Sedona, AZ to Gallup, NM – along historic route 66
We have been told route 66 – the Mother Road – is one of the iconic road trips one must take in their lifetime. We plan to traverse only 1,000 of the nearly 2,400 miles from Chicago to Santa Monica. We are also going East, from Flagstaff, AZ, to Tulsa, OK, which is not the common direction. We have 4 days, which seems like more than enough time.
The first day out we got off to an early, for us, start. We had planned our stops with our planned early (?) first night in the historic El Rancho hotel in Gallup, NM
We then got on the road and it all slowed down…
Each time we exited interstate 40 to drive the historic route 66, we stayed longer than expected. We found ourselves checking out the old travel lodges after stopping at Twin Arrows (note: only one of the two remains), chatting with other 66ers at the homage to the Eagles in Winslow, Arizona, looking for, and not finding, the teepees in Holbrook, and taking a long detour through the Petrified Forest National Park until 7 pm, with the park closing at 5.
We actually turned around at one point when we realized we missed the infamous Jackrabbit Trading Post! Siri had wanted to stop for a classic photo op. We are glad we did – and the photos are the second reason…
“We barely made it through COVID,” says Cindy, the third generation owner of the Jackrabbit, “and then there was a resurgence of travel after, but it has never gotten back to what it was.”
“Most people just take a picture on the rabbit and leave, they aren’t interested in talking to people along the way or buying things.”
We knew we were going to buy something at her trading post, since our route 66 guide had implored us to support local businesses. We had just taken the obligatory picture on top of her giant size Jackrabbit – which is the draw to stop here – and headed into the one-story older building with a big yellow sign proclaiming “Here it is” and the profile of the Jackrabbit.
We hear about the closing of the local coal fired electric plant and the loss of all those jobs in this small community of Joseph City, AZ. “Arizona Public Utilities said they were going to close that plant for years – and it finally happened. Some are hopeful that Trump will bring back those good paying jobs, but I am not sure what to believe. The power company says it isn’t profitable anymore and to fix it costs too much. It isn’t coming back.”
A local vendor comes in to check on inventory of handmade Indian dream catchers. “Sorry, we don’t need more right now,” Cindy says, “We haven’t been selling much lately.” As she points to the 2 inch bright colored handmade dream catchers that sell for $7.99. All this piecework is made by the local natives, and each one carries their name and registration number.
Cindy talks about how her family has been tied to this business for generations and her love for her local community. She tells us how she is restoring a 100 year-old historic log cabin trading post, “just to keep the history of route 66”. We talk about how do you keep communities like this alive.
After an hour of conversation, we buy a cool T-shirt, some photo magnets and postcards made from her photos, and a US66 decal. I don’t think our $40 alone is going to make a long-term impact, but it is a small gesture towards her passion.
As we leave, Cindy thanks us for stopping and apologizes for talking so long. She reminds us to check out her Facebook and other social media sites and to tell others that she is still here, just like the Jackrabbit sign’s hopeful message reminds all of us.
We head back on the road, much further behind than expected. Those detours again – always helping you to slow down.
Siri and David Adventures 