We decided to extend our 200 mile route from Winslow to Kingman by another 82 miles to incorporate the longest section of Route 66 and it proved to be well worth it.
This meant that we would not be able to visit the Meteor Crater which was quite close to our Winslow hotel as our time would be too limited to give this site the justice it deserved.
However, in an attempt not to miss out completely we undertook a little research which revealed that the three-quarters of a mile wide, and 600 feet deep, crater was recognised as such in 1891. In 1906 a mining engineer named Daniel Barringer considered this was caused by a meteorite, and for the next 27 years argued the case, nearly bankrupting himself in the process. His theory was disputed until scientific researchers came to the conclusion that a meteorite did cause the crater and that it could have happened up to 50,000 years ago.
While the estimated 130-150 feet wide meteorite has never been found, what is considered a fragment – the 1,406lb Holsinger Meteorite – can be viewed at the site.
Today, family members still own the site and also provide guided tours around the rim. Clarification about the differences between asteroids, comets, meteors, meteoroids and meteorites can also be discovered. If we had visited, we might just have found out how big a 1,406lb meteorite really is.
But Route 66 beckoned and with The Eagles playing through our hired Mustang’s speakers we really felt part of that historic adventure.
The main town we were heading for was Williams, where Route 66 ran through the centre. The town was delightful and full of memorabilia along both sides of the street much to the pleasure of the many reminiscing visitors.
We had intended to dine at Cruiser’s Cafe which was once a well-known stopping point along Route 66 but today it is more of a packed tourist trap.
We decided instead to eat opposite where a policewoman was initially in attendance and then two sheriffs. This got us puzzled. What different roles do they play? A discussion with the sheriffs revealed that the police cover town incidents, whereas the sheriffs cover county matters. They assured us that there is very little crime in Williams (despite their congregating at our cafe).
We then headed over to the railway station just at the time a freight train was passing. As with so many we have seen, it was hauling hundreds of containers and took almost five minutes to pass us by.
Then, back on the road for several miles more, we pulled up at a cafe making the most of the Route 66 connection. This had been taken over in recent years and the owner had built his own piece of memorabilia, a very large green head he called Giganticus Headicus… well if others can do a similar thing with Cadillac graveyards and huge rocking chairs, why not this owner? Having some quick refreshments and a few photos we continued our trip into Kingman, where we were hot, hungry and tired.
As is usually the case in US motels there were not any meals provided apart from breakfast, and Downtown restaurants were a fair distance away. However, the motel recommended a local hostelry: The Fireside Cocktail Lounge.
This sounded interesting and as we were gasping for refreshment we took the two block walk to what we thought would be an enticing establishment. Upon arrival, it turned out to be a working mens bar, and pretty busy for a 6pm Saturday night.
Cool beers were welcome, although we refrained from the menu serving only deep fried chicken wings. Pool table, electronic darts board, and a snazzy jukebox (all hi-tech and playing country and western) captured our attention. That was until the ‘cabaret’ started. Clearly the clientele had been in attendance on this Saturday evening far longer than we had. Women were somewhat erotically making up to men, and men were making up to women, in front of our very eyes. Not a lot was left to the imagination. This went on for some time while we supped away. Then drinkers started to make an abrupt exit… the live musician had started to set up his equipment. The ‘cabaret’ left and it was time for us to go too. Social life in these sprawling towns it seems is limited, and the old tradition of working mens clubs must be welcomed, but quite where The Fireside Cocktail Lounge came into it we do not know. There wasn’t a fireside, no cocktails in sight, and presumably a bar stood in for the lounge.
Copyright: Words and photos Sue Barnard 2022