Day 3 - Winslow, AZ to home

Up early at 6:00 to another change of plans. Originally the trip home was to be through Payson, Arizona, a route we haven't been on before. But with the rain storms it we decided to take the easier way on Interstate 40 and 17.

Breakfast at the hotel was again excellent. Before leaving town we stopped at the "Standing on the corner in Winslow, Arizona" intersection (Old Highway 66 and N Kinsley Ave) long enough to snap a photo of Barb with the statue of the guy standing on the corner. Then it was west on the Interstate to exit 204, where we drove about 7 miles on Historic Route 66. That was enough Highway 66 for the day, so we hit a Starbucks in Flagstaff for a mocha to share.

Uneventful drive south on 17, except for a semi tractor burned up on one of the offramps. Fire trucks were still there, so it was recent. Nice two nights away from home. Great hotel and restaurant.

Barb Standing on the CornerClick the photo

Day 2 - Around Winslow and Holbrook, AZ

Today had a plan. Then it didn’t have a plan. Then it had a sorta modified plan.

Waking about 6:00 and peeking out the window revealed a very dark sky and the weather app showed big storm moving our way from the south. While waiting to see if the sky would fall we had breakfast at the hotel. Excellent. The spicy green chili breakfast potatoes are better than excellent.

After eating we made a quick dash to the car in light rain to retrieve our jackets. Then it was back to the room again still waiting for the storm. No heavy rain, but lots of thunder and lightning. Eventually we lost some lights, TV and WiFi. Since there was nothing in the way of serious rain we decided to venture out.

My original plan was to drive through the painted desert and petrified forest before heading to Show Low (yes, that’s a town) for lunch and then back to Winslow through Snow Flake (another town). But with the weather that plan went out the window. After finding a coffee we headed east on Interstate 40 for a short drive. Several times the “should we go any further” question came up and without a real answer either way we kept going.

Eventually I passed the exit for the painted desert and had to backtrack several miles. A quick rest stop at the visitor center and the Golden Age pass got us a free ride through the National Park. After another short discussion we decided to continue on through the petrified forest and then head back to Winslow.

So, we got the desert and forest and missed Show Low and Snow Flake. I call that a modified plan.

After a thorough review of all restaurants in Winslow we decided on returning to The Turquoise Room. Great decision. And we requested Joni from last night as our server. Another great decision.

Tomorrow we head back home.

Painted Desert Near Holbrook, Arizona
Click the ephoto

Day 1 - Home to Winslow, AZ

Short drive today, so we didn’t leave the house till 8:06. After stopping for gas and Starbucks we were headed north on I 17. Rather than follow 17 all the way to Flagstaff we took the highway to Sedona and Oak Creek Canyon.

At one time, about 20+ years ago, Sedona was a sleeply little town, which we enjoyed visiting. Now it’s not even close to what we once enjoyed. So we just drove straight through. On the other hand, Oak Creek Canyon is still a nice drive, especially the multiple hairpin turns as the road climbs nearly 4,000 feet.

The road up the canyon ends at Flagstaff and since it was noon we decided to find a pub lunch and there began the 20 minute adventure of missing turns and backtracking mixed with a liberal dose frustration and both of us needing a rest stop. Well, we finally found the Beaver Street Brewery, where we we split a great burger. And the beers weren’t too bad either.

Leaving Flagstaff we headed east on Interstate 40. My plan was to stop at Meteor Crater National Landmark. On Google Earth is looked like a very large hole in the ground that would be worth seeing. Barb just shook her head in disbelief. Admission for a senior was $14 each, so we just drove 6 miles back to the Interstate and headed for Winslow.

My first impression of Winslow was I wanted to have the concession for selling plywood used to board up windows. Financial worries would be a thing of the past. Ok, I’m going to move on and find a second impression.

We are spending the next two nights at La Posada Hotel and it’s a great second impression. La Posada is a railroad hotel and is one of many Mary Colter designed hotels and restaurants along the route of the Santa Fe railroad. You walk into the hotel and you walk back in time. It is truly a masterpiece. Interesting thing about the hotel is the people that have stayed there. The list includes Albert Einstein, Jimmy Stewart, Carol Lombard, John Wayne, Hopalong Cassidy, Betty Grable and dozens more. Our room is the one Bob Hope stayed in.

Dinner was as at the hotel’s Turquoise Room and was excellent. Our server was outstanding and very knowledgeable. We will see her again tomorrow night and recommend her to friends who will be staying there in September. We had a great bottle of Oregon wine, which was finished off back on the deck off our room.

Tomorrow is up for grabs. I had some plans, but Barb may want to go shopping.

Click the photo
Red Rocks near Sedona, Arizona

Day 18 - Las Vegas, NV to Home

Trying to beat the traffic out of Las Vegas we were up at 5:50 and out the door by 6:20. A quick stop at Einstein's Brothers for a bagels and we were on our way.

We didn't beat the traffic. And there was construction. And people drive really fast. And I just don't like driving those conditions any more. Soon enough we crossed the Colorado River and were once again by in Arizona. Scenic drive? No. Highway 93 into Kingman, Arizona is not particularly scenic.

A Starbucks in Kingman was our first rest stop and included a pair of drinks.

The rest of the drive on Interstate 40 and highways 93 and 60 went without incident. I did not that the town of Nothing hadn't change in the last 18 days. It was over 100 degrees when we got home, so the first item of business was to turn the air conditioning down off 80 degrees.

Turned out to be a nice trip. Got to see some old friends and tall trees.

Day 17 - Carson City, NV to Las Vegas, NV

We wanted an early start and got one with the alarm set for 5:15 and out of the parking lot at 6:06. First stop was for breakfast and we learned early on there just isn’t much open at that time for the day. Villa Basque was open and we were the first one there. Good breakfast. Too much food, but I might go back again.

Headed east on highway 50 to catch the Ramsey Weeks Cutoff. On the way we passed through the town of Mound House, home to the Kit Kat Ranch and Bunny Ranch.

Smoke was bad most of the day, clearing only when we neared Las Vegas. A variety of signs in the rural areas warned of cattle, horses, horses with riders, mountain goats and mules on the roadway. Our only sighting was mules.

Traffic was light most of the day, allowing speeds around the legal limit of 70. Passing again through Tonopah, Barb once again emphasized we would never go this way again.

The very small town of Mina has the Wild Kat Ranch. This ranch thing is pretty popular.

Checked into our hotel around 2:45 and a hour later headed out to Macaroni Grill for an excellent dinner and the wait staff tonight was so much better than last night.

Tomorrow is about four and a half hour drive home. 430.4 miles today.