Travelers Retrospective #3: June 26, 2013

We left Santa Rosa having scoped out what was left of Route 66 the night before while hunting for a place to get dinner, and ending up at the Sun & Sand a Route 66 classic. Our next stop was Clines Corners which in retrospect I believe I could have easily passed and missed nothing. It's nothing more then a  tourist trap with a shop of nothing special items. Sorry Clines Corners! 

We had lunch in Moriarty, and the followed some old alignments around many parts of Albuquerque. The terrain gives way to the old road as it was carves our of the Malpais (lava badlands) and we see and feel the curving winding route past old missions and adobe settlements now long forgotten, and occasionally see Whiting Brothers gas stations also long forgotten. By the afternoon we where in the red rocks near Gallup. We choose to miss seeing the Acoma Pueblo since as nice as its suppose to be its a trip in itself. Route 66 makes its way through downtown Gallup and gave us a chance to see a town that once catered to 66, but now caters to I-40. We passed hotels like the movie star magnet the El Rancho, and with the sun getting made our way onto I-40, another Interstate section built on Route 66, and made our way to Holbrook for the night to stay in the Wigwam Motel. It was quiet and relaxing there, and we had a blast. 

Route 66 Kids Picks #2 - Wigwam Motel, Holbrook, AZ

 A Kids Opinion – James 9 Years Old

“I liked it because it was like sleeping in a tent, but really being inside. I liked the old cars around other tipis, and the town was really cool because of the petrified woods, and the dinosaurs near the one place that sells the petrified wood. The tipi had was white like a real tipi and had a red stripe on it. We got to park our car right in front of it. It also had a TV in it, I liked staying there.”

The Holbrook Wigwam Motel is actually just one of two of these motels on Route 66, the other being in Rialto, CA. Although I should mention that these structures are not strictly confined to Route 66, since Wigwam Motels was actually a chain once found around country originating inKentucky, where the third surviving Wigwam Motel still stands. Many of the structures date back to as early as 1935 making them true historic Route 66 landmarks.

Both the Holbrook, and Rialto locations are well restored and maintained and worth staying in if you have the chance. Essentially each ‘Wigwam” is a small concrete cabin in the shape of a tipi. Although a bit smaller then a standard motel room, the one we stayed at in Holbrook was still very comfortable and allowed us room to move around, and bring some of or luggage in. The rooms come in one or two bed varieties and have there own private baths complete with showers. So although they look small they actually have everything you need.

I can tell you for certain that the Holbrook Wigwam is very clean and well kept, and from reviews the Rialto Wigwam is as well. Pricewise on the other hand the Holbrook Wigwam will set you back in the neighborhood of $50 a night depending on the day of the week, and the Rialtoabout $100.

These motels are true Route 66 gems, and definitely pop culture icons, ala the Cozy Cone Motel in Cars. Your kids will love it and it will defiantly make and impression. The Wigwams are a great and fun family stay.

Holbrook

http://sleepinawigwam.com/index.html

Rialto

http://wigwammotel.com/

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