Route 66 and the Grand Canyon

From the Petrified Forest, we headed west and drove deeper into Arizona towards the Grand Canyon. We made a few more stops along Route 66, the first at the Jack Rabbit Trading Post in Joseph City. The trading post opened in 1949, and back in the glory days of Route 66 there were signs everywhere along the road promoting the store. The signs would have a silhouette of a Jack Rabbit and then however many miles away you were. A big sign, out in front of the store, announced "Here It Is!" just in case anyone missed it. The store is still open, and the big sign is still standing.



The next stop was the nice town of Winslow, Arizona. If you're an Eagles fan you might know this town. Winslow is mentioned in the song "Take It Easy," and they have cashed in on the connection. In the center of town is the Standin' on the Corner Park, with a huge mural recreating the lyric in the song (which is "Well, I'm a standing on a corner in Winslow, Arizona and such a fine sight to see. It's a girl, my Lord, in a flatbed Ford slowin' down to take a look at me"). So on the side of the building is a painting of a girl, in a Ford, presumably slowing down to look at people. If you don't remember the song, don't worry. There is a constant stream of Eagles music being played at one of the shops across the street.



From there we headed through Flagstaff and finally up towards the Grand Canyon. We hurried to get into the park, and made it to the first overlook we could get to before sunset (which was the Mather Point overlook, by the Visitor Center).



The view from the edge of the Grand Canyon is truly breathtaking. There is a vastness that is almost overwhelming. Light from the setting sun was streaming through, shining along parts of the Canyon like a spotlight. At the same time, a few storm clouds passed by overhead.





One little storm passed above the canyon, dropping a stream of rain that looked like a beam of light.



The storm grew, and I stayed out trying to get pictures of it until it got too dark. After that, we headed out of the park to our hotel. But luckily we would be back again to visit the canyon the next day...