful and amazingly enough not really hot.   This is how the sunburn begins.  We have spray lotion in our car.  We have face lotion in our car.  Do I think to put either of these sunblocks on?  Nope!  In too big of a hurry to see what I can see.  Guess who has a sunburn.  Go ahead, guess.  Bet you'll get it right!  Strangely enough, I got a sunburn while wearing this same top on the first half of our vacation.  Anyways not much else to say about the Grand Canyon.  Oh yeah except mom found, bought and is reading a totally morbid book on deaths in the Grand Canyon.  I get to hear all the gasps and then the stories.  Some are really tragic and sad but some are downright stupid! 

Tommy

The Grand Canyon even makes dead stuff look beautiful!

Disaster Strikes

After our meal we opted to take Route 66 as far as it would go before it connected to Highway 40 at Ashfork.  Imagine my surprise when 5 miles out of town the car began to slow down.  I pressed the gas and nada.. nothing.  The good news was there was no traffic.  The bad news was there was no traffic.  I restarted the car and gave it gas and it went along just fine albeit with a malfunction light on.  We went for three more miles until the car slowly began to lose power again.  Ugh!  I called Avis and attempted to explain where we were.  The man on the other end evidently had no idea what Route 66 was!  He asked for a mile marker.. ummm.. none.  He asked for an exit. Again, none.  Finally he asked or landmarks.  At this point I said, "Well,  I see cows."   I don't  think that amused him but it did make me feel better.  Besides the Bessies were all, "Moooo Moooo Moooo"  so I thought I'd give them their 15 seconds of fame!  I told the man that I thought I could make it to the next exit and we set off again.  We had 10 miles until we hit highway 40.  He stayed on the line the whole time with me and I have to admit I am impressed that Avis's first question is always, "Are you in a safe place."   It'd be interesting to say no to that question, start screaming and have a chainsaw run in the background.   The things that amuse me.. I tell you! We were in a safe place if you don't count the man eating cows looking desperately at us over the fence.  Probably wanting to get even with us for eating their uncle or aunt or whatever a few moments before.
 At any rate, even thought the malfunction light didn't go off we did make it to highway 40, only to discover that not only were there no services at that exit but we had to go around construction.  Sigh!  We were all hot, tired, stressed and crabby so I told him we had 20 miles to our hotel and he said something along the lines of, "Oh good cause the tow truck will take at least two hours to get there."  EXCUSE ME?  If I'm stuck here on the side of the road you better call the Roadrunner or Speedy Gonzalez or a cop or something. Two hours my big toe!
At any rate the car made it to the hotel and we unloaded it.  The thing with road trips is that you don't have to pack light and we didn't!  A millon trips to the car later..... the car was unpacked.  The new car was coming and would be there around 10.  Then I get the call... road construction... Sigh.. new car didn't get there until 12 in the morning.  The tow truck driver looked wiped out and I really felt sorry for him.  We got rid of the black Kia Sportage and are now in a Dodge Journey.  Which is really humorous since I had driven one before when my car was being fixed and don't particularly like the brand.  Still it runs and we haven't lost any time so it all worked out in the end!

 I forgot to mention, while we were making our way down 66, we discovered that the Burma Shave signs still exist or were recreated.  My favorite read, " Thirty Days", "Hath September" , "June July", "and the speed offender", "Burma Shave".

The Mother Road

Just a view:) 

Route 66 goes right through the middle of Oatman, Az so I was sure I was on the right road!  We loaded up our new passports and got right back on the road.  I had to stop and snap a few pictures of the canyons we were traveling through though.  Mom and Tommy were obliging enough to not mention my trigger finger:)

Think it'd be funny if they were holding their noses!

After a few miles of twists and turns we came upon Hackberry General Store.  It pretty much is the only thing on the road.  Of course, it sells all things route 66ish and is just generally a good place to get out and look around.   I had to use the little girls room and opened the door only to give a slight scream!  It seems it was occupied --- by two mannequins.  Later mom told me that another woman had done the same thing I had.  Opened the door with the light off and jumped back.  The owner must have a wicked sense of humor.  I don't really know what was in the men's room but Tommy was mumbling something about perverted sense of humor so I imagine there were mannequins in there as well.

Outside was amazing.  Old gas pumps - complete with Coca-Cola and Mobil signs. Not to mention the piece de resistance - an old convertible! 

Think it's a 1957 convertible.

Hackberry also had a tribute to Burma-Shave!  For those of you who don't know, Burma-shave put up signs along 66.  Each sign had a few words with the result being a complete thought.  The final sign was always a Burma-Shave sign.  I was disappointed to have not seen any as I drove but there they were.  Granted not on the road but well represented none the less!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Big Mistake, Many make, rely on the horn not on the brake - Burma Shave

It was a great 20 minute shop and mom picked up a super cute Route 66 shirt!

We went along our way and went to Seligman, Az.  We had to get another stamp here on our passport.  Pretty cute little town.  We went to some of the local stores to kill some time.  They all specialize in Route 66 stuff of course.  People in this area must be big on Mannequins.  I walked into one store that used to be a garage and saw the car there.  I looked at mom and said, "I'm starting to feel like these people!"

I'm starting to feel like these people on this trip!

I've come to the conclusion that the heat must make Arizonians a little morbid.  First the bull rider in Oatman and not the skeletons in Seligman.   Then I walked outside.... I'm really starting to like this place!

Evidently the car ate the rest of him!

Mom and Tommy about to embark on a Roadkill adventure!

I should have realized that they would have ummmm... art? like this.  After all, one of the reasons we stopped at Seligman was to get our stamp but the other reason was to eat at the Roadkill Cafe! 
I have been aggravating Tommy for weeks about this place.  The menu even has a vulture with the saying you kill it, we grill it!   I actually had Tommy scared to go there (bad big sis moment).  I finally fessed up that it was just a fun place to eat and that no part of the food was actually roadkill.  (that he knows about anyways..heh heh..j/k) . The menu was great!   We could order items such as The Chicken who Almost Crossed the Road, Sidewall Surprise, Fender Tenders and my personal favorite, Thumper Ala Bumper.  Don't get too grossed out.  They all come with subtitles too.  Fender Tenders is Chicken Tenders.  Still it was a fun eat and I managed to get an apron with part of their menu on it.. Canine Cuisine starts with Slab of Lab!  Anyone coming for dinner at my house?

Oatman, Az

Three generations... mama, new baby and last year's baby

Today we went to Oatman, Az!  It was awesome.  It used to be a gold mining town and is now a "ghost" town.  Aka... a town with lots of cool little shops to shop in.   Ahhhh Shopping!  The names are so interesting as well. Ha! Ha!

Almost all the shops made a reference to the town's notorious beggars!

 The coolest thing about Oatman and what they are known for is the burros!  The burros were let loose after the gold mines closed up shop.  The shop keepers are quick to tell you they are wild and to be careful so if your finger gets mistaken for a carrot you have been warned.  The funny thing is that they all tend to hang out in town where tourists, can, you know, buy some hay chunks from the shop and feed them. I also noticed that the babies all had stickers on their foreheads warning not to feed them.

Not a tattoo but it is a sticker..

Now a wild burro really can't do this to itself now can it?

  I asked about this and a shopkeeper informed that the baby burros could choke on carrots and compacted hay.  So they are "wild' but well looked after wild!


  Be careful though.. They are competitive for food and will get into kicking contests. 

Me feeding one.  I had to break up a few kicking contests before they got me!

They also tend to express their affections in the street as well so if you have kids you might want to explain a few things before you come.  You might also want to bring some closed toe shoes or walk very very carefully!

Proof that burros can't open doors!

While in one of the shops I noticed a picture hanging on the wall.  It seems that the store was in the movie, "How the West was Won".  It was actually an old saloon before it was transformed into a store.  I really don't remember the name of the store so don't ask:)

I think the bull won this one!

We went into the restaurant and had some pretty good burgers.  The decor was interesting as well.  They had a mannequin at a player piano and one standing behind him for tips - they both were halloweeny looking.  Then I looked up and saw this....
The morbid person in me enjoyed this far too much:) 





 After we shopped and ate it was time for a gunfight!  Every day at 12:00 and 2:45 locals put on a gunfight.  After the gunfight, they pass around their hats and people donate money.   The money goes to the Shriner's so that families with  chronically ill children don't have to pay.  To date they have raised more than 20,000 dollars!  How's that for community service?  It's fun.. it's neat and it's charity. 

The other great thing that happened in Oatman was in another shop.  The gentleman in this shop asked if we were driving Route 66.  We said that we were (mostly - sometimes the road gets too rough and sometimes we lost it along the way).  He gave us Route 66 passports. The books are supported through Arizona.   From Oatman to Holbrook, Az you have the opportunity to get 10 unique cancellation stamps.  If you get at least seven you can send off for a certificate stating you drove 66.  OMG.. I have to have one! :) Another checklist!  We are already getting our National Park Passports all stamped up, now we have another one to complete.  I am such a child!  I love it!

Finally, all tuckered out from our experiences, not to mention the heat,  we headed out.  Side note:  I was in a store and one of the sales clerks asked another if she thought the hangers would melt in her car. It was hot baby!  We did manage to snap a few head shots along the way.  I think I got the raw deal here....

Mom is looking great don't ya think?

Hee Haw...Hee Haw...