Hi there
Again it was a cold day to start with .Now our riding had improved a lot with adjustment of the three amigos.The first stop of the day was the Grand Canyon Helicopter tour .
As per our weight we were divided into different groups of four people each in my group I had Gai,Andrea,Sara.Since we were early, had to wait less than 45 mins to fly-thanks to superb planning of Richard and Shane.
We had to take off all the gear incl Jackets,wear safety harness and small float.The helodrom was huge and it had at least 8 helicopters ready to takeoff.
Before we took off indl photo was taken,which was than pasted on a certificate and given at the end of the ride off course for a fee.A very novel concept.
Briefing of safety rules
Before takeoff
Andrea and Gai
Grand Canyon Park
The Grand Canyon
I would recommend that, each should take this tour,its a once in a lifetime opportunity to see the fantabulous Grand Canyon.
As we were getting back to start the bike ,Richard announced that Richard
( Hungary)had proposed to Agnes his longtime girlfriend.We all congratulated the new couple and at the same time the new couple invited us for cocktails in the evening
Richard(Hungary) and Agnes
The Ring of Fire(ha ha ha ha ) now in fingers of Richard
Thereafter it was a short ride to the famous Eagle statue located near air museum for a group photo.
After the group photo it was time to be back on the saddle ,this time the ride was long. Again we were back as a compact group and very easily cruising above 70 miles per hour.The next halt was at town of Williams .
Williams was at one time HQ of Santa Fe railway.The town has a railway museum and number of small cafetieres. The most important among them is Red Garter ,which was earlier a whore house.The railway museum is good and an excellent place for Instagram photos.
Anna's Coffee at Red Garter
Railway museum Williams
Magistic steam locomotive
With Mark
Mark and Gustavo
The next stop was Seligman ,Arizona.The town was established in 1886 as the connecting point of Atchison,Topeka and Santa Fe.In yester years it was a thriving rail road town.On September 22,1978,the newly constructed Interstate 40 by passed Seligman .The livelihood of the business in Seligman disappeared in one day.This continued for 10 long years.In 1987,Angel Degadillo,barber and proprietor of the now famous Delgadillo Barber shop and pool hall decided he had enough.In order to improve the economy of the town he formed an historic route 66 association of Arizona.In November 1987 his efforts bore fruit when the govt decided to christened the old route 66 from Seligman to Kingman as Historic.
I visited the barber and gift shop of Angel now run by his son in law Mauricio.Mauricio not only showed me around the shop ,as well as barber chair of Angelo ,but we spoke a lot. Mauricio had lot of information of India ,since he studied and stayed with Indian room mates during his degree course.
A fantastic person to speak to ,at the shop there is free coffee too.If you are in Seligman don't miss this iconic shop and meeting Mauricio.
Beauties lined up in front of Road Runner cafe
Woddencut out of Mr Angel and his famous chair
Maricio ,me and Mr Angel
After the halt once again Richard let us ride the way we want too What a weather to ride with slight drizzle in between ,it was such a great a feeling and than one understands that Harley is basically a cruise bike and one can churn miles without any fatigue.At the end of the route was a lone cafe located at the start of the Oatman pass,with a live singer.
She was singing good and Gustavo who own a band back home in Argentina, enjoyed it and even sang with her.We had to literally pull Gustavo out .
Gustavo singing with the singer
It is a small mining town once quite flourishing due to its find of precious metal,now it has become an historic landmark and survives on the tourist riding on route 66.
The town is also famous for abandon donkeys. In hey day of town they were used for transport of material .You cannot hit a donkey nor can you feed them,to feed them you have to buy feed from the shopkeepers
Oatman town
Suzane clicking the unique four legged
Andy and Mark back to bikes
Gustavo,Javier and Richard
Unique metal art
As we descended the Oatman town we were caught by a dust storm.The flying dust made riding difficult for all riders who were wearing a half shell helmet,while I had no such problem due to full face helmet,however visibility dropped down and we cautiously rode to Laughlin.
The night halt was in town of Laughlin, Nevada.The hotel were we stayed also had a casino and it was located right next to Colorado river.
Hotel pool along the Colorado
Clicked from my 13th floor room
Casino in the hotel
End to pleasant evening however now fatigue was taking over and so decided to retire early-Good night Laughlin.
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