Day Six

It is easier to get an early start when you are two time zones behind normal time. The morning started clear with no wind, but the interstate riding gets tiring after so many days and we are ready to see the Pacific Coast. But we will have to wait a few more days. The good news is that Vegas is only 2 days away, and we will get a few days of rest there.

We are, however falling comfortably into the travel mode, new town and hotel each day, often running into the same people at gas stops and rest areas. Today we stopped at an old souvenir shop along the old portion of Route 66... not much more than a gravel parking lot with two picnic tables. We soon realized it was another place we had stopped on our ride home last year, but last year the business seemed to be abandoned. We noticed a couple with 2 dogs, Debbie remembered them from Denny's the day before and we would see them at least once more before the day was through.

About an hour or so from our home for the night, the winds picked up again and we could see rain a mile or so down the road. We found a place to pull off the highway near the famous Meteor Crater. Fortunately, the wind was so strong it blew the storm just south of or route and we were back on the road in 1/2 hour. As we approached Flagstaff, the clouds returned and we decided to try and find a place to stay. Some days finding the balance between comfort and price can be challenging. This was one such day, and we stopped a 3 places at various locations before settling for less than perfect accommodations.

After checking in we made a quick run to the local Harley store for an Arizona shot glass, and then to the Route 66 Roadhouse Bar & Grill. This was an interesting place where you grill your own steaks, so it was hard to complain about how they were prepared. Two hours later, we were back at the hotel for the night. I mentioned this was less than perfect room, the reason was that there was a frequently used stairway on the other side of the the wall which made getting to sleep early all but impossible. Lesson learned, when they tell you they have only one room left, find why they saved this one until last.