I know, I know! It’s been a while. I haven’t written about our epic Grand Canyon road trip since way back in June. I think I was a bit traumatized from our failed attempt on the Grandview Trail. If you need a catchup, I’ll wait while you go back and read the previous post. Once you’re done, I’ll tell you about our road to Sedona, and all the places in between.
So, despite our disappointment of not camping below the Rim, and aborting our Grandview hike, spirits were pretty high. We survived the return to the rim, I recovered my breathing, and we had a lovely consolation meal at the Bright Angel Restaurant on the South Rim. And with the realization that we were alive with most of our parts intact, we experienced a slight release of tensions.
Our Grand Canyon Visit was coming to an end, but we had much more to explore. Our next stop; Sedona, by way of Williams and Flagstaff.
The Perfect Road Trip Town
There’s something poetic about rolling into Williams, Arizona. It’s the kind of place that makes you half-expect to see a chrome-finned Chevy Bel Air cruising past a diner with neon lights buzzing in the dusk. After a few days of all those stunning canyon views and enough red rock dust in my boots to start a souvenir sand art business, pulling into this little Route 66 town felt like slipping into the heart of road trip mythology itself. You can’t help but grin at how deliberately nostalgic it all is; the vintage gas pumps, the murals, the gift shops selling everything from “Get Your Kicks” T-shirts to tacky Route 66 license plates. It’s the kind of kitsch that’s so over the top, it loops right back around to being perfect.
Williams wears its Route 66 heritage like a rhinestone jacket; loud, proud, and slightly faded in all the right ways. We wandered down the main drag, surrounded by the smell of leather and fries, and the soundtrack of ‘50s rock-and-roll echoing from open doorways. I’m convinced there’s a local bylaw requiring at least one motorcycle parked outside every diner.
On the Road to Sedona
For a group of Canyon weary travelers on the road to Sedona, it was the perfect overnight stop. A reminder that sometimes the journey is the destination, especially when that destination comes with neon lights and fries on the side.
And while the old town of Williams was fun to spend the morning in, we wanted to get on to Flagstaff. Apparently the girls had a whole itinerary to work through in Flagstaff, so we couldn’t delay. Especially since this itinerary had been planned out months in advance! Don’t mess with the schedule, Dad!
So, Williams behind us and back on the road to Sedona, we pulled into Flagstaff in time for lunch, and the first location on the girl’s itinerary.
It’s the Food, Dad!
A big part of their planning for this part of our road trip revolved around food. But, given what was planned, I’m convinced it wasn’t actually Beth-Rose and Jana who planned it. No, it must have been Merry and Pippin. You know, the Hobbits?! (If you don’t know who Merry and Pippin are, please close this page and unsubscribe from my blog. I have no time for you…)
Seriously, if we were to fit in all the food and dining stops they were planning, we’d be looking at breakfast, second breakfast, elevenses, luncheon, afternoon tea, dinner, and supper.
First place on their list was a place called Raising Cane’s. Never heard of it? Me neither. But “Merry and Pippin” had done their research, and apparently, the Cane’s Sauce, which you could get in a Big Gulp sized cup, or something like that, was to die for! So we just had to go to Raising Cane’s.
So naturally we went to In-N-Out Burger for lunch. In fact, we never made it to Raising Cane’s. We also never made it to another of their dining choices, Chipotle. I’m okay with that. I think it’s a bit overrated. And if we’re in the Southwest, I’d rather have some Southwestern food that’s not part of a chain. Something a bit more authentic. Anyway, so much for their “precious” itinerary!
But In-N-Out Burger was on their list, so we were still at least partially following their plan. Remember In-N-Out? From a previous post on this crazy road trip?
Once lunch was done, we headed to Goodwill. Yup, that too was part of their master plan for Flagstaff. Imagine driving a thousand miles, visiting one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World, and capping it all off with a trip to a thrift store! It boggles the mind!
I went in with the ladies, had a look about, and told them I’d wait in the car. Thrift stores really aren’t my thing. In fact Shopping isn’t my thing.
The Zellers of Arizona
An hour or so later, they returned to the car, and we were able to proceed to the next stop on their “Epic Flagstaff Tour”: Target. Yup, more shopping.
Another mind boggler. “We’re just headed down to Arizona to stop in at the US version of Zellers.” Wow! That sound great! Wouldn’t I just love to tag along!? No, no I wouldn’t. But I did, briefly, until it became boring. After 5 minutes. I retreated to the Starbucks near the entrance, ordered a Grande Americano, and wrote my first blog post of the trip.
When their shopping was done, we headed to our motel. The afternoon was waning, and we had a big day tomorrow. Tomorrow was our Sedona day!
All in all, Flagstaff was a bit disappointing. And by that I mean, we didn’t take advantage of what Flagstaff has to offer. The historic downtown neighborhood of Flagstaff is supposedly a great walking and dining attraction, and I had hoped to get out to Walnut Canyon and do a hike in a mile long lava tube. But one day for a place like Flagstaff really doesn’t do it any justice. So I guess Goodwill, Target and In-N-Out were reasonable alternatives?
But that’s okay. Because we’re on the road to Sedona, and Sedona’s gonna be epic!
