Tags
50's, cadillac, Coffee, Creedence Clearwater, Diner, Dust Bowl, Elvis, Grand Canyon, Grapes of Wrath, Jack Kerouac, John Ford, John Steinbeck, Johnny Cash, Mother Road, On the Road, Route 66, Travelers
Fellow travelers, cofffee -on -the -go amateurs and connoisseurs, Easy Rider fans, wanderers of the world….
….YOU…who have a link, special, accidental or else, with the Mythical Route 66, I’ll share this with you.
Before boarding that helicopter…..
….to tour the Grand Canyon…
…take time for a coffee in Williams, Arizona.
This train reminded me of how the Mother Road had so strongly embodied, in the 30’s, the search for a better living during the Dust Bowl for thousands of farmers.
They were heading West towards the sunset, (what a significant symbol, marching towards the last ray of light), just as the Pioneers had done before them.
I remembered the poignant dignity of a struggling Tom Joad ( young Henry Fonda) in the movie “The Grapes of Wrath” .
And then, the splash of colors of neon signs across the small town set my mind into another mood, more joyful and happy. Now it was rockn’roll allover, and Jack Kerouac was riding next to me, reciting immortal sentences.
On a portion of the Historic Route 66, diners proudly claims their attachment to a long bygone era.
I decided to choose whichever was open that day.
Route 66 Diner was closed, although promising.
And Twisters Soda Fountain had no food to offer.
But they have Elvis.
And a Cadillac( it’s not an unbalance in colors, it’s really pink). Really beautiful too.
So, the third won the deal.
Coffee was overly nice, light and flavoured. Could have been a bit more muscled by using stronger beans, though.
All prices, on the souvenirs, postcards, magnets, even on the menu, bear the homage to the Mother Road. Look closer. All prices are $* and 66 cts.
This is the Route 66 Café, pal.
Other little time capsules such as that one can be found along the Main Road of America.
Follow the brown signs “Historic Route 66” and the white shields painted on the road, watch “Billy Connolly’ Route 66”, episodes of the late show Route 66, order an ice-cream soda at the soda fountain, have Creedence Clearwater’s Midnight Special or Johnny Cash blasting in the cd player and just… do… it.
Cruise.
Williams, Arizona 86046
(928) 635-0266
John Steinbeck Novel The grapes of Wrath, 1939, won the Pulitzer
John Ford Movie The Grapes of Wrath, 1940, 20th Century Fox, won the Academy Award for best director.