Kingman to Seligman. The Mother Road, Episode 28

After slurping down our delicious skillet lunch and milkshakes at Mr D’s diner, we braved the 47 degree C (117F) Arizona roasting and jumped in the truck to head across the road to the Kingman Visitor Centre for a look. (and hopefully a pin for my collection..!!).

We did a quick stop in the gateway for that essential tourist picture….pulled forward to head for the parking lot and………… chug chug sputter sputter……the truck died. Unceremoniously we rolled to a stop and looked at each other with a mix of horror and relief….. Horror cos the truck had just died….but incredulous relief because of all the places we had been that morning we would have been in serious trouble if this had happened out there on the Oatman Highway, or even the I-40 coming back.

Here we were right next to an airconditioned public building in a place where there was a cell signal to call AAA (yes we are members, works in USA and Canada).

The ladies in the visitor centre were lovely and gave us cold water and lots of encouragement….

Eventually the AAA guy arrived to flatbed the truck….

Now we have a problem……..We both jump in the cab and Mr Tow Guy turns to us and says…..so where do you want me drop you ?? Luckily there was AAA approved shop in town so off we went. They were excellent, quick, courteous and professional. A fuel pump failure was diagnosed and we were dispatched with a helpful chap and one of their vehicles back to the campground. Once repairs were completed, we were retrieved and sent on our way.

We needed an extra couple of days in the campsite …well we could not move the trailer without the truck..!! The garage were great, the campground were great (the lady in the office even gave me an extra discounted rate because I was taking it so well…LOL……humour helps people..!!!)

The next box to tick, the backtrack to Seligman, became a convenient test for the newly installed fuel pump to make sure everything was tickety boo before we hitched up to tow again. First stop though was a return to the visitors’ centre to thank the ladies, and reassure them we were back on the road and none the worse for wear, with some new friends and a story for the blog to show for our experience.

We hit a few of the Kingman motels on our way east out of the city.

The road back to Seligman is all old 66, just like you’d imagine it. If you have watched the Cars (Pixar) movie…..Peach Springs and Seligman contributed much to the flavour of that movie.

At some point you start to realise that this route 66 journey is a pilgrimage of memorobilia… Lots of old cars either the shells of them along the road or the lovingly restored versions proudly displayed.

So many little preserved gems along the way…

….and some not so preserved….!!!

When we made it all the way to Seligman….the Roadkill Café seemed like an adventure in itself……LOL.

…but first we had (just had to…!!) do the wander up and down the main drag….gawking at the history…and the kitsch…..

I’m guessing that Seligman, like many other places and businesses, saw lean times through the ‘Pandemic’ years……

Maybe I’m wrong….but it had the feel of somewhere that is used to being busier…..

There was certainly lots to see….

….and did I mention ….it was hot……

Time to escape indoors for some a/c and lunch…whatever that may be…!!!

The truck behaved itself impeccably…..all ready for the next leg of the journey….

Extra Pix