The rain did not stop all night but slightly abated just before we checked out around 9:00 am. Trini and I drove to the historical town to look for signs of Route 66. We found one outside of the Visitors Center! This vibrant district showcases preserved buildings, neon signs, and mid-century storefronts. Walking through downtown immerses travelers in Route 66 history, with a variety of shops, cafés, and antique stores reflecting the Mother Road’s heyday.
We left Flagstaff and the rain completely stopped. We now took I-40 since we already drove through Route 66. Trini needed a “pit stop” so we stopped by Williams (our first overnight stop in the overpriced mediocre hotel). Many of the stores were still closed or if they were open very few people were up and about at this time. I found a street parking (free!) and we walked around the quaint little town and took photos of interesting displays.
Trini was admiring the colorful flowers being tended by a Filipino lady when a friendly couple from Dallas TX stopped to chat with us. They told us they drove the entire Route 66 five years ago starting in Chicago IL! Kathy, the wife was so excited when she found out that Trini and her have the same birth month and year (September 1950) and only four days apart! After we parted ways with the couple, we decided that it was still early to drive to Laughlin. Even though we’ve been to the famous Grand Canyon at least 4 or 5 times already, we decided to go visit it again just to kill time. Grand Canyon is only 60 miles away, so off we went.
At the park’s entrance, we asked the park ranger if we can access the West Rim of Grand Canyon. She said we could but usually by shuttle since the road is closed to private vehicles; however, since I had the National Park Golden Access Pass, she could give us a pass to display on the dashboard. She also gave us the code for the gate to open it! The West Rim was about six miles from the South Rim and we were the only private car on the road other than the shuttle buses. The view was not really that different from the South Rim. We saw many people hiking around the park and I wish I was doing that too.
We stayed at Grand Canyon for a couple of hours before proceeding to our next stop. By this time, light rain again commenced and would occasionally stop. It went on like this until Seligman AZ.
Seligman is often recognized as one of the most emblematic towns along Arizona Route 66. Though small in size, it has played an outsized role in the preservation and celebration of the Mother Road. Located in the high desert between Ash Fork and Kingman, Seligman captures the essence of what many travelers imagine when they think of Route 66: a town shaped by highway traffic, nostalgia, and the enduring spirit of small-town America.
The remaining drive to Laughlin NV was somewhat challenging with the mountainous terrain and the “dare devil” truckers who drove way above the speed limit even when the rain was pouring! I was scared that our car would hydroplane with the amount of rain water on the highway. We encountered a half-hour delay in Kingman due to road constructions. But we reached Laughlin intact and unscathed!
Laughlin is an unincorporated community in Clark County, Nevada, United States. Laughlin lies 90 miles (140 km) south of Las Vegas, in the far southern tip of Nevada. As a resort town, it is known for its gaming and water recreation.Â
The last time we visited Laughlin was more than 35 years ago! We were surprised at the growth and many changes that occurred during this time. We stayed at the Tropicana Hotel and Casino (Tropicana in Las Vegas has been imploded to make room for the Las Vegas A’s baseball stadium).
Tomorrow we will conclude our short Route 66 centennial road trip and go back to Vegas!
