#road66

Leaving glowing Nevada to enter into the far, far west was such a contrast. We were missing the tumbleweeds rolling around but the rest was pretty much matching our Hollywood idea. Another fun fact that we were realizing while exploring these dry lands is that we were following the Colorado River water flow, that was the latent compass that push us through.

OATMAN

After a very random Instagram search, we found out about a little town called Oatman, which main feature was wild burros or donkeys, about 2 hours away from Vegas which became our first stop on our roadtrip through the Southwest. It began as a small mining gold camp in 1915, and today features a real-life Clint Eastwood movie set. I guess that due to COVID this was not happening, and we also arrived around 5pm, but apparently there are free “gunfights” comedy demonstrations happening twice a day on the streets of Oatman, once part of America’s main street, Route 66, the Chicago-to-Santa-Monica express way.

Oatman is famous for its donkeys. They were wandering the main street, sticking their heads through the rails along the wood-plank sidewalks, nudging people for treats, and otherwise just chilling under the striking sun. The animals were used inside the turn-of-the-century mines for hauling rock and ore and were also used outside the mines for hauling water and supplies. As the mines closed and people moved away, the burros were released into the surrounding hills.

The Oatman Hotel was closed too, but apparently is the place to have a beer and take a picture at the Clark Gable and Carole Lombard Honeymoon Suite, who stopped by this town after getting married in Kingman in 1939. Oatman was also the place where we faced the real, red-necked America, where the confederate flag and MAGA hats were in proud display. 

WILLIAMS

Leaving Vegas, getting a car the weekend kicking off Labour Day, and driving across unknown lands was a little bit challenging: we needed to get the grasp of the car, the route and the GPS. Even though we checked out at 11, getting a car was no joke and we started driving around 2:30, 3pm. After experiencing Oatman and taking time for appreciating the view and the road, we were aiming to reach Sedona, but it was a big stretch. Luckily, Belu was suggested to stop by Williams, the latest town added to Route 66´s original path.

Back in the days, Williams was also the gateway to the Grand Canyon via the main railroad that passes across the city. We arrived during night time, so we mostly heard it pass by, but it was incredible charming. The 4 or 5 blocks of this cute town, where restaurants, souvenir shops and gas stations live in harmony, hosting side-roads hotels for the tired traveler. 

We had dinner at the local beer brewery Historical Barrel + Bottle House, took a beautiful and fun picture with our brand new Thelma and Louise caps by the Route 66 sign to finally pass out and rest at the Travelodge by Wyndham Williams Grand Canyon. What a day - and imagine all the ones we have left ahead!