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| John R Beyer standing next to the humongous cow |
I had never seen such a large cow being towed on a trailer behind a solid black SUV. I have seen cows on ranches, on television, and in the backs of trucks, but this cow was huge. Okay, it was not a real cow. The cow was a plastic-molded beast that took up most of a long flatbed trailer and weighed in at over 700 pounds.
It was being driven by a group of Texans cruising from Santa Monica all the way to Chicago along Route 66. It belonged to The Big Texan Steak Ranch, out of Amarillo, Texas. This world-famous restaurant and brewery promises that if a customer can consume a 72-ounce steak with all the trimmings in less than an hour, then that meal is free.
The cardiologist visit is upon the diner though.
This trip by The Big Texan Steak Ranch was a 13-day advertising odyssey to promote the 100th anniversary of Route 66, tied in with plenty of red, white, and blue as homage to the United States 250th birthday.
The thought of crossing half the country intrigued me as a writer, explorer, and just one proud American, but time can be sometimes challenging, and unfortunately, I could only spare three days on what John Steinbeck called the Mother Road.
I’ve traveled parts of Route 66 numerous times, but this would be the first time in a caravan featuring classic cars, classic people, and a classic plastic cow.
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| Just one of the many classic vehicles on display in Kingman, AZ |
The weather was warm in Kingman as the cow made its appearance, but already a sizable crowd was milling around Locomotive Park near the corner of Beale Street and Grandview Avenue. A tourist can not miss this park, also known as Metcalfe Park, with the huge Santa Fe Steam Locomotive sporting number 3759 detailed along its jet-black metal frame.
As the team from The Big Texan Steak Ranch was setting up for the 72-ounce eating contest, I decided to meander a bit up Beale Street and see what I could see.
I have always liked Kingman, Arizona. It has two distinct sides to it that many cities do not share.
On this side of town, the historic section, you have the history of this once-bustling railroad town. It still is, but in its heyday, steam-engined locomotives would stop for a water fill-up before heading either east or west out of town.
All within walking distance, for those who like to stretch their legs, are the Bonelli House, built in 1915, the Hotel Beale, constructed in 1899, the Hotel Brunswick, erected in 1907, and the Powerhouse, built in 1907, which now hosts the Kingman Visitor Center.
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| Hotel Brunswick in Kingman, Arizona |
Each historic building has its particular niche in Kingman, but one of the most interesting is the Hotel Beale.
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| Hotel Beale in Kingman, Arizona |
An earlier fire destroyed the original Hubbs House at the location, and the rebuilding of the later known Hotel Beale was created with a brick-and-masonry construction. Which is a pretty smart thing to do to decrease an errant structural fire from taking down the entire block.
In 1906, the property was purchased by the actor Andy Devine’s parents, Tom and Amy Devine. The famous cowboy actor grew up there, mixing it up with travelers from the railroad, workers, and those who were just moisying through Kingman on their way to here or there.
Rumor has it that Andy Devine learned his acting skills by meeting so many interesting and sometimes odd fellows who frequented the hotel during his growing-up years in Kingman.
Famous folks like Buster Keaton stayed at the Hotel Beale while filming his movie, Go West, in 1925, and Charles Lindbergh stayed at the Hotel Beale while building a local airfield near Kingman.
But, as a writer, the most important person to stay at the hotel was Louis L’Amour, who stayed there quite often while working at the Katherine Mine near the Colorado River. That is also why Katherine Landing on Lake Mohave is called such, after the mine's founder’s sister, Katherine.
Unfortunately, the hotel has been abandoned for decades, but there is hope that the city of Kingman or a generous benefactor could bring the building back to its historic splendor.
I was getting a bit exhausted with all the history of Kingman and decided a cold beverage may be in store.
Thus, I found myself at the Rickety Cricket Brewing on Beale Street. A great place for a cold libation and perhaps a bite of this or that. One of my favorite places in Kingman to stop in and enjoy the atmosphere, food, and good selection of taps.
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| Rickety Cricket Brewing in Kingman, Arizona |
Afterwards, I sauntered down Beale Street westbound toward the goings on in Locomotive Park but could not resist stopping in at the Black Bridge Brewery. It was warm, and the walk from Rickety Cricket Brewing had gotten me rather parched. One more for the road - though I was not driving since my hotel was just around the corner and my feet were my transportation for the moment. So, it was actually one more for the sidewalk.
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| Paul Bakas and John R Beyer are enjoying a rest at the Black Bridge Brewery |
Within thirty minutes, a large crowd was standing in Locomotive Park watching all the action near beneath the tarps covering a long table with folks who believed they could outeat the contest The Big Texan Steak Ranch was dishing out.
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| Contestants munching away |
It was a fun-filled time with laughter, yelling, and goading on by the crowd watching the participants slowly but effectively putting away every bite.
Some attacked the steak alone. Some attacked the side dishes first. Others attacked like a shark seeing a bleeding swimmer on a lonely beach, grabbing every morsel available.
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| And the winner is??? |
It was fascinating, gruesome, and fulfilling.
Soon, after nearly thirty minutes, there was a winner and asked how he felt by one of the emcees. Hestated the obvious: “Full.”
It was a great day spent in Kingman. I met new friends, ditched others before they got a chance to see me, and learned that there is no way I could take on the eating wager The Big Texan Steak Ranch offers.
I waved goodbye to the huge plastic bovine and called it an evening, wondering what tomorrow’s adventure would bring.
For more information:
https://ricketycricketbrewing.com/
https://www.blackbridgebreweryaz.com/
https://www.explorekingman.com/attraction-Powerhouse-Route-66-Museum/
John can be contacted at; beyersbyways@gmail.com
