A Short day trip from Prescott to Williams, AZIf you have been hanging around Prescott for a few days a day trip is probably in order. Nothing too strenuous, just a short drive, a few sights, an attraction or two and, of course, a nice meal. Give Williams a try. We managed to get all of our paraphernalia organized and in the car by 11:55am. From my home in north Prescott we hopped on Hwy 89 north and headed towards Chino Valley - slowly my friend slowly - CV has a somewhat dubious reputation for zealous enforcement of the speed limits. After a brief stop for gas and jerky in Chino Valley (come on - it's been 15 minutes!) our day trip continued on Hwy 89 north. Chino Valley kind of "thins out" until you enter Paulden - not a lot to see here - but the residents love the place. Anyway, shortly after leaving Paulden we start heading uphill. As we travel, the vegetation changes from high desert plains to heavily forested with juniper and pinion. Besides the forest there isn't much out here. If you are looking for signs of civilization - there isn't much. The new cement plant being built on your right as you head up the hill is about it. 12:55 pm and we have reached the intersection of Hwy 89 and I-40. Turn right on to I-40 towards Williams - 19 miles to go. Take exit 161 off of I-40 and turn right (south) onto Grand Canyon Road. Continue south, to just past the railroad tracks. On your right is the Williams/Grand Canyon visitor center - stop in for a free visitor packet, maps, info on the Grand Canyon and numerous other points of interest. Turn left (east) onto Bill Williams (there are two one way Bill Williams, be sure to take the one that heads east)- also known as historic route 66. Your first impression, if you are of a certain age, is that this road is in a time warp and, indeed, it is. Historic buildings line both sides of the street, neon signs adorn various businesses and, if you are fortunate, vintage cars in pristine condition are parked everywhere.  The "Mother Road", as John Steinbeck christened
it in his 1939 classic "The Grapes of Wrath", was conceived in
1926, held up by the Great Depression and finally completed in 1938
-providing a continuously paved 2 lane "super highway" from Chicago to
Los Angeles.Williams was the very last town on old route 66 to be by-passed by Interstate 40 - but somehow, as you stand on the corner and look down this little piece of American Automotive history, by-passed seems like the wrong word - I think maybe those travelers that blow by Williams, and any number of other route 66 towns, as they rocket down the interstate have Missed Out rather than by-passed anything. Anyway, our day trip brought us to Grand Canyon & Route 66 at 1:10pm. The jerky had worn off a long time ago - we were ready to eat (isn't that what a day trip is all about?). The Red Raven Restaurant professes to offer Casual Fine Dining at the Gateway to the Grand Canyon. I'll concede the gateway part - but let's see about lunch. Inviting?, quaint?, unassuming?, any of these would work for the Red Raven. 
The storefront is attractive - but hardly pretentious. Inside
the restaurant feels like a cross between an upscale
restaurant and a small town diner. There are linen table cloths (at
dinner) - and a plate collection on the walls, neatly folded linen
napkins - and a great big wreath over the antique service buffet. Well! ... I like eclectic - the place feels comfortable and inviting - so far so good. The lunch menu consists of sandwiches, salads, wraps and "specialties". Kind of a typical lunch menu but.... Once you really look at the menu it is anything but typical. Mahi - Mahi Char broiled mild white Mahi - Mahi fillet , Havarti cheese, lettuce, tomato, avocado, red cabbage and house made tartare sauce rolled into a fresh wrap. (7.95) Baja Tacos Cod dipped in a light Tempura batter then 
deep fried to perfection, stuffed in to three soft corn tortillas
topped with red and green cabbage. Served with southwest rice
pilaf, Pico de Gallo and a creamy chipotle sauce. (7.95) The Raven Cousin to the Reuben. Thin sliced lean corned beef topped with Swiss cheese and red cabbage lightly tossed with our Red Raven sauce served on grilled marble rye. (7.50) Veggie Sautéed broccolini, mushrooms, onions, and sweet red peppers rolled into a fresh wrap with Havarti cheese, lettuce, tomato, avocado, red cabbage and our special mayonnaise. (7.95) All a little different, done with a little more flare and a personal touch from the chef. Just the sort of menu that makes a day trip worthwhile. I ordered the lunch special - A ginger beef and shrimp wrap w/ ginger sesame dressing and sticky rice in a spinach wrap. ($8.00). Delicious! The shrimp was just barely crispy, the ginger beef full of BIG flavor - a nice combination - over all - very good. My wife had the Reuben on marble rye. Lots of lean corned beef and sauerkraut on an excellent rye - great according to my better half! We also tried the onion rings (included), as suggested by our server Rozan (who happens to be co- owner of the Red Raven with her husband David) - they were light and crispy - not greasy at all - how do they manage that? The red potato salad (included) was excellent as well - potatoes perfectly done - not too mushy and just the right amount of mayo. Over all, the Red Raven lives up to it's claim of casual fine dining -at least for lunch - no mean feat in a small town. Day trip or not- we'll be back for dinner. We left the restaurant at 2:10 - just an hour after we arrived - but 10 minutes after the end of lunch service (11:00am to 2:00pm everyday). We wandered down Bill Williams, poking our heads into the antique shops, embroidery shops, Quilters Mercantile etc. etc. By the time we checked the time it was time to go home. We had intended to drive another 8 miles up I-40 to the Grand Canyon Deer Farm - something anyone with kids should not miss - but we ran out of time - we'll go next time and bring the grandbaby! So, that's it, our day trip is at an end, we headed home - rolling into the driveway at 4:30pm. An easy, fun day with an excellent meal thrown in - not bad.
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