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Today was an especially serendipitous one, full of surprises, all but one good.
As we prepared to leave the Grand Canyon this morning, we soon found out it was 20 degrees F outside! Later in the day, as we drove through Needles, California, the outside temperature was 97 degrees F! Talk about a contrast in one day. Wow!
From the Grand Canyon, we drove south to Williams, Arizona with the intention of visiting the rather new railroad museum associated with the Grand Canyon Railroad. When we arrived, I spotted a steam locomotive that was venting steam, indicating that it was not just a static display. Lo and behold, we stumbled upon a steam train excursion that was set to leave about 45 after our arrival. I asked one of the Grand Canyon Railroad workers about their steam excursions and he indicated that they only ran one per month, the first Saturday. We were lucky that we happened to visit on the first Saturday and we arrived just in time to photograph them moving the train into position, load passengers, then photograph it leaving the station. Cool!
After leaving Williams, we drove west on I-40 as our next stop was Seligman, Arizona, where we expected to find a number of old Route 66 era shops, gas stations, etc. However, before we arrived we were stopped in our tracks on the highway as there was a terrible accident ahead. We were in a position on the interstate that we could see the mile or so ahead of us where the accident occurred, so I got my binoculars out to see what I could determine. There was a Life Flight helicopter on scene so I knew it wouldn't be good. After about 15 minutes, the helicopter left flying east. About 5 minutes later, I could see in the distance, that the authorities freed up the left lane so the traffic could once again flow. After about 15 more minutes, we started moving and, when we arrived at the scene, we could see that one vehicle had obviously rolled several times and a tractor-trailer was across the median facing oncoming traffic, stopped just before the roadway. I'm sure the driver and/or passengers of the Honda CR-V were in bad shape and I said a little prayer for them.
As we entered Seligman, Arizona, a large sign indicated the left lane was closed due to a "special event". It turns out the special event was "The 26th Annual Route 66 Fun Run" car show and procession west on Route 66. We stumbled right into the middle of it! Wow! Another pleasant surprise! We parked, got out, walked around, visited some of the old businesses, including Angel & Vilma's Gift & Barber Shop. Angel, elderly now, is quite famous and is one of the original founder's of the Historical Route 66 Society. He was gracious enough to allow me to photograph him. Thank you Angel. Next door, was the Snow Cap Restaurant, an old fashioned soda fountain type drive up restaurant adorned with old cars, old trucks and other memorabilia. I made some very interesting images at both these places and it will be nice to see them on my 24" monitor so I can really see the detail.
We found ourselves in the middle of the Fun Run procession as we proceeded west on the old road and it was nice ride. We followed a number of the cars to Kingman, where we found out that the Fun Run would have an organized display of over 1000 vintage cars, trucks and small trailers. I was amazed at the sheer number of beautifully restored vehicles of every description. We ate lunch at Mr. D's restaurant, a 50s style Route 66 restaurant tastefully decorated in aqua and pink that had the requisite adornments of Route 66, old automobile posters and old road signs. Afterwards, we walked much of the show but, frankly, it was too big to see it all. There were about 100 of those vintage restored cars that I would have loved to take home with me. Finally, we felt we had to get back on the road and, again, headed west on the Mother Road.
About 14 miles west of Kingman, we found Cool Springs, which consisted of an old gas station and gift shop. Everything about the outside and inside was vintage and it was fascinating. After making some images of the outside, we went inside to see what there was to offer. We met the manager, George Chicago and had quite a lively conversation with him. A former Minnesotan, he left the cold, snow and people of the north and traded that in for the sparseness, emptiness, openness and baking heat of the desert southwest. He agreed to allow me to make some images of him and I told him I would send him one as my thanks.
The following drive from Cool Springs to Oatman was quite spectacular. This portion of old Route 66 was a narrow, 2 lane road that wound up the mountain, around switchbacks, to Sitgreaves Pass. I have to say, this primitive road gave me some concern as there were almost no guardrails, the road was very narrow and it was engineered for 1930s traffic and speeds.
As we descended down the east side of the mountain, we passed through Oatman, Arizona. I can't really say it was a "one horse town", but more like a 10 burro town, as burros wandered freely through the town harassing people for food! Yes, burros everywhere. They were on the sidewalks, standing on the roadway, trying to get into dumpsters and following individuals who made the mistake of giving one food. Evidently, if you give one food, the rest immediately feel as though you owe them too. They will follow you right to your car, stick their heads in your window, because they want you to give them food! This was a very unique sight.
From there, we headed to Needles, California, crossing the state line at 5:15 p.m. Pacific Time. We decided to drive on to Barstow to spend the night and that is where we are now.
Today, we drove through Arizona and into California, about 380 miles. A good day!
Tomorrow, we take a look at Route 66 in Barstow, then head to the coast. Hopefully, before nightfall tomorrow, we will have dipped our hands into the Pacific Ocean, ending the first leg of our journey. Enjoy!
Thanks for looking.
Dennis Mook
Where are the photos?
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