A Visit to Williams, Arizona

Mellow day today, windy and sunny.

We drove into town and just wandered about the main street area which is part of the famed Route 66 highway.

There was a sign claiming: Last town to be bypassed by the construction of I-40.  Interesting claim to fame I thought.

First, a visit to the Visitor Center/gift shop/small museum featuring Smokey the Bear and memorabilia related to the town's history.

Some of the things that caught my eye:

Delivering the mail....even in the snow

There was a whole wall dedicated to the Williams Mountain Men.  A famous enough group that even attended three Presidential Inaugurations, including Slick Willy's.

Wikipedia: Founded in 1954, the Bill Williams Mountain Men of Williams, Arizona are a group of business people, doctors, judges and ranchers who re-enact the life and rides of 19th-century fur trappers. They dress in buckskin outfits, hats, boots or moccasins, and ride the trails to raise money for various charities and scholarships. The Bill Williams Mountain Men explore the mountains, canyons, and deserts of Arizona during their annual spring 200-mile Rendezvous Ride, held since they organized in 1954.

Back outside, a quick pic with the town name and Route 66 signage:

Some scenes as we meandered along main street, occasionally going into the several gift shops featuring Route 66 knick-knacks and assorted tourist crap.

This sign reminded me of the Bonanza TV Show

These ducks are for BridgetM

Williams is a neat town, typical tourist town banking on the Route 66 historical nostalgia.  It also calls enough the Gateway to the Grand Canyon, as its about 68 miles or so from the park's south rim.

We returned to camp for lunch and just rested the afternoon away, with a short walk in mid-afternoon hour.  Still windier than we like, and with high temps only in the mid-60s, it could be slightly chilly.

We leave tomorrow for warmer climes, it was a bit chilly this morning when we woke to high 30s at an altitude of 7100 feet.