Into Arizona - Flagstaff

Wed 14th
Today we got rain, more about that later.
Last night we were told by the guy in the museum that 66 was a good road and went all the way to Gallup, or more, I can't remember. We headed out on 66, and yes the road was good however after about 40 miles there was a sign that said " No access to I 40, dead end in 1/2 mile" so it was back onto I 40.
Vicki had checked the rain radar before we left and it showed a storm over Flagstaff at about 2, she wanted to be there by 1 or 1.30. More later!
We passed a large pick-up (but they are all large here) the guy was picking up tyre carcasses and had quite a load. I wondered how often he picked them up.
After entering Arizona we stopped at an Indian trading post that was tucked under a huge cliff. They had the usual route 66 souvenirs and Indian made produce but also had a large variety of fireworks. It's a shame we couldn't get them on the plane to bring some home.
The landscape changed from rock escarpment to open parrie in next to no time. I still hadn't seen 66 beside me?
We pulled into Winslow Az. for the mandatory "standing on the corner photo" and a bite to eat.

I was standing on a corner of Winslow, Arizona, such a fine sight to see, when a girl (My Lord) in a flat bed Ford slowing down to take a look at me.

She was takin' it easy!

As we were preparing to leave we heard the thunder. It was 1.30, if only we hadn't stopped for food! Down it came, the questions were do we wait it out or go for it? And do we do 66 or hit the interstate? We decided to carry on along 66, thinking the slower speed might be better in the wind and rain. After a bit the road headed away from the interstate and I was not 100% sure we were still on 66. Getting wetter (because we have no wet weather gear) we did a U turn and headed for I 40. A great decision was made! 5 mile down the road we were out of the rain and already starting to dry. No more rain before Flagstaff.
We saw quite a bit of warning that there had been an accident by I 17 and that the Hwy was closed,when I saw traffic backing up 2.7 miles from our destination, I never thought to take the next exit. We stood practically still, surrounded by trucks for about half an hour before I could keep my feet on the pegs.
Where we are camped tonight is near a railway, earlier today Vicki counted 120 carriages of double decker 40 foot containers, the train had 4 locomotives, it was only a small one.
This afternoon I had a go at cleaning off all the Nebraska and Kansas bugs. I only had a hose, a piece of towel and half a tube of shampoo. I managed to remove most but still found quite a bit of bug splat when I went to dry it.
We went for dinner at an Irish pub but Vicki wasn't feeling to flash so we didn't party all night.
The clouds are threatening to leave spots all over the bike but no rain yet.