April 2019
After waking up to near freezing temperatures (the desert climate is fascinating), we once again hit the road. The road I'm referring to in this case is Route 66, the historic "mother road." We enjoyed the historic roadside attractions or remains of them in some cases, the classic American architecture and neon signs and the amazing scenery. Some of the highlights were the Wigwam Motel, Standin' on the Corner in Winslow AZ, Delgadillo's Snowcap and Angel Delgadillo's barber shop where the effort to preserve Route 66 was born. We arrived at our hotel in Tusayan at the Grand Canyon earlier than planned, so we went into the national park. We crossed a few sites off our list and got to watch the sunset over the canyon. The park is a different place after dark!
The twin arrows are an iconic landmark on Historic Route 66
Starting the day driving along the mother road, Historic Route 66
One of many abandoned buildings along Historic Route 66
Meteor City was one of many tourist attractions along Route 66.
I have absolutely no idea what the building is.
Welcome to Winslow, Arizona. I have no idea who those people or the dog are.
Our first stop on Historic Route 66 was in Winslow
Standin' on a Corner in Winslow, Arizona and we've stepped into the Eagles song Taking It Easy.
Glen Frey is also Standin' on a Corner in Winslow, Arizona
Standin' on a Corner in Winslow, Arizona and we've stepped into the Eagles song Taking It Easy.
A colorful coffee shop in an old bank building in Winslow
Standin' on a Corner in Winslow, Arizona and we've stepped into the Eagles song Taking It Easy.
Standin' on a Corner in Winslow, Arizona and we've stepped into the Eagles song Taking It Easy.
Standin' on a Corner in Winslow, Arizona and we've stepped into the Eagles song Taking It Easy.
Standin' on a Corner in Winslow, Arizona and we've stepped into the Eagles song Taking It Easy.
Standin' on a Corner in Winslow, Arizona and we've stepped into the Eagles song Taking It Easy.
One of many Santa Fe Railroad bridges in the desert of Arizona
Train tracks crisscross the Arizona desert
One of the most famous roadside attractions along Historic Route 66, the Wigwam Motel
One of the most famous roadside attractions along Historic Route 66, the Wigwam Motel
One of the most famous roadside attractions along Historic Route 66, the Wigwam Motel
One of the most famous roadside attractions along Historic Route 66, the Wigwam Motel
One of the most famous roadside attractions along Historic Route 66, the Wigwam Motel
One of the most famous roadside attractions along Historic Route 66, the Wigwam Motel
One of the most famous roadside attractions along Historic Route 66, the Wigwam Motel
The rooms at the Wigwam Motel are about as small as you'd expect them to be
The rooms at the Wigwam Motel are about as small as you'd expect them to be
I'm not sure who is supposed to fit in this shower, but it's almost as bad as a cruise ship
Go camping in your Volkswagon Beetle? Sure, why not?
One of the most famous roadside attractions along Historic Route 66, the Wigwam Motel
A barn from days gone by on Route 66
You pass through Joseph City pretty fast
You pass through Joseph City pretty fast
Back on Historic Route 66
Train tracks crisscross the Arizona desert
Still on Historic Route 66, headed through Coconino National Forest
Yes, there's still snow on the mountains
Starlite Lanes on Historic Route 66
The Crown Railroad Cafe on Historic Route 66
The Americana Inn on Historic Route 66
The 66 Motel on Historic Route 66
Western Hills Motel on Historic Route 66
The Dog Haus on Historic Route 66
Whispering Winds Motel on Historic Route 66
Still driving the mother road, Historic Route 66
Even the more modern businesses on Historic Route 66 try to get in on the roadside action, like this giant cow mural
The Canyon Inn Motel on Historic Route 66
We're getting closer to the canyon as we enter Williams, Gateway to the Grand Canyon.
We're getting closer to the canyon as we enter Williams, Gateway to the Grand Canyon.
Rod's Steakhouse on Historic Route 66
We made a short stop at the boxcar bridge in Williams
We made a short stop at the boxcar bridge in Williams
We made a short stop at the boxcar bridge in Williams
Historic Route 66 merges with the interstate in some parts
Ash Fork is apparently the flagstone capital of the USA
The Burma-Shave signs are one fun historic part of Route 66 that have been recreated
The Burma-Shave signs are one fun historic part of Route 66 that have been recreated
The Burma-Shave signs are one fun historic part of Route 66 that have been recreated
The Burma-Shave signs are one fun historic part of Route 66 that have been recreated
The Burma-Shave signs are one fun historic part of Route 66 that have been recreated
Back on the 2 lane Historic Route 66 and pacing a train
The giant S tells us we've arrived in Seligman
We stopped at Delgadillo's Snow Cap for lunch. It's an eclectic and historic place along Route 66.
We stopped at Delgadillo's Snow Cap for lunch. It's an eclectic and historic place along Route 66.
We stopped at Delgadillo's Snow Cap for lunch. It's an eclectic and historic place along Route 66.
I'm actually grateful that the chicken is dead before they serve it!
We stopped at Delgadillo's Snow Cap for lunch. It's an eclectic and historic place along Route 66.
Delgadillo's Snow Cap is probbaly not the place you want to stop for a bathroom break.
We stopped at Delgadillo's Snow Cap for lunch. It's an eclectic and historic place along Route 66.
It's not a road trip until my mother gets her picture taken in a wooden cutout
We stopped at Delgadillo's Snow Cap for lunch. It's an eclectic and historic place along Route 66.
Angel & Vilma's Gift Shop is where the rebirth of Route 66 happened
I'm not sure how the rooster is involved with the dead chicken, but he looks suspicious.
The ceiling of Angel & Vilma's Gift Shop is covered with money
Angel Delgadillo and his barbershop had everything to do with Route 66 being preserved in Arizona and far beyond
Angel Delgadillo and his barbershop had everything to do with Route 66 being preserved in Arizona and far beyond
Angel & Vilma's Gift Shop is one of the friendliest places along Historic Route 66
We headed back next door to Delgadillo's Snow Cap for lunch
Can you tell they like signs at Delgadillo's Snow Cap?
In Delgadillo's Snow Cap, they hang money, business cards nd everything else on the walls and ceiling
Our lunch came with a smile!
The hot dogs at Delgadillo's Snow Cap didn't disappoint
I love all of the old signs, neon and otherwise, along Historic Route 66.
I love all of the old signs, neon and otherwise, along Historic Route 66.
I love all of the old signs, neon and otherwise, along Historic Route 66.
Headed through Kaibab National Forest on the way to Tusyan
There are helicoptors everywhere around the Grand Canyon. Seeing them all made us decide to take a ride on one.
We were running ahead of schedule, so we decided to go into the park when we arrived.
Our hotel is in Tusyan, just outside the National Park
There are helicoptors everywhere around the Grand Canyon. Seeing them all made us decide to take a ride on one.
While taking the shuttle into the National Park we ran across some elk.
While taking the shuttle into the National Park we ran across some elk.
Our first glimpse of the Grand Canyon!
Our first glimpse of the Grand Canyon!
Thank god for guard rails!
I was so glad we wound up getting into the park the night we arrived as the sun was getting low in the sky.
It's a long way down.
I was so glad we wound up getting into the park the night we arrived as the sun was getting low in the sky.
The scenery in the Grand Canyon hardly seems real.
The scenery in the Grand Canyon hardly seems real.
The scenery in the Grand Canyon hardly seems real.
They're clearly more brave (or more stupid) than I am!
The shadows in the canyon change by the minute. It's hard to look away.
The shadows in the canyon change by the minute. It's hard to look away.
My mother was excited as I was to see the canyon.
Yes, that's me down there snapping thousands of photos
We lucked out getting into the park for golden hour!
We lucked out getting into the park for golden hour!
We stayed in the park for sunset over the Grand Canyon
We stayed in the park for sunset over the Grand Canyon
We stayed in the park for sunset over the Grand Canyon
It didn't take long for the sun to disappear over the rim.
Once darkness set in, we headed back to the hotel.
This waterfall is in the rear lobby of our hotel, the Squire Inn.