Day Six - Thanks Arizona!

We awoke this morning in Holbrook to a hot home-made breakfast, which consisted of all you can eat pancakes and free coffee for $1.99. Can’t beat that with a stick.

Thanks to our trusty Rte 66 guidebook we found out that Holbrook was home to the famous “Wigwam Motel” along old route 66. While wigwams and teepees are entirely different forms of Native American housing, we decided to let that slide and made a quick trip into town to check it out anyways. What we found was pure Americana, with a combination of teepee-esque rooms and an assortment of vintage Detroit iron.

After gassing up we set out for the Grand Canyon, with the option of a few detours along the way. Still following the route 66 guidebook we were pointed towards a “delightful” section of uber-old route 66 through the desert. Unfortunately upon exiting we were greeted with what looked to be an awesome remnant of the old road, only to be blocked by a locked gate, Thanks Arizona!

Back on I-40 we headed towards another pre-determined stop. When “The Eagles” mentioned standing on a corner in Winslow, Arizona, it wasn’t because they enjoyed the scenery, there’s just not many other options… We found “the” corner on rte 66 to stand on, but unfortunately it proved to be our second locked gate of the day, with construction surrounding it for a new route 66 park. The café across the street formed a nice substitute, however, and was even blasting out the “Best of the Eagles” album for the world to hear.

Back on the highway we went on to satisfy another craving for lost history. The town of “Two Guns” was pointed out to me on a message board, and with a bit of research we had another stop to keep our eyes peeled for. Most people when passing by on I-40 will only notice a dilapidated gas station and an abandoned campground, but upon exiting there’s a bit more to be found. Looking past the big red building with “KAMP” painted on the roof we found an assortment of old stone structures. Lindy, after reading “Mountain Lions” on the front of one of them, presumed it to be a former school, and that was their mascot. Looking around the back of the building revealed that this was not the case, and it seems to be some sort of old-fashioned roadside attraction, complete with cages for the wild cats.

Rounding the corner past three gas pumps that are now barely attached to the ground, we found a wonderful old bridge across “Canyon Diablo”. I couldn’t resist a closer look and for the first time of the day, there was no gate blocking it.

Canyon Diablo, after passing under I-40, stretches back into the country-side, where my GPS indicated another town by the same name once existed. I had an itch for some off-pavement adventure that needed to be scratched. We set off following the little dot on the GPS along a once paved two-lane road that has now been partially reclaimed by the desert. After a 3-4 mile trek back off from the highway we came upon the “town”, and our third locked gate of the day. Taking in what we could see of the town, complete with a beautiful pile of scrapped classic cars, we headed back towards the interstate.




Back on the road we left I-40 at Flagstaff and took route 180, against the computer’s recommendations, up through some of the most beautiful road-side scenery thus far. Arriving at the South Rim of the Grand Canyon we could hardly believe our eyes. Despite all the pictures and descriptions we’d seen and heard, nothing can prepare you for what you see when you first look out over the edge. The park is laid out nicely with a combination of hiking trails, paved paths, and a free bus service throughout the park. Along the way we were able to stop at various lookouts, hear a bit of history, and stop at a gift shop containing genuine Navajo art (where Lindy found it necessary to buy a pot, which she insists is very “pritty”). We also found out that there is an entire village within the national park which is home to a population of more than 3000 in the summertime, complete with schools and a marketplace.

In addition to the geologic beauty we also were able to observe a variety of wildlife including mule deer, lizards, squirrels, rabbits (Lindy insists on the word “bunnies”), and even the endangered California Condors.

Where’s Waldo?



Lindy feeding a miniature deer, despite the numerous signs prohibiting feeding the animals.



Tonight we’re staying at a KOA campground in Williams, AZ, about an hour south of Grand Canyon National Park. Tomorrow we’re heading towards the Hoover Dam and the neon glow of the Las Vegas Strip.