Arizona....here we come!!! One of the things I have always wanted to see (and in my 50's still had on my Bucket List) is the Grand Canyon. Not that it really fit perfectly into our travel plans...but we made a swoop south in California to stay in Yermo, and would then head straight east from there--with a slight northern swing to the south rim of the Grand Canyon. We would have to cross Arizona, New Mexico and the panhandle of Texas before we would get back to Oklahoma. But first....we had to get moving after our 14 hour marathon ride the day before. After a little breakfast in a cool little 50's-themed cafe next door (with a coupon for free food from hotel---score!!)...we were off!! First thing off we had to make a U-turn again....but then we were rollin' down the highway!
The view as we traveled the final miles of California. We got on Interstate 40 and began the trek...not fully realizing that we would be driving on the northern part of the Mojave Desert. Just so you know....it really IS as hot as they say it is. We drove past a military training area, Fort Irwin National Training Center. Perfect conditions for training troops...
One of the unique aspects of the base is the presence of several mock "villages" which are used to train troops in urban warfare prior to their deployment. The villages are supposed to mimic real villages from Iraq and Afghanistan and have variety of buildings like mosques, hotels, traffic circles, etc. filled with Arabic-speaking actors playing villagers, street vendors, and insurgents. The biggest two are known as Medina Wasl and Medina Jabal, and are located several miles from Fort Irwin. Most of the buildings are created using intermodal containers like legos, but some can be much more elaborate and are actually built using Iraqi building standards.(Wikipedia)
Yes...it was that hot!!! At Needles when I looked at my phone, the temperature said it was 114 degrees...I kid you not. Thankfully I had remembered to take a washcloth from the hotel (please don't report me) and that kept the sweat that was coming off of Terry's helmet from splattering all over my face and sunglasses! Hey...this wasn't my first heat rodeo!!
There was a rest area at this spot which was the Camp Clipper Desert Training Center. Back in 1942, Gen. George Patton was put in charge of creating a military training facility that would prepare U.S. Soldiers for the Allied invasion of the deserts of North Africa. Here is a link for more information, as it was quite interesting to read about. (Yes I can be a history geek!)
Also at this rest area was a lovely young Native American girl selling jewelry. Of course I had to purchase some turquoise peace sign earrings and a bracelet! Back to the heat on the road....
Much different scenery than we had been used to in California. But it wasn't too long before we made it to....
So I may have missed getting the A in the picture...but you get the gist. Arizona!!
It eventually started to become more green and lush as we began to venture further north into Arizona on I-40 and hit the Juniper Mountain area. While we were stopped in Needles, CA getting fuel we ran into a couple on a motorcycle that were traveling from Texas to California. They suggested that we stay in a town called Williams, Arizona. We checked the maps and Williams would be close to the Grand Canyon and would be perfect for us to make it in time to spend the night.
The road just outside of Williams....ahhh....
Of course...I am always Googling and searching for the best places at each town we will be in...plus I had friends that were sending me info on where to go and what to do in Williams. One friend (Angela) sent me info on a good watering hole...The World Famous Sultana Bar---oldest bar in Arizona. We saw it as we made a pass through town to scope things out. First order of business was to find a place to stay...lots of choices as Route 66 went straight through the town of Williams. We decided on a place called The Lodge, which was owned by Rodeway Inns. We knew we had picked the right place as we checked in and noticed a humidor full of cigars with an envelope on the top for "donations" for each high-end cigar you wanted. Of course Terry found several...
We also found a cool brewery/winery down the street with tastings daily---why thank you!! We picked a red wine that we liked and came back to our room for a little time to sit and relax. There were chairs and tables in little sitting areas outside of each room. Some of the rooms were also named for cities or states...
Well how about that!!! Williams had so much to offer and we had a blast there. The friends we had left in California (Jan and Randy) had also been following our travels and searching for good food places for us to try and suggested a BBQ place in Williams that had gotten good reviews. Okay...let's try it...why not??
The Singing Pig BBQ had rave reviews...but there was only one problem...you needed reservations. We hadn't been in town that long but decided to try our luck. I was outside taking this picture when Terry walked in to see if we could get a reservation. The gal (owner) asked him "for when?" and he said "now?". She asked him what time it was and he said 5:00...and then I walked in and she liked my hippie outfit...and then told him we most certainly DID have a reservation for 5:01!! And as if it couldn't get any better....the BBQ place was connected to the Sultana Bar!! You could choose to eat in the small area in The Singing Pig or go into the bar and they would bring our food in there....yes, we chose the ambiance of the bar.
Here I am with Kathi...she loved my outfit so eventually I had to get on her laptop computer and search for it online so she could "rock that outfit"!! While I was on her laptop near the front door, people kept coming in and asking me if they could get a table...I told them I didn't work there! Funny thing was that Kathi kept turning them away, even though she had allowed us to stay! And her husband Kevin was the BBQ master...and Terry thought he could throw down with him on cooking....
Great people!! And yes, his goatee is blue. And yes, the food was even better....I had the pulled pork sandwich with coleslaw on top and Terry had the ribs...
The true sign of a good food place...the wet wipe to clean my hands after eating what turned out to be an amazing sandwich!!!
And the ribs....with a big 'ole side of fries!! Definitely the right choice for good eats!! We sat in the bar so we could have some drinks after the hot day of traveling...
...cheers!!!! The Sultana Bar has the oldest liquor license in Arizona and it was a very cool place too....lots of wildlife...
Just as we got finished eating our dinner...we heard a big commotion going on outside. I guess every morning and every evening they have a little skit about how Williams got its name...
It lasted about 30 minutes with some shooting and some shouting involved...and was quite entertaining. Such a fun little town...out in the middle of nowhere!
Not only did I get to hang out with Elvis (top photo of the blog)..but I found some other cool people to hang with. The weather was just perfect too...warm during the day and then cooled down at night. There was also a zipline that used classic cars as the vehicle...
It was not a very long ride, but it looked really cool for kids to have fun on. We didn't ride it since it was getting dark. Right across the street I noticed this hotel...
We really loved our stay in Williams and would go back there in a heartbeat!! The sad news is....I did keep in touch with the owners of The Singing Pig BBQ place and they have since closed the doors. Such a bummer that someone didn't take it over since it was awesome!
Just outside of Williams we noticed the Flintstones Bedrock City...just wish we had had time to stop and visit. Next time!! But you can check it out on their website...
Let me just say that if we EVER get the chance to go back to Williams...we WILL go!! You should too!!!! Still lots that we didn't get to explore there. The weather was amazing, the people were friendly, and it was only 60 miles south of the Grand Canyon! Our plan was to take off after breakfast the following day and head to the Grand Canyon!! Join us next time for that spectacular natural wonder!!! Happy Thanksgiving everyone!!!
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