108 Give Thanks!

Had to put this in for Michelle's  friend Buck (Mr Aroo to me)

    It was Thanksgiving day 2014 and we had much to be thankful for.   We are reasonably healthy, a great family, friends and friends we haven't met yet.  We were flying down the road alternately between interstate 40 and historic route 66.  The trike is running well today, no warning lights for a while and I have learned to shift with my toe to avoid the second gear problems,  evidently something is amiss with the shifting linkage, by bypassing the heel toe shifter and driving it directly into gear with the shaft it seems to be doing well.  We don't know what are dinner will be today be it breakfast bars eaten while we ride or a small café at an exit.  It is going to be another great ride and we are "thankful".  

$23 better check the room.

     This morning our hotel clerk said it was 29 degrees, we are in no hurry, work on the blog some, pack slow and let the sun do its work.  We were told the weather might be nippy until we cross the continental divide, so there that's the goal today somewhere the other side of Grants NM.  When we pulled out it was up to 46.   Today we had no scheduled stops except perhaps a photo stop by the continental divide.   It climbed quickly though,  and was really quite comfortable thru the day. 

Historic property for sale.

     Not to long after noon Ruthie spotted a sign for an Iron Skillet.  We had eaten them on previous trips and knowing they cater to the truck drivers we would not have to settle for a sandwich today.   We did not split our meal today, real turkey (none of this canned stuff) dressing jellied cranberries, mashed potatoes and turkey gravy.   Wonderful, we were relaxing enjoying being warm and comfortable and our waitress stopped by and asked if we were ready for our pie.  Pumpkin pie for desert, maybe they have a room to rent and I will just take a nap.  Just teasing, suit up and back on the trike.
     Darn it!  We missed it.   Bill and Betty had showed us their pictures of their speedometer and the surrounding area when their Gold Wing passed the 100,000 mile mark.  Kind of cool!  We wanted to do the same, doing some calculations we must have hit the magic mark somewhere between Laguna and Grants New Mexico.   We must have stopped for dinner to celebrate, that's my story and I'm sticking to it.  "mental note to be more aware when we go over 200,000"  

One small step for mankind?

     It seems that a lot of the real feel of the old road is portrayed in the many single story Mom and Pop motels in the  small towns we pass through.  Many are vacant and abandoned, with names like Palomino, the Sands, Sahara while others have been made into apartments,  some are still used for their intended purpose in varying degrees of quality.  The multilevel chain motels available at interstate 40's exit has taken its toll.
     Passing Grant we stayed on the alert for the continental divide, it was further than we anticipated, don't want to miss the exit as its always a long ways back.   We kind of expected the photo stop to be more significant, perhaps a rest area or a big brass plague making the spot.  I guess this faded old sign is all we get today.  Wonder if the water statement is true?    For some reason the freight trains out here seem to intrigue us.  They seem to stretch out for miles, many of them double Decker or with semi trailers on them.  Its hard to imagine the semi traffic we would be sharing this roadway with if they were not on the tracks.
     It was 63 degrees pulling into motel just before Gallup NM.  We should be in Flagstaff tomorrow even with our wandering ways.  Our future lodging had been on my mind for several days and now with an idea of arrival time in Arizona it was time to get serious about it.  Hotel costs would mean a pretty short trip if continued.   This evening I spent some time on Craigslist posting my "Will train horses in exchange for lodging ad" in several areas in Arizona and Southern California.  (my smart Alec sister-in-law suggested I just wear a sandwich board and stand on the street corner. Update: Ruthie reminded me that this could fit seven people, so I will narrow it down.  It was Donna! )  While I was on the computer I checked for lodging using trailers and mobile homes as a filter.  An interesting one showed up in Wickenburg Arizona, RV site on horse property and a fifth wheel to rent at a stables.  Sent off an inquiry with a few questions. 
     The next morning was a little brisk and knowing we were headed up to flagstaff we dressed a little warmer today, no sense being chilly when we have the extra clothes along.   It was going to be an easy day, no museums or side trips.  Just get to Arizona and find a place to live, we had chose Flagstaff as the point to drop off of Route 66 figuring we could pick it up in the spring sometime.  Assuming (I'm sure you've heard what that fateful word can do to you.) evening lodging would not be a problem in Flagstaff we pulled into a casino resort on the way.  Our thoughts were warmth, food, fun and maybe lodging.  First chore was to get the hotel to store our bulky coats and helmets so quests wouldn't think us from outer space.   Due to the timing the café only had a few customers.  I don't know who made eye contact first, I am going to say Ruthie.  The couple setting at the net table suggested we order quickly as they had been waiting for sometime.  And whatever you do don't order the French fries.   Pointing to the warmer at the kitchen entrance they mentioned that the fries sitting there had been under the heat lamp since they arrived.   Visiting with our table neighbors Rick and Jane we found out they were celebrating her birthday.  After they found out our agenda they told us they lived by Cave Creek AZ and said we could drop in and set up our camper beside there garage for a couple of days if we wanted to.   Nice people everywhere you go.  We exchanged information and promised to keep in touch.  Wonder if we will see them again or if they will remember this encounter.
Yup, had do check as we left the café, there they were, I wonder how long you can keep fries warm?  We split the chicken pot pie in a pastry, I would recommend that but whatever you do, "don't order the fries".   The hotel here was a little spendy so Flagstaff it will be.  Checking several motels we found they were booked for the evening, seems there was a polar express and Christmas light shows  going on bringing droves of people to stay for the weekend.   We finally found one room on the South edge of town.   There was a message from the horse property camper with a phone number, things are looking up.   Tomorrow we will call Gary.   
       Here is our path to Flagstaff.          Click to display Map