Savor last few miles through New Mexico on old Route 66. Most of eastern Arizona involves interstate driving with frequent turns at the exits to visit small segments of the old road.
The giant metal teepee of the Teepee Trading Post sits just over the state line.
Ortega's Indian Market on the other side of the interstate is no longer opened.
The big Fort Courage complex is right off of the interstate at exit 348. Most of us who grew up the 1960s remember the corny TV show but apparently it doesn’t resonate with the public any more. The entire place is closed.
An abandoned Valentine Diner sits in a overgrown lot in Sanders at exit 339.
Visiting Petrified National Forest and Painted Desert is a must for any Route 66 road tripper. From exit 311 it’s a 50 mile trip through the park to rejoin the road at Holbrook. The photos are from a previous trip since we skipped it this time.
Some of the paved paths are fairly steep but doable with help.
Charles Stewart opened Stewart's Petrified Wood Shop in 1994 and starting building giant dinosaurs and animals to attract the attention of interstate travelers. Charles has retired but the shop is opened. Even though some of the creatures could use a little sprucing up, this quirky place is still worth a stop.
Nothing is accessible – very rough ground and steps at the gift shop.
Plenty of parking room for RVs.
Another rock shop on the opposite side of the interstate was closed when we visited and may be permanently closed.
Just a bit west of this shop is the Painted Desert Indian Center , another gift shop with very colorful teepees and ferocious dinosaurs.
We liked the Painted Desert, but I think you're right -- most of the roadside attractions are goners. They had their day, but no more.
ReplyDeleteWe love the old ruins though. :-D
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