Seligman, AZ - Day 8

Today was basically out of the hotel onto Route 66 and followed it 85 miles to Seligman, AZ, passing through towns like Hackberry, Valentine, and Peach Springs (which inspired, at least in part, Radiator Springs from 'Cars'). We had a cooler morning, some rain that passed through (fortunately I and a few others were at a van stop when a downpour occurred, so we just sat on coolers in the trailer for 10 minutes and then resumed riding. Seligman was named for a railroad financier and originally was a hub for several lines in the area. The mainline follows 66 most of yesterday and today so we continue to see a lot of BNSF trains which is cool. About 15 miles out of town the wind shifted (sound familiar?) and was just pounding us. We're staying at the Route 66 motel - which is a legit motel with chairs outside (and ashtrays) and you can hear every freight that goes through across the street. Dinner at the Roadkill Cafe was good - they even had one of the clear dessert cases so you can see what kind of pie you want for dessert. The commercial district here has been designated a historic site, so it's pretty cool and probably the best example of the 'old' Route 66 towns. Sadly, the population here has decreased to the 400s and, like most towns we've been through there's a lot of closed businesses, garages, etc.

Today was also dangerous wildlife day - saw a skunk out this morning (fortunately down in a wash not on the road so out of spraying distance) and then in the afternoon stepped into the brush along the road to relieve myself and heard a loud buzzing noise which sounded like, and was, a rattle. A large rattlesnake was coiled up about 10 feet in front of me. I took a step back, and then a picture, and then found a less dangerous place to pee...

We're gradually climbing up onto higher plateaus into canyon country. More greenery, bigger bluffs, and more huffing and puffing - we're at 5240 feet now and will bike up to Grand Canyon (about 7000 feet) tomorrow - 94 miles and a lot of vertical... And I'm tired... but we'll get a rest day after tomorrow's ride. I have no plans to try to hike down the canyon on Saturday...