Fleeter Log #139i
Needles, CA
2009 April 30
Needles, CA
2009 April 30
Day 16 - Thursday
April 30, 2009
231 miles
231 miles
Flagstaff, Arizona to Needles, California
By the end of the day, this morning's 58 degrees seem like a distant memory.
I get as far as Williams, AZ during the first 10 degree climb in temperature. Williams is an inviting tourist town without too much tacky tourist glitz. I wouldn't mind spending more time exploring what Williams has to offer next time I'm through this way. At least make a lunch stop here, if not an overnight stop. Williams is the terminus for the Grand Canyon Railway (www.TheTrain.com). You can board the Grand Canyon Railway for a scenic round trip ride to the Grand Canyon South Rim. There are also package deals available to include overnight at the Grand Canyon Railway Hotel.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsvX-22b7dGuxeukynJIKs2fYyVogfyQ0b14dgNnvVL4O0zY-gBtv8ARoWrfWhxVmIgpGpn4zwWGdNWYQpguPeoLsyqydK63ZPzzx-gis_vtGnAvPyjLPFzENc8cCJxU25v4pj1OrsAkI/s400/P1080790.jpg)
Williams embraces the fact that they are located along old Route 66 and you can see evidence of Route 66 lore throughout town.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglSNQcFpzEPKm33AiQaZ8UKMASu1ahBmyVMBpMyYsiv9308023kko2DAIyO74fGVZY1NJP3CTuZyHjJFXzlCzZXUD4n-QkyLVMX5ZX08TtQKrhKmEThdfK3R3z84C0iSr1vLXnelV9dXU/s400/P1080799.jpg)
Since it was a bit early for me to have lunch in Williams, I asked for a recommendation of a place to eat down the road from the guy washing windshields at the Conoco/Union 76 station. Yes, he was actually offering "full service" to cars fueling up. His suggested Lilo's down the road in Seligman, AZ.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYn8PcFTYc9WXjtMxmOyy6chsUTnYe4P22rJlAdToC505GDWOntCVfjyqyk2sfliz3p9zHJz0ayjamwRhOW8V0MvGhvCOUWCYW800RYg8KXWX8ZGxnV8YQB7jRtTD3HE6sO4FhaO_Hyqo/s400/P1080806.jpg)
Seligman is another town proud to be along old Route 66.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjouUKHR7jUXqf6ebFzJkiRUIfXV-DIgBkZSg4vN4qxnwvWHK_XO8uSGVOD-ic69beIggK2ijPV3vmjMZ6MqTmGxLBKMaSJtyBA81dooqb1_IHtJAlzR-FgLUGFL6d7LE_EyC9LjuTl9es/s400/P1080808.jpg)
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After eating at Westside Lilo's, I saw this group pull in as I swung back into the saddle. I pulled in next to them as I was ready to head west. They were just getting going on their trip eastward from California to Virginia. The Irony was noted since I left Virginia on my way westward. I gave them my email address, but when I finally heard from them. I scanned past the email thinking I'd return to it later when I was back home from the road. Well, I don't know what happened to the email, but I can't find it. So if you are in this photo, please email me again. Really. I would like to hear from you and I will do better if I get another chance.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitofa2EUekXmkG-DiuPSIIOXvWWmRx3W7aix2oGBNGqzMX-g1g21HlkqXb4tSwHaj-BFrZXiUMvI34fjxQFPHqcQvgLoGj9-dqDuwXXXC1hj9Rm3jIeYFLViyiDLj-LvqgO8DGjMGQy9k/s400/P1080828.jpg)
Mural in Kingman, AZ.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKzG1DtZNkB3xqt81xDusviex7uGU8cLTxrRMP919_0egSw9roImdM_1LoBQsZ0Gx3Mno_QdzX0ij6B5DdpYvqN7oAxQU04fcPnT3Yv0Ksbe37llykQ0A_rc9p3Ee25YQ5fIn9ZrBiCBo/s400/P1080837.jpg)
Just like riding into a furnace.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiID0YgCKYh8b8ciOc_f2TSk9w1piMk6v-SG8UPv_KVIYFtBSp_8qFcBiZdz6re8szoRZkbJ-FvNKxluvykBBgNKQqirZDJAdDiQEhhILJb3974emHNtNDQ2EZG99kowABc4oVojTb_efo/s400/P1080841.jpg)
By the time I reach Bullhead City, AZ the mercury was pushing up northward of 98 degrees! The stop and go traffic as I made my way through the city stoplights, took a toll on me. I stopped at a Walgreens and bought two bottles of Gatorade and I didn't save them for later. One was gone by the time I made it back to the GS. I took a couple bottles of water and poured the water over myself as I worked on the second Gatorade while standing next to the GS. Since there was no shade in the parking lot, I didn't dally much. I thought it would be cooler if I could just get out of town to an open roadway where I could get some speed up to help cool me down.
By the time I crossed the Colorado River into Needles, California it was 6pm. I couldn't resist taking a side trip down to the river.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3xMl3tpi9083DI9NAfn-9GaCK7hmcAdMuGODj1LNuTYUwey1wCaDP2VFyOhEqs2XqKFYCYis4Xk9pwGWm3EhR_z38vsTGy4VaiEAGc4pbB8wk6EhCL2FwCE-ZApzjfGuo7tqTgE2jzsQ/s400/P1080860.jpg)
Some neighborhood kids were finding some relief from the heat by taking a swim in the river. I was tempted, but didn't want to shock them by stripping down to my base layer for a dip.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju-KAlmG2TqMn4f7v0kq0Ot1MPaED3I_e65KEJ-GfHiaphJn0rtfYa6qeOBbGB3JtNCV3EWsA_AVlul7lc7eEokvfLUm9ZmuQCHZxGpRJiS2f24z4gu_HutFKqyqgCBMZgV774UENj66g/s400/P1080857.jpg)
So instead of taking a dip in the Colorado River, I take back to the gravel road to find my way to a motel in Needles.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqy3bmXtZkKuXlqGWpf4Ov3LHQgIyN3438Zjj1JS-3qiYQ6obclBpKKmtHoT7UjadWagJqYD6TMycQXB1Q3-aXXVpnhZDvLIIeSeQ5WQFnBejBLuLp467TixJ53OQyQZv_SCZdR7xGnyo/s400/P1080862.jpg)
Home for the night will be the Days Inn in Needles, CA. But before settling in for the evening, I decide to let it cool off a bit (a drop to 90 degrees at 7pm) then head out to find a sit down meal at The Wagon Wheel Restaurant on the north edge of town. I also decide to ride back into Arizona for a fuel fill up. Make note: Gasoline is MUCH MORE EXPENSIVE in California! I'll be in California for awhile and will have to pay the higher prices soon enough, but I think I'll put it off for one more tank. So on my way to supper, I slip back into Arizona to contribute to their economy.