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...

Desert Storm

I forgot to mention in my last post ... We actually saw a thunderstorm in the desert.  Lightening and all.  Got a few pics but nothing special.  Just kept thinking only I could find a desert thunderstorm.  Then noticed all these places that had washes.. was glad the storm was in the distance and not on top of us.  We might have been "washed" away!

Just to clarify.. Mother took these as I was driving.  We really wanted a photo of a lightening strike but I'm afraid I'll need a much better camera than what I currently have!

Driving day!

Today was a driving day.  We went from Bakersfield, CA to Bullhead City,  Az.  It was a lot of driving with only a couple of get out and walk for 10 minute stops.

As we were driving we noticed a wind farm in the distance.  I thought the three wind turbines in Kodiak were cool.. Check out how many are here!It's kinda hard to see as we took it from the road but all the "stick like" things sticking out of the mountains are wind turbines.  I wondered how much energy they really produce?  It seems there are several wind farms in California.  This one was known as the Tehachapi Wind Farm.  At any rate, according to Wikipedia, wind energy accounts for 5% of what California needs.  These farms were Huge!  I cannot fathom that they only produce 5 % but i guess there are a lot of people in California.  I wonder if we can install one in our yard.  How much could we save in electric bills..hmmmmmm.....

This wasn't even a quarter of the wind turbines

The next stop we made was one of the coolest places!  It is called Bottle Tree Ranch and it is on Route 66.  We attempted to drive most of Route 66 but the road in the first several miles we drove from Bakersfield was so rough, we about rattled our teeth out.  We hopped back on the highway which was right next to 66 and made some time.

Joshua Tree

On our way to our first stop and leg stretch, we began to notice some weird trees.  We thought they might be cactus but then they looked like palms as well.  Finally after a quick stop at a gas station and a book on National Parks bought by yours truly we realized they were Joshua Trees.  Of course, I had to look up why they were called Joshua Trees and then I noticed in the book that there is a Joshua Tree National Park.  ANOTHER place to visit heh heh!    At any rate here's the poop on the Joshua Tree.

Joshua Tree

 It's a form of Yucca and thrives in the Mohave desert (where we were).  It has a latin name but I won't bore you with it.  You can always google if you really want to know:0  Anyhow, it was give the name Joshua Tree by Mormon settlers crossing the desert.  It's unique formation reminded them of the story of Joshua raising his hands to Heaven in prayer.  I think they are a really unique looking tree.  I love the formations their branches make and as you can see in one photo, it really breaks up the flat desert we were driving through.

 

Mom and Tommy at Bottle Tree Ranch

This one was pretty cool!

Elmer Long is the name of the artist that began Bottle Tree Ranch. He lives in the house beyond the bottles.   He used to drive in the desert with his father and find objects.  After his father died he was left with a bunch of stuff and no idea what to do with it so he began creating "trees".  When we arrived there was no one there but the gate was open, a open sign was displayed and Route 66 music (50's and 60's) created an ambiance just right for exploring.   There is no charge to get in but there is a tip mailbox which we happily contributed to.  Finding this neat stuff is just up my alley.  Not so touristy but very cool in it's uniqueness!








As I was wondering I noticed that there was a tree with Thomas lamps.  Of course I had to have Tommy stand next to it!

Tommy next to the Thomas tree:) 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Of course,  there was also a coca cola tree that I had to stand next to it!  He also had a tree that had Route 66 bottles on it:0

Route 66 bottle trees on Route 66!

A train tree with train lights!

Corner view of some of the trees!

I took too many pictures to name.  There was so much to look at and so many different trees with themes it was hard not to take a picture of each of the 200 trees!  I highly recommend this as a place to visit if you are ever on Route 66 !

Roy's Hotel and Cafe - Route 66

Our next stop was Amboy, Ca.  It was once a major stopping point on Route 66  and a mining interest.  All that is past and now it is a lonely ghost town with only an operating Post Office.  Roy's Cafe is located there and has been in several movies. (The Hitcher and Kalifornia to name two).  The current owner of Amboy is attempting to preserve it in it's 1950's glory.  Imagine our surprise when not only could we go inside Roy's and get snacks but the gas station is actually selling gas again! 

Selling gas and packaged snacks!

As we were driving there I noticed a strange mountain and then a sign that explained the mountain.  It was actually a defunct cinder cone volcano.  We drove down to the parking spot and I looked it up on the phone.  They recommend you don't hike to the top until September.  It IS the Mohave after all and was a balmy 95 degrees.  We opted to snap some shots and move on but I added another thing to my bucket list.

Cinder Cone Volcano

On the way out of Amboy we passed the shoe tree which unfortunately had fallen over.  Next to it someone had attempted to start a lingerie tree but I didn't take pictures of it.  The shoe tree was much classier don't you think?

Shoe Tree -  That's a lot of shoes!

Finger Rock!

Finger Rock - different Angle

After we stopped at Amboy we headed to Kingman, Az to eat at Mr. D's Diner.  I read about it when researching for our trip.  It's an old school diner but on the way we saw Finger Rock.  Finger Rock is hard to miss as you drive by it and it appears to give you the finger.  Both mom and I thought it looked like a hand giving a thumbs up but at certain angles it does appear to be flying the bird.  I stopped on the side of the highway and snapped a few picks, you'll have to make up your own mind.
 

We finally got to Mr. D's Diner on Route 66 in Kingman.  It's a cool little resturant with excellent food.  It's all done in the 50's era.  Even the waitresses were somewhat dressed 50's style and it was so clean!  When we walked in it was 5 and no one was in the place.  Everyone was cleaning.  The bus boy was doing the fans, the waitresses were doing the glass and the juke box.  I was amazed at how clean it was and was concerned for them that there was no business.  Not to worry, we beat the evening rush.  By the time we left the dining room was filled.  We left full and happy:)    One of my favorite parts of the restaurant was the dividers for the restrooms.  No words or word play for this establishment!  If you were a Marilyn you went to the Marilyn and if you were an Elvis you went to an Elvis!  Too clever!

Just like in the 50's !

Juke Box and all!

Restrooms--which one to use?

Mom jammin out to those old school tunes!

Looking back on all that I have written, it really doesn't seem that all we did was drive but we only spent minutes at all the places we stopped at with the exception of dinner! We must have had a busy day anyways!  Tomorrow we are off to a ghost town and then some random stops.  I'm glad we did this. We are all having fun but I think we have all agreed that three weeks is too much to travel from town to town!