Here we are, wading into yet another year. By now we’ve had a chance to break most of our New Year’s resolutions. But I still think that 2024 holds tremendous promise. Let’s make the most of it by staying healthy, being happy, and getting out and exploring our favorite highway.
Welcome to the newsletter of the Historic Route 66 Association of Arizona. I’m Roger Naylor, Arizona author and travel writer, and it’s my privilege to pen these quarterly newsletters that we hope will inform and entertain. So let’s jump right in.
An Angel in Washington
When it comes to awards, Seligman resident and former barber, Angel Delgadillo has most of them. You name it, and you can probably find it on his shelf somewhere. I don’t think he has snagged an Oscar yet but it wouldn’t surprise me if he had. In November, the most-awarded barber in human history added what may be his most prestigious accolade to an already impressive collection. Angel received the 2023 President’s Award for National Leadership in Historic Preservation. And he traveled to Washington D.C. to receive it in person.
Krystal Burge, president of the Historic Route 66 Association of Arizona generously arranged to have a private jet fly Angel, his wife Vilma, and their children to Washington D.C. for the ceremony. Angel received this well-deserved award from the National Trust for Historic Preservation. Not surprisingly, the entire room honored Angel with a standing ovation. Afterward, he was feted with a special luncheon, and received an official commendation from the Governor of Arizona. Later, they were given a private tour of the Smithsonian National Museum of American History to personally see the Route 66 exhibit that features Angel and the Delgadillo family. Now that sounds like a few magical and unforgettable days.
I will always believe in my heart that one of the reasons for the continued success of Route 66 is due to the gentle and sweet-hearted man who spearheaded the movement to bring it back from the dead. Angel stepped forward when he was needed and we have all benefitted. He deserves every honor, award and accolade he is given.
Madrez Café moves to Route 66
We want to welcome a new Mother Road neighbor in Flagstaff. Best of all, it’s a family-owned business, the lifeblood of Route 66. Madrez Café is known for homemade food and old family recipes, specializing in luscious burritos and gorditas. They opened in 2021 establishing a well-deserved reputation as a hotspot for breakfast and lunch. Since moving to their Route 66 location over the summer they’ve absolutely thrived. Folks respond to their intriguing blend of traditional, non-traditional, and Mexican breakfast dishes. Waffles come both sweet and savory, and the burritos are bursting at the seams. Birria tacos are stuffed with slow braised brisket in a special broth topped with cheese and crisped in corn tortillas. So when you’re craving a hearty meal to start your day, stop by and bid a Route 66 welcome to the Saucedo family. Madrez Café is located at 1420 E. Route 66. 928-707-9275, www.madrezcafe.com.
The Osterman rehabilitation continues
There’s good news on the much loved and oft-photographed historic Osterman Gas Station in Peach Springs. If you recall, the old station was severely damaged in a storm during 2021. But the Association donated $45,000 to assist the Hualapai Tribe with architectural and stabilization costs. They’ve been furiously working on replacing walls and the roof and are on a very good pace.
The project has also been supported by the National Trust for Historic Preservation, Arizona State Historic Preservation Office, and Local First. The beautiful building dates back to the 1920s. In 2023 it was listed on America’s 11 Most Endangered Historic Places in 2023. Fortunately, it looks like 2024 will be much kinder to this architectural gem. And it’s all thanks to a lot of hard work and key funding from concerned groups and individuals.
Hit the slopes
Don’t forget we have one of the very few Route 66 ski resorts right here in the neighborhood. The Arizona Snowbowl is located on the western slope of Mount Humphreys, the tallest point in the state, north of Flagstaff. Ski season usually goes through the end of April because they receive an average of 260 inches of snow each winter and also maintain the capacity to create their own. With 55 runs spread across nearly 800 skiable acres and 8 lifts operating, it’s fun for the whole family. This is a great way to spend a winter afternoon—basking in Arizona sunshine and snow at the same time. www.snowbowl.ski.
Visiting Winslow parks
Winslow is best known for a legendary corner and the beautifully restored La Posada Hotel among other things. But it also has a couple of pretty cool parks that are worth a visit. Both parks perch on the high plains north of Winslow along Arizona 87 providing a peaceful afternoon getaway. Homolovi State Park protects Hopi ancestral villages on the grasslands above the Little Colorado River. Two of the pueblos are open to the public, but don’t expect fully formed structures. The centuries have gnawed them. Yet the outlines of the villages remain distinctive with low stone walls surrounded by a scattering of potsherds. While it is illegal to remove artifacts, it is okay to touch. Interpretive signs fill in the details of an epic timeline. A few short hiking trails wind among rolling hills including one that leads to a historic cemetery, the last remnants of a Mormon settlement. 928-289-4106, www.azstateparks.com.
After gazing across the tawny plains of Homolovi, you may yearn for a jolt of color. Turn north on 87 for the hidden gem of Little Painted Desert County Park, a spectacular overlook above a sea of rolling multi-hued badlands. This is one of those places you have to know about because there’s not even a sign these days. Despite the name it hasn’t been maintained as a park for years. From the high perch you gaze down at vivid formations, seamed with color and gnawed by erosion. There are a few shaded picnic tables and a short rough road that travels along the rim offering different vantage points, all of them stunning. This is a special spot and merits a little more care and regular maintenance. I always bring a bag to tidy up any stray garbage.
Directions: Homolovi is on Arizona 87, 1.5 miles north of I-40 in Winslow. Little Painted Desert is located about 12 miles north of Homolovi on Arizona 87 on the west side of the highway near MM 360.
Fun Run is around the corner
It’s never too soon to start making your plans for the rolling party known as Route 66 Fun Run. So don’t wait too long. Register today and be part of road trip history. As we get closer to the 2026 Route 66 Centennial, interest in events like this will continue to climb. This year, Fun Run will take place from May 3-5. The colorful caravan pulls out of Seligman and travels the longest intact stretch of Route 66, with festivities at every stop. All are welcome to ride along but for those that want to register for the car show, you can do so on the Association website. Remember, this is a fundraising event with the proceeds going back into the Route 66 community. Sign up today.
https://www.historic66az.com/33-fun-run.html
Roadside attractions
If you’re anything like me, you’re always on the lookout for a reason to pull over and stop during a road trip. I sample the tapestry of everything the journey offers. I’ll stop for a scenic overlook, an old ramshackle building, a good neon sign, or a throwback diner. And I can never resist a classic roadside attraction. Roadside attractions are not a destination but a pause, a brief cessation in forward movement. They are the curiosities, the oversized, the undersized and downright strange bits of Americana strung along the highways. They’re not the entrée of a road trip but can be a spicy, delicious side dish.
In today’s high-tech world, it’s nice to know that the innocent, the kitschy and the weird can still captivate us. I wrote a story on some of Arizona’s best roadside attractions still compelling us to hit the brakes a few weeks ago. Not surprisingly, several were found along Route 66. You can read the story here.
Hope to see you soon
Well, that’s it for now. We’re all looking forward to a 2024 full of Route 66 and Arizona adventures. Look for the next newsletter to arrive in you inbox in April.
If you have items of interest you’d like to share in an upcoming newsletter, you can email them to me, Roger Naylor, at [email protected], or to Nikki Terlesky, Director of Operations at Historic Route 66 Association of Arizona at [email protected].
Thanks for being part of the Route 66 family. Happy motoring!