Route 66 Adventure: Day 12 – Seligman to Las Vegas – Snow Cap Shakes, Trainspotting, and a Vegas Welcome

Day 12 started with a bit of a lie-in, which was a nice change of pace after all the early mornings. We had a few shops we wanted to check out in Seligman, and thankfully, they didn’t open until 10am, so we could have a more leisurely morning. As we were wandering around, we noticed the town was a bit busier than usual—three buses rolled into town while we were exploring. Up until now, we’ve been pretty lucky with avoiding the tourist crowds, but that was starting to change.

Shopping in Seligman – The Sales Rack Strikes Again

I stumbled upon a lovely sweatshirt in the sales rack of one of the souvenir shops, which I’m definitely bringing home as a little reminder of our adventure. The curiosity shops in Seligman were full of gems like that—perfect for picking up quirky little mementoes.

Delgadilla’s Snow Cap Drive-In – A Classic Stop

By 10am, we were raring to go for our next stop:  Delgadilla’s Snow Cap Drive-In. This is a Route 66 classic, and I was eager to try the famous peanut milkshake. I also ordered a taco (because why not, right?). The food was great, and the vibe was super nostalgic—exactly what you imagine when you think of a classic American drive-in.

Hackberry – A Postcard-Perfect Trading Post

Next, we drove to Hackberry, where we stopped at the Hackberry General Store for some photos. This stop was like stepping back in time with its vintage Route 66 signs and memorabilia. We made sure to grab some fun souvenirs before hitting the road again. The roads were getting straighter, with very light traffic, and we noticed a surprising number of freight trains. It was actually quite mind-boggling how many Prime containers were on these trains and how many trucks on the interstate were also decked out in Prime logos. It’s like Route 66 has its very own version of the “Prime Highway” running through it.

Kingman – Route 66 Sign Photos and Passport Stamps

We rolled into Kingman next, where we stopped to take a photo with the car under the Route 66 sign. It’s one of those classic photo ops you can’t miss. After grabbing a few shots, we headed to the Visitors Centre to collect another passport stamp and, of course, use the restroom before exploring more of the town. We also had a quick stop at Mr D’s Route 66 Diner to check out the local sights and get some more photos before heading out on the road to Las Vegas.

Las Vegas – A Slightly More Relaxed Arrival

We made it to Las Vegas in good time, but our first stop was the famous Las Vegas sign. However, when we arrived at the end of the strip, we were greeted by a massive queue of tourists all eager for their photo op. We decided to skip the queue and move on to other adventures.

Our next stop was more personal: we visited my Uncle’s grave. It was a touching moment to see where he’s buried, and it felt nice to pay our respects. From there, we went to visit a friend of Anne and Lia’s, where we were staying for the night. They were incredibly kind and made us feel right at home. We spent a lovely afternoon chatting before heading off to my other cousins’ houses to catch up with family for the evening.

Dinner, Repacking, and Another Day Ahead

By 8pm, we were heading back to our accommodation via Wholefoods to grab some dinner. After a long day, we spent the evening repacking our bags. I’d done a bit of shopping before the trip, so I had some extra things that Lia had kindly picked up for me in Vegas. After the repacking was done, I headed off to bed around 11pm. We’ve got an early start tomorrow as we need to head back to Kingman, then onto Oatman and finally California, our last state on this epic road trip!

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Tomorrow’s another exciting day on this road trip as we hit the last stops before heading into California. Stay tuned for more Route 66 fun! 🚗💨

Route 66 Adventure: Day 11 – Holbrook to Seligman – Coffee Hunts, Standing on Corners, and the Grand Canyon Detour

Day 11 kicked off with our first mission of the day: coffee. As you know by now, coffee is essential for Lia's survival on this trip, so we started at the local Speedway gas station. While I was pumping the fuel and got my Red Bull, Lia went for her coffee. What could possibly go wrong, right? Well, turns out the coffee machine was having a little nap (i.e. cleaning itself) and refused to dispense any caffeine. You’d think this was America, right? Where's the coffee when you need it? We searched the entire town of Holbrook—zero luck. So, off we went on our quest for caffeine, driving through four towns before we found a place that actually served coffee. At this point, Lia was practically jittery just from the search!

Jack Rabbit Trading Post – The Route 66 Treasure Hunt

Finally, we found Jack Rabbit Trading Post, which we’d been seeing signs for all along the route. These yellow signs with a rabbit on them mark the way to this quirky little stop. If you’ve collected photos of the signs and bought something from the shop, you can spin a wheel to win a prize. We didn’t know about the prize wheel, so alas, we were not prize winners on this day. Still, we picked up some fun bits and bobs for the road and continued our journey, with coffee still on our minds.

Brunch in Winslow – “Take It Easy”

Next stop: Winslow, AZ. If you know the song Take It Easy by The Eagles, you know exactly where we’re heading. We stopped at Flatbed Ford Café for a well-deserved brunch. I went for the Southwestern Skillet, which was absolutely delicious, and the ladies at the café were absolutely lovely. If you’re ever in Winslow, this is the place to eat!

After brunch, we did what you’ve got to do in Winslow—stood on the corner. Yes, I really did stand on the corner in Winslow, Arizona. It was an absolute laugh and a must-do for any Eagles fan. We explored the shops, took plenty of photos, and really soaked in the atmosphere of this Route 66 town.

Walnut Canyon Monument – A Stinger of a Moment

Our next stop was Walnut Canyon Monument, where Lia added another stamp to her National Parks passport. As she walked through the monument, she encountered a video of a wasp that stung a spider to paralyse it, so it could lay eggs inside the still-alive spider. Yikes! On that note, we quickly moved on.

Flagstaff – Mufflerman and a Quick Stop for a Passport Stamp

We then made a quick stop in Flagstaff, where we visited the Mufflerman at Northern Arizona University. This quirky roadside attraction is a massive Mufflerman statue holding an axe, and it made for a perfect photo op. If you’re into giant statues holding tools, this is your place.

A Detour to the Grand Canyon

Feeling adventurous, we took a slight detour to the Grand Canyon. It only took about an hour to get there from Williams, and although we’ve both been before, we felt like we needed to see it again. We parked up and walked to the visitor’s centre, only to find it closed. Sigh—but luckily, the park’s shop was open for Lia to grab another stamp for her National Park passport. We even managed to grab a couple of stickers for my suitcase before heading out along the South Rim for a walk. The views were, as expected, stunning, with clear blue skies and the temperature a comfortable 23°C. I even called Mike to give him a FaceTime tour of the canyon, because why not show off such an amazing sight?

Seligman – Neon Lights and Route 66 Vibes

After soaking in the beauty of the Grand Canyon, we made our way back to Williams, then onto Seligman for the night. We arrived around 6pm, checked into the motel, and then headed straight out to the Road Kill Café for dinner. The menu was hilarious, and I opted for the Elk Melt, which was absolutely delicious. Our waitress was funny and had some great banter, which made the whole experience even better.

By the time we finished dinner, it was dusk, and we couldn’t resist heading out to catch some of the neon lights in Seligman. The neon signs were the essence of Route 66—it really felt like we were getting a true taste of the highway’s history.

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Tomorrow, we’re back on Route 66, ready for more quirky stops and the next leg of this unforgettable adventure. Stay tuned! 🚗💨

Route 66 Adventure: Day 10 – Moriarty, NM to Holbrook – Homicides, Biscuits, and Teepees

Day 10 began with an early morning drive through Albuquerque—which, as it was Sunday, meant the roads were nice and quiet. No rush, no parking woes, just the open road and plenty of opportunities to stop for photos without getting beeped at by the cars behind us. But, as with every road trip, things were never going to be that simple. We stumbled across a Burger King and Starbucks that were cordoned off with police tape. Turns out, there had been a homicide a few hours earlier, and the homicide team was on site investigating. You can read about it here. Not quite the morning I was expecting, but it added a bit of unplanned drama to the day.

The Quest for the New Mexico State Biscuit

Now, Lia has been talking about the New Mexico State Biscuit for days (yes, this is a thing here, and no, I had no idea it was a thing until now). Apparently, the best ones are made at a specific shop, Celinas Biscochitos—but of course, it was closed on a Sunday. Naturally, we embarked on a wild biscuit hunt, hoping to track down these elusive treats. After a bit of searching, we found a shop opening at 9am. They had two flavours of biscochitos, which was a decent start, but not the magical experience we were hoping for. More on that later...

Petroglyph National Monument – A Stamping Good Time

Next, we ventured to the Petroglyph National Monument (Petroglyph National Monument Website), where Lia was in her element, adding another stamp to her National Parks Passport. This trip has been a dual passport affair, with us collecting stamps for both the Route 66 journey and Lia’s National Parks collection. She’s been loving it—each stop is a chance to talk to the locals, who seem genuinely delighted when we bring out our passports for stamping and a chat.

The Search for the Perfect Biscochito

With our biscuits mission still incomplete, we headed back into the Old Town area of Albuquerque to do some more shopping. After a few more unsuccessful attempts, we found a helpful lady who directed us to a place called Golden Crown Panaderia (Golden Crown Panaderia Website). This was it—our biscuit mecca. The owners and the baker were absolutely lovely and gave us a full tour of their goodies, including their biscochitos. We were the only ones in the shop, so naturally, we had a few tasters (as you do). Needless to say, we ended up buying way more than we came for. The milkshakes were also pretty good, so we rounded off our visit with a sip of those too. Road trip food at its finest!

Onward to Grants – Route 66 Shield Photo Ops

We reluctantly left Albuquerque and headed west, making a quick stop in Grants to snap a few photos under some cool Route 66 shields. It’s one of those classic Route 66 traditions—get a picture under a giant shield, feel like you’re really living the dream. The shield didn’t disappoint.

El Rancho Hotel in Gallup – A Star-Studded Stop

Our next highlight was the legendary El Rancho Hotel in Gallup, a real Route 66 gem. The hotel has hosted John Wayne, Shirley Temple, Henry Fonda, and many more famous faces from the '40s and '50s. Although we didn’t stay the night, we made sure to stop for a late lunch. I mean, how can you pass up the chance to eat where movie stars once did? It was well worth the stop.

Petrified Forest National Park – Ancient History and Stunning Views

The afternoon was filled with breathtaking scenery as we drove through the Petrified Forest National Park (Petrified Forest National Park Website). We drove through most of it, taking in the stunning views and stopping at various points along the way. We even made a stop for a photo with one of the last remnants of Route 66, an old Studebaker car that once cruised through this park. I’ll let the photos do the talking, but trust me, it’s as amazing as it sounds. The views in this park are jaw-dropping.

Wigwam Motel in Holbrook – Sleeping in a Teepee

Finally, we made it to Holbrook, where we checked in at the Wigwam Motel (Wigwam Motel Website), an absolute must for any Route 66 traveller. I mean, where else can you sleep in a teepee? We arrived around 5pm, unpacked the car, and headed across the road to Safeway for some fried chicken and dinner supplies. We then returned to our teepee for a cosy night in, blogging, watching movies, and, of course, reflecting on another amazing day of Route 66 adventures.

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Tomorrow, we continue our journey down Route 66, exploring more quirky stops and collecting more memories. Stay tuned for more fun, food, and all the randomness Route 66 has to offer!

Route 66 Adventure: Day 9 – Tucumcari to Roswell to Moriarty, NM – UFOs, Billy the Kid, and a Car Wash!

Day 9 and we decided to break free from the well-trodden path of Route 66 and take a little detour. Lia had her sights set on the Billy the Kid Museum, and we figured a trip down to Roswell, New Mexico—you know, where UFOs are rumoured to have landed—would add a bit of spice to the day. What's 340 miles in the grand scheme of things, right? Spoiler: It was totally worth it.

Fort Sumner – Billy the Kid's Final Resting Place

First stop: Fort Sumner, about 100 miles south of Tucumcari. This is where Billy the Kid met his untimely end—shot in a small building that now hosts the Billy the Kid Museum. While Lia got her historical fix, I decided to have a little adventure of my own. The windscreen of our car was absolutely plastered with bugs from the journey, so I found a local car wash. A bucket and sponge at the petrol station had only done so much, so it was time for a proper clean. For once, the car didn’t look like it was covered in a science experiment, I then filled up with gas and headed back to pick Lia up.

Roswell – UFOs, Aliens, and More Aliens

Next up was Roswell—about 86 miles south of Fort Sumner. From the moment we drove past the Welcome to Roswell sign, it was everything I imagined and more. The town was a bit bigger than I expected, with a population of 47,000, and it had this interesting blend of old, quaint buildings and more modern shopping plazas. But, of course, we were there for the main event: the UFO Museum .

We spent about an hour and a half inside the museum, which was a fascinating (and slightly eerie) look at the 1947 UFO incident and all the conspiracy theories that followed. There’s just something about seeing all the exhibits that make you wonder: Could it be true? I’ll leave that for you to decide, but rest assured, I took a few photos of the exhibits that you can expect to see on our Instagram—just in case you don't believe me.

Martin's Capitol Café – Mexican Food That’s Out of This World

After the UFO sightings, we were in the mood for some food. We found Martin’s Capitol Café  and tucked into some incredibly delicious Mexican dishes. Everything from the enchiladas to the quesadillas was top-notch. I’d go back just for the food alone, even without the UFO museum. Seriously, if you ever find yourself in Roswell, make sure you stop by for a bite.

A Bit of a Hold-Up on the Road – Bumper to Bumper Traffic

As we left Roswell and headed north towards Moriarty, we hit a bit of a traffic snag on Interstate 40, about 30 miles out fromour hotel. A crash had caused a massive slowdown, and we were stuck for about five minutes. But let me tell you, some poor souls were stuck for hours. We passed through six miles of bumper-to-bumper traffic, mostly trucks. At one point, it was double lanes, 80% trucks, crawling at a snail's pace. We were lucky, but it did make us appreciate being on the open road.

Moriarty, NM – Route 66 Once More

After the traffic drama, we arrived at Moriarty, NM, and checked into our motel for the night. We were both pretty exhausted, but we managed to take a short drive around the town to stretch our legs. It was definitely quieter than some of the places we’ve passed through, but the hospitality of the locals really made up for it. We settled into the Tristar Inn Xpress and after a rest, we were ready to head out for some photos and a look around the town.

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Tomorrow, we’re back on Route 66, so who knows what quirky stops await us. Stay tuned! 🚗👽🌮