Drive to Meteor Crater RV Park
Today, we jumped to Meteor Crater RV Park, which took a little over two hours across the northern Arizona desert.
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Meteor Crater RV Park
Meteor Crater RV Park is a lovely park in the middle of nowhere and probably has the only trees in a 50-mile radius.
Barringer Crater
After setting up, we went up to the Barringer Crater which is supposed the be the “best-preserved crater” in the world. It is privately owned and many complain that is a little too expensive, but as a veteran, I was able to get Lisa and me in for 50% off their $18 fee. We visited their museum and watched their 10-minute movie before going out to the rim of the crater. The history was interesting, especially the debate on whether craters were caused by meteors hitting the earth and moon. It was not until the 1960’s that this crater was undisputedly recognized as a meteor crater. It was definitely a large hole. Though there were several viewing platforms that we visited, it really did not take long to see and appreciate it.
Meteor City Trading Post Ruins
Nearby, we stopped by the Meteor City Trading Post, a once-thriving Route 66 attraction that now lies in ruins. Originally opened in 1938 as a Texaco gas station, the site expanded in 1941 to include a gift shop catering to visitors heading to the crater. Its golden era arrived in 1979 when the unassuming building was replaced by a distinctive geodesic dome with a yellow mohawk-like stripe down the middle, making it a true roadside spectacle.
During its peak, the trading post boasted quirky attractions, including the largest dreamcatcher in the U.S. and a 100-foot mural of Route 66 painted by renowned artist Bob Waldmire, a legend of Route 66 Americana. Although the trading post is now abandoned and in disrepair, remnants of its charm and historical significance still linger.
Jack Rabbit Trading Post
Our next stop was a longtime icon of Route 66, the Jack Rabbit Trading Post. Famous for its whimsical billboards that once dotted the highway for hundreds of miles, each one featuring the teasing phrase “HERE IT IS” with a silhouette of a jackrabbit, this roadside stop embodies the quirky charm of the Mother Road. Today, while most of those billboards are gone, the trading post still welcomes visitors with its iconic giant jackrabbit statue and the original “HERE IT IS” sign—perfect for fun photo opportunities, which we eagerly embraced.
Inside the trading post, we explored shelves stocked with Route 66 memorabilia and local treasures. I couldn’t resist picking up a bottle of Route 66 Root Beer, which turned out to be refreshingly delicious—a small but satisfying taste of nostalgia. Though smaller in scale than its mid-century heyday, the Jack Rabbit Trading Post remains a lively and beloved symbol of Route 66’s enduring spirit.
Route 66
Our next stop was Winslow, Arizona, which we reached by navigating sections of fractured Route 66. Along the way, we encountered more remnants of the road’s storied past, including the infamous “PP by the TP”, a quirky and weathered roadside attraction. This peculiar sight features two teepee-shaped structures with the letters “PP” painted prominently on their sides—a humorous nod to travelers in need of a roadside restroom break. Though now abandoned and deteriorating.
Winslow
Winslow is a small town with a big claim to fame, fully embracing its connection to the Eagles’ classic song, “Take It Easy.” In the heart of town, we visited the iconic “Standin’ on the Corner Park,” a tribute to the song’s lyrics. The park features a life-sized bronze statue of a man with a guitar and a mural depicting a flatbed Ford, perfect for snapping photos. Surrounding the park are additional murals and quirky art installations celebrating the song and Route 66 history.
The nearby gift shops were filled with fun memorabilia, from Route 66 souvenirs to Eagles-themed items. Lisa couldn’t resist picking up a stylish long-sleeved T-shirt from one of the shops. Winslow may be small, but its charm and dedication to its musical heritage made it a memorable stop on our journey.
La Posada Hotel
We then drove a short distance to the historic La Posada Hotel, a beautifully restored Harvey House located next to the railroad tracks in Winslow, Arizona. Initially built in 1930 by the Fred Harvey Company and designed by the renowned architect Mary Colter, La Posada is celebrated as one of the finest examples of Spanish Revival architecture in the Southwest. The hotel was once a luxurious destination for travelers arriving by train, offering world-class dining and accommodations.
Inside, we marveled at the meticulous restoration that brought the hotel back to life after years of neglect. The decor seamlessly blended its historic charm with modern artistic touches. A highlight was the extensive and slightly eerie art collection by Tina Mion, one of the hotel’s co-owners. Her works, displayed throughout the hotel, included a series of portraits inspired by playing cards, featuring celebrities, Presidents, and their wives in surreal and thought-provoking compositions. Each piece invited us to pause and consider the stories and emotions they conveyed.
The hotel also offered a sense of timeless elegance, with its lush gardens, inviting nooks, and the rhythmic sound of passing trains adding to its unique atmosphere.
Relic Road
We returned to the center of Winslow for dinner at a bar called Relic Road. It was advertised as a brewery, but we learned they did not brew any beer but had several local craft beers on hand. We enjoyed their spiral fries on a stick.
Thursday, October 24
Twin Arrows
We headed west and first visited the ruins of Twin Arrows and Two Guns.
Twin Arrows, located east of Flagstaff, Arizona, was once a thriving roadside stop on Route 66, known for its iconic giant arrows piercing the ground beside the highway. Originally called Canyon Padre Trading Post, it was rebranded in the 1950s to capitalize on the popularity of Route 66. The site featured a gas station, a diner, and a trading post, enticing travelers with its vibrant Native American-themed merchandise and classic diner meals.
The massive arrows, made of wood and painted bright red and yellow, became an enduring symbol of the site, visible from afar and drawing in curious road-trippers. However, with the decline of Route 66 following the construction of Interstate 40, Twin Arrows fell into disrepair. The business closed in the late 1990s, leaving behind the iconic arrows, now weathered and cracked, and the crumbling remains of the diner and trading post.
Two Guns, just a short drive away, was once a bustling roadside attraction. It was home to a zoo, a gas station, and tourist cabins. Its history is tied to the legend of a bloody conflict between two Native American tribes in Canyon Diablo nearby, giving the site an air of mystique. The area also had a short-lived boom during the 1920s when entrepreneur Harry “Two Guns” Miller developed the site, complete with Wild West-style attractions. Today, the abandoned structures, including the zoo’s stone enclosures and remnants of the trading post, stand in eerie silence.
Flagstaff
We then connected up to Route 66, going through Flagstaff and, on the west side, even drove some gravel road.
Parks in the Pines General Store
We also made a stop at Parks in the Pines General Store, a quaint and welcoming spot along our Route 66 journey. This general store has been serving travelers since the 1930s, offering a mix of convenience and charm, making it a Route 66 classic. The store is a reminder of how small roadside businesses once catered to families and wanderers exploring the iconic highway. Lisa couldn’t resist picking up some freshly brewed coffee, perfect for the road, along with a jar of their store-branded jalapeno-stuffed olives.
Bearizona Wildlife Park
When we arrived in Williams, our first stop was the Bearizona Wildlife Park, a must-see attraction for animal lovers. The admission cost was $42, but it was well worth it for the experience. The drive-thru portion of the park allowed us to see wildlife up close, including bears, wolves, and bison roaming freely in their natural habitats. It felt like a true wildlife adventure. After the drive-thru, we ventured into the walk-thru area, where we saw even more animals, including beavers, otters, and bears. The park’s immersive experience allowed us to observe these magnificent creatures in their environments, and we spent several hours exploring and enjoying the sights.
Twisters Soda Fountain
After visiting Bearizona, we headed into Williams to grab lunch at the local Twisters Soda Fountain. This classic spot had a nostalgic vibe, complete with an old-school diner feel and friendly service. We each ordered a burger and enjoyed a couple of cold beers, soaking in the relaxed atmosphere. The burgers were delicious, and the retro soda fountain made for the perfect place to unwind and reflect on our wildlife adventure. The charm of Twisters made it a great stop, offering a slice of small-town Americana to complement our Route 66 journey.
Williams, AZ
After lunch, we explored Williams, Arizona, leisurely driving through the town and stopping at the Grand Canyon Railway Station. The station was a charming piece of history, and we wandered around the beautiful Harvey Hotel, which added to the nostalgic atmosphere of the town. The railway station is a significant part of Williams’ history, as it has been a key stop for travelers heading to the Grand Canyon for over a century.
Grand Canyon
Since Williams is often called the Gateway to the Grand Canyon, we couldn’t resist visiting the park, especially as we were only about an hour south of it. We used our newly purchased Annual Pass and headed up to the Grand Canyon for a late afternoon visit. Arriving around 4 p.m., we had a couple of hours to enjoy the awe-inspiring vistas before the sunset. The canyon’s beauty was even more striking in the soft, late-day light, and we took in the breathtaking views from various vantage points along the rim.
Afterward, we drove through the dark desert for one and a half hours to return to our campground.