Tuesday, May 7
Odometer Reading: 48,014 Food Supply: We replinished the cheese and ice in Holbrook.
After your big night in the teepees, visit a while in Holbrook. It is a neat little town. Be sure to check out the Rock Shop (near the train tracks) with the giant dinosaurs and cut-out cavemen out front--there are som great free photo opportunities here!
On the way down Old 66 our curiosity was piqued by tons of bright yellow billboards advertising the Jackrabbit Trading Post. It's funny how many roadside attractions use this "let's build up the excitement miles in advance" tactic--South of the Border, the Big Texan Steak Ranch in Amarillo Texas, and Wall Drug to name a few. We stopped at JTP and had a cup of cherry cider (their "famous" product), an awful, cough-syrupy goo that's a bargain (?) at 25 cents, and then we both climbed on the giant plastic jackrabbit sitting out front. There are some great road souvenirs to be had here--from giant horns for the front of your car to all sorts of Native American trinkets that are nearly overcome with dust from their lengthy stays on the shelves.
Next we rolled into the town the Eagles made famous, Winslow. Yes, we both stood on the corner. And there are lots of flatbed Fords sputtering around Main Street, but none were driven by a girl (my lord), much to Matt's chagrin. The scenery around this part of the route was great--lots of snow-capped mountains. I was amazed that there could be snow in Arizona. Oh yeah, and we didn't forget Winona either. We filled up the tank there.
As we made our way to the Grand Canyon, we stopped off at Sunset Crater, a huge volcano, and explored the lava beds. Next we checked out the Meteor Crater, which is nothing more than an overpriced hole in the ground (literally). We looked at it from the car. Then we checked out the Wupatki Indian Ruins, something I had never seen before. (since Matt grew up in Colorado, he had seen most of the West already--but not all of it)! Finally, after passing by the Painted Desert and its beautiful pink and purplish hazy appearance, we made it to the Grand Canyon.
The Grand Canyon is one of those things that just can't be described unless you see it for yourself. The photos and videos I made look so "fake," like I painted the pictures. But everything you've heard is true....it's breathtaking.
I hated the winding roads so much that I was relieved to finally reach Seligman, the "Birthplace of Historic Route 66." (Be sure to check out the sky in this photo. Arizona has the bluest skies I have ever seen).
Driving down the road as dusk approached, we reached the 'Old 66 Visitor Center'near Hackberry. The Center is really just an old shack of a store that has been taken over by Bob Waldmire, a true reminder that the 1960s are indeed alive and kicking. (Be sure to take a look at Bob's Gypsy Bus Caravan)! Bob has opened a store where all of nature's creatures, including rats, tarantulas, scorpions and rattlesnakes can enter at will. Bob blends into the scenery of the general store, and he reminded me of a wise guru of the road. (See his picture below).
Pictures line his walls--everything from old Rt. 66 postcards, photos of visitors, pics of himself holding rattlesnakes, rusting license plates, and a huge mural-in-progress of the Mother Road. He is quite an artist, and has drawn amazing works, most with a Rt. 66 theme. (If you'd like to purchase any of Bob's art, visit my Route 66 Shopping Guide to get his address). Bob showed us his Bus, a converted tour bus that he lived in for a while. In it there were rows of books, a two-story bedroom area, an environmentally sound sauna, a working kitchen, and a back porch. Amazing! I had never seen anything like it! If you are planning to travel Rt. 66 you'd be making a huge mistake by not stopping here. Trust us. After an hour long visit, we left enlightened and both of us were speechless for the journey into Kingman.
Wednesday, May 8
Odometer Reading: 48,427 Food Supply: Okay
We took off from Kingman and made our way to Las Vegas, Nevada! We were so excited today that we left our hotel very early. We drove over the Hoover Dam and had to make a stop, a'la' "Pete & Pete." The Hoover Dam is another amazing sight, but it was overflowing with busloads of camcorder-toting tourists. I'd hate to see what it's like in the busy season. We finally made our way into Las Vegas, Matt's self-proclaimed "Oasis of Value." In short, Vegas rules!
As soon as we arrived we dropped our bags off at the Sahara, our casino hotel of choice (ok, it was the cheapest) and walked over to get a 99 cent shrimp cocktail (we took advantage of all the bargains). Most of the people in Vegas were older, and most looked like grandparents, but we still had a blast. I can see why people say that there's no in between about Las Vegas--you either love it or you loathe it.
The gambling was great, the themed casinos, including Treasure Island where they stage an amazing Disneyesque pirate battle every night, was simply amazing. And the deals are incredible!
We wished we would have planned to spend a week here.
Thursday, May 9
More fun in the 24-hour "city of sin", Las Vegas. We were up very late tonight gambling. We kept trying to see Seigfried and Roy's famous white tigers at the Mirage, a very classy and elegant resort, but they were always sleeping. This "official" photo just cracked us up soooo much.
Speaking of sleeping, one of the great things about Vegas is that most people sleep until the late afternoon, then keep on going until about 4 in the morning. That's the best. I felt sorry for the hotel maids, though. Note: If you'd like to read more of my personal opinions about things to do and places to stay in Las Vegas, check out my popular Honest Las Vegas Advice page.
Have any questions or comments or stories from the road? Have you met Bob too? I'd love to
hear from you! Please send a note to niftybugs@hotmail.com
Want to see more photos from the road? Be sure to visit my Road Trip Photo Gallery. You'll never believe what you'll discover here!
Come on, aren't you the least bit curious?
This page was created and written by Louisa Moore.
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