William, Arizona on Route 66

 

Taking the train from Williams, Arizona, to the majestic Grand Canyon offers a unique and memorable way to experience one of the world's natural wonders. Instead of driving, you can sit back, relax, and enjoy the scenic journey through the high desert landscape. The Grand Canyon Railway has been operating since 1901, adding a touch of historical charm to your adventure.

The journey begins at the historic Williams Depot, located right in the heart of this charming Route 66 town. As you board the train, you'll step back in time, with beautifully restored vintage railcars evoking a sense of nostalgia. The train offers various classes of service, from basic seating to luxurious parlor cars with enhanced amenities.

As the train departs Williams, the scenery gradually transforms. You'll witness the transition from the pine forests surrounding Williams to the more arid and expansive landscapes as you approach the South Rim of the Grand Canyon. Keep an eye out for local wildlife along the way – you might spot deer, elk, or even coyotes.

The approximately 65-mile journey takes around two hours each way. During the ride, you'll be treated to live entertainment, including strolling musicians and cowboy characters who share stories and songs of the Old West. This adds a fun and engaging element to the travel experience.

Upon arrival at the Grand Canyon Depot, located within Grand Canyon National Park, you'll be just a short walk or shuttle ride away from the South Rim's breathtaking viewpoints, such as Mather Point and Yavapai Point. You'll have several hours to explore the canyon, take in the panoramic vistas, hike along the rim, or enjoy other activities before reboarding the train for the return journey to Williams.

Choosing the train offers several advantages. You avoid the hassle of driving and finding parking within the busy national park. It's an environmentally friendly option, reducing traffic congestion. And, perhaps most importantly, it provides a relaxed and scenic way to travel, allowing you to fully immerse yourself in the anticipation of reaching the Grand Canyon. The Grand Canyon Railway offers a variety of packages that can include train tickets, park entry, and even overnight stays at the Grand Canyon, making it a convenient and comprehensive way to plan your visit.

Kingman, AZ on Route 66

 

Kingman is a city in and the county seat of Mohave County, Arizona, United States. It is named after Lewis Kingman, an engineer for the Atlantic and Pacific Railroad. The population was 32,693 at the 2020 census.

History

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Lt. Edward Fitzgerald Beale, a U.S. Navy officer in the service of the Army Corps of Topographical Engineers, was ordered by the U.S. War Department to build a federal wagon road across the 35th parallel. His secondary orders were to test the feasibility of the use of camels as pack animals in the Southwestern desert. Beale traveled through the present-day Kingman in 1857 surveying the road and in 1859 to build the road. Beale's Wagon Road became part of U.S. Route 66 and later Interstate 40. Remnants of the wagon road can still be seen in White Cliffs Canyon in Kingman.

Kingman was founded in 1882 before statehood, in Arizona Territory. Situated in the Hualapai Valley between the Cerbat and Hualapai mountain ranges, Kingman had its modest beginnings as a simple railroad siding near Beale Springs. Civil engineer Lewis Kingman supervised the building of the railroad from Winslow to Beale Springs. This spring had been used by Native Americans living in the area for centuries.

The Mohave County seat was originally located in Mohave City from 1864 to 1867. In 1865, the portion of Arizona Territory west of the Colorado River was transferred to Nevada after Nevada's statehood, and became part of Lincoln County, now Clark County, Nevada. The remaining territory of Pah-Ute County became part of Mohave County. Its seat was moved to Hardyville (now within Bullhead City) in 1867. The county seat transferred to the mining town of Cerbat in 1873, then to Mineral Park near Chloride. After some time, the county seat and all instruments were permanently moved to Kingman in 1887.

During World War II, Kingman was the site of a U.S. Army Air Force (USAAF) airfield. The Kingman Army Airfield was founded at the beginning of the war as an aerial gunnery training base. It became one of the USAAF's largest, training some 35,000 soldiers and airmen. The airfield and Kingman played a significant role in this important era of America's history.^{[citation needed]} Following the war, the Kingman Airfield was one of the largest reclamation sites for obsolete military aircraft.

Postwar, Kingman experienced growth as several major employers moved into the vicinity. In 1953, Kingman was used to detain those men accused of practicing polygamy in the Short Creek raid,^[6] which was at the time one of the largest arrests in American history.^[7] In 1955, Ford Motor Company established a proving ground (now one of the Chrysler Proving Grounds) in nearby Yucca at the former Yucca Army Airfield. Several major new neighborhoods in Kingman were developed to house the skilled workers and professionals employed at the proving ground. Likewise, the development of the Mineral Park mine near adjacent Chloride, and construction of the Mohave Generating Station in nearby Laughlin, Nevada, in 1971 contributed to Kingman's population growth. Also, the location of a General Cable plant at the Kingman Airport Industrial Park provided steady employment.

Kingman explosion

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Main article: Kingman explosion

The Kingman Explosion, also known as the Doxol Disaster or Kingman BLEVE, was a catastrophic boiling liquid expanding vapor explosion (BLEVE) that occurred on July 5, 1973, during a propane transfer from a Doxol railroad car to a storage tank on the Getz rail siding near Andy Devine Avenue/Route 66.

Firefighters Memorial Park in Kingman is dedicated to the 11 firefighters who died in the blaze.

1980s and on

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The 1915-built Mohave County Courthouse and 1909-built Jail were listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1983. The downtown and other areas of Kingman were evaluated for historic resources in a 1985 study, the Kingman Multiple Resources Area study. The study identified 63 historic resources in Kingman and led to many of them being listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1986.^[8] The county courthouse and jail, a 1928-built locomotive (the Santa Fe 3759), a World War II gunnery school radio tower, and about 50 various houses and other buildings in Kingman are listed on the National Register, comprising the majority of National Register listings in Mohave County.

Geography

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Kingman is in central Mohave County, along Interstate 40 and U.S. Route 93. The city is served by three exits on I-40, which leads east 147 miles (237 km) to Flagstaff and southwest 62 miles (100 km) to Needles, California. US-93 leads northwest 107 miles (172 km) to Las Vegas and southeast 130 miles (210 km) to Wickenburg, 54 miles (87 km) from Phoenix. US 93 is planned to be replaced by Interstate 11 once built to interstate highway standards. According to the United States Census Bureau, the city of Kingman has a total area of 37.5 square miles (97 km²), all land.^[3]

Oatman, Arizona, Donkies, Gunfight, Back on Route 66

 

Oatman, Arizona is famous for its resident burros, small donkeys that have become a beloved part of the town's identity. These burros are descended from miners' beasts of burden and are now more numerous than people in Oatman. They freely roam the town's main street, interacting with tourists and even sticking their heads through rails along sidewalks. 

Here's a more detailed look at Oatman and its burros:

• Burros as a Tourist Attraction:

  Oatman has embraced its burro population, hosting an annual Burro Biscuit Toss and using burros as mascots for local businesses. 
Wild but Friendly:
While technically wild, the burros are highly habituated to humans and are known for being friendly and approachable. 
Historical Roots:
The burro population likely originated from miners leaving their donkeys behind when they abandoned the town. 
Route 66 Connection:
The burros have become even more popular since the construction of Historic Route 66, which draws tourists to the area. 
Protection:
The burros are protected by the Bureau of Land Management. 
Tourist Activities:
Visiting Oatman, you can enjoy activities like seeing the Burro Biscuit Toss, taking photos with the burros, and experiencing the old west atmosphere. 
Where to Find Them:
You can see the burros year-round, but the best weather for visiting is typically in October or March. 

MCAS Yuma Back to Route 66

 

Airplanes at Marine Corps Air Station Yuma

 

Ray, I did not take airplane photos until I was leaving on Sunday morning, and most of these are Museum pieces at the front gate.  I did see one Osprey through the wire, but most of them were in hangars and the place was locked up tight. Not working on Sunday.

We were at Yuma for a Reserve exercise in the late 1980's. Three of us drove down to the flight line to look for one of our C-130's from Glenview.  I walked out to where I thought I saw the plane, while my two friends drove to the other side.  I watched as they were arrested - hands up - numerous clicks of M-16's as they locked and loaded - by a number of armed Marines.  I of course enjoyed this - my friends not so much.  My friend was sure the were guarding UFO's. I was sure it was nukes.  We learned years later that it was nukes.

I was stationed at Yuma when I was 19.  Our Missile Battalion was next to the flight line.  The Phantoms made incredible noise when they took off.