The Zann Plan: Meteor Crater and Winslow

Sorry anyone following this, have been slack, will try to keep up from now on.

So way back on Saturday 22 Nov, Coz and I went to Meteor Crater, 40 odd miles east of Flagstaff.
Another BBHIG,

The crater owners proclaim it to be "the first proven, best-preserved meteorite crater on earth."

Meteor Crater lies at an elevation of about 1740 m (5709 ft) above sea level. It is about 1,200 m (4,000 ft) in diameter, some 170 m deep (570 ft), and is surrounded by a rim that rises 45 m (150 ft) above the surrounding plains. The center of the crater is filled with 210-240 m (700-800 ft) of rubble lying above crater bedrock.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Meteor_Crater

The very flat country around the crater

Looking down into the crater from the viewing platform

One of the displays in the visitors centre, please check out the others in my flickr, just click on the link, (top left, for those who have not yet tried it), just loved the various sandstone shockers.

After gawping at that lot, we went on to Winslow for lunch

Winslow today is timeless... very much in touch with it's past, in tune with the present, and right on target for it's future. Due to its location and the influence of the railroad industry, Winslow is a combination of cultures...European, Native American, Hispanic, Asian, Black, and Anglo American... all blended together to share a strong sense of community pride in this place we call home.

The casual lifestyle in Winslow is peaceful and relaxed...set in an overall atmosphere of warmth and hospitality...greeting visitors with open arms as guests of our city. We like to say that we're "The City of Ten Thousand Friendly Faces."

http://winslowarizona.org/index.html

, streets were blocked, people everywhere, we had picked the day of the big Christmas parade.

Managed to find a park and wandered up several blocks, lots of street stalls, vehicles lining up for the parade, was fun.

Now anyone who knows me well will be aware that I know more about nuclear physics than music so although I know about The Eagles and 'California' I have never taken any notice of other songs so when Coz mentioned the following I had no idea,

Located in downtown Winslow is "The Corner", made famous by the song "Take It Easy". Written by Glenn Frey and Jackson Browne, "Take It Easy" became The Eagles first hit single in the 70's, and peaked peoples interest in Winslow. The verse "Standin' on a corner in Winslow, Arizona," draws visitors from far and wide to stand on the famous corner.

http://winslowarizona.org/index.html

playing it on YouTube at the moment, must have heard it before but there you go, leave the music stuff to floppy who knows more than I can even imagine knowing, but I have at least stood on the corner nanenah.

We had lunch in the:

Historic La Posada Hotel
This magnificent property, designed by renowned architect Mary Colter, is the last of the great Harvey Houses of the 1930's. Mary Colter was the premier southwest architect of the early 1900's. She herself referred to the La Posada Hotel in Winslow as her masterpiece. As the showplace of the entire Santa Fe Railroad system, all passenger trains running between Los Angeles and Chicago stopped at the La Posada. Unfortunately, many of the great hotels designed by her and others are gone, but not in Winslow. The Hotel has been beautifully restored and is in full operation! Enjoy strolling the beautiful gardens of the hotel while viewing this outstanding example of southwestern architecture.

http://winslowarizona.org/Visiting.htm

Mary Colter also designed the Watchtower at the Grand Canyon.

Gorgeous dining room, the Turquoise Room

Great building and very nice lunch.

The railroad runs directly behind the dining room, large freight trains were going past and one felt them more than heard them, so would look up to see one going by, amazing soundproofing.

Managed to be leaving along with everyone else, Winslow traffic jam, took this while waiting, big utes here of course, sorry big pickups.