b'Cory BergquistWILLIAMS bills itself as The Gateway to the Grand Canyon, which seems fair enough, given its directrail to the South Rim. It also marks the starting point of the Grand Canyon Highway, the shortest route between Interstate 40 and the Grand Canyon.I ts location, just 60 miles from the southern rimCanyon-bound visitors seeking a fun spot as a baseKaibab National Forest of the Grand Canyon, makes Williams a popularbefore and after a trip to the Grand Canyon. Williams is surrounded by the worlds largest ponderosa stop for visitors to the natural beauty of Arizona. pine forest. You can explore the Kaibab National Forests Williams boasts the final stretch of Route 66 to be1,100 miles of U.S. Forest Service roads via mountain Named for legendary mountain man William Sherleybypassed by Interstate 40. The original super-highway,bike, all-terrain vehicle, or four-wheel drive. Elevations Williams, aka Old Bill, the town was first settled byas Route 66 was known in 1926, spanned more thanrange from about 3,000 feet to 10,418 feet on top of sheepherders in 1874. Railroad workers followed in 18802,300 miles from Chicago to Long Beach, Calif., andKendrick Mountain. Hikers can explore more than with the construction of the transcontinental railroad,opened up the West to road travel. (Get Your Kicks on)300 miles of trails, some along the rims of the Grand later called the Santa Fe line.Route 66 singer Bobby Troup marked the day Route 66Canyon. Fs.usda.gov/kaibabwas bypassed, Oct. 13, 1984, by plunking out the 1946BearizonaWith the line complete in 1882, Williams grew as a hubtune on a piano in the middle of Americas most iconicBearizona Wildlife Park on the eastern outskirts of of ranching and lumber. Other profitable industriesbywaycalled The Mother Road by John Steinbeck inWilliams is a rare spot where you can see bears, bison, included saloons, brothels, opium dens and gamblinghis classic novel The Grapes of Wrath. wolves, and other North American critters, seemingly parlors. All businesses catering to a growing populationwandering free in the 160-acre facility. Guests view them of cowboys, Chinese laborers, lumberjacks and copperToday, the towns Main Street is a National Historicfrom the comfort and safety of their cars through three miners. A general atmosphere of lawlessness helpedDistrict. Its storefronts house curio shops, an old- miles of Ponderosa pine forest in the drive-through secure considerable notoriety for Williams and its role infashioned soda fountain, and classic diners and motels,park. A separate 20-acre walking area set up like a more the Wild West. which preserve a bygone era. conventional zoo is home to otters, beavers, porcupines, The opium dens, bordellos, and other landmarks ofWHAT TO DO and more. The park also features a Bearizona Barnyard Williams, Arizonas, rough-and-tumble past are longGrand Canyon Railway petting zoo, a special exhibit of kindergarten bears not gone. But some kinder, gentler vestiges of this townsThe town of 3,000 residents is also home to the Grand Wild West era remain. And thats fortunate for GrandCanyon Railway, an excursion train that traverses the scenic, high-desert plateau between a historic depot and the canyon. Every winter the Grand Canyon Railways Polar Express comes to life on a journey from the nighttime wilderness of Williams, Arizona, to the enchanted beauty of the North Polewhere Santa Claus and his reindeer are waiting with a keepsake present for every good boy and girl. Youll be smiling from ear to ear, as you watch childrens faces light up when the train arrives, and enjoy hot chocolate and chocolate chip cookies while listening to this timeless story. Make this a family holiday tradition, and call today to make your reservations because space is limited to those who truly believe in the spirit of Christmas. The ride lasts a little over an hour, with the train leaving each night at 5:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. thetrain.com 28 November 2019'