There’s been so much written about Route 66, the Mother Road or the Main Street of America, there’s little left for me to write about, so I’m going to tell the story mainly in pictures.
It’s only been forty years since the road was decommissioned to make way for I-40 and other, faster routes, though many driveable sections of old 66 remain in use in the state. For an Arizonan Route 66 makes for an easy day or weekend trip, where you can see a world from the past, full of unique roadside attractions, cheesy gift shops, mom-and-pop diners, one-of-a-kind motels and all sorts of things you just can’t see at 75mph on the interstate.
Slow down, make a lot of stops, and take photos. Buy some souvenirs. Forget about making time, instead enjoy remnants of the past and absorb the vibe. Make your own memories, because this ‘flavor’ of America will continue to fade till it’s only a memory in coffee-table books. Take a trip back in time while you still can.
Everyone knows that having a well maintained vehicle and carrying plenty of water is a necessity, but one thing to watch out for, especially during times of good weather, is road construction. I-40 parallels much of old Route 66, and on I-40 I’ve been caught in long, non-moving lines of cars and trucks more than once. To avoid road frustration check az511.com or azdot.gov before heading out.
The first part of this adventure takes us on a well preserved section of Route 66 and the nearest to Prescott. Just drive north on Highway 89 to Ash Fork, cross I-40 and you’re in Ash Fork. Ash Fork is an appetizer for what comes a little further west, Seligman. On the way keep an eye out for the classic red Burma-Shave signs on the side of the road. Seligman is the biggest little town on this section of the route, full of gift shops, restaurants and your source for genuine Route 66 memorabilia. It’s a colorful little town, great for street photography and a frequent stop for touring motorcyclists, where they can park their bikes right outside their non-chain motel-room door, and dinner or breakfast is only a short walk away.
Continuing west, make a stop at Grand Canyon Caverns and see the metal dinosaurs. Tours of the caverns have recently restarted, and the restaurant and gift shop are open to receive your discretionary cash.
Next up is Peach Springs, on the Hualapai Nation. From there you can drive north to the Havasupai Falls trailhead, if you’re in the mood for a challenging ten-mile hike and have a permit. One note of interest is the Hualapai Nation, where Robbie Knievel (son of Evel) jumped a motorcycle over a section of the Grand Canyon in 1999. Unlike his dad, he used a motorcycle (not a rocket) and he cleared the distance (228 feet).
Continuing westward on 66 you’ll pass Truxton, and a little further is Keepers of the Wild Nature Park, where big cats, bears, primates and other exotic creatures live on 175 acres in this nonprofit sanctuary.
Valentine and Hackberry are next on the tour, followed by the tiny town of Antares, where you can see Giganticus Headicus (yes, a giant head), and don't miss the Guardian of Route 66, a shiny 16-foot heroic statue at the same site.
If you turn around at Antares, you can be back in Prescott in time for dinner. This is a fun, easy, one-day tour.
Coming up:
Eastern Arizona: Holbrook, Winslow, Meteor City/Crater, Twin Arrows
Central Arizona: Williams and Flagstaff
Western Arizona: Kingman and Oatman
