Winding Down

July 11, 2007

Last night we stayed in Seligman, AZ, on the longest stretch of uninterrupted Route 66 in the country. Seligman capitalizes on their location with every establishment boasting Route 66 signs and cars from the '50s and '60s.

We stayed at the Deluxe Inn where our host hailed from Bombay, India. He told us his philosophy on money (it doesn't make us happy) and fullfilment (do what you love).

We ventured down to the Roadkill Cafe where every type of animal, including a turkey, graced the walls, shelves and tables. Moose, elk, jacklopes and cougars stared at us with glass eyes as we ate our steak and ribs. We heard many stories last night from people passing through just like us. The bartender, Art, told us that many of the people traveling Route 66 these days come from Europe.

Today we cotinued our drive on Route 66 to Kingman. The landscape changed to hills covered in rocks. Not much action here although we did come upon a wonderful place for breakfast in Truxton. The Frontier Cafe is just what it is - an old Route 66 landmark without any prettying up for the tourists. The owner, Betty, makes six pies daily and we bought an apple pie that we have brought to Las Vegas and Ernie's house. Ernie and Joy went to elementary school together in California. He drove us into the Red Rock Canyon today and after making a Mexican dinner for us he plans to take us downtown to the strip.

Anna left yesterday and it seems like we have left someone behind everytime we stop. We went into a memorabilia store today and there was an old fashioned soda fountain with three empty stools and on the fourth sat a manniquin. We had our picture taken by a young man from China and said that made us feel whole again with the fourth member there at the fountain.

Tomorrow at this time we will be in Santa Monica at the end of Route 66. Today we felt sad everytime we realized this part of the trip will soon be over. We're ready to turn around and take the road backwards.