Route 66 - Grants, Holbrook, Winslow, Flagstaff & Seligman

 

Grants Cafe

Grants, New Mexico is now small, but at one time was a booming mining town and had a huge produce processing plant.  I still like it a lot.  Much character here in Grants.

 

West Theatre with Avatar on the Marquee

 

 The Roarin' 20's

Someone with a paint brush needs to lend a hand here

Badlands Burgers

Not old, actually pretty new and with a big claim to fame.  They were winners at the 2009 New Mexico State Fair for the best Green Chili Cheeseburger in New Mexico.  Not too shabby.  I can attest to the fact that it is very worthy of the award - delicious.  Frank (aka Mr. Picky) wasn't daring enough for the green chili version but had a regular old cheeseburger instead, it was also pronounced excellent.  Nice little family cafe that I suspect could really grow and go places with the excellent food.

 

Welcome to snowy Arizona!

I'm really not very fond of snow at all.  And when it's coming down on my annual escape to warmth in February, I'm even less fond of it.  Regardless, we trudge forward and have managed to stick to our itinerary as planned, except for arriving a little later than planned most everywhere. If that's the worst that can happen, then I'm OK with it.

Route 66 - Holbrook, Arizona

 

Hilltop Cafe - Holbrook, Arizona

 

The Dairy Queen in Holbrook, but not just any 'ol DQ, this one has an arrow very similar to the ones you see at souvenir shops.  I like the local touch.

 

One of the three remaining Wigwam Motels is located in

Holbrook, Arizona on Route 66.  They have vintage cars

parked outside each room.

 

This unusal shaped building has been up for sale for

at least a couple years.  I hope someone buys it soon.

 

Route 66 - Winslow, Arizona

 

The famous Standin' on the Corner corner

All morning long, we had random CDs playing in the truck that Frank had mixed.  About a block from The Corner, guess what came on?  Yep, Standin' on The Corner by The Eagles.  Now how bizarre is that?  Must be Southwest mystic powers.

 

The Highway Diner in Winslow

 

The Brown Mug Cafe

The first time we drove bits and pieces of Route 66, we didn't know we were going to get hooked and continue exploring!  The Brown Mug is the first place we ever stopped for lunch on Arizona Route 66 so it holds a warm spot in my heart.  It's also the place where we learned that sopapillas do not always require honey as they do in the Midwest.  Much better without.

You MUST visit La Posada in Winslow!

  

  

  

  

La Posada started life as a Harvey House hotel and restauarant adjacent to the Santa Fe Railroad Depot.  It thrived for many years, then the Harvey Houses were closed in the late 1940s and many fell into decay. Most were destroyed over the years, but La Posada survived.  It is now privately owned and large portion of it has been renovated.  The owners are continuing to renovate the remainder of the building.  It's open for business as a hotel and restaurant.  We didn't eat or sleep here, but we did take an amazing stroll through the hotel and the grounds.  The owners have done an amazing job on a very large project.

 

This is much more attractive than our Fort Madison Post Office!

 

  

 Twin Arrows, Arizona

If you have followed along with us over the years, we always stop and take a few photos at Twin Arrows.  The arrows are quite famous and they were also deteriorating quickly to the point that last year one of the tops of the right hand arrow had fallen off.  However since then, I believe the Route 66 Arizona Assn (I may be wrong on that) got together and restored the arrows.  They are stunning now.  Thank you for taking the time to keep this landmark on Route 66 healthy!

On the flip side, the graffiti artists have been busy using the building as a palette.  Not nicely, I might add.  This place is in the middle of nowhere, but right off I-40 and Route 66 and while no one may be driving by on Route 66, you'd think someone driving down I-40 would notice people hanging out here.  Hope there's a way to end the graffiti soon.

 

  

We're on Route 66 heading from Winona into Flagstaff

 

Lunch at Miz Zip's today

 

  

Driving west outside of Flagstaff, Arizona

 

The Snowcap Drive In

We're in Seligman, one of my favorite funs towns on Route 66.

 

  

Angel and his wife Vilma have been instrumental in keeping Route 66 alive.  That's a bit of an understatement.  He's been the driving force for many years in Arizona and points beyond on preserving Route 66.  Thanks Angel!

 

  

Angel is a barber, but his heart seems to be in his vast Route 66 souvenir shop that attracts people from around the world. It's not a very big building, but I think that you could name any Route 66 souvenir your heart desired and you'd find it here.  There's a museum, too.  Be sure to stop here to visit.  Allow extra time so you don't miss anything!

Westward bound to Kingman, Arizona!

All photos on this page taken on February 10, 2010