America's Biggest Road Trip 09 May 2003

	America's Biggest Road Trip!
	Route 66 Caravan Road Log: May 09, 2003


	Standin' on a Corner in Winslow, Arizona

		When I was in high school I was going up into the mountains above Boulder, Colorado with a friend in his pick-up truck. He had the radio on and we heard a new song that we both instantly liked. It was by a new band called the Eagles (please don't do the math) and it had a catchy lyric that caught our attention...
				"Standin on a corner in Winslow, Arizona Such a fine site to see - It's a girl my Lord in a flat bed Ford slowin down to take a look at me ..."

		Never in my wildest dreams would I have though that I would actually stand on that famous corner in Winslow, Arizona decades later. The city of Winslow has turned the corner into a park, right on Route 66. I would hazard to guess it just might be the most photographed corner in the world! Jim, Kevin and I just had to see if we could bring the Route 66 Caravan RV into that corner. We did, even though one of Winslow's finest wasn't sure if there wasn't a city ordinance or something that frowned on this operation. He just shook his head, smiled, and gave us the go ahead ~ for a limited amount of time though. It really was "such a fine site to see."




		Jim just standin' on a corner in Winslow, Arizona ~ without the girl in a flat bed Ford!		Greg Hackler, President of the Standin' on the Corner Foundation and Jim Conkle check out the new sign.

		In celebration of Route 66, rock and roll, and truckin' down the highway Hampton Inn felt this street corner deserved a Route 66 Attraction sign.

		Winslow Route 66 Businesses
		Winslow was founded as a railroad division terminal in the early 1880's along the 35th parallel or Beale's Camel Road. It became a favorite stopping place on Route 66 during its heyday. The La Posada Hotel, a Harvey House built in 1930, provided fine cuisine and elegant lodging for the road weary traveler and railroad passenger alike. Bits and pieces of Route 66 can still be found throughout the town.
				Kathi and David Heald have a dream! David is a talented artist and photographer that decided to settle down and start a business. His business, Photo Kraft, is located right on Route 66 and provides one hour-photo service, framing, and hand made arts and crafts for the locals and visitors alike.
		Kathi and David Heald point out Winslow on our Caravan Map.		Now where do you suppose all those Standin' on the Corner pictures are developed?
		Speaking of Standin' on the corner. Diane Patterson owns and operates the Roadworks Gift Shop across the street from the famous park. This great Route 66 business offers some one-of-a-kind Route 66 memorabilia. This is the only place I know of where you can get an official Route 66 Standin' on the Corner hatpin. You know, one of these days I'll start collecting those I think. Besides pins, she has unique belt buckles, artwork and Route 66 memorabilia for sale. Check it out when you come to Winslow.
				Jim Conkle, Diane Patterson (owner), Pat Ramos, Shayna Patterson, and Jack Ramos.

		Classic Valentine: Santa Fe Diner
				After our stop at the Standin' on the Corner Park it was time for lunch. Just around the corner from THE CORNER on west bound Route 66 we found the Santa Fe Diner. Now this is a real road classic and the food was great. I guess I'll have to put this on my list of great places to eat on Route 66.
		What makes the Santa Fe Diner so great besides the food is that it is a vintage, real life, operational Valentine Building. I love those old roadside treasures. The Valentine Manufacturing Company made pre-fab diners that one could order from their catalog. The company was in business for decades and closed down in the 1970s (I believe). The diners were made to fit railroad flat cars for easy shipping and came complete with grill, counter and stools. It was all self contained. Once unloaded from the railroad car it could be set on a slab and be operational in hours! The Valentine motto was something like this, "If business is not good where you're at, just pick up and move." Many small towns along Route 66, and other two-lanes had these diners. When you travel the road look for them tucked away here and there far from the Interstates. Winslow has two Valentine diners and the diner at Twin Arrows was also a Valentine Diner. I think they are pretty cool.




		Rick Jones, owner of the Santa Fe Diner, is committed to preserving this little piece of Americana for others to enjoy. He is a chef from Chicago that found his niche along Winslow's Route 66.

		*Previous Log*	Road Log pages read like a book: Follow the Route 66 Caravan down the Mother Road ~ select the Route 66 direction you would like to go.		La Posada




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