HISTORIC 66 KINGMAN-AZ

March 6th: It rained & blew winds pretty hard all through last night - but, Independence held stable though she was rocked mightily: we were thinking the RV buses on both sides of us that sheltered our cozy home on wheels from the worst of the weather forces. This morning, the sky was blue - and the Zuni Park was busy as I enjoyed my morning cup of get-up-and-go while alternating between knitting, vintage movies, and people watching 😉

A sunny day 😊

Drinking my joy juice, working on a project, watching a vintage movie - and watching Park switcharoo's …

2nd overnighter to pull out this morning; they came in after we did, last night.

The van left, too; enjoying the sunny blue wide-open view.

When Holland woke up, he said, "How about we go check out some of the sights while there's a break in the weather?" I was dressed, dolled up, and out the door in under an hour 😁

Sparkly Browline & Matte Crease colors; Glittery Green & Purple shadow accents & liners … & 'Auburn' Brow Gel.

Neutre Enflamme Crème Blush; Blue Mist Mascara; Pink Sand Crème Lipstick.

Face on. Brushes washed with soap & water - and hung to air dry … and a light spritz of 'White Diamonds' perfume.

Baby, it's COLD, outside. BRRR

Today's temps …

Snow-kissed peaks in the distance … Hualapai Mountains seen from Kingman-AZ

Hualapai Mountains: 

(https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hualapai_Mountains)

Mining, ranching and the historic Route 66, helped Kingman-AZ grow from a Mohave Desert outpost to the sprawling city it is today. Kingman, Arizona is known as the Heart of Historic Route 66 because the longest remaining stretch of Mother Road branches out to the east and to the west of town: https://rovamag.com/blog/2023/2/24/kingman-the-heart-of-historic-route-66#:~:text=Kingman%2C%20Arizona%20is%20known%20as,to%20the%20west%20of%20town.

In the 1950s, new interstates offered quicker travel, with few exits connecting to Route 66. As major highways began to attract all the traffic, Mother Road lost most of its business, and communities along the route lost income as businesses that depended on travelers closed due to lack of income. But these communities are what I want to see, and experience, up close and personal … or by proxy - and my loving husband is doing all he can to make my dreams come true "up close and personal" 👩‍❤️‍💋‍👨

Some places no longer exist.

Some places are closed to the public.

Some places have just been shuttered and left to fade away.

And some things we were forced to detour around, and may not get to see up close and personal 😒

But, we did drive through Old Town Kingman, and we did see some interesting things. The weather was so cold that we just did drivebys - and that's okay: the point was to see them … and we did 👌

KINGMAN-AZ 66: 

(https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kingman,_Arizona)

Holland is giving me the Kingman-AZ Route 66 Tour ;-)

Andy Devine Ave, Kingman, AZ: 

(https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Andy_Devine)

Two prominent Kingman figures - Andy Devine & Bob Boze Bell, named to Arizona hall of fame - 

(https://www.route66news.com/2017/01/14/two-prominent-kingman-figures-named-to-arizona-hall-of-fame/)

Stagecoach | COLORIZED WESTERN | John Wayne | Oscar Winning Film | Drama: 

(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rAABRE_Bubo)

'Old Town' Kingman-AZ

Hive Five Meadery; Kingman-AZ

Hive Five Meadery: 

(https://www.thebee.news/kingmans-first-meadery-buzzing-in-downtown/)

We heard trains rumbling thru Kingman all night long; reportedly 80-100 run daily!

Route 66 Bakery; #713 E Andy Devine Ave Kingman, AZ; the Bakery is now under new  management & is a 'keto-carnivore' eatery.

Hmm. Keto & meat? After listening to some friends who actually do the keto diet, I was thinking a keto carnivore diet kinda defeats the purpose of a keto diet … so, I looked it up to see what this latest fad promotes; basically, it's just another meaningless waste of time and money … and is actually a dangerous weight loss pursuit. MOP

On a keto carnivore diet, you would primarily eat meat, fish, eggs, and other animal-based products like butter and cheese. You would avoid all carbohydrates, including fruits, vegetables, grains, and sugars.

This diet is often used by people who want to lose weight quickly or improve their metabolic health.

Bandied Benefits Of A Carnivore Diet:

(1) Longer life - I'm calling BS on this; a specific lifespan was programmed into your DNA while you were forming in the womb - nothing can change that. When your number is up … it's up; you'll just be burying less body mass.

(2) General health improvement from head to foot - I'm calling BS on this; without fruits, vegetables, grains … overall body health is impossible - these are necessary things in daily diet.

(3) No tooth decay - I'm calling BS on this; environment, hereditary issues, and aging is the root cause of tooth decay - with, or without taboo foods or beverages.

(4) No diabetes - I'm calling BS on this; diabetes is not caused by sugar or carbohydrates - it is a type of auto-immune illness of hereditary strain, that can be exasperated by sugars and many, many other taboo foods.

(5) No fatty deposits in arteries to cause cardiovascular problems.

(6) No worry about cholesterol - I'm calling BS on this; natural levels of cholesterol is a by product of the liver, and necessary for healthy body function. High cholesterol is a hereditary condition. Aging also factors into high cholesterol issues. Exercise and eating a healthy diet helps maintain healthy cholesterol levels.

(7) Good more effective sleep.

(8) No brain fog or depression - I'm calling BS on this; 'brain fog' and depression issues are often linked to environment, atmosphere, and hereditary issues - food has very little to do with any of it.

(9) No sunburn - I'm calling BS on this; if you spend a significant time under intense sunbeams … you will get sunburned - it's elementary Sherlock.

(10) No constipation - I'm calling BS on this; if you are not eating fruits, you will be constipated - even animals in the wild, know this. Exercise also keeps constipation at bay.

(11) Lower risk of colon cancer, IBS, or leaky gut - I'm calling BS on this; if you are not eating fruits, you will be increasing these risks. Also, cancer, IBS, and leaky gut are hereditary illnesses. The best way to help prevent these issues is to eat between 25 to 35 grams of fiber each day. Fruits, vegetables, whole grain bread and cereals, nuts and beans are excellent sources of fiber. Drinking plenty of water, eating a low-fat, healthy diet that include fruits, vegetables, and whole grains have reduced risk of colorectal cancer, IBS, and leaky gut. Exercise is also beneficial.

(12) Yummy meat to eat all the time. 

(13) Easy meal planning.

(14) Fewer dishes to wash.

(15) Eat when hungry. No calorie counting.

(16) No starvation diets to lose and then control weight.

(17) Weight control - I'm calling BS on this; genetics can increase a person's susceptibility to obesity. Also, factors like environment, medications, and a sedentary lifestyle can influence weight outcomes.

Basically what I am saying about the whole keto-keto hype is that it is simply a new fad to suck people into wasting time and money, when all they have to do is to put the time into formulating a rotation meal plan that works for them and their family (everyone is built different; everyone has preferred foods they enjoy), limit skin exposure to sunbeams, change your eating habits, and exercise - exercise- exercise. It really is that simple to shed pounds and trim your torso. Keto foods are expensive … and the keto diet is pretty restrictive, and goes off the rails when the $$$$ runs out, and the fancy meal prep ingredients aren't available in certain regions.

3 Age-Defying Exercises to Maintain Strength As You Get Older: https://www.cnet.com/health/fitness/3-age-defying-exercises-to-do-for-a-better-you/

Lifting Weights Can Help Older People Tackle Insomnia: https://www.northweststar.com.au/story/8908956/lifting-weights-can-help-older-people-tackle-insomnia/

10 Gentle Exercises For Seniors To Do At Home: https://taking.care/blogs/resources-advice/gentle-exercises-for-seniors?srsltid=AfmBOopJ5Ici0v_xxG07SRM8v0q7Ce1yNq9lf98PzcdM6h8PPk7_brZM

Of course, if you are a person that doesn't mind letting your $$$$ run through your hands like rainwater, and you need to sit around with like-minded people and gush about the latest fad you're engaging in, and you'd rather sit on your duff than work it to keep it toned … and if you want to keep treading the 6 month on-off diet cycle … then keto is for you.

Me? I can think of more enjoyable ways to spend thousands of dollars. I like to work my body, so it serves me productively. And I like to eat foods I enjoy - and foods my body needs to function at top performance. Also, keto foods will do more damage to my body than perhaps to another's - there are certain foods my body just cannot process without causing internal damage. Every body is different.

Kingman Water Tower: 

(https://www.route66news.com/2015/09/27/the-story-behind-kingmans-water-tanks/)

I like old buildings - I enjoy learning the history behind them. I like the vintage 1950's era - possibly because I am 1950's vintage ;-)

Hotel Beale: https://kingman.tours/a-tarnished-gem/

Hotel Brunswick: https://66brunswick.com/history-the-brunswick/

Old Trails Garage: https://kingmanarizonamurals.com/old-trails-garage/index.htm & http://route66times.com/l/az/kingman-old-trails-garage.htm

The Drive-in Diner that Holland was keen to visit and treat me to lunch at, was blocked off with traffic cones because of road work 😑

Mr. D's Route 66 Diner (internet picture); #105 E Andy Devine Ave, Kingman, AZ

Mr. D's Route 66 Diner: 

(https://mr-dz-route-66-diner.restaurants-world.com/menu)

The Motel 6, off the freeway, that we stayed in during our December 3-State Loop Drive~2024

We had rented a room, towards the end; #424 W Beale St, Kingman, AZ

Motel 6: 

(https://www.motel6.com/en/home/motels.az.kingman.9367.html)

Entering the Historic Downtown of Kingman-AZ:  (https://kingmanhistoricdistrict.com/)

The Santa Fe 3759: 

(https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Santa_Fe_3759)

WTHeck … we'll skip this since canada is being aggressively rude & arrogantly stupid towards the USA.

Cruising 'Old Kingman' …

Historic District Buildings; Kingman-AZ

I instantly thought of Smokey Robinson & The Miracles 😊 

SMOKEY ROBINSON & THE MIRACLES - 'I HEARD IT THROUGH THE GRAPEVINE' song: 

(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kaq-G6TnAfk)

Arcadia Lodge sign seen from Historic Loop backstreet.

Arcadia Lodge - internet pic: permanently closed.

Arcadia Lodge: 

(https://kingman.tours/poi/arcadia-court/)

Everywhere we went, were road work cones 😤 Criminy sakes!!

Hilltop Motel; internet picture - not open to the public. It is now only used for long-term stays and traveling nurses.

Hilltop Motel: 

(https://www.route66news.com/2023/03/30/hill-top-motel-in-kingman-is-up-for-sale-for-2-87-million/)

Kingman Dambar Landmark Steakhouse - 'no weapons pardner'.

1Kingman Dambar Landmark Steakhouse: 

(https://dambarsteakhouse.com/)

Rutherford's Family Diner; Kingman-AZ

Interior looks like Longview's Topper's Diner before it was sold.

Rutherford's Family Diner: 

(https://kingmanmerchantsmall.com/rutherfords-66-family-diner/)

When we drove past the Silver Queen Motel, the sign tripped contemplation of my silvered crown 😉

The Silver Queen Motel - internet picture; open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. The inn is located at 3261 E. Andy Devine Ave, Kingman, AZ

My new self-Title, & Holland's soft chuckle, that I love to hear 😘

The last leg of our Old Kingman Tour took us past a Thai restaurant that we are thinking of trying this weekend - I like Asian foods (Chinese, Vietnamese, Japanese, Korean, Thai), and this will be gentle on Aunt Gaye's stomach 👍

We grabbed a burger at the In & Out - so good! So 50's retro 😁

Thai Food on Route 66; #2018 E Andy Devine Ave, Kingman, AZ … the food menu online looked similar to my favorite Thai restaurant in Longview-WA; we're definitely going to try this out!

We liked seeing this … people 'down South' aren't ashamed of their Faith.

In & Out Burger since we couldn't get into Mr. D's …

When we got back to Independence, I got online to track down info … and shot texts back and forth with Aunt Gaye while Holland paid bills; and then, Holland made us a yummy juiced concoction.

Another one of Holland's delish juiced concoctions: 1/2 a Lemon; 4 cloves Garlic; a few whole Ginger; 1 TBSP Cacao Powder; Cinnamon & Turmeric; 1 c. Blueberries; 2 Dates; 1-1/2 Bananas; 1/2 c. Honey; & 4 oz. Coconut Water = puree.

Today was a good Day ❤️

Now, I'm gonna relax and watch "Stagecoach" with John Wayne & Andy Divine 😁