
              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