Hotels have gotten pricey!
- Thread starter slo town
- Start date
Agree that Sedona is beautiful. But I'm cheap so we stayed in Flagstaff in a super quirky 1950s style hotel having small pink tiles on the bathroom walls and all.
Considering that we only sleep and shower in a hotel room, as long as it's clean and in a "not dodgy" neighbourhood it'll be fine. We've stayed in very expensive hotels as well. They're nice enough but for a place to sleep and shower, it doesn't make much difference.
But having said all that, there is a certain hotel outside Ottawa with a sign that advertises "34 exotic dancers every night" where I won't be staying again. I'd explain but it's a long story.
I have noticed this for a while. Seems like hotels would rather be half full and charge more than drop there price and fill. I am sure they have figured out the formula.
As for timing - the main travelers for leisure now are retirees - they have all the money. So the "peak" season has changed based on the whims of those that can travel anytime.
As for timing - the main travelers for leisure now are retirees - they have all the money. So the "peak" season has changed based on the whims of those that can travel anytime.
I drive the road over Sitgreaves Pass and through Oatman somewhat frequently. It is slower than I-40 but worth it. You can take Rt 66 from Topock and feel like the Joads, or you can get off the freeway at Needles, find the bridge across the Colorado (follow Needles Hwy to N K St, once you take the Rt 66 exit off the freeway it takes you right to K St and there is a sign pointing the way at the turn), you will be on Hwy 95. Buy gas at the second station on the right a mile or two past the bridge. It is about $3 a gallon less than Needles. Go a few miles to Hwy 53/Boundary Cone Rd and go right. That will take you right up to Oatman. Stop in Oatman, it is worth it. Do not open your window to feed a donkey, they will put their head in your car and you will have a hard time getting her out. It will be obvious that you drive very slowly through Oatman.
Take it easy past Oatman, it is windy and motorcycles will be on the road, so stay in your lane. There is a heck of a hairpin curve just above the Gold Road mine. The are ruins of old housing at Gold Road and above there you will see mining activity past and present.
At the top of Sitgreaves Pass, on your left just before the summit you will find a good sized area to park. There will probably cars parked there. There is a very interesting informal "cemetery" there. Walk the short distance out and see what I mean.
On the other side of Sitgreave Pass, a couple of tight curves down, on the right, you will see a wide enough area to park and stairs. This is Shaffer Springs or Fishbowl Spring, the original Radiator Springs. Go up the steps and enjoy. The bees are there for the water and will not bother you. As you continue on down, go slow, be safe and enjoy the view. Think of the Joads driving over that pass in their worn out, overloaded 26 Hudson Super Six modified into a truck.
Once you get down to Cool Springs the road is much straighter and kind of levels out. The speed limit remains 45 mph (I got a warning ticket there in April 2016). Stay of Rt 66 all the way into Kingman. Stop at the Powerhouse Museum.
You can stay on Rt 66 all the way to Seligman and I recommend you do so. The road is pretty good.
Rt 66 is paved all the way through to Kingman, so you do not need to worry about gravel roads or even bad potholes. It is an adventure you will remember.
Oh yeah, Clark Gable and Carol Lombard did not spend their wedding night in Oatman. Clark Gable did like going there.
They don't have to deal with the Rif Raf coming to stay i think its beautiful but it's just overrun with tourists. tour adventures running up and down the strip and so on.
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