Category Archives: Route 66

New lighting problems observed

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640-Lights-5032301WILLIAMS — New solar light have been installed around Williams since January. They were initially installed on the east end of town along historic Route 66. Since then about 200 lights have been placed all along Route 66 and Grand Canyon Boulevard.

While some commented that it looked like an airport runway, most comments overheard were positive.

300-Lights-150323-02Yet some problems have been observed. Residents have noticed missing lights and some of the new lights not working.

Mayor John Moore of Williams—Who has said the lights are being donated by a private citizen—confirmed that at least three lights have been knocked down by vehicles parking in the downtown area. Like the older lights in Williams, they have been placed along the sidewalks to provide the most access to pedestrians. Thus they are closer to the street.

Other repairs being observed, he said, were because of faulty lights which the company is replacing at no charge.

Even with the problems noted, the lights seem to be a popular addition to the streets of Williams.

This weekend last chance for guided tour of Keyhole Sink

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keyhole-sinkWILLIAMS — Arizona Archaeology month is nearing the end. This weekend will be the last opportunity for the guided tour of the Keyhole Sink site east of Williams. The site is four-miles west of Parks.

Traveling from Flagstaff, exit at Parks road and follow historic route 66 west. The tour starts at 2 p.m. Neil Weintraub reports on Facebook that you might expect to get wet from the water fall. There is no cost.

The Keyhole Sink is open to the public year around, but this is one of the few chances to get a guided tour.

The three new additions at Bearizona now on display

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Laura Leinaar, Animal Care specialists, give kids a close-up look at the cubs.

Laura Leinaar, Animal Care specialists, gives guests a close-up look at the cubs.

WILLIAMS — Last Friday we got to visit Bearizona Wildlife Park (Facebook) in Williams Arizona to see the newest addition. Three bear cubs born around 7 weeks ago in January. The cubs are Klondike, Blue and Captain.

Laura Leinarr, Animal Care specialist at Bearizona, explained that they are separated from their mothers because male bears will attempt to kill the cubs in an attempt to make the mothers go into heat.

In the wild, mother bears can hide their cubs, but this is not an option at Bearizona. They are also very protective of their cubs in the wild. That is why you should use extreme caution if you encounter a cub or bear in the wild. Immediately begin to slowly back up the way you came until you are well clear.
Bearizona-15-03-20-3Laura explained that they are currently being kept in the enclosure in the Mine Shaft so they can remain under constant observation to ensure their best chance of survival. While they are under constant observation by gleeful children, we think she meant professional observation.

The bear cubs will remain in the enclosure until about May. They will then be transferred to an enclosure near the new gift shop that is currently being constructed. If that is not finished, they will be located at the normal cub enclosure at the walk-through area.
Bearizona-15-03-20-4Like any newborns, the cubs are still developing eyesight and learning to walk. Yet they have a highly developed sense of smell that they rely on to identify their mothers. In this case, they know Laura’s smell and get excited hoping that it is feeding time. If you get a chance to see the cubs around feeding time, Laura might even give you a close-up look.

Bearizona is a drive-through wildlife park and the animals ARE considered wild. Laura explained that it is extremely important to keep windows rolled up and doors locked while in the drive-through section. Bears are intelligent and if they smell something interesting in your vehicle, they can actually operate your door latch. That includes the latch to the back door in many SUVs.

If you do not enjoy the option of shooting pictures through window glass, you can opt to take the windowless bus. You can catch the bus at the entrance to the walk-through area.
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New Old Smokey’s opens tomorrow

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640-Smokeys-07WILLIAMS — One of the historic Route 66 restaurants in Williams re-opens tomorrow. Almost like the Phoenix, Old Smokey’s restaurant is rising from the flood to move onto Route 66.

The restaurant opens tomorrow at 125 W. Route 66 at 6 a.m. They plan to open from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m., initially, adjusting the hours as necessary. The old Old Smokey’s only served breakfast and lunch, but the owners have added a dinner menu at the new location.

Owner Dan Barnes explained that they had a lease at the old building—located across the street from Dairy Queen—with an option to buy. The building fell into disrepair and there was some difficulty getting repairs causing the restaurant to be closed for several years. Mr. Barnes had acquired the rights to the name and the Old Smokey image and kept the LLC open. The image of Old Smokey is the same, albeit a little flashier.

The restaurant boasts a better menu with hamburgers and a chicken sandwich you can build to your taste from the menu. They recommend checking out the pretzel and corn meal dusted sandwich buns. They also recommend trying out their chicken, pork or beef barbeque. They still offer the old familiar breakfast favorites that made old Old Smokey’s famous.

Spoiled Rotten Pet Boutique will hold vaccine clinic

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928-635-2172/517 E. Route 66, Williams

WILLIAMS — Spoiled Rotten Pet Boutique at 517 E. Route 66 will host a vaccine clinic by the Williams Veterinary Clinic. The clinic will be held from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday, March 28 and the terms are cash only. No credit cards please.

The canine vaccines available will be DA2PPV (distemper and parvo) for $20, rabies $18, bordetella $18.

Feline vaccines will include FVRCP (upper respiratory) for $20, $18 for rabies and $22 for FELV.

For more information you can call 928-635-5392.

Three new bear cubs join Bearizona Wildlife Park

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Bearizona Photo

Bearizona Photo

WILLIAMS — Bearizona Wildlife Park is excited to announce the arrival of three un”bear”ably cute North American bear cubs, which were born in early January at the Williams, Arizona Wildlife Park. The bear cubs will be viewable in a special care area of the park until May, when they will then be big enough to go out into their own enclosure within the walk through portion of the park.

Black Bears commonly have two to four cubs per litter, and can nurse up to six cubs. Despite high birthrates, only four out of ten cubs will reach their first year of life. The sixty percent of cub mortality is a result of starvation and depredation by male bears are other large carnivores.

Arizona has a stable wild population of black bear in the wild, however the elusive animals are rarely seen. Visitors to Bearizona Wildlife Park are able to get a close encounter with captive black bears, while learning about their habits and history.

“The connections people make between our animal residents and the habitats in which they reside are key to understanding and conserving wildlife,” explains COO and Curator Vanessa Stoffel. “We have a unique opportunity to educate the public about what it means to live with and recreate among black bears, and these little ambassador cubs are where it all begins.”

Bearizona is a wildlife park in which guests experience a scenic three-mile drive in their own vehicle or coach witnessing North American animals in their natural environment.

Visitors can then leisurely stroll through the forest along winding walkways to get an up-close look at the antics of baby and smaller animals in Fort Bearizona. Guests are encouraged to catch their complimentary Birds of Prey free flight show where they will come face to face with hawks, owls and other raptors.

Bearizona’s mission is to promote conservation through memorable and educational encounters with North American wildlife in a natural environment.

March comes in more like a leopard

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snow-150303-04WILLIAMS – The old saying of March coming in like a lion does not seem to apply to Williams, this year. This year it came in more like a snow leopard. After receiving about six-inches yesterday, Williams can expect up to eight-inches today.

Steady snow is predicted today for Williams with an accumulation of 4 to 8-inches. Winds of 17 to 21-mph with gusts of 31 are expected to keep it cold throughout the day. Tonight there is a 60% chance of snow before 11 p.m. New snow accumulation overnight of one-inch is expected.

The snow and rain is predicted to clear Wednesday becoming sunny with temperatures raising to the mid-50s by Saturday.

Walking in a winter wonderland

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640-150301-21WILLIAMS – Williams and Flagstaff are seeing something they haven’t seen in some time. Snow. A real snow. Predictions of 7-inches in Williams have probably already been met and the snow is still falling. The snow plows are actually plowing something and some of the street lights have turned on.
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The weather forecast predicts rain and snow today with winds of up to 15-mph with gusts of 24-mph.

Rain and snow is expected to continue tomorrow with up to 3-inches of new snow. Higher winds are expected tomorrow with gusts of up to 37-mph. The chance of snow drops to 40% on Tuesday and 20% Tuesday night with little or no new snow accumulation expected.
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It is expected to clear up and be sunny and warm on Wednesday continuing that way for the rest of the week.

Although far from blizzard conditions, it is a welcome and hopeful sight for the City of Williams. This snow will probably do little to fill the Santa Fe reservoir without more snow later in the season to cover Bill Williams mountain.

Pastor brings prayer walk down Route 66 in Flagstaff and Williams

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640-McGill-01WILLIAMS — Williams was visited, yesterday, by a man carrying an United States flag and saluting passersby. Pastor Walter “Chick” McGill is traveling cross country with several goals.

The flag is a tribute to veterans. Pastor McGill is a Vietnam veteran who went through a difficult time upon returning—as did many veterans. He credits the natural healing of God for his recovery. Although he still suffers from a disease which makes his walk difficult, he wants to plant the flag in Santa Monica after carrying it from “sea to shining sea.”

That leads to another purpose of his journey. To spread the good news—aka the Gospel of Jesus. His walk is also a prayer walk in which he prays with and for communities through which he passes.

He also wants to inspire communities to restore God into those communities and schools. He wants to promote the ideal of the laws of God being the basis of our Constitution and other documents as the founders intended.

His journey began in Kills Devil, North Carolina 197 days ago on his anniversary with wife Barbara who travels in the following car. He traveled along U.S. Route 64 connecting with U.S. Route 66 in Arizona. He hopes to end his journey in Santa Monica in April of this year.
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He noted that he was happy to pass through Williams as he found the most friendly people in the area since leaving Oklahoma.

A few days ago he spoke with NAZ Today in Flagstaff.

(NAZ Today video)

Archaeology Comes Alive on the Kaibab

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WILLIAMS –  Two free Archaeology Month evening lectures will be held at  6:30 PM at the Mills 326 Café, 326 West Route 66, Williams, Arizona. There is limited seating so please call 928-635-5600 for reservations. To order food ahead of time call, 928-635-0777.
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  • March 5: (Williams and Tusayan Ranger District Archaeologist Neil Weintraub) –Williams Youth Conservation Corps: Getting’ Dirty Preserving Kaibab National Forest Historic Sites. This presentation will discuss the history of how the Williams Youth Conservation Corps has helped to protect and enhance dozens of prehistoric and historic archaeological sites on the Williams Ranger District.
  • March 19: (Kaibab National Forest Archaeologist Margaret Hangan and Neil Weintraub) – History of Kaibab National Forest Managed Fires and Cultural Resource Protection Efforts during the Summer 2014 Sitgreaves Fire. For the past decade when conditions are appropriate during monsoon season, the Kaibab National Forest fire staff has managed wild fires across large portions of its fire adapted landscape. Archaeologists will discuss how Kaibab National Forest fire staff managed the summer 2014 Sitgreaves Fire to treat a steep mountain landscape while protecting and reducing fuels on dozens of significant cultural resources.

Kaibab archaeologists will also lead free educational hikes to the Keyhole Sink Petroglyph site at 2 PM on March 14 and March 28. Please call ahead for reservations, 928-635-5600.
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Bring boots and warm clothing as this 3/4-mile hike each way will take place whether there is rain, snow or sun. Be prepared to get wet as a waterfall often cascades off the lava flow requiring crossings in ankle deep water to access the petroglyphs.

To attend, meet at the Oak Hill Snow Play area, 4 miles west of Parks Arizona on the south side of Route 66. From Flagstaff, take I-40 west to exit 178, turn right at top of ramp and then left on to Route 66. Drive about 4 miles west to the Oak Hill Snow Play Area.

From Williams, drive east on I-40 to Exit 171 and at top of off ramp make a right and then another right onto Route 66. Drive east on 66 about 2 miles to the Oak Hill Snow Play Area.

Lectures are Wheelchair Accessible; petroglyphs are not.