Happy summer! And 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.
Sizzling Sidewalk Breakfast in Oatman
Who needs fireworks when you’ve got street omelets? Every July 4, Oatman holds its beloved Sidewalk Egg Fry. At high noon, participants attempt to make a late breakfast the hard way. Since 1990, the event has been drawing crowds to this former mining town for the festivities. In the early days contestants plopped eggs directly on the sidewalk. That proved to be pretty messy even for a town with mounds of burro poop adorning Main Street. Now the roadside chefs use skillets, pans, or aluminum foil. They’re also allowed to utilize mirrors, magnifying glasses, and anything else that might add a few extra degrees of heat, although no fire or electricity is permitted. Costumes are not required but neither are they uncommon. That’s just how Oatman rolls. www.oatmanchamberofcommerce.com.
A Splash of Recognition
Just last month Smithsonian Magazine released its list of “The 15 Best Small Towns to Visit in 2022.” And right there near the top of the prestigious list is a familiar name—“Laid-Back Small Town: Winslow, Arizona (pop. 9,005).”
The magazine offers a nice tribute to Winslow. It covers all the expected highlights like Route 66, La Posada, and Standin’ on the Corner Park, as well as nearby attractions such as the Petrified Forest and Meteor Crater. Yet it also gives a shout-out to Old Trails Museum, Homolovi State Park, and Clear Creek Reservoir, while even singling out a couple of individual businesses. The article provides readers with a good sense of place, capturing the spirit of the little burg that perches on the high plains.
So way to go, Winslow! Any time a publication shines a spotlight on one of our Arizona Route 66 communities, it benefits everyone because we’re all connected. We’re all part of that same long thin town on America’s Main Street.
Coaster in the Pines
Let’s face it; Route 66 practically invented the roadside attraction. And no Arizona town honors that heritage like Williams. This is where you come when you want to visit a drive-thru wildlife park, ride a zipline, or hop a train to a little spot we call Grand Canyon. Now the Canyon Coaster Adventure Park offers some memorable thrills for travelers of all ages.
Unlike your big amusement park style roller coasters, this park blends in with pine forests of Williams. Canyon Coaster is an alpine coaster—individual carts with sled-like seating. The coaster goes clicking up the rails as it climbs a steep hillside before swooping through the trees, fast and flowy, hugging the curves. You control the speed for a fun and memorable mile-long ride.
Canyon Coaster Adventure Park also offers summer tubing. Ride down big slides perched on an inner tube. Then when the seasons change and the snow flies, they’ll feature old-fashioned winter tubing. Adding a winter attraction could provide a big boost and help turn Williams into a year round destination. www.canyoncoasteradventurepark.com.
Work up a Head of Steam
Speaking of the Grand Canyon Railway, summer is a great time to experience a very special blast from the past. Steam Saturdays take place the first Saturday of every month through October. This is the most authentic, historic, and romantic way to ride the rails, aboard a steam train. With one very modern and environmentally friendly twist.
Steam locomotives can be a rare sight in the 21st Century. But Grand Canyon Railway has modified two engines, No. 4960 and No. 29, so that they run using carbon-neutral recycled vegetable oil as fuel. Their work in reducing greenhouse gas emissions and air pollutants associated with steam locomotives, has won the Grand Canyon Railway numerous awards and accolades. Steam train dates remaining in 2022 are August 6, September 3, September 17 (to celebrate the Grand Canyon Railway anniversary), and October 1. All aboard! www.thetrain.com.
Fantastic Flagstaff Cuisine
One of the very cool parts of my job as an Arizona travel writer is that they pay me to eat. Dining stories are a big part of what I do. So when my editor at the Arizona Republic mentioned that she needed an updated dining guide for Flagstaff, I sprang into action. The assignment required many grueling hours visiting eatery after eatery in the mountain town, all of them locally owned, and many newly opened. It’s a tasty job but someone has to do it. I’m happy to report that the dining scene in Flag is thriving.
Small, locally-owned mom-and-pop businesses continue to be the lifeblood of Route 66. It’s nice to see so many new ones popping up after the past couple of difficult years. There are lots of great restaurants in Flag but I finally narrowed it down to a Top 10, focusing mostly on recent additions. I enjoyed everything from authentic British fish and chips, a French bistro, an island getaway, homemade pastries, a Mother Road patio, some delicious pizza and lots more. Now if you’ll pardon me, I have to let my belt out another notch. You can read my Flagstaff dining guide right here. https://www.azcentral.com/story/travel/arizona/road-trips/2022/06/07/best-flagstaff-restaurants/7493317001/
Putting Money Back into the Community
Another round of grants from the Historic Route 66 Association of Arizona have been awarded. These are the recipients of the 2022 Historic Route 66 Cost Share Grants. This money will be used to improve, enhance, and restore several worthwhile properties. The Mother Road continues to sparkle through lots of hard work and some well-deserved cash being spread around. Here are the latest recipients:
1955 Texaco Gas Station, Winslow ($10,000): Plans include removing exterior paint to expose original white and green porcelain, replacing the garage door with a more authentic one, rehanging original letters, replacing driveway and parking area. After the work, the beautiful property will be listed as historic.
Route 66 Railroad Museum, Winslow ($10,000): This is a chance to design and build a 5-foot long bridge that connects the Winslow Visitor Center to the Santa Fe Rail Car parked on the east side of the building. They will also add heating, air conditioning, and electric to the rail car.
Highway Sign Restoration, Grand Canyon Caverns ($10,000): Time to perform a complete overhaul of the big Caverns sign on Route 66. That will involve welding, painting, structural repair, and replacing sign panels for a new eye-catching display for this classic roadside attraction.
66 Motor Palace Preservation Project, Winslow (($10,000): One last Winslow grant will bring electrical and insulation up to code in this former pool hall, motorcycle shop, and rather notorious after-hours club. That work will allow for the installation of a vintage tin ceiling.
If you’re interesting in pursuing a grant of your own, be sure to visit the Association website for rules and requirements, and to fill out an application. www.historic66az.com.
Business Spotlight: Westside Lilo’s Café
This little restaurant in Seligman feeds the world. Since Seligman is the birthplace of Historic Route 66 it draws a steady stream of international visitors. And they’re all made to feel like locals at this bustling friendly joint.
German-born Lilo Russell opened the restaurant in 1996 aided by husband, Patrick and daughters, Brenda and Nancy. Everything at Lilo’s is made from scratch. Burly breakfasts, fork-tender steaks, and juicy Black Angus burgers fill out the menu along with several German specialties. Lilo’s is also known for decadent desserts like cream pies, plate-draping cinnamon rolls, and towering slabs of moist carrot cake, packed with enough carrots to make Bugs Bunny swoon. www.westsidelilos.com.
Burn Your Tongue in Flagstaff
For one summer weekend, Flagstaff becomes the hottest town in Arizona. Chili lovers mark your calendars for August 6 and 7.
Since 1988, the Flagstaff Chili Society—yes, they are totally real—has been hosting the annual Route 66 Regional Chili Cookoff. The event draws competitors from all over the nation and takes place on August 6. Categories are Red, Green, and Vegetarian, and the winners in each one move on to the Arizona State Chili Cookoff, which takes place the very next day, August 7, right there in Flag.
It’s a bonanza of beans! And other ingredients, many of them super secret. The two-day event is held in Thorpe Park and also includes public tastings, strolling musicians, and a beer garden. Get there early before they run out of chili, and so you can vote in the People’s Choice Award.
Stand with a Crowd on a Corner
Wrap up the summer in a big way with a visit to Winslow. The Annual Standin’ on a Corner Festival takes place on September 23 and 24. This is one of the biggest events on Route 66 and attracts a wide range of visitors. There’s a sprawling beer garden, a horseshoe tournament, a live auction, food trucks, vendors, and no shortage of live bands rocking the stage at the Eagles Pavilion. And there may even be a few folks snapping photos at a certain corner that’s now part of rock history. Don’t miss out on this memorable bash!
Hope to see you soon
Well, that’s it for now. Throw your arms around summer in a big embrace. Head outdoors at every opportunity and plan many trips across Arizona on the Mother Road. Look for the next newsletter to arrive in your inbox amid the cooler weather of October.
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 Seegers, Director of Operations at Historic Route 66 Association of Arizona at [email protected].
Thanks for being part of the Route 66 family. Happy motoring!