“Well, I’m a standing on a corner in Winslow, Arizona
And such a fine sight to see
It’s a girl, my Lord, in a flatbed Ford
Slowin’ down to take a look at me”— second verse of the song “Take It Easy” by the Eagles
It’s funny how a single verse from a song can put a city of 9,000 people on the map. We took a short trip today into Winslow from Homol’ovi State Park to see whatever the city had to offer.
1st Street Pathway
We parked at the Visitor Center (closed on Sundays) near the very busy train tracks on the south edge of town. Some cities have river walks, this one has a railway walk. A very nice one at that. It’s a six-block landscaped path that runs parallel to the BNSF Railway tracks. It starts by going through a park with an amphitheater and then onto various photos ops highlighting the Hopi heritage of the land and nods to the importance of train travel and historic Route 66 for the city.
While we were on this path, a train was working on the tracks nearby, moving back and forth. We got to hear the traveling thunder-staccato sounds of train cars coming to a stop and then moving again. Very cool!
2nd Street Sights
We left the 1st Street Pathway, walked a block, and found ourselves on 2nd Street, which happens to also be Route 66. We came across an eye-catching bench with a sign mentioning the “World’s Smallest Church on the Mother Road.” This led us down a little alley that indeed included a small church amongst other eclectic things to behold.
Standin’ on the Corner
We saw nary a soul on our walk thus far until we came near the street corner that celebrates the iconic lyric from the Eagles’ “Take it Easy.” There were many people here waiting for their chance to take pictures with the life-sized bronze statues and the flatbed Ford. Across the street was a gift store doing a bang up business selling souvenirs and T-shirts.
Other Tastes and Sightings
We attempted to eat lunch at the Flat Bed Ford Cafe. It was a very small, but busy place. We were seated immediately at a table right in the middle of the place where the wait staff was passing on either side of us. It took a while before a waitress finally stopped to take our drink order. Then we waited and waited. I noticed that a couple in the corner that had come in after us already had their drinks and food order taken. Eventually another waitress stopped and asked what we would like to drink. With a big smile, Lisa said, “We’re good”, and with that we walked out. We then went to the RelicRoad Brewing Company Restaurant and had an excellent meal with good service. The house made chips on a stick were delicious.
Remembrance Garden
After lunch we hopped back into Usain and took a short trip down the road to the 9-11 Remembrance Garden.
The latest “Take It Easy” installation (Sept. 2025) is near this 9/11 monument. If you drive on this road heading into town, there are rumble strips that play a short segment of the Eagle’s song. You have to hit them at 35 mph for it to be clear.
What a fun example of a town embracing their moment of fame from a popular song lyric. In turn, they help keep this song alive for younger generations.
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