Day 1 June 14th 2008

After filling a very empty gas tank, we headed to the 15 freeway. Our friends, the DuPuy's, are caravanning with us. We almost made it out of the state for our first pitstop. By about 12:45 we rolled into Kingman, AZ. We found gas for under 4 bucks! With our lunch choices slim, we found a Chuy's that had just opened! That was way better than the cheese and crackers we planned.

We continued on parts of Historic Route 66. I bribed the kids to be good. For every 50 miles that they didn't argue, they each got a buck. It worked pretty well. After another stop in Flagstaff, we made it to the buzzing metropolis of Winslow, AZ. When the best hotel is a dilapidated Days Inn you are in trouble. When the girl at the front desk tells you that the local Denny's is the best place for dinner, you are in trouble. When you try to convince your friend that the cockroach is really just a beetle, you are in trouble!

Anyway, we went in search of "the corner" in Winslow, Arizona made famous by the Eagles. We found it, with the flat bed Ford (and some very husky lady Harley riders).

Then came dinner...you know I save the best for last...We went to the local establishment, The Falcon. The brochure labeled it as historic route 66, family restaurant, etc. Well, the dump had the brown vinyl seats I predicted, a seedy lounge and a graduation party in the bar (I guess when you are 21 when you graduate high school, you can have your party in the local bar!) The menu was filled with good old home cooking and the mexican food side of the menu added an "e" to Falcon to make things El Flacone...you know the good mexican food! I had to tip the poor waitress well. We tried to get a bottle of wine, but there were no brands listed..."All we have is the chardonnay, white zin and mer-lot" No joke, mer-lot. She didn't have to say Caberet Sauvingon since they were out of it anyway. We tried to figure out what could be cheaper than 2 buck Chuck!

After some swimming in chlorine, I mean water, we got the kids in bed. They really did do well with 500 miles of asphalt.

After what I am sure will be a great breakfast here at the hotel, we head to Gallup, 4 corners, Mesa Verde and Durango.

Songs that go with our trip: Get your kicks on route 66, Take it Easy, and I've been everywhere man.

Pics are coming!