Peppy's Dream Moving Adventure Blog

The song, composed by Bobby Troup in 1946 and first recorded by Nat King Cole that same year, goes:

“If you ever plan to motor west,
Travel my way, take the highway, that's the best.
Get your kicks on Route sixty-six.”

We really enjoyed driving up and down Route 66 last night, so we woke up earlier than usual, because we wanted to head back there and we had a lot planned for today!  After showers, Eric fixed a flat on his bicycle, while I tidied up the RV and got dressed.

We drove over to Route 66 and had breakfast at Goldie's ROUTE 66 DINER.  It was a real 50s style diner with great decorations everywhere and even a life-size Betty Boop! 

After breakfast I walked into a few shops and Eric worked on his bike some more.

Eric and I posed by a vintage Ford Fairlane:

Betty is everywhere!  Even on Route 66 in Williams, Arizona:

Then we went and checked in at the place we’re staying tonight and it seems very nice.  It’s called RAILSIDE RV RANCH.  I forgot to mention that the place we stayed at last night, although fabulous, was closer to the railroad than any other place we’ve ever stayed.  The RV actually shook a little when the train went by (just once – but it was loud).  We already heard the train here and it’s just as loud.  Yikes!

After we left RAILSIDE RV RANCH we drove about 30 miles to FLAGSTAFF, AZ., where there is great mountain biking.  We found a bike shop that was open, Eric bought a map of the park, and we headed over there.  I did my usual computer/phone calls/postcard/nap thing and waited for him to come back, so we could drive back to Williams.

Eric was hoping to find someone to ride with and saw a guy who had his bike hanging from a tree branch, trying to fix something.  He went over, started a conversation, and ended up helping him fix his front derailleur and they became mountain biking buddies.  They climbed 5½ miles to Humphrey’s Summit, the highest point in Arizona, elevation 12,633 feet.  From there, they did a mile loop on top of the mountain, and then descended the 5½ miles in 15 minutes.  Eric said it was a screamin’ downhill!  He loved it.  He said they “smoked that mountain.”

When they got back, I met Steve and his 17-year-old dog, Sydney (a female), who had waited patiently by Steve’s car, as I waited patiently for Eric!

Sweet Sydney:

Steve is a great guy, and we took pictures, exchanged emails and phone numbers and thanked him for showing Eric the best of Humphrey’s Summit.

As I’ve said before, Eric has been so lucky, because he always meets great people who are happy to guide him through the mountains.  Eric says that’s because mountain bikers are good people.  I know now that it’s true, because he’s met great people in Saugerties, Massachusetts, Texas, Colorado, Utah, and now Arizona.  He’s looking forward to riding Sedona next and is guaranteed to meet a lot of great mountain bikers!

We left Flagstaff and headed back to the campground where Eric took a shower before we headed out to dinner at PINE COUNTRY RESTAURANT.  This place is huge and was packed.  We had to wait for a table, holding those vibrating, beeping, blinking pagers, like they have at Olive Garden.  The restaurant is famous for their homemade pies, but their food was really good, too.  Country cookin’, I call it!  Eric had split pea soup and a hot turkey dinner with pinto beans and mixed vegetables.  I had a pasta dish with a sauce made of pureed vegetables and sun-dried tomatoes.  It was SO delicious.  We finished it off with a piece of one of their famous pies.  We chose Raspberry Cheese.  It was fabulous.

Here is a sampling of Pine Country's mile-high pies:

Besides having great food, a country store and a friendly, country ambiance, they had their walls covered with art by a famous Arizona artist, Fred Lucas. 

He is one of America’s most notable fine art painters of the Grand Canyon and American West.  His work was so magnificent, I couldn’t stop staring at them.  The colors, the realism, the way he captured the sunlight on the canyon.  It was so impressive.  They had reproductions for sale in all sizes.  I was tempted, but we already have SO much art in storage in San Diego, so I resisted!

We are heading to SEDONA tomorrow and will probably stay a day or two.  We’re really enjoying Arizona!