continued
day
3 - Flagstaff to Winslow go
Drove east to Winslow, a very small community about an hour to
the west, made famous by its corner at Second Street and Kinsley
Avenue. The site, referred to in the song written by Glenn Frey
and Jackson Browne became The Eagles first hit single in the 70s.
Route
66 and the Sante Fe Railroad parallel to each other pass through
the town and between them is located a national treasure, La
Posada Hotel. go
This
magnificent property, reminiscent of a Spanish Castle. was the
last and most elegant of the great Harvey Houses
(railroad hotels) built to serve passenger trains running between
Chicago and Los Angeles.
Designed
by renowned southwest architect Mary Jane Colter,
who considered it her masterpiece, La Posada was the showplace
of the entire Santa Fe Railroad system when the
hotel opened in the 1930_s. While many of the great hotels from
that era are gone, La Posada, which had been closed for 40 years
has been beautifully restored by Allan Affeldt
and his associates. Now in full operation there are 70 guest rooms,
three dining rooms, art/gift shops and acres of gardens. Photos
Two
of The Winslow Harvey Girls, an organization
dedicated to preserving the history of Fred Harvey - who introduced
linen, silverware, china, crystal and impeccable service to railroad
travel- and the Harvey girls, regaled us with stories and escorted
us through the public rooms, guest rooms, patios and gardens.
Lunched
in the hotel's Turquoise Room go
- named after the famous Santa Fe private dining car that was
a favorite of movie studio chiefs and the stars of the day - operated
now by renowned Chef John Sharpe. His menu features retro Fred
Harvey specialities and Native American inspired nouvelle cuisine.
Photos
Chef
John prizes locally grown herbs and vegetables and the finiest
fresh ingrediants are brought in daily.
Walked
through the Historic Winslow downtown to "Standin'
on the Corner" Park. go
The Eagles 70s hit single has peaked peoples interest in Winslow.
The verse "Standin' on a corner in Winslow, Arizona,"
draws visitors from far and wide to stand on this famous corner.
The Park features a life size bronze statue and two story mural
depicting the tale behind the famous song. Photos
Winslow
is in its second year of a three year town revival project. Toured
the first year's accomplishment - a park along the old Sante Fe
rail line featuring an ambling path with "Burma Shave"
style signs along the way adding unexpected humor to the walkway.
photos
On
the drive back toward Flagstaff detoured to view Meteor
Crater, go
the "Best Preserved Meteorite Impact Site on Earth".
Formed nearly 50,000 years ago by a giant meteor weighing several
hundred thousand tons, this crater is 550 ft. deep, 2.4 miles
in circumference and nearly one mile across.
The
Visitor Center features interactive, informational
displays, a large-screen theater, the Astronaut Wall of
Fame, an Apollo Space Capsule, a gift
shop and fast food restaurant. Guided trail tours of the rim are
offered daily (weather permitting). Photos
Returned
to Flagstaff via Townsend/Winona Road -part of
the original Route 66 - in time to enjoy the late afternoon social
hour, reflect on the three day exploration of Route 66- Flagstaff
and to catch one of the magnificent Arizona sunsets from the InnSuites
Hotels & Suites Flagstaff. photos