Seconds With Steff

If you thought yesterday’s pics were amazing…no words for today.

After leaving the El Rancho, we crossed into Arizona with no fanfare at all…not even a wecome sign. But never fear, Chuck D and I welcomed ourselves to the state with a rousing rendition of “By The Time I Get to Arizona”.

Route 66 winds up on the highway a bunch here, so 75 mph is amazing when you’re doing it legally!

We arrived at The Petrified National Forest, which also houses The Painted Desert, with the intention of only going as far as the old Route 66. So happy I didn’t listen to myself! Literally…no words. I did the best I could with pictures, but even those are terrible.

Next we stopped in Holbrook, AZ where I ran into David Wickline for the second time. I had seen him in Shamrock, Texas at Conoco Tower Station, the inspiration for Ramone’s in Cars. He remembered Hunter and I and was quite please that I had remembered to tell Crocodile Lyle in Amarillo that he would be there soon. After buying his book (I now own a signed copy of David’s DRIVING ROUTE 66 – Official Tour Book), he told me to tell Cindy at The Jack Rabbit Trading Post he would be there soon. Hunter and departed with a strong recommendation to go to The Turquoise Room at La Posada Hotel for lunch.

We next saw one of the two famous Wigwam Motels, making it The Jack Rabbit Trading Post (represented in Cars by Lizzie’s HERE IT IS sign). I did tell Cindy that David would be there soon, chatted with a couple opening a Route 66 storefront this year, and then David caught up with us. After some more chatting, Hunter and I finally made it to Standin’ On A Corner Park in Winslow, Arizona!!!! After taking tons of pictures, we went into the store, but Hunter was starving, so I told the owner, we would be back.

La Posada was gorgeous and lunch was delicious, but I had shopping to do, so back we went to A Corner’s store when who should walk in? Yup, David…total coincidence. We laughed, and after he left, I realized I had left my AmEx at the restaurant. Hunter and I returned to La Posada, and as soon as I walked in, the manager said, “I ran after you!” I thanked him profusely and started back to the car. Are you gonna guess who I saw in the parking lot? Yup…my man, David! We laughed, hugged, took a selfie, and said we’d see each other tomorrow in Seligman.

Hunter and I continued on into Flagstaff, where we checked in and knowing he is going through pasta withdrawals I randomly chose the restaurant Fat Olives. Upon opening the menu, I found out it was featured on Diner, Drive-Ins, and Dives…which I don’t understand cause it’s a really nice place, but I guess could be squeezed into a pizza joint category. Hunter’s spaghetti and meatballs looked good and I got what Guy got…well, one of the dishes he ate. I let the waiter choose…Belgio Dolce Pizza.