Winslow, AZ: May 7 & 8

We parted ways with our friends and made the 3 hour drive to Winslow, AZ. Following the rigors of our hike, we were looking forward to spending some time recuperating and relaxing at the lovingly restored La Posada, a 1929 railway hotel that exudes historical charm.

Winslow has faded from its glory days as a rail and agriculture center and is now mostly famous for the "standin' on the corner in Winslow Arizona" lyric from Take it Easy, the classic Glenn Frey/Jackson Browne song popularized by the Eagles.

Hotel Entry

http://www.laposada.org/

Wrought iron gates in the courtyard

We arrived around 5 pm, showered, stretched and prepared for dinner.

The Turqouise Room restaurant at the hotel is renowned for its innovative southwestern cuisine. We were hungrily anticipating enjoying a meal at the table we had booked for 7 pm and we were not disappointed!

http://www.theturquoiseroom.net/

Sweet corn & black bean soup

Local greens with chioggia beets and endive salad

Crispy Pork Carnitas
Large pieces of crispy pork Carnitas, served on a bed of black beans in a red chile pool, papaya salsa served with creamy polenta and fresh vegetables.

The killer vegetable platter: Steamed fresh vegetables, grilled tofu, sweet corn tamale, red caboose mashed potatoes, grilled fresh corn, Grilled Anaheim chile stuffed with three cheeses, and wild mushroom corn custard.

At the conclusion of a lovely meal, we attempted to rise graciously from our seats, only to discover that our legs were refusing to cooperate. With considerable effort, we did finally mange to shuffle off to the lobby, stopping to stretch our calves on the staricase!

The hotel is a popular stop for railway buffs, as the Amtrak passenger trains make frequent stops in front of the hotel. We enjoyed morning coffee on our patio.

Then we toured the grounds and chatted with a couple that was staying at the hotel in transit between homes in Santa Fe and Joshua Tree, CA.

Beautiful gardens.

We enjoyed dinner son much that we decided to stay for a leisurely breakfast.
French toast with mixed berry compote.

A final tour of the lobby and salons, before departing for Santa Fe.