RV Trip on Route 66--California to Arizona (Day 2)
Laughlin, Nevada to Seligman, Arizona October 6, 2020
After the big meal of prime rib and a good night sleep, we checked out of the RV resort around 10:30 the next morning and on our way to Arizona. Before leaving Laughlin, we wanted to go down near the Colorado River for some scenic views. There is a park north of the Riverside Casino/Hotel with a huge parking lot where we were able to park the RV without any problems. The park was basically very quiet, just as other parts of Laughlin, probably due to the pandemic. The beautiful views of the river remain the same as before.
Colorado River with the bridge that goes between Nevada and Arizona.
Quiet and lovely park
Looking across to Arizona on the other side of the river.
Riverside Casino/Hotel, the very first casino built here in Laughlin by Mr. Don Laughlin.
Huge and golden color dates hanging from the tree.
Kingman, Arizona
The drive from Laughlin to Kingman was uneventful. We just had to climb the mountain roads and then cross the flat Golden Valley to get to the city. We took the opportunity to fill up our gas tank with bargain prices, lower than California and Nevada. With our main goal of visiting sights on Route 66, we did not go into the main part of town. Instead, we went right on Route 66 and found the Mohave Museum where we could park the RV.
This is right at the corner of Route 66 and Beale Street.
The museum was opened but we did not go inside.
The mural on the wall was quite colorful and attractive.
Depicting the glorious era of the highway.
Had a quick lunch here inside the RV.
Right across the very busy street, there's this sign...
the Veterans Memorial
and the Kingman Welcome Sign.
There is also a Locomotive Park nearby which we did not get to.
Then we went about a block up and found Mr. D'z Diner, which is one of the icons along Route 66.
We did not eat here this time but did get some lunch on our way back a week later. Great hamburgers! They are famous for their root beer also.
This is the Powerhouse across the street where the Tourist Information Center is located. This is also home of the Route 66 Museum.
Some older model vehicles were on display outside the Powerhouse.
You can see part of the Locomotive Park in the background.
Sign post outside the building.
Entrance to Powerhouse
Inside the Tourist Information Center where I purchased a Route 66 passport just for the fun of it.
The museum is upstairs which we did not visit.
There is also a gift shop of the Route 66 museum on the other side of the entrance.
Lots of merchandize to choose from.
We came upon this water tower right next to the old train station a little further up near Fourth Street.
I believe this part of Route 66 in Kingman is also named Andy Devine Boulevard.
The actor of the T.V. series Gunsmoke was born in Flagstaff but raised in Kingman.
As we slowly made our way out of town, there are a few old style motels that kept their designs with neon lights. Should be nice when they are all lit up. Unfortunately, we were there at the wrong time of the day.
Antares, Arizona
About 15 miles east of Kingman is the small town of Antares where the eye-catching Giganticus Headicus is located right by the roadside. This giant, 14-feet tiki head was to resembled the stone carving of Easter Island by artist Gregg Arnold in 2004. Making this once an over-night stopping spot for tired travelers a favorite attraction. I was looking out for the huge green statue but almost missed it because it's not green anymore. They have painted it over with pink color to raise breast cancer awareness.
At the corner of Route 66 and Antares Road where a line of mail boxes stood.
This has to be the main road used by the people in town.
This is now a Visitor Center with a convenience store, gift shop, art gallery, and picnic area.
(Not sure why I can't enlarge this photo.)
Just got to have a few of the old cars out here.
Hackberry
Further down the road we almost missed the General Store in Hackberry and had to make a turn back.
This General Store was opened in 1934, then closed down when the town was bypassed by the new Interstate 40. Then it was purchased by a Route 66 artist Bob Waldmire in1992, making this an interesting stop showcasing plenty of artifacts from the 40s to 60s era. Now, the souvenir shop inside sell many items and memorabilia to curious travelers. A fun place to explore.
Exterior of the General Store
with plenty of antique cars
old gas pumps,
and many other vintage items.
We were the only visitors inside the store that afternoon.
License plates from around the world are up on the ceiling.
Plenty to see and admire.
A fun place indeed! And it's free!
We just had to buy this Route 66 soda to try. A good souvenir item to keep for $2.50.
Truxton
We went past the small town of Valentine where the Keepers of the Wild is located and housed 150 rescued animals for people to see. We were not interested in getting on a safari ride with others during this time and just bypassed it. Seemed like they were not in business anyway.
Then we came to Truxton, a town that used to be bustling with travelers. Not anymore. The Frontier Motel which we came to see was actually deserted and everything looked neglected.
The old motel rooms that are not in service.
Even the sign of the motel was not visible.
Except the sign of the cafe that seemed to be freshly painted.
Oh well!
Seligman
Seligman is a town that keeps the history of Route 66 alive and well with many colorful buildings along the main street. There seems to be a lot to see in this small town, so we decided to spend the night here and do more exploring the next morning instead of rushing through it.
I figured that there wouldn't be too many people stopping here and did not make reservation for our stop. There are two RV parks in this town, one at the west end of town runs by the General Store and the other is a KOA campground on the east end. The General Store location is closer to the center of town and that's where I planned on staying.
I walked in and found out that they still had one full hook-up site available for the night. Lucky me. The rest of the sites were just water and electricity only. For $32 a night, that was not a bad deal even though there is not much amenities other than the basics being provided. One thing that startled me was that nobody inside this General Store had masks on, not the clerk, not the customers. I hurriedly registered and ran out of there as fast as I could like being chased by a ghost.
It's a clean, small RV park with about 15 spaces. Only about seven were occupied that evening with most of them long-term residents.
It's pretty quiet even though it's right on the main street.
The guys went out after dinner to check things out and see if the neon lights are on.
They came back with just a couple of photos.
The Roadkill Cafe next door that gives customers from the RV Park 10% off their bills.
Needless to say, we did not go there.
Being in a small town like this, I wasn't sure if it was safe for us to walk all over the place in the dark here especially as Asians. The last thing I want was to deal with hostility and aggressive behavior while being away in places like these. Staying in our RV was the best thing to do. Tomorrow we will leave on our journey.
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