Hwy 66 and Needles, CA

Since Flagstaff is located above 7000', it's a long downhill road after leaving and heading west.

I-40 west of Flagstaff

Flight of the Snowbirds or the Migration of the Toads 


Each Fall or Winter, snowbirds leave the colder climates of the north and head southward towards the southern states to escape the winter chill and bask in the warm sunshine of the desert southwest.  Most often they are driving large RV's towing a smaller car. Many flock back to the same locations year after year, using the large RV as their home and not moving it until just before Easter when they migrate back northward to reunite with their families again. The week before Easter we were surprised at the large number of toads (RV's with towed vehicles) we saw on the road headed home for the summer.

Historic Hwy 66

Route 66 is one of the original interstate highways in the US. Connecting Los Angeles with Chicago, it helped America get on the road earning its reputation as the "mother road." The more modern I-40 has mostly replaced large parts of the old Hwy 66; however, some stretches parallel I-40 while in other places Hwy 66 wanders a considerable distance away.  The old sections of the original Hwy 66 is steeped in nostalgia and guaranteed to bring back memories of two lane blacktops with a 55 mph speed limit complete with roadside attractions.

Historic Hwy 66 sign

Motel 66

Funky roadside attraction for bikers

Each roadside attraction has signs announcing itself for many miles to increase anticipation on an otherwise boring road when car radios afforded the only entertainment. The signs themselves can be pretty amusing.  My brother and I always clamored to stop at ones featuring Indian TeePees or dinosaurs.  Needless to say, the only places my Father would stop was for gas or a "pit stop."

Ooooo - an "Authentic" Indian Trading Post

Dinosaurs! Mom and Dad can we stop there?

This one sounds kind of creepy

The actual roadside attractions haven't changed much since my childhood.

"Authentic" Indian Trading Post

Yet another roadside attraction

I remember the Jack Rabbit stop

The road itself calls forth the most memories, attracting motorists and bikers from around the world. We drive one of the classical sections from Seligman to Kingman, AZ.

Old telephone poles with glass insulators

Two lane blacktop with water mirage

Burma Shave signs

Needles and the Colorado River

After rejoining I-40 at Kingman, we descend into the low desert on our way to Needles.  We have been warned about possible crowds of raving teenagers on Spring Break running wild through the Colorado River playgrounds. Since we don't have a formal reservation and only a vague idea of where to stay in Needles, we approach with a bit of hesitation.

West of Kingman, AZ

Almost to the desert floor

With Peter's sharp eyes we find a camping spot right on the river at the Needles Marina RV Park. Even though we can only stay for one night (a Thursday) to make way for weekend campers with reservations, we really scored on this one.

Campsite on the Colorado River

A Room with a View

Ahhh ... this is the life

View from camp chair

just watching the world go by

The evening is very pleasant. We enjoy a long sunset and twilight.

Coots along shoreline at sunset

Full moon rising

All quiet on the western front

Unfortunately our peace and quiet is short lived. In the morning, we learn Peter's Dad is very ill, so we make a beeline back to San Diego to be with family.

Cajon Pass at the northern edge of the Los Angeles Basin