THE ROAD HOME

THE ROAD HOME

July 27, 2015

We checked out of our motel and said goodbye to Williams, AZ.  This was a delightful town and we enjoyed our visit.

A few hours later we were parked in front of the Cracker Barrel in Kingman, AZ, where we stopped for lunch.  This will be our last opportunity on this trip to eat at Cracker Barrel so we savored every bite of this delicious southern meal.

Driving through Reno, NV, we kept moving.  I'm sure the one-armed bandits were calling but we kept our nickels in our pockets and moved on.  

There was a lot of hot, desert highway in Nevada.  The gas stations were few and far between.  We continued north passing military posts that looked dry, hot and desolate. We passed by the Federal Prison and noted the sign on the highway said, "NO HITCH HIKING". 

The few tiny settlements along the highway were beat up and run down, looking more like they were deposited there by an Oklahoma tornado.  Real Estate signs offered the sale of Lots starting at $2000.  Such a deal!  Sleazy trailer houses sported signs that advertised things only advertised in Nevada.  It's a long way across this wasteland.

Soon we entered California.  We drove North on Interstate 5 and passed the town of Weed.  We though sure we smelled something funny.

With an occasional stop for gasoline and a cold drink we soon crossed into Oregon.  It felt good to cross over the Pass and drop down into the lush Willamette Valley farmland.

After six weeks and more than 10,000 road miles in our Sienna, we pulled into our driveway in Portland.  It was an amazing trip.  Due to my reduced eye sight clarity, my good wife, Debby drove most of the miles after we dropped off our Pinkerton traveling companions, who helped drive, and our son, Eric, as he drove most of the way between Atlanta and Branson.  She's a good woman and I'm blessed to have her looking out for me!

Now....almost time to plan our next adventure!

THE GRAND CANYON

THE GRAND CANYON

July 26, 2015

We purchased First Class tickets at the Williams Station for the hour long train ride to the rim of the Grand Canyon.  The vintage train was from days gone by, a fitting treat for this western experience.  Our reserved seats were located in one of the cars with no children.  It was very quiet, very comfortable. Our Conductor had complimentary coffee, tea, soft drinks and fruit juices available the whole time, along with nuts, meats, cheeses, and sweet rolls.

Our reclining seats were plush and clean, a soft purple velour that replicated the original decor of the 1940's. The ride was quiet along the old railroad.  The countryside offered an expanse of views of distant mountains and alpine vegetation.  The Williams, AZ area offers one of the largest stands of Ponderosa Pines in the country.  

Deer, Elk, Porcupine, Coyote, Fox, Rabbit and other animals can be found in this area.  Several people reported sightings of these animals along our route today, but I did not see many. 

The Williams town Sheriff was on our train.  Apparently, train robbers were reported to be in the area and the Sheriff was concerned for the passengers' safety. 

We slowed down as we approached Grand Canyon Village.  This was the end of the line.  After our Engineer turned the train around and backed into our parking area at the village station, we disembarked and walked the short distance to the Canyon Rim overlook and to the myriad of shops, lodges and eating places along the way. 

The Grand Canyon is aptly named, as it is, indeed, GRAND.  Debby and I were here more than 44 years ago.  I didn't remember it being this spectacular back then.  I guess I grew up and matured a little since then!  Perhaps now I'm a little closer to the age of the Grand Canyon!  Whatever it is, I was inspired by the awesome forces it must have taken to form this dizzying canyon.

We went from one viewpoint to another trying to take in as much as we could in the next four hours.  There were many other tourists here today. The campgrounds, lodges and parking lots appeared to be full.  People lined the Rim, snapping photos and trying to take it all in.  I often overheard many foreign languages being spoken. This is a popular destination of people from all over the world. 

Our four hours were coming to an end as we stepped into a long line for ice cream. Debby held our place in line as I, once again, eased over to the Rim for another look.  A man with a telescope, camera and tripod was honed in on a lone California Condor perched on a distant rock outcropping.  I sat down and braced my Nikon against my knee and extended my 42 power camera lens to almost capacity and snapped off a few pictures of this giant bird. 

After getting our ice cream, we walked back to the station, located our car and sank down in our plush recliners. It felt good.  On the ride back a small herd of Elk were spotted on the opposite side of the train.  The sharp curves through the canyon offered complete views of this entire train as it slowly made its way back.

Once on the flat land, we spotted several men on horseback riding fast in our direction. Soon the train ground to a halt and we were boarded by masked Cowboys.  

Our Conductor advised us to avoid resisting and to offer them a dollar as a token.  I stuck a dollar bill on the side of my glasses.  The robbers warned us they wanted all our valuables and if we cooperated, no one would get hurt.  The first robber looked over at me and saw the dollar.

He quickly reached out and snatched the bill saying, "Gimmie that!"  Luckily the Sheriff was coming so the train robbers quickly ran away!

After we pulled into the station, Debby shopped in the gift shop before we walked the two blocks into town.  The pizza joint looked inviting so we decider to indulge.  The Sheriff was trying to clear the street because a bad cowboy was in the loose. We hurried across and ducked inside for a pizza. 

The shootout happened as we ate on the balcony.  We had a birds eye view.  We couldn't hear all of the ensuing conversation they exchanged but we certainly heard the gunfire as the Sheriff dropped the bad guy in his tracks!

Where else but in Arizona can you watch a real life fake shootout with real life Cowboys and real life blanks?

WILLIAMS, AZ

WILLIAMS, AZ

July 25, 2015

About a hundred miles out of Williams, AZ smoke from a forest fire was beginning to drift across Interstate 40.  We were hopeful that our trip would not be interrupted by a fire.  After several miles the smoke thinned and we felt a little more secure.

Pulling into Williams brought back old memories of sights I had grown up with.  The town was really into Route 66 memories.  Williams, gateway into the beautiful Grand Canyon, was the last American town to be by-passed by the giant Interstate 40.  After all the lawsuits were settled, Williams was given 3 exits off I-40 and everyone seemed to be satisfied.  

Williams apparently preserves one of the best stretches of old US Route 66 in the country.  The town itself preserves the image of the Route 66 era with shops, cafes, gas stations and motels, each sporting their own identities with Route 66.

We stayed in a micro motel that, even though it was undergoing remodeling, still identified with the old times.  Williams has many motels to choose from.  During the summer months, if you don't make advanced reservations, you might not find a weekend vacancy!  Tourists flock to this town by the thousands every year.

We enjoyed walking around downtown and peering into 50's era shops , decorated with antiques and filled with souvenirs of by-gone days.  Locally made leather goods were also plentiful.  The smell of smoking BBQ, burgers and chicken, wafting from the 1950's era Cafe sucked us in as we walked down the sidewalk.  The burgers, fries and milk shakes were great!  The walls were littered with old photographs and posters advertising products of the times.  Jukebox Rock 'n Roll music blasted the tunes of Elvis Presley, Buddy Holly, The Big Bopper, Chubby Checker and many others as we dined. 

The country breakfast and coffee we had at another cafe the next morning was about the same.  We walked by a Gas Station Museum that looked like a pretty normal gas station in 1955.  The old car parked in front of the vintage gas pumps was a perfect fit for this scene.

We were entertained by a real live western shoot-out show at the corral.  The local Sheriff apparently handed out western style justice to a few rustlers and horse thieves. That evening, the Sheriff again, administered justice in a street shootout as we dined on a second floor balcony of a pizza shop.  

You had better watch your step in this town, Partner!

METEOR CRATER, AZ

METEOR CRATER, AZ

July 25, 2015

The Interstate often paralleled old Route 66.  It was interesting to see some of the old buildings now abandoned and falling apart, along the old highway, remaining pieces of American history. 

We took the exit to go see Meteor Crater.  It's located about half way between Winona and Winslow, Arizona.  We had driven past this place over the years without stopping to check it out. Today would be different.  The impact site is 6 miles off of I-40.  There was very little traffic.

The entrance fee was very steep for what you get ($16 for adults and $8 for kids), but we coughed it up anyway. This is not a National Park but it is a Monument owned and operated by a private family of wannabe Rangers.  As there is nothing else in this area to attract visitors, I suppose the locals needs the cash!  

The hole in the ground was impressive, but not that remarkable.  It measures nearly 3/4 mile across and 550 feet deep.  It is told that a flaming Nickel-Iron Meteor, about 150' in diameter and weighing 300,000 tons, crashed here about 49,000 years ago. It must be true because we watched the video of it plummeting to Earth!

AR, MO, OK , AZ

BITS AND PIECES

July 14, 2015

It was good to drive into Arkansas and to, once more, see the rolling hills of my birth state.  I kept thinking how I would love to return and spend time going through familiar places and trying to find familiar faces of my youth.   But today we are on a schedule and we must keep appointments.

We did enjoy a stop in Harrison to have lunch with a friend before we left Arkansas.  Later we pulled into Branson, MO and made our way to Kimberling City where we would remain for more than a week.  We stayed with Debby's sister;  its also where her Mom lives.  They were working to finish their new Deck and getting ready for their new swimming pool to be set in place.

This is as the week of Debby's family reunion and several families from across the country were coming to town.

The pool was craned over the house and set on the large concrete pad that had been poured and cured for several days.  Being self-contained, it was only a short time before it was ready to be filled and used.

The Winn Family Reunion was great.  It was good to see familiar faces and growing children.  We had plenty of food and activities.  Most of us were content to just sit around and talk for 3 days. 

Time flew by and it was nearly time to go.  Debby and her sister took Eric to the Kansas City Airport for his flight back to Portland.  On our way out of town we met some life-long friends for breakfast at Bob Evans in Branson.  Charles and Velvie Jean were good friends when we lived in Kansas.  I was in high school there.  Good people!  Great kids!

We stopped in Springdale to spend the night with our long time traveling companions, the Pinkerton's. It's always good to see them and their kids.

We stopped in Tulsa, OK for lunch with our daughter, Teresa.  She was working but took the time to see us.  Next stop was to spend the night in Oklahoma City.  We stayed all night with Debby's Nephew's family. The next morning we met our friend, Andrea, for breakfast.  We also had lunch with our son, Matt before heading West.  We made a stop near Elk City to see our Niece and her family.

Next stop was along old Route 66 in Winslow, Arizona to see the  bronze statue of the man standing on the corner.  It was fun to snap a few photos of this iconic place and remember the Eagles' song about the mysterious, "Girl, my Lord, in a flat bed Ford slowing down to take a look at me".   

MEMPHIS

MEMPHIS

July 15, 2015

Entering the Memphis, TN city limits was exciting.  We were greeted by the giant glass pyramid shaped building that is now Bass Pro.  Being here will be new and exciting as this is our first trip to the Blues and Rock 'n Roll Capitol of the world!  This is where it all started.

It was late evening when we checked into our downtown hotel.  Debby, Eric and I had driven many miles today with Memphis Barbecue on our minds....now it was time. Debby passed on the BBQ, not her favorite food, but pushed us out to go makes pigs of ourselves.  We walked the few blocks to a side street before turning down into a dark alley littered with bits of trash, garbage cans and a couple of bums sitting against brick walls in the dark recesses.  It was a little spooky and we wondered about the directions we had received from the hotel. Then there it was, ahead on the left side, a double door entry that directed us downstairs to the basement.

The Rendezvous Barbecue Restaurant is one of Memphis' oldest and well known rib joints.  People from all over the world have come here and to Beale Street for BBQ and Blues.

When our Ribs arrived, Eric and I were not disappointed.  From the first bite, these were by far the absolute best Ribs I had ever eaten!  The secret of the Ribs was in the dry rub recipe, not in the way they were cooked; not in the BBQ sauce...but in the RUB, the spices and herbs recipe that gave these baby backs their unique taste.  The cooking process was equally as important in getting them just right, I can't deny that.  And they we're just right!  The best I've ever had!

The next morning we checked out of our hotel and headed over to Sun Studios, where Blues and Rock 'n Roll all began;  Jerry Lee Lewis, Elvis Presley, Fats Domino, Carl Perkins, Johnny Cash, and a whole host of others who became famous right here at Sun Studios.  We arrived early and were among the first in line for the tour.  Soon, people began arriving, even bus loads.  The line grew longer.  We were glad we arrived an hour or more early!

We were in the first tour group.  The young man who led our tour was very knowledgeable and

shared many pieces of history about early entertainers and Sun Studios. It was an amazing tour and
highly recommended!  After a few photos, like jamming into the same microphone that a myriad of singers used, like Elvis, Johnny and others, then purchasing a few souvenirs (yes, shopping), we headed out of town towards Branson.

We felt filled.

SHILOH

SHILOH

July 13, 2015

I have to admit, leaving Savannah was easier than removing the memory of THE LADY AND SONS (Paula Dean's Southern cooking) from my mind.  Although, at the time I waddled out of there, now I'm ready for seconds!  Wait!  I already had thirds!  Okay, I'm ready for round two!

We set our GPS for the new home of Debby's cousin, Kim and Doug.  They have a gorgeous piece of land, the kind that calls you to sit on the deck, hot coffee in hand, feet up, and watch the Deer graze.  It was so relaxing, and felt so good, to be there for a fast three days.  Sorry to have missed seeing Doug.  He was off in Alaska somewhere catching a boat load of fish!  He apparently waited until we left before he came home with all those fillets!  But Deb and I enjoyed being there so much we're thinking about going back and spending several months with them!

We took a ride to Georgia's largest Mall...MALL OF GEORGIA.  WOW! It was huge!  First things first, we walked up to the indoor Chic Fil A for a snack!  Sure hoping someday Oregon can get a few of these!  Afterwards Debby shopped.  I sat down on an easy chair near the center of all the shopping to rest.  Another husband was in a nearby chair.  We talked about how hard it was to shop.

Our son, Eric, flew into Atlanta, grabbed a small commuter train and met us near Kim and Doug's.  It was nice not to have to experience Atlanta traffic again!  We picked him up at the station before,meeting Kim and Shelly at a nice restaurant for dinner.  Shelly, Debby's cousin, kept trying to grab the bill but I had told the waitress if she wanted a tip, I needed the bill.  She brought it directly to me.  

The next morning we loaded the Sienna and headed out.  We went through Georgia, past Chattanooga, TN, down into Alabama and then North to Shiloh National Military Park, where

we stopped and spent some time learning about the Civil War battles and visiting the Cemetery. It was a heart touching experience to be in this place where thousands of our men died.  The grave markers had many that were simply marked, "UNKNOWN".  The silent Cannons were like greenish and black sentinels keeping watch.  The monuments that appeared to be pyramid shaped stacks of cannon balls stirred imaginations of the battles.  Dozens of huge black chunks of stone and marble, etched with names of regiments and names of soldiers, stood all along the memorial drive around the acreage, commemorating the events and lives given in this war.   Shiloh.