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Flagstaff-Route
66
Formerly the only road west, Route 66 is now
more of a memory than a journey, but the route will always remain
the most revered two lane road in America. Route 66 gained historical
status in 1988 and since then its popularity has skyrocketed as
its importance to America's western development is more widely
recognized.
In
Arizona, where you can vacation any season of the year, the stretch
of the original "Mother Road" might
be the most picturesque along the entire Route 66. From the lush,
green forests and historic buildings to the 50,000 year old meteor
crater, northern Arizona's piece of Route 66
is packed full of nostalgic, natural and cultural experiences.
Some
visitors, believing the "Mother Road"
should be done slowly, taking time to savor the sites and sounds,
set aside months to drive the entire length. View highlights and
photos of a short, three day exploration around Flagstaff, Arizona
- enjoy as we did.
day
1 - Phoenix to Flagstaff Under clear blue skies Open
Road Tours shuttled us from the Sonoran Desert floor up into the
higher, cooler Pinon Pine forests and Flagstaff, where we began
our leisurely journey back into time on famous Route 66.
Photos
Traveled
west at an elevation of about 6,700 feet, for about 25 miles along
Historic Route 66 to visit Williams. The town,
population almost 3000, made famous by the Bill Williams Mountain
Men and Buckskinners, maintains its western heritage while celebrating
its Route 66 history. Most buildings were constructed in the early
1900_s and are being carefully preserved. The town's past history
comes to life in bits and pieces through the signage still visible
around town. Photos
Williams
is the headquarters of the Kaibab National Forest,
has 7 lakes & reservoirs that carry trout + other fish, and
has produced state, national & world records for hunters of
elk, mule deer and pronghorn antelope.
While
in Williams, lunched at world famous Rod's
Steakhouse go,
the oldest continuous restaurant on the "Mother Road".
photos
and had our dessert at Twisters go,
the 50's style soda shop.
Returned
to Flagstaff to visit the Lowell Observatory
go
(about one mile west of Flagstaff). Viewed the educational displays,
their mini-planetarium show, the original Lowell telescope, (24-inch
refractor built in 1896), and the telescope Clyde Tombaugh used
to discover Pluto in 1930. photos
Founded
1894 by Percival Lowell, the observatory is active in research;
visitors come year-round to browse exhibits and explore the night
sky.
Movies
on the Square go
A free event and Flagstaff summer highlight. From May through
mid-September on Heritage Square in historic downtown, townsfolk
and visitors enjoy live entertainment and a feature film under
the stars.
Stayed
at InnSuites Hotels & Suites Flagstaff go
on Route 66, with free full breakfast, internet and late afternoon
social hour. Photos