On the way, we stopped in Kingsman where there is a Route 66 museum. In 1985, Route 66 was dropped from the US Highway system. Not wanting to let the memory fade away, since 1987, sections have been designated as Historic Route 66, which is both an Arizona Historic Road and a National Scenic Byway.
Since the designation of a historic highway, the town of Kingman has grown.
We stopped at the Powerhouse Visitor Center which has the Arizona Route 66 Museum inside of the center. They have license plates there from many states which are priced at $13.95 and go higher depending on rarity.
There is a DVD titled Route 66 Arizona that mentions the towns along the way through the state.
Edward Beale was awarded a contract to survey and develop a route for the people emigrating to the west and the route had to be away from the harsh winter conditions.The 35th parallel was used as a guide.
People traveling west had to take whatever they would need to establish a new home.
There were a few mentions of the author John Steinbeck...and his book Grapes of Wrath.
Imaging paying almost 50% tax on gasoline.
We decided on a short break from walking around the museum.
The museum also featured some electric vehicles. After looking at the simplicity of an engine, it makes sense to own one. Why pay $80 per hour to have someone work on your engine.
The rest of the vehicle.
Even a motorbike was adapted to be electric.
Leaving Kingman, we headed to Flagstaff where the air is cleaner, and colder for sure. Today when we were there it was around 52 degrees...but that is what you get when living at 7000 feet. Humphreys Peak, with an elevation of 12,633 feet is only 11 mles away.
Leaving I-40, we headed down over the hill on US 89A until we got to Sedona, which was a drop of about 2700 feet. The road down, although still winding, has been much improved and widened.
It was a fun day riding along routes 66 and I-40.
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