2020-09-04 04:53:45
A ROAD TRIP ALONG THE LEGENDARY MOTHER ROAD Stretching 2,448 miles from Chicago to Los Angeles—and connecting small, rural communities along its continuously paved path, a feat when it debuted in 1926—U.S. Route 66 was once considered a principal artery through the country. In the 1930s, it offered those escaping the ruinous Dust Bowl a route to better opportunities. After World War II, it also served as a symbol of the nation’s postwar economic recovery, as thousands of returned soldiers and military men relocated West to start new lives. After being decommissioned in 1984 in favor of larger interstate highways, grassroots efforts sprouted up to preserve this beloved roadway, eventually leading it to become a designated National Historic Route. Today, the iconic “Mother Road” (as coined by Grapes of Wrath author John Steinbeck) is a romanticized symbol of another time, when gleaming classic cars rumbled along the two-lane highway and travelers could pull over at mom-and-pop-owned motels, when bustling diners dished out burgers and shakes, and welcoming service stations embodied the spirit of hospitality. Go on a legendary road trip along this famous route to experience for yourself its historic significance and impact on American culture. APPROXIMATELY 320 MILES Stop 1 3 PHOTO OPS IN OATMAN Ghost towns aren’t known for being lively, but Oatman thrives on staged gunfights, roaming burros and its Old Western vibe. Get your camera ready with these three top spots for photos. ► Wild Burros: Wandering freely throughout the streets of Oatman, these free-range creatures are the descendants of burros brought to the area by miners during gold rush days. Buy some pellets or carrots at one of the shops and then snap a selfie with your newly made friend. ► Dollar Bill-Plastered Walls: Inside the historic Oatman Hotel (famous for being the place where Clark Gable and Carole Lombard honeymooned) is the “Dollar Bill Bar,” a watering hole with walls covered in $1 bills. Strike a pose against one of the walls as a backdrop. ► Outlaw Gunslingers: Every day at 1:30 p.m. and 3:30 p.m., make your way to the main street to watch the Oatman Ghost Rider Gunfighters as they put on a rough-and-tumble shootout show blending history, theatrics and comedy for the whole family. Stop 2 COOL SPRINGS STATION Originally built in the 1920s as a camp and service station for motorists along Route 66, this iconic stone structure outside Oatman had eventually fallen into a state of deep disrepair, a forgotten ruin in the vast desert. Today, this stop has been revitalized to its former glory days, and the addition of the Cool Springs Museum now tells the story of the Mother Road through memorabilia and historic photographs. Stop 3 A COUPLE HOURS IN KINGMAN Take a break from driving and pull over in the city of Kingman, where you’ll find the Powerhouse Visitor Center. Originally the Desert Power & Water Co. Electric Power Plant in 1907, now this center is a hub for Route 66 history, housing the Arizona Route 66 Museum, Route 66 Electric Vehicle Museum and the Carlos Elmer Gallery, featuring scenic highway photography. At the Mohave Museum of History and Arts, immerse yourself in the stories of Arizona’s people throughout the centuries—American Indians, ranchers, railroaders, missionaries, soldiers and settlers—and their role in the evolution of the area. Before hitting the road, scoot into a booth at Mr. D’z Route 66 Diner, a teal and pink Americana dreamscape serving up comforting classics like chicken-fried steak, burgers, floats and sundaes—best enjoyed while listening to golden oldies. Stop 4 HACKBERRY GENERAL STORE Vintage gas pumps, road signs and a collection of old cars will signal that you’ve made it to this time capsule-meets-convenience store just outside Hackberry. Head inside the ramshackle building (where the walls are plastered with license plates and Route 66 memorabilia) to grab a cold soda for sipping on the outside chairs. Stop 5 GO ON SAFARI: KEEPERS OF THE WILD NATURE PARK Let someone else do the driving while you do all the sightseeing at this nature park in Valentine. On the 1.25-hour guided safari tour, you’ll ride in an open-air vehicle through the 175-acre canyon and get within close range of more than 130 rescued animals, from lions and primates to wolves and bobcats. Stop 6 DINE 220 FEET UNDERGROUND For a lunchtime stop, make a reservation at the Cavern Grotto at Grand Canyon Caverns & Inn in Peach Springs and take the elevator 21 stories underground. Here, in a cool 56-degree cavern, you’ll sit atop an elevated wooden platform with views of the surrounding geological formations while filling up on classic American dishes, from a Southwest bacon cheeseburger to a California grilled chicken sandwich. Your meal price includes a 45-minute cave tour, so be sure to bring your walking shoes to take in the sights. Stop 7 THE “GUARDIAN ANGEL OF ROUTE 66” In 1978, when state transportation officials cut the ribbon on the brand-new stretch of Interstate 40 through Kingman (a faster, more direct route), they simultaneously cut off the traffic—and economic lifeblood—for small roadside communities along the retired stretch of U.S. Route 66, including the town of Seligman. That’s when local barber and business owner Angel Delgadillo fought for the revival of the road, forming the Historic Route 66 Association of Arizona and ultimately convincing officials to designate Route 66 as a historic highway. His plan worked, reviving the historic town and earning him the title of the “Guardian Angel of Route 66.” Stop by the colorful and quirky Angel & Vilma’s Original Route 66 Gift Shop, where you can see Angel’s original barber shop, pick up some Route 66 souvenirs and maybe even meet the “Mayor of the Mother Road.” Stop 8 ASH FORK ROUTE 66 MUSEUM If you’re pulling over for gas in the small town of Ash Fork, make a quick trip to this donation-based museum, featuring historic vehicles, tools, artifacts and a scale model of the luxurious Hotel Escalante, which operated from 1907 to 1951. A few minutes away is the Ash Fork Settlers Cemetery, where you can see the final resting place of early residents. Stop 9 DETOUR DRIVE: BEARIZONA WILDLIFE PARK In Williams, go on a drive-through adventure as you take your car through more than 3 miles of ponderosa pine forests while North American wildlife—bison, bears, wolves and big horn sheep—roam through the natural habitat. Then, get out for a walk through the 20-acre zoo-like setting to see even more animals up-close. March through December, don’t miss the daily High Country Raptors show to come face-to-face with owls, hawks and other raptors. Stop 10 5 PLACES TO STRETCH YOUR LEGS IN FLAGSTAFF ► Bushmaster Park: If the kids have been going stir-crazy, let them burn off some energy at this park’s playground, wide-open green spaces or skate park. ► Fatmans Loop Trail: Get your body moving on this easy 2.4-mile loop offering scenic overlooks of Flagstaff and Mt. Elden’s volcanic formations—and the potential to spot Steller’s jays, ravens, mule deer and gray foxes. ► The Arboretum at Flagstaff: In Coconino National Forest, stroll the grounds of this 200-acre arboretum, home to more than 740 plant species in natural habitats, gardens and greenhouses, as well as birds and butterflies. ► Flagstaff Extreme Adventure Course: For the more extreme, get your heart pounding and your blood pumping as you navigate an array of aerial feats: scrambling walls, hanging nets, zip lines and suspended bridges. ► Walnut Canyon National Monument: Follow the 1-mile strenuous Island Trail at this archaeological destination. The effort will be worth it; you’ll be rewarded with views of 25 ancient cliff dwelling rooms, as well as views of others across the canyon. Stop 11 METEOR CRATER NATURAL LANDMARK Just outside the town of Winslow, stare into the vast expanse of where a meteor slammed into the earth with the force of more than 20 million tons of TNT, creating a crater nearly a mile across and more than 550 feet deep. Go on a 45-minute guided rim tour to hear about this event that occurred approximately 50,000 years ago, learn more about asteroids and meteors in the Discovery Center, and watch the film “Impact, the Mystery of Meteor Crater”—all included in the price of admission. Stop 12 STAY OVERNIGHT: LA POSADA A true oasis of the Southwest, this historic hotel in Winslow was a hotspot among Hollywood’s jet set in the 1930s. Today, its Spanish-style architecture (designed by renowned architect Mary Colter and restored by current owner Allan Affeldt), picturesque gardens and Southwestern-chic rooms offer a much-needed retreat for road-worn travelers—fitting, as its name translates to “The Resting Place.” Stroll the grounds, fill up on wild game dishes at the onsite Turquoise Room restaurant, and browse the gift shop for tribal pottery, jewelry and katsina dolls. While you’re here, be sure to stop next door at the Winslow Arts Trust Route 66 Art Museum to browse exhibits in the restored La Posada Depot, formerly a railroad depot. Stop 13 NAVAJO COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY Housed in the stately 1800s Historic Courthouse in Holbrook, this museum covers an array of time periods within its exhibits. See the old courtroom, basement jail cell and a collection of artifacts from over the centuries— everything from tribal crafts to an old chuckwagon to vintage surgical equipment to Route 66 memorabilia. Stop 14 DETOUR DRIVE: PETRIFIED FOREST NATIONAL PARK Dramatically striped badlands, crystal-laden petrified logs, ancestral pueblos and sweeping views of the vast desert landscape will transport you to seemingly another world and time when you visit this national park just outside Holbrook. Drive along the 28-mile scenic road from one end of the park to the other and pull over along the way for outlooks and hiking trails. In the southern portion of the park, you’ll find the highest concentrations of petrified wood and the Rainbow Forest Museum & Visitor Center, while in the northern end you’ll find the Painted Desert Visitor Center, historic Painted Desert Inn (now a museum and National Historic Landmark) and scenic viewpoints of the Painted Desert.
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