ROAD TRIP>>> AGAIN. The continueing adventures of 635 and Paveltolz

[Paveltolz]

After a short get together with Orion Thade on the 7th and a trip around the valley seeing the not so well traveled portions of the SLC area (Poney Express Route, gold mining towns and the under-rated Tooele.

Started the road trip to Pomona CA with fellow member 635. We are heading down for the NHRA season opener and some sight seeing. Left SLC 8 FEB and spent the night in Holbrook AZ after driving through Moab UT, Canyonlands UT, Chenli AZ and diagonoly across the Navajo Reservation.

Today we continued down US 191 through Show Low, and the crazy twisting turns between Eager and Merenci AZ then over to Phoenix for the night. Yes, taking time out to see the sights not seen before.

Have a few pictures to post but I'm a guest on this computer so it will have to wait till we get to a friendly WI-FI area. Last night we were in the Wig Wam Hotel (Cars inspiration for Safety Cone Motel). Novelty experience but no wi-fi or any internet. Seems odd that it was about this time in 2007 that my son and I brought the truck through there, stayed at that hotel and there was an almost full moon then too.

Tonight, we're at my mother-in-laws for some free bed and breakfast. Mom is a great lady and I'm fortunate to not have one of those horror stories one hears too much of.

We'll be on our way back up to Route 66 by way of Prescott, Chino Valley, Flagstaff (?) and westward towards Seligman and Kingman. Saturday it is on to CA and the races.

More to follow with pictures and a better write up.

 

[Brooklyn Tow]

ENJOY!

 

[CtChevy427]

Travel safely Paul.....

 

[btfarm]

Enjoy it bud! Wish I could join you guys at Pomona.

 

[635]

This trip has been a lot easier on fuel, that is for sure. Big problem is I sure would liked to of had ol' Sunshine riding along. Limey, if I would of been driving on road 191 in Arizona, I WOULD OF STOPPED TO LOOK AT THE COUNTRY! It was one of the most beautiful sites I had ever seen.

And I am not driving, Paul is, I am just holding the right seat down.

Highway 191 to me, if it would of been a logging area, it would of been a logging road they made into 2 lanes and then paved. If Paul would of videoed that road I am not sure if anyone could of watched it without getting sick to their stomachs. One very crooked road!

Paul is still complaining about his arms and shoulders hurting fron the constant turning of the wheel.

 

[red]

very familiar with part of that route, just moved from Ogden Utah (north of slc) back to Midland Texas. I15 to highway 6, 191, 491, I40 across new mexico, 285 south, then I10 east. very scenic area right up there around the 4 corners area, very pretty

 

[OrionThade]

Whoa ... 635 was with you, Paul? Huh, I don't remember that.

 

[Big T]

Been to Sho Low, AZ back in November 2010 and stayed there. Tried some flyfishing for not much success on Silver Creek there. Was hoping to catch an Apache trout, but not much going on. It's the high country, though relatively flat. We were just cruising after hitting North Rim Grand Canyon, Lee's Ferry, etc. I was between assignments and the wife wanted to do a road trip.

 

[Raleigh]

Paul next time you go exploring the local area hit me up, I love to do some expeditioning!

 

[ccfoshee]

If you get a chance, stop in Williams, AZ (just west of Flagstaff).

Old school Rt 66 town. Be sure and stop at Rod's Steakhouse for lunch. Neat old diner. Serves some decent beef ribs (or at least they used to).

 

[Crankme69]

Have a SAFE trip & enjoy!

 

[Brooklyn Tow]

Again, Safe Travels and God Speed!

 

[GM Guy]

have fun, drive safe!

 

[Paveltolz]

Paul next time you go exploring the local area hit me up, I love to do some expeditioning!

Dave, Fine but you're driving cause three people in an extended cab for more than a day is a bit of challenge. PM me and we'll schedule a GTG at least. Orion Thade is in Taylorsville but may be moving out my way soon. With your handle, sounds to me like we have a bit more in common as I'm transplanted out this way from NC as well. I didn't start life there though.

If you get a chance, stop in Williams, AZ (just west of Flagstaff). Old school Rt 66 town. Be sure and stop at Rod's Steakhouse for lunch. Neat old diner. Serves some decent beef ribs (or at least they used to).

An excellent choice. When Michael (my son) and I came through here the first time together we were caught up in a wicked snowstorm and spent the night in Williams after eating a great meal there. Tonight we are in Seligman though as we came up from Prescott through Chino Valley. Another rollercoaster/Formula 1/Nurberger (sp) Ring route. Not as long as yesterdays run down US 191 though. Google it guys, I double dog dare ya and start in Morenci AZ with about a 2 mile view and trace it back up to Eagar. It will make your stomach twist just looking at it but your mind will say "LETS DO IT!" and I'm glad we did without motorcycle's mimicking Cafe Racers around us like I hear they do in the summer. It used to be titled US 666 but was later changed.
A few Pictures to save some typing.

Ted, trying to find a cup of coffee in Provo UT. It shouldn't be this difficult but we went to at least 5 places.


Next day after touring the short road trip to the west, we dropped in on OrionThade.


Wednesday, first real day on the real road trip and:
Nevada Crossing

Skid Marks in Canyon Lands, note the pair running over the edge of a 50+ foot drop.


Demo guys will recognize the pattern on this rock blown clear of the road


WigWam Hotel in Holbrook AZ,

just a week over 5 years from this one on my first trip after purchasing the truck. As you can see, it has changed a bit since 2007


Over head of the first spot Ted demanded we stop to take a longer look. US 191, 9200' elelvation. 60 miles in to what has to be a 60 mile "as the bird flys" journey and we are a little over half way "as the crow walks and pushes a flat tire."


30 miles to go to Morenci


The Mines. I'm not sure what Kenekot in UT is bragging about, but this is only a very small part of one of several open pits in AZ.


Phoenix and sunset.


This morning and with all the hot air Ted puts out, locals put it to use:


RT 66 about 10 miles out from Seligman:


I've wondered what my next project was and Ted said I should drop a 6.2 blocked rebuild in when I'm ready to swap motors. Low and behold, a 6.2 project truck made an appearance right here in Seligman of all places. Who knew.






I've reached the one post upload limit on photos so thanks for watching the fun. The long story is even better. Time to write it is limited by my desire to do so though.

Hit the road and have your own adventures guys/gals.
Tomorrow we trace the Grapes of Wrath across CA and will run the whole way to Barstow on old RT 66.

 

[Paveltolz]

I've had a chance to relax a bit and thought I would add a couple of notes. Ted is able to walk into a room full of strangers and be their oldest long lost cousin in minutes. He's got the gift of gab that must come from those years alone on the long roads of the nation moving equipment and goods to all the many places his profession as a long-haul trucker took him. It has been a lot of fun these road trip of ours.
Today it seemed to be a challenge to meet people from the USA! In Prescott we spent some time researching homes for rent and I spent about 15 minutes learning just how much German I've forgotten but had a great conversation with a sweet 80 year old lady. When we got to Seligman, we met a groups/couples from Belgium, Australia, New Zeland, Austria, Germany, Ireland (these guys had rented Harly's at $200 per day). The hotel is owned by a German who came here in 1988 and stayed. The restaraunt "Lilo's" is owned by a German lady and her husband of 51 years. It was almost an effort to meet Americans. We found them though, they can't hide from Ted forever.
We convinced the Belgians to join us at Pomona for the races Sunday. Who knows if they'll actually show up but they were excited that they would actually have the opportunity to be in the area. Who knows.
Tomorrow I have a special task I'd like to complete if possible before we leave. If it works out, I'll post it up. If nothing else, I've completed 50% of it, and the most important part already. As we rolled into town I noticed an abandoned Airstream that had a U.S. flag wrapped around the base of a make-shift pole attached to the tongue. I went back and the thing was absolutely worn out. I've got it in the truck to "retire" and will do that on an abandoned airbase Patton had built along Rt 66 outside the town that used to be Essex CA. If the store across the street opens before we roll, I'll pick up a replacement flag and put it out there. I know nobody will care. Either about the 'missing' flag I recovered and they may not care about the replacement but I don't want to leave town feeling like a thief and I couldn't leave a Nation's symbol laying in tatters as this one was. "I'm an American Soldier...."

 

[ak diesel driver]

good for you Paul

 

[JiFaire]

You're a good man, Paul. You guys enjoy your travels, ok? Post up lots of pics so we can share the ride with you!

Jim

 

[Paveltolz]

Shops don't open until after we plan to be long gone. I talked witht the hotel manager and he knows the deal with the trailer and owner and says it has been a long time since anyone was worried about anything to do with it. So, I explained what I had done and will do and he said the replacement flag was unnecessary. I'll take him at his word but will be this way again and will bring a flag along later anyway.

This morning we were greated with a pretty nice sunrise:

 

[Paveltolz]

With regrets that the shop across the street wouldn’t open on time, we headed out of Seligman but stopped at the General Store to see about a couple of things like a lighter and lighter fluid plus a cup of coffee for Ted and a soft drink for me (binge day for my diet).
Low and behold they had a silk screened U.S. Flags too so I picked it up, found a lighter and went to the counter to inquire about finding the lighter fluid. Realizing how it might appear, I prefaced the reason for the purchases with a short explanation. I know I don’t look like a protesting/flag burner but I just couldn’t help the vision/thoughts the ladies behind the counter might have thought about a guy with a flag and lighter asking for lighter fluid. No worries, they thought it odd anyone would take that kind of interest and thanked me as well. I do appreciate the compliments but to be honest, I would do the same in Canada, Norway, Germany etc. Heck, in Turkey, they have some serious laws regarding the respect their flag should get, the guy would have been fined or worse!
So we headed back to the East side of town and were pleased to have been able to follow through with the original plan and replaced the flag.




Once completed, we headed out on our way to Kingman, Barstow…sing along...you know the song and the words.


Relax, it's not what you think....


We took the old route all the way through Kingman,
Oatman AZ,
Needles, and on through Amboy, Bagdad, through Barstow and have crashed for the night in Victorville.

As we crossed over I-40 outside of Needles and before we got to Essex CA, we turned off the road at that abandoned WWII air strip where my son and I stopped 5 years ago. It was right where we left it and we found a 3 gal oil can that was well ventillated and used that as a safe means to 'retire' the old flag so as not to set the desert on fire and not burn it on the ground etc. It was full of dirt too so I poured most of it out. Soaked the flag and rested it on top of the can and then as the flames were extinguished; pushed the remains inside, covered them with the earth and left it there on the side of airstrip as a part of its history and that of Rt 66.



You can find it by entering "Essex CA" on google maps or earth and see the strip just north of what's left of the town on the west side of the road.


I'm pleased to announce that Roy's Cafe in Amboy CA is re-opening as an eatery and fuel is again available to the traveler. Be patient though as it is a "one girl" operation right now.

We paused at the Volcano outside Amboy. It is there that I took the photo I used to introduce myself at the Place so many years ago. Things have changed somewhat for both the truck, myself and the forums since then.
Then:


Now:


It’s fun to reflect. I also note the announcement that Bill Heath is back on the forums as a sponsor, only here at the Stop so that is great news too. Some change is good.


Tomorrow, San Barnadino and on to Pomona for the races.

 

[Brooklyn Tow]

Looks like a great trip....I'm very envious and happy for Ted and yourself!:agreed: