Arizona Route 66

Arizona has a lot of interesting things to see on Route 66, many "Giants" and abandoned gas stations, and motels.  I drove through Topock, Golden Shores, Oatman, Cool Springs, McConnico, Kingman, Hackberry, Valentine, Truxton, Peach Springs, Seligman, Ash Fork, Williams, Bellemont, Flagstaff, Winona, Twin Arrows, Meteor City, Winslow, Joseph City, Holbrook, Navajo, Chambers, Sanders, Houck, Allentown, and Lupton.

Boom

Powerhouse Visitor Center

I stopped at the Cool Springs station on my way out of Oatman, AZ.  Universal Soldier filmed a scene here, but most of this wasn't there.  The man that ran the station George Chicago told me there was only a small wall and if you watch the movie you can see through the wall to the rocks in the back.  If you do stop there talk to George he is really nice and helpful, he even gave me a restaurant to stop at in Mississippi.  He also told me you drive 122 curves in nine miles from Oatman to Cool Springs (he used to do the trip all the time on his motorcycle).

Universal Soldier was filmed here

Giant Tiki Headacus

I stopped to check out some wildlife in the middle of nowhere at the Keepers of the Wild Animal Sanctuary in Valentine, AZ.  Walking around I was super paranoid that the tigers were going to get out of there cages and murder me.  I know tigers can jump pretty high and those cages didn't look like they could keep in a snail, but luckily it was nap time for most of the murdering animals.  Also, it was hotter than hell; every time I stepped outside I felt like I was sunbathing on the sun.

Keepers of the Wild Animal Sanctuary

Giant Allasaurus

I stayed at the Supai Motel in Seligman, AZ.  It was a nice little motel and reasonably priced.  Seligman is a popular stop; it is considered the birthplace of Historic Route 66.  The Historic Route 66 Association of Arizona was formed in 1987 to protect the route, one of the founding fathers of the association lives in Seligman, Angle Delgadillo; I got to meet him and got my picture taken with him (I will not be posting that picture because my face looks like a tomato due to the fact I didn't wear sunscreen at the Grand Canyon).  If you stop in Seligman check out The Black Cat bar, its really nice and you may get a couple free drinks like I did.

My hotel in Seligman

Giant Arrows

One of my favorite places in Arizona was Williams, also really popular.  They have great throw back restaurants and motels, even a themed one (I didn't stay there, but did talk to the owner).  After I went to the Grand Canyon I settled in there for the night.  Across the street from my hotel was Wild West Junction, it has about five restaurant/bars and a little square.  On Friday, Saturday, and Sundays they live music.  I went over there to watch the band and have a couple beers, I ended up talking to the owner John Moore and he liked the fact that I quit my job to go on this road trip, so he gave me a free coffee mug and DVD.

Free stuf

Giant Paul Bunyon

Giant Guitar

"Well, I'm a standin' on a corner, in Winslow, Arizona, such a fine sight to see, it's a girl my lord, in a flatbed ford, slowin' down to take a look at me." - The Eagles.  So if anyone knows me knows my favorite band is The Eagles, so when I found out Winslow had a statue and mural dedicated to the song "Take it Easy" I could barely contain my excitement.  It's not much, but anything that has to do with The Eagles I get pretty excited about.  By the way I wrote that lyric by memory (Gangsta).

Standin' on the Corner

Giant Jackrabbit

I made a stop at Meteor Crater and decided to take the hour tour since the price of admission was $18 (a little steep, but I tough eh why not).  50,000 years ago a meteor hit the ground at 26,000 miles per hour creating the crater.  It is three quarters of a mile wide and used to be named Franklins hole after the guy who stumbled upon it Franklin Benitez.  The tour is well worth your while, you get geological information, history, and cool little tid bits. 

   

Meteor Crater

Giant Dreamcatcher

Before I went on this trip I did some research and found out about the Wigwam Hotels, and it was everything I dreamt about.  It wasn't huge, but it was really cool and cute,  There used to be seven different Wigman hotels, but now there's only two, which is kind of a bummer (there should be more, dammit).  One in San Bernardino, CA and one in Holbrook, AZ.  I highly recommend it, even if it's just for the nostalgia.

My hotel

There are a lot of giant dinosaurs in Arizona.

More dinosaurs

Muhaha

I made a little detour to the Petrified Forest Park, and since I have the annual national parks card, I got in free.  Route 66 goes through a little part of the park.  It's a small park only about 27 miles, but it's really pretty and interesting especially the painted desert, which is all through the park.  

Petrified Forest

So once I crossed into New Mexico I learned of the Route 66 Passport Program of Arizona.  You get ten stamps from the different cities, a passport, and a certificated (you only need seven stamps for the certificate), so you guys know I had to drive back the six hours to get my stamps.