We hadn’t seen any rain since St. Louis, and as people say it hardly ever rains in Arizona, we experienced a vague sense of disbelief to see the river washing across our hotel car park as we left for Kingman.

Kingman is one of the towns mentioned in the Route 66 song, but, before dropping down from the mountains into the Mohave Desert, we experienced Seligman. I have to say ‘experienced’ because it’s a delightfully whacky small town, full of Route 66 iconic structures dedicated to the travellers of the Mother Road.

Amazingly, it was full of French people (a coach load, I think) and I had a huge chuckle when one lady approached Carolyn, thinking she was a shop assistant, and engaged her with a rapid flow of questions in French.  Carolyn smiled, shrugged Gallic-like and the lady moved on, apparently satisfied. How does she do that?!

We found a ‘Roadkill Cafe’, although I am not sure who on earth would like to go and eat dead animals retrieved from the roadside. Certainly not us…  I was amazed at the menu though. It wasn’t real roadkill but an interesting marketing ploy

At lunchtime, you can try the “Tried-to-pass-me-bye on Rye” otherwise served as a Patty Melt in diners – or “Varmint Vittles” – a chicken wrap – or even a “No Luck Buck” – a French Dip sandwich.

When it comes to dinner there is the “Rack of Raccoon” – an 18-inch (46cm) rack of ribs – or “Long Gone Fawn” – a 6 ounce (170 gram) sirloin steak. Alternately, you can try “The Chicken that almost crossed the road” – fried chicken – or “Rigor Mortis Tortoise” – fried shrimp.

And there’s something for the kids, too. The children’s menu includes “Donald Forgot to Duck” – biscuits and gravy – or the delightfully named “Poached Bambi Burger” – which is a plain old hamburger.

Moving swiftly on!  We then found a sign claiming that Seligman was the birthplace of Historic Route 66 and subsequently found that the town, which was on the original route, convinced the State of Arizona to designate Route 66 an historic highway. It is part of the longest unbroken stretch of the remaining Old Route 66 most of which we drove today.

As we drove across the mountains, the clouds began to lift and we passed through Hualapai Reservation at Peach Springs. I find it interesting that the signs still say ‘Indian Reservation’ whereas we now talk about Native Americans.

Kingman, too, has lots of Route 66 curios and we had lunch at Mr D’z Route 66 Diner. It was somewhere straight out of the movies with cheery girls and boys doing a great job of waiting on tables. The hot dogs were super and the chocolate sundae we shared was mouth-wateringly divine. Not exactly the healthiest meal but we did get bits of salad with the hot dogs!  And did I mention the thrice cooked fries?….Hmm.  I was quite amused by the toilet arrangements too. There were two screens – Elvis and Marilyn -behind which were ordinary ‘his and her’ toilet doors.

On to our hotel for the night. How cool is this Ramada?

Off our route tomorrow and on to Las Vegas…

Carolyn’s Curios

Before we leave Arizona, let me explain their Time Zones. Arizona operates on Mountain Time Zone like New Mexico, Colorado, Utah etc. However, most of Arizona, unlike the other Mountain Time States, does not observe summer daylight saving time. You will note that I said, “most of…”. This is because in the part of the Navajo Nation which is in Arizona does! Therefore, even in the same State, our watches and electronic clocks, including the Sat. Nav., varied by an hour as we drove over artificial lines on a map. They say that time is relative but imagine you had a cousin down the road or even next door! Relatively difficult, eh?!

Mr D’z Diner was a fun experience but Kath didn’t mention the music. 1960s classics! Ranging from Sam the Sham, through Herman’s Hermits, Chuck Berry, The Tokens and, of course, Elvis. Singing along, albeit quietly, was the order of the day alongside the Harley Dog, Root Beer and fries.

We’re now heading into Nevada, where I’m hoping to see some big cacti as well as a big dam (Hoover) and then on to California.

But, before I finish, please note the sign to the left of the silent movie heroine caught on the cattle catcher – which I’ve now researched and found it’s technically called a “Pilot”. You will note that I didn’t call it a cowcatcher for obvious reasons. (Although I get the final edit, we still have a way to go!!! CTMQ.)

One visit to the Grand Canyon can leave you wanting more, so thank you, Carolyn, for noticing that a very small detour to today’s destination allowed us a second visit to see parts we could not manage yesterday. It was another ‘champagne day’ in that it had clear skies and a positive sparkle. We loved doing a drive through and stopping at multiple viewing points along the rim. I was trying to ration my photographs after yesterday’s bonanza but gave up after thinking, “What’s a few more?”  Rather more than a few and it would appear I have infected Carolyn, too, who was getting very creative with her shots.

By lunch time, we knew we had to tear ourselves away and press on with the journey to Monument Valley. We dropped the luggage at our hotel on the way and headed straight off. (The wisdom of this will become apparent).

In the late afternoon sun, the huge monoliths lit up and who could fail to remember the old John Wayne films as he rode his horse through what is really the spiritual home of the Navajo people. Apparently, John Wayne called the hidden valley ‘God’s Treasure’. The park extends into both Arizona and Utah and we wandered the dusty trail marvelling at the natural monuments. The setting sun ignited the red sandstone and we were treated to nature at its best.

The people of the Navajo Nation continue to manage the park and, again, it is somewhere you could return to on many occasions and see/do something different things each time. Horse riding is very popular, judging by the number awaiting rental. Perhaps not, but on the other hand a horse would have been useful to us tonight. As we drove away from the valley, we heard a rhythmic click from the car. Upon investigation we had picked up a bolt in the tyre – not a nail, not a screw but a thumping great bolt. More bad news – no spare wheel. After consulting some of the local guys (who would have changed the wheel for us), we had to try to limp back to our hotel without removing it as doing so would open up the puncture. 12 miles from the hotel (and now totally dark and on an unlit road), the tyre let go. Bang – and we were down to the rim. We pulled off  to the side of the road (a dirt track hard shoulder) and discovered….not a phone signal between us!

What do a pair of women of a certain age do in such circumstances?  We flagged down a passing car which happened to contain a lovely young Spanish couple who are staying at the same hotel. They brought us back and Carolyn hit the phone to the car rental people. I marvelled at her performance, so convincing and profound that I was almost moved to tears myself!!  Anyway, all is being sorted, the car has been retrieved and another one will be delivered tomorrow.

The final straw…we are staying in a ‘dry hotel’ just when a drink was needed!!

Carolyn’s Curios

A wonderful day only punctuated (or punctured!) late on with our unplanned adventure. An interesting and testing experience.

It must have been an odd sight for the lovely Spanish couple as they approached the uphill bend. We’d limped there to ensure the car was off the road itself – 65mph unlit road. No ‘phone signal. No sign of life for miles. Emergency flashers switched on and I stood on the edge of the carriageway trying to wave down a car. A car approached, … drove past. Another and another and another. Twelve miles from our hotel. Idea! So, using the flashlight on my iPhone, I shone it on myself as the next car came over the brow. I must have looked like something from Blair Witch of The Shining but, bless them, it worked. Back safely. The car hire company seem to have reacted well tonight – with prompting  – but I’m sure I will be in touch with them again.

I may catch with other curios tomorrow but, for tonight, a few photos only.