Day 18; Gallup to Flagstaff

Let me start with the La Quinta (the hotel chain we stayed at last night). When checking in last evening I noticed two jars of "goodies" on the desk. I was about to help myself when I noticed they were treats not for humans but for cats and dogs. Thos chain for a little more $$ allows pets in the room with you. Later that evening I shares the lift with a rather large dog and its owner. Interesting.

After a good breakfast we drove through Gallup on Route 66. Stopped at the El Rancho Hotel for a few photos). The El Ranch was built in the 1920's and in its hay day hosted a few famous movie names (such as Ronald Regan). I should mention today was sunny and clear skies, but the wind chill factor took it way done  into minus territory.

After Gallup we took to I-40 again. Wall -to - wall big trucks. Drove for a few hours before stopping at Winslow. For those who appreciate the Eagles music will understand the significamce of Winslow. In their song "take it easy" there is a verse that goes something like this " Well ,I'm standing on a corner in Winslow ,Arizona, and such a fine sight to see. It's a girl, my lord in a flatbed Ford slown' down to take a look at me". 

 Well in Winslow they have re-created that scene. There is a statue of a young man (with guitar) standing on a corner and there is a flatbed ford parked across the road. Even the sovenir shop was playing Eagle's music. Great, just great.

Had lunch at a soda fountain. Had our first hot dog (they had a number of different hotdogs, each representing a state that Route 66 runs through. "She who can not be named" and Regan had a California hotdao while I had an Oklahoma hot dog.

Winslow was a great little stop.

Back on I-40 and off to the meteor crater. Been here before, expensive but interesting. Regan wasin his element (I fall asleep in the 20 minute movie presentation). The meteor crater was created 50,000 years ago. It is meant to be the most intact crater in the world.

Well, back onto I-40 and heading for Walnut Canyon National Monument. Found out we should have brought National Park Annual Pass. The ranger convinced us we would save money if we purchases one ($80 and covers up to 4 people in a vehicle). Anyway, Walnut Canyon is a site where you can walk through Anastazi ruins. Very interesting and well worth the walk ( a long way down as well as up, but good exercise).

Finally arrived in Flagstaff around dark. Checked into the motel. The motel was about 800 metres from the old town Flaggstaff. "She who cannot be named" and I went for a walk (bloddie cold with ice on the pavement) and ended up dining at a Mexican resturante. Was blwn away by the number of trains that rolled past and the length of them. both noisey and amazing. While out walking I checked out a few likely breakfast spots. This motel just offers coffee and tea, nothing else.