Waking up next to a big river, surrounded by redrock, with only a few German tourists nearby to spoil the otherwise still morning is a wonderful thing. There is something about knowing that every single mile you are about to ride today is beautiful that makes you feel like a kid on Christmas morning. So, Merry Christmas, let's head to Monument Valley, AZ.
The roads were nice and quiet this time of the morning which is exactly how you want to see Monument Valley. Nothing can compare to how early Native American's and Settler's saw it, but do try to avoid the crowds and buss convoys that often evelop the weekends.
As you leave the Reservation you start to gain elevation until you get to Flagstaff. In the background Mt. Humphrey's and the highest point in Arizona looms. 12,633 Feet.
Biker Wave.
Once into Flagstaff we stopped and lounged on the top deck of the old Hotel. It still looks exactly the same today. The top deck was closed, but they allowed us to take our food up stairs and just watch the town roll by below for a while.
We decided that spending a night in Williams would be fun so off we went to Route 66.
Train country.
(although it looks like some sort of denim commercial.)
FJ40 on TV and a stuffed Mountain Lion on the wall. This seems like a good place to post up! Sultana!
Well, isn't that fancy of them.
I recommend eating at any place with a roof top patio in Williams. The food will be "good enough", but the views will be worth it all. Williams is a mish mash of a town. Part historical frontier town. Part railroad town. Grand Canyon Jumping off point. Tourist Trap. Route 66 history. Route 66 kitch. Part lumber town. This makes for an interesting mix of people from all over the world and from all different walks of life. All of this in an impossibly small town trying to do all of it's business in the summer months.
Unless of course, you go there to ski... http://www.elkridgeski.com/
Canyon Club. This is another gem not to be missed. Ask if you can borrow a flashlight and go look at the caverns beneath the bar and rest of the town that the Chinese Train workers built.
At night the town calms down in terms of tourists and livens up in terms of drunk locals. It's entertaining if a bit scary.
Since we saw a line of Japanese tourists getting a picture with the Porcelain King, we thought it was only prudent to do the same.
There are a few good stories from this night that I'll tell ya around a camp fire sometime. There was a local guy who said he had "Indiana Jones like whip skills" who proceeded to stand in the middle of route 66 trying to crack dual whips un-successfully for a while. An 1800's theatre is not only a great place to grab a mic and do an impromptu concert, but is also a great place to sleep. Whatever you do, don't eat here... Seriously. Starve to death. Don't go here... http://www.yelp.com/biz/jessicas-family-restaurant-williams
The next day we cruised through Chino and Paulden into Prescott. (Preskit)
We laid in the park and slept for a while before saying our good buys to the California contingent and heading back to Phoenix for some much needed rest and recovery. It was, as the all are, a great trip.
