Route 66: Navigating New Mexico

Posted on November 22, 2016 by Jeanne H.

Amazingly beautiful NM

What an incredible state! There is so much beauty here that it takes your breath away. Going through my photos, I found that I took the fewest photos while in New Mexico. But this was not because there was nothing to see – rather, it was because photos simply could not capture the majesty of this beautiful land!

The reason you drive Route 66 – beauty abounds!

That, and I discovered later that I had a fingerprint on my lens. But bear with me as I attempt to show you a few of the wonders.

Here’s a bit of info for anyone from outside the US:

each state has its own “tag line” or slogan.

That is the word or phrase that each state has chosen to describe themselves. For example, we started our journey in Illinois: “Mile After Magnificent Mile”. Missouri is the “Show Me” state. (Not sure why. Ask someone while you’re driving through.) Oklahoma has chosen “Native America”. We’ve just come through Texas, the “Lone Star State”.

New Mexico is known as “Land of Enchantment”. And truly what an enchanting land it is! New Mexico reminded me why we get off the highway and drive the Route – it’s so we can slow down and see the beauty around us. Even though the Route continues to parallel the highway, it’s like there’s a completely different landscape once you are driving amongst the rocks and cliffs.

Granted, you have a choice of routes for 66 in New Mexico. You can take the northern Route up through Santa Fe. This will add miles to your trip, but, hey, it’s a car not a horse – it won’t get tired. Or you can continue down along Highway 40. I chose Highway 40 for reasons I’ll describe later. One day I will go back to New Mexico and re-driving this part of the route so I can see Santa Fe.

Circa Espresso, Tucumcari, NM

Tucumcari

Okay, yeah, so I talked a bit about this fabulous little town at the end of Texas. It’s worth mentioning again just because I loved it so much. It exists as a stop on Route 66 and is filled with motels and souvenir shops. It’s pretty and small and I loved it. If you have a quaint product to sell, you should consider setting up shop here – there are plenty of available spaces! Far too many shops stand empty, the result of the wavering tourist traffic.

At the corner of my motel was Circa Espresso – a little coffee bar that got me started in the morning. It was really chilly, too. I mean, the weather had been warming up across Oklahoma and Texas, so this cold morning caught me by surprise.

Flying C Ranch

The Route continues close enough to the highway that you can see all the billboards advertising every hotel, motel, restaurant and gas station along the way. Two big tourist attractions along Highway 40 are Flying C Ranch and Cline’s Corners. As you head west, you’ll come to the Flying C first. It’s worth stopping in!

Flying C Ranch, NM
Available to a good home for $19,999.99!

They don’t really want to sell this magnificent stuffed buffalo, but he’s great for a photo!

Flying C Ranch, NM

Flying C Ranch, NM
(Don’t touch the bear.)

And if you don’t want full sized animals, maybe you have a little wall space…

Flying C Ranch, NM

Overall, a fun place with lots of kitsch and toys and stuff to see.

Clines Corners, NM

Cline’s Corners

This place is much larger than the Flying C Ranch and has a greater array of jewelry and souvenirs. It’s the sort of place that has contracted with the tour bus companies to bring tourists. Granted, it’s doesn’t have the same character as the Flying C, but it’s well worth the stop. They have a huge electronic sign out front advertising the various native art to be found inside. It also flashes the current temperature – while I was there that morning it was in the upper 30’s! That’s nearly freezing! It was COLD!

Have I mentioned before that when crossing multiple time zones and climates, anything can happen? This proved the importance of having plenty of layers to keep warm. I chatted with a motorcyclist – the poor guy was chilled to the bone. He said he’s never seen temperatures this cold this time of year (mid-May), but he didn’t have the luxury of stopping. I prayed for his health and safety!

Madrid

I’ll tell you up front: I didn’t get any pictures of Madrid, NM. I’m bummed about this – it was such a sweet, little place.

So, is it ma-DRID, like the city in Spain? Or is it MA-drid, like in the move “Wild Hogs”? (Very funny movie, 2007, starring Tim Allen. Wasn’t actually filmed in Madrid, NM.) I didn’t get a solid answer. They have a cafe made up to look like “Maggie’s” from the movie, and they have movie posters up all over the cafe. I didn’t go in. It was so incongruous with the rest of the town that it just didn’t interest me.

I’d driven through Madrid, NM some years ago, early on a Sunday morning. This town is simply a number of shops set up on either side of the road. That early on a Sunday, the place was deserted and I really got that creepy feeling. Later that day I was driving through the other way and it was a happy, bustling place. Just shows how time of day will affect a small town! So driving down the Route, I decided to make a side trip so I could stop and see Madrid.

If you are an art collector, visit Madrid, NM!

It’s about 30 miles north of the Route, a very pretty drive in itself. The town is essentially an artist colony. But not so much a “colony” as a place where a bunch of artists set up shop to sell their work. Here you can buy original artwork from the artist. You will find jewelry, paintings, sculpture, metalwork, and more. I saw a number of items that I would have loved to take home with me – alas, my budget just didn’t allow it.

By the way, the reason that I chose to drive the southern “Route 40” leg of Route 66, rather than go up through Santa Fe, was because I had decided that if I stayed the night in Albuquerque, then I could go to a particular church on Sunday. It was recommended to me by a friend, and I did really enjoy the worship. That meant I needed to arrive on Saturday night. And, frankly, by arriving then, I could schedule my trip to arrive in CA by the following weekend, thus worshiping with dear friends on that Sunday.

Albuquerque

Forgive me – no pictures of Albuquerque, either. This town boasts the longest “Main Street” in the US. Route 66 is Albuquerque’s main street and runs 26 miles from end to end. From the east end of town, the street numbers are declining till they reach zero right around Interstate 25. Then the numbers start increasing again as you continue west. This is important because I was having difficulty finding a couple of the restaurants/motels listed in the dining guide – and google map wasn’t helping. It wasn’t until as I was heading out of town, that I found the motel I’d originally wanted to stay at.

I stayed at the Ambassador Inn on the east side of town – and not a very good part of town, I’ll say up front. Paid only $45.30 for the night, so it was in my budget, and they had a laundry, but I wouldn’t recommend the place. It was clean and warm, but I didn’t feel entirely safe. Laundry cost a total of $3 for washing, soap and drying one load. I was pleased to have clean clothes again.

Land of Enchantment

So I’d been on the road for two weeks at this point, traveling every day. This was a mistake! My recommendation to anyone and everyone traveling anywhere is that you should schedule some time to rest on Sunday. Plan on staying an extra day where ever you land so that you can recharge. I attended church on Sunday morning – and it was wonderful to worship with like minded believers – but then I continued on. And I discovered that the museums and some points of interest around Albuquerque that I wanted to see were closed on Sundays. Had I given myself an extra day to rest, I would have seen more places and enjoyed the trip more. God made us to work 6 days and rest the 7th. If you spend Sunday in worship – great! If that’s not your thing, that’s fine, too. But you need to rest.

Interstate 25 runs North/South through the entire US. That is, it runs through Denver. I was so tired that I was tempted to cut my trip short and just head home. I missed my dogs and loved the idea of saving all that money… but what about my sense of adventure? Driving the entire Route 66 at one shot is something so few people do! Plus, I had friends to see in California. So I opted to continue on.

Continental Divide

Continental Divide, NM

At the Continental Divide, NM

It’s high, it’s windy, it’s a photo op. Stop and take your picture. It’s what tourists do.

Gallup

So follow with me while I set up my mindset as I continued across NM. I’m loving the scenery, but I was tired. I had a fabulous breakfast in Albuqurque – Lindy’s, I highly recommend – but then I didn’t eat any more for the day. I don’t know why. I had plenty of food in the car, but I just didn’t think about it. So when I rolled into Gallup, I was frustrated that I missed out on certain museums (closed on Sunday), tired from the drive, hungry… and I could not find a place to stay. I stopped at 3 different motels. 2 of them had no one at the desk, and one was booked solid. So I decided to get some supper and use my phone to search for a place.

I love Cracker Barrel! This is a chain restaurant across the entire country. As much as I wanted to avoid chain restaurants, when you’re overly tired and hungry, this place is always a winner. And they have a great gift shop. They manage to have the feel of a country diner at every location and their food is delicious. Not too expensive, either, relatively speaking. Thing about Cracker Barrel is that they are almost always right next to a major hotel or two. I ordered supper and pulled out my phone. The hotel closest to the restaurant (across the parking lot, to be precise) was booked full. Seriously! What was going on? Was the entire country staying in Gallup, NM on that exact Sunday?! Three other hotels nearby were all out of my price range, but roughly equal in price, so I opted for the one with the best reputation that I knew: I stayed at the Hilton Hotel. With my AAA club discount, it only cost $100.85 for the room. Their service was wonderful, the people so nice, the room so big and comfortable! Also, their checkout time the next day was noon. Most places have a checkout time of 10am or 11am, so this extra hour gave me time to putter. I rose at my usual time, but I took a slow shower, I organized pictures, I played a silly computer game – in short, I rested. It was wonderful!

Outside Gallup is the Red Rock Park – here are some pictures that don’t do it justice.

Red Rock Park, Gallup, NM

And here are a few more pictures that I snapped after cleaning my camera lens.

Land of Enchantment

The weather was warm, I was rested, and all was well with the world. I was ready to head into Arizona: The Grand Canyon State. Stay with me! I took the most pictures of my trip in AZ, over 600!, but I’ll try to whittle them down so you can see how fabulous it was.

The Save

Route 66: Touring Texas

Posted on November 11, 2016 by Jeanne H.

Ah, Texas!

As has been observed, Texas is not just a state, it’s a state of mind. There’s an openness here that you don’t feel elsewhere. And I don’t just mean a flat desert landscape with nothing between you and the horizon but a stray tumbleweed. Granted, part of my opinion is favorably flavored by previous trips to other parts of this grand state. But I’m not wrong – the people are as kind and open as you are to them.

Shamrock

Almost the first place I came to upon entering Texas was the U Drop Inn in Shamrock. When you step out of your car, pause and take a deep breath. Smell that Texas air – it’s faint, but you can pick up the scent of dust and hay and horses and cattle. It’s manure and sweat, but it’s freedom and life. It’s the scent of hard work and an investment in the future. Cattlemen, like farmers, learn to wait on the turning of the seasons.

U Drop Inn, Shamrock, TX

The U Drop Inn, with its high tower, inspired the maker of “Cars”. The movie is constantly playing inside. It’s a tourist center now, and a portion has been made up like a 50’s diner. The folks there are so nice and have lots of information about things to see along the Route in Texas.

Inside U Drop Inn

It’s fun!

They’ll be happy to take your picture!

McLean

Moving along you’ll come to McLean. So at this point I realized there were fewer biggest/tallest and lots more museums, so I was pleased to stop by the Devils Rope Museum, which includes a section as a Route 66 Museum.

Devil’s Rope Museum, McLean, TX

So what is Devil’s Rope? It’s barbed wire – and its history is fascinating! I had no idea there were so many types of barbed wire, nor that people actually collect it. Out front are two giant barbed wire balls.

Barbed Wire Balls

These things are big! It’s a bit mind blowing to look at these and realize how much wire had to be coiled and twisted and rolled to make these. Inside the museum you’ll see a history of barbed wire, it’s importance and cultural relevance, and many examples of barbed wire art. One particular exhibit of interest to me was a photo history of the Dust Bowl and the Depression when hundreds fled cross country, searching for a better life west.

While you’re there, buy a bottle of “Red Mud” bbq sauce. No, buy two!

Apart from my own, this is about the best bbq sauce I have ever enjoyed –

and I don’t endorse anyone’s bbq sauce!

Groom

You already know that I tend to search out those things that are still “alive” – I don’t care for exploring ruins or ghost towns. So I don’t have any pictures of the famous “leaning water tower” outside Groom. Meh. Read about it, stop and look at it – I felt none the lesser for driving by.

But I did stop to see the giant cross.

Giant Cross, Groom, TX

This monument is a dedication to the suffering and death of Jesus Christ. Around the base of the cross are the 14 “stations”, life sized statues that depict the suffering of Christ on His crucifixion day. They are meant to help the faithful reflect on their own spiritual travel. May I suggest that, in my own humble opinion, in addition to reflecting on Christ’s suffering and death, we must ever more greatly celebrate His resurrection and life! Christ’s death paid for my sins. His resurrection gives me eternal life. If Jesus did not rise again, His death meant nothing. Reflect on Friday, but celebrate on Sunday!

Continuing down the Route, you have the opportunity to explore dirt roads and ghost towns. And open plains. Lots of open plains. And you find yourself thinking, wow! This is just a short part of the Texas Panhandle – it’s not even the big part of Texas! Everything in Texas is big – the small part is big!

Amarillo

Amarillo is a big enough city that I was inclined to bypass it, but it was getting on time for lunch and I’d held off grabbing a bite so I could eat at the Big Texan. This is worth veering off the Route – it’s as touristy as it gets. They advertise a free 72 oz steak – that is, if you can eat the entire 72 oz steak (that’s 4 1/2 lbs!) and the fixin’s in one hour, the meal is free. Many have tried and failed. I can’t imagine the food coma if you succeeded. I had a fabulous meal of ribs and onion rings and fries – way too much for me to eat, and that was considered a regular meal. A little on the expensive side, to my way of thinking, but, hey, it’s a tourist joint. Go and enjoy – you’re paying as much for the experience as for the food. They have a great gift shop to explore. (By the way, I never did take any pictures of my food. Eh, that’s just me.)

Big Texan Steakhouse, Amarillo, TX

Big cow outside the Steakhouse

Dinosaur dressed as a cowboy

The Big Texan Steakhouse even has a big dinosaur out front, dressed as a cowboy. Why would they have such a thing? Because they can.

And here I thought I was done seeing big, kitschy statues.

And, of course, you absolutely cannot drive past/through Amarillo, TX without stopping by Cadillac Ranch!

Cadillac Ranch, Amarillo, TX

I’m presuming you’ve heard of Cadillac Ranch – and I don’t mean the song by Chris LeDoux. Off the highway in the middle of a field, a line of cars buried nose down. It’s practically a Texas institution. People bring cans of spray paint to leave their mark – or use cans of paint that have been left by others. It’s almost impossible to get photos without all the people around (I did a bit of creative cropping on my photos). But I find it interesting to watch the people. How they explore, taking their photos… A couple was there with their big, long-haired dog. Apparently they have gone on road trips all over the country and take pictures of their dog in front of every landmark they come across. I love it!

Vega

Well, I’d had my lunch and seen Cadillac Ranch, so I was ready to get back on the road. It was pretty hot, too. I don’t do well in the heat! I got lost trying to find the Route in Amarillo, but once outside the city I picked it back up fairly easily. Being hot and tired, I was ready to find a place to stay. According to my dining and lodging guide, the Big Texan Motel – next door to the Big Texan Steakhouse – was a little outside my budget, so I decided I would stay in Vega. This would make for a 180 mile day, which is not a bad drive on the Route.

Hmmm, yeah, uh, well… Have you ever been somewhere and you got the oddest feeling that you shouldn’t be there? There’s nothing overt, just a feeling – the hairs on the back of your neck start standing up and that little voice in the back of your mind is telling you, “Move along, folks, nothing to see. Move along!”

That’s the feeling I got driving through Vega. Now keep in mind that at certain times of day small towns are like ghost towns. People here work and if they’re at work then the streets are empty and it’s easy to get a creepy feeling. But I didn’t care for the look of the motel, and I refused to stay in the Best Western (definitely outside the budget). So I drove on.

Adrian

My plan had been to stay the night in Vega so that I could have breakfast at the Midpoint Cafe. It’s a breakfast/lunch joint with what is supposed to be a great souvenir/gift shop and I really wanted to eat there as part of my Route 66 experience. But since I was passing Vega, I needed to find someplace else to stay, and I wasn’t seeing anything east of Midpoint. I arrived at Midpoint Cafe about half hour after they closed <sigh>. Still, I got a picture!

Midpoint Cafe - arguably the middle spot of Route 66

Midpoint Cafe – the middle of Route 66

Okay, well, both Vega, TX and Adrian, TX (Midpoint Cafe) claim to be the middle of Route 66. Either way, the sky was blue, the day was warm, and I still needed to find a place to sleep for the night. In addition, I found myself in a very long stretch where there was no cellular service – emergency only, or so my phone kept telling me. (Yeah, places like that exist.) So no just looking up websites to find a place. This is where the excitement of living wild and free, cruising down the open road with no plans to tie me down, ready for whatever – yeah, yeah, yeah, whatever. It was getting real old real fast. But what do you do? You take a deep breath of freedom and keep driving.

Tucumcari, NM

As close as I was to the state border, I decided to head on to Tucumcari, NM. It’s a good 30 miles into NM, but I had wanted to stay at the Blue Swallow Motel – a Route 66 institution – and since I had to pass by Midpoint Cafe, this would make a good ending for the day. It made for a 250 mile day! So I was really tired! At least I wasn’t hungry – I was still full from my lunch at the Bix Texan Steakhouse. (It was big!)

I absolutely loved Tucumcari, NM! Okay, so I realize that this post is about Texas and now I’ve moved into New Mexico… bear with me while I end my day. It was great!

Tee Pee Curios, Tucumcari, NM

Found this awesome little curio shop coming into town. Something I would like you to notice in this picture: on the right is blue sky, on the left is a storm cloud. I love this kind of weather! You can watch the storm coming – which I did the entire drive west. The storm was heading south (the picture above is facing east) and I managed to get into my room and settle down for the night just as it hit. I love a good thunder storm! It was fabulous!

Although, I didn’t get into the Blue Swallow. While I was perusing the curios in the tee pee, the Blue Swallow was signing out the keys to their last room. (Remember- no plans, open road, yada yada…) But Tucumcari is the penultimate tourist town, the only thing they have more of than gift shops is motels. I drove the length of town twice, which only took 10 minutes, and decided on the Route 66 Motel on the east end of town ($45.29).

Route 66 Motel, Tucumcari, NM

I’ll admit, I was a little put off by the sign stating “Genuine American” – after all, if you read my post on Oklahoma, you’ll know that I considered those wonderful folks from India to be just as American as myself. (I found that many innkeepers along the Route were from India.) But that aside, this motel was beautifully kept and very comfortable. There is an espresso bar on the corner of the motel where you can get a great cuppa joe in the morning when you head off.

And this is where I wrap up my tales about Texas! Next up I’ll take you with me through New Mexico and beyond! Hang in there while we keep chugging our way across the US!

Save

Route 66: Over Oklahoma

Posted on June 1, 2016 by Jeanne H.

Oklahoma! Where the wind comes sweeping down the plain…

If you’ve done any research on Route 66, you’ll know that this route was envisioned by Cyrus Avery back in the 1920’s. Mr. Avery was from Oklahoma, so even though a straight line from Chicago to Santa Monica would have omitted OK entirely, he made sure that the route passed through the heart of his home state. Let’s be glad he did – there is so much to see!

Photo Op in Afton, OK

Afton

This was a cute, little ice cream shop shortly inside the state line from KS. I loved how they advertised that they had “The one and only Route 66 cookies sold anywhere!” It’s true – I did not see those cookies being sold anywhere else! Stop in and buy a couple cookies with your ice cream!

There was also a very cool gift shop where I bought my “Route 66 Dining & Lodging Guide”. This proved to be invaluable for the rest of my trip.

Totem Pole Park – Foyil

In my quest to see the biggest, tallest, etc, of course I veered away from the route to see the Totem Pole Park with it’s biggest totem pole in the world! It’s a few miles off the route, but easy to find and well worth the side trip.

World’s Largest Totem Pole

There are a dozen or so different totem poles of varying sizes around this park setting. Inside the big totem is a sign with a few details:

World’s Largest Totem Pole

Take some time to notice the details of the various faces around the pole – including that the pole rests on a turtle’s back.

World’s Largest Totem Pole

The park is supported through donations and purchases at the gift shop. The gift shop also holds a collection of violins made by the same artist, Ed Galloway, and is well worth perusing.

Totem Park, Foyil, OK

Cartoosa

Moving on, I was keeping my eye out for the famed “blue whale”. Swimming is not permitted any more, but the whale just makes you smile!

Blue Whale, Cartoosa, OK

Grinnin’ with the whale

Tulsa

Big city! The plan was to drive through as quickly as possible, as is my habit. Still, things to see!

Drilling is a huge deal through OK. The Golden Driller is one of the most photographed icons in the city.

The Golden Driller, Tulsa, OK

He’s really magnificent! He’s 76′ tall and there are a number of “fun facts” posted on signs around him.

Golden Driller Fun Facts

I carefully followed the Route through Tulsa, gritting my teeth and trying to see the sights around me while still following the signs.

“East Meets West” statue, Tulsa, OK

I almost missed this amazing statue! It’s titled “East Meets West”. I didn’t get my own photo, so this photo is borrowed from here.

I did manage to snap a shot of this big pop bottle. No idea what it’s there for, but it’s fun!

Somewhere in Tulsa, OK

Outside Tulsa you are heading to the far edge of the Ozarks. Missouri and Oklahoma to this point have been very lush and green. OK remains green and pretty, but the weather was warming up significantly. Keep in mind that this is May, 2016. It’s mid-Spring, so for me, temps in the 80’s are getting pretty warm (remember that I left Denver in a snow storm!). We’re now transitioning to the desert climates.

Stroud

I stayed at the Skyliner Motel – clean and comfortable ($63.51). When I pulled in, I had traveled the better part of 200 miles – a very long day for traveling the Route. No exploring the town for me! I went out to find supper. The Rock Cafe is considered a focal point for Stroud. Everything they serve is made from scratch and the food is delicious! I understand they’ve been featured on more than one tv food show. After eating way too much, I went back to my room and collapsed into a happy food coma.

Skyliner Motel, Stroud, OK

Chandler

I stopped in at the Route 66 Interpretive Center. $5 entry fee per person. I think it’s worth it. They’ll give you a tour of the facility, which used to be an armory that fell into disrepair when it was vacated. Once restored, a series of displays with short videos was set up telling about the history of Route 66. The very large back room is available for weddings and other gatherings.

Rt66 Interpretive Center, Chandler, OK

Arcadia

Right on the route in Arcadia is a big, circular barn built in 1898. I didn’t stop to explore, but now wish I did – I understand it holds a gift shop and photographs of unusual barns around the world. This is a classic case of a time that I should have ignored the clock and just pulled over. Outside Arcadia I did stop at Pops – a fairly new diner/soda fountain with a giant soda bottle out front.

Pops, a diner outside Arcadia, OK

Oklahoma City

I bet you’re thinking that I didn’t stop to see anything in this big city. Okay. Guilty. This is the first major city where I just hopped on the interstate and drove through. I picked up the Route on the other side.

Clinton

Of the various museums I visited on the Route, one of the best, in my opinion, was in Clinton. Here you’ll find the Oklahoma Route 66 Museum. $5 entry fee for a self guided tour. The museum is designed to tell you the history of Route 66 from concept till it’s end after WWII and how the Route affected the entire culture of America. I took my time and read every single wall plaque! I loved it!

OK Route 66 Museum, Clinton, OK

Elk City

At this point I realized that I was now visiting more museums and was seeing fewer of the “biggest, tallest” stuff. This was just fine – I was learning and seeing lots of neat stuff!

I stayed the night at the Flamingo Inn – which I chose solely for its name but turned out to absolutely love! The innkeepers, originally from India, have raised their family in the US. They take great care of the Inn, which is also where they live. The wife invited me in to their living area and showed me some furniture that they’d brought from India – a beautifully hand carved, wooden-framed bench swing. And she proudly showed me pictures of her kids who were now grown. These are Americans! People coming here to set up a business (or refurbish an icon), raise their family, make a living that they can pass on to future generations. I’m not sure what prompted her to invite me into her home that way, but I am so grateful she did! I highly recommend staying at the Flamingo Inn ($53.46).

Flamingo Inn, Elk City, OK

Across the parking lot is Pedro’s Mexican Restaurant. I was rather tired and pleased to be able to sit down and order from a menu. It seems that every Mexican restaurant has the same tacos, burritos, etc, so I asked my server to recommend something that was unique, a specialty of the chef. I don’t recall what it was called – chunks of meat and vegetables swimming in the best green chile I’d ever had! My mouth is watering just thinking about it. I’d eaten half the dish before it occurred to me to take a photo of it (sorry Bill!). But I did take a photo of the amazing hand-carved furniture. This was ordered from a folk artist in Mexico.

Pedro’s Mexican Restaurant, Elk City, OK

The chairs and table were all unique, colorful and beautiful! And don’t be surprised at crosses on the wall – we’ve been traveling through the Bible Belt till now. Public places were commonly decorated with Bible verses and religious memorabilia.

Before you leave Elk City – and Oklahoma – you have to visit the National Route 66 Museum. $4 if you have AAA, has a nice Route 66 exhibit. But the real draw of the place is that it is set up like an old west town, filled with “store fronts” and life sized displays. Give yourself plenty of time to wander around the entire grounds.

National Route 66 Museum, Elk City, OK

Texas is next! Hold on to your hats for a whirlwind ride!

Save

Route 66: Kickin’ Kansas

Posted on May 19, 2016 by Jeanne H.

There is only 13.2 miles of Route 66 running through Kansas, but the state certainly makes the most of it!

Galena

The guys from Pixar who made the movie, “Cars”, drove a bit of Route 66 for research and inspiration. Galena is one of the towns that inspired them!

Beautiful little park in town.

When you get out of your car to explore the block or two that comprises “downtown”, you’ll find that a local radio station is being played over loudspeakers on the street.

Wall mural – nod to “Cars”.

This wall mural looks like a giant postcard – and includes characters from the movie “Cars” in it.

Rainbow Bridge

Since I love things that have been saved and restored, I had to drive over Rainbow Bridge. This is the last of three “Marsh Arch” bridges (named for their designer) that used to be in Kansas. The other two no longer exist. This has been preserved.

Rainbow Bridge

Rainbow Bridge commemorative marker

In the 13 miles of Route 66 Kansas, there are numerous historical sites. There have been bloody mine worker strikes, murderous Civil War attacks, and there are museums to learn and remember. Kansas is a state worth exploring – but, ah, we have not the time or space to do it justice here. I have moved on.

Ooooooohhhhhhhklahoma is coming up next! Plenty to occupy us there. Farewell, Kansas!

Route 66: Motoring Missouri

Posted on May 19, 2016 by Jeanne H.

What a beautiful state! Missouri was lush and green and, this early in the Spring, there were no bugs! (Mosquitoes and the rest come later.) When you get off the interstate and drive Route 66 through the countryside, you can really feel as though there are no cities, no bustling business. The route winds through neighborhoods and fields. Roll your windows down and breath deeply. The air is clean and filled with the scent of newly mowed lawns and freshly turned earth. People take care of their homes and will wave as you pass. Wave back – you’re neighbors here!

St. Louis

Big cities make my jaw ache from gritting my teeth. I drive with my tour book in my lap and am constantly checking the driving instructions against the signs posted (or not). There were so many things to see in and around St. Louis that I chose just a few and moved on.

This is me too cheap to park and walk up to the Gateway Arch!

You cannot come to St. Louis and not see the Gateway Arch. However, you are not required to pay $25 or whatever it is to park and walk around the Arch. Maybe it’s worth it for you. I used my gps to get this close and I was already tense from the traffic.

Ted Drewes, St. Louis, MO – fabulous frozen custard!

It was a warm day, so one of my stops was to visit Ted Drewes Frozen Custard. It is worthy of its great reputation! It doesn’t have organized lines – lots of people seem to be milling about waiting to order or to get their order. But wow! That was really good!

World’s Largest Catsup Bottle, Collinsville, IL

Collinsville is a suburb of St. Louis on the IL side. I found it interesting that it was not intended to advertise any particular business. In fact, it is a water tower for the town. Something tells me it never actually held catsup…

Cuba

I could literally feel my shoulders relax and my jaw un-tense as I left the city. My tour books point out a great many closed businesses and ruins that show the by-gone era of Route 66’s heyday. I’m not so into that. But I love seeing businesses that have survived, or perhaps have taken a relic of the route and made it beautiful again. So I was excited to drive a little farther than usual to reach the Wagon Wheel Motel.

Wagon Wheel sign

I’m a bit bummed that I didn’t get a picture of the sign lit up with its neon at night.

Wagon Wheel Motel, Cuba, MO

A fully delightful place to stay! Rooms range from the very small up to suites. I stayed in one of the smallest rooms ($69). There was just enough room for my suitcase next to the bed. But it was comfortable and clean. And the entire grounds had a feeling of peace and relaxation with places to sit outside under the shade trees.

Cuba refers to itself as Mural City and it is well worth the time to wander around downtown looking at all the paintings on the sides of buildings.

Awesome murals in Cuba, MO

Fanning

Big alert! The world’s largest rocking chair sits just outside a pretty decent gift shop/trading post. It’s worth the stop!

World’s Largest Rocking Chair, Fanning, MO

Waynesville

Frog Rock

On the side of the road, watching traffic from high on the hill, is Frog Rock just outside Waynesville. I wasn’t able to get my own picture, so I have borrowed this one from here.

Lebanon

It was a relatively short drive from Cuba to Lebanon. Here I checked into another Route 66 classic: the Munger Moss Motel.

Munger Moss Motel – Awesome neon sign!

Clean and comfortable, and spacious enough for my sewing machine. I arrived early enough in the day that I pulled out the machine and made a few blocks. Sewing relaxes me and this was a nice afternoon for me. Munger Moss also has a nice patio on which to relax in the cool of the evening.

I actually did a little sewing at the Munger Moss Motel

Wild Animal Safari, Strafford

So as I left Lebanon, I was feeling as though I may be missing a lot of stuff. The tour books have pages and pages of different things to see and explore, but I was just driving past. I don’t care to snap photos of rusty cars and empty buildings. So when I came across this Wild Animal Safari park outside Strafford, I knew I had to stop in! It was a fabulous couple hours.

Don’t be fooled – the animals aren’t all that wild. Lions and tigers and other dangerous animals are kept in their own pens, but the bus ride takes you through the park where the hoofed animals reside. You are allowed to feed them from the bus (food is available for purchase) and the animals come right up to the bus looking to be fed. It was fun!

The giraffe was so friendly!

Kangaroo photo opportunity!

Watch your fingers – he pecks!

Zebra smile made my day!

More! More!

Feed me, Seymour! Feed me!

Shedding his coat

Carthage

Here I made one my best discoveries! I wanted to stay in Carthage because the next day I was taking a day trip off the Route and this was where I was picking up the northbound interstate. But I couldn’t find a place to stay. My tour book had mentioned Boots Court, but implied it was closed. I drove around, praying that God would show me where to stay. I passed Boots Court, but then I accidentally drove in a big circle and found myself in front of Boots Court again. Finally I stopped and asked if they were open for business. Yes! Of course!

Love Boots Court in Carthage, MO!

It’s a small place, but Debbie, the manager, gave me a tour of each of the rooms, showing their efforts to refurbish the entire property. She shared the history, changes that had been made and fixed, and finally offered me room #6 – the room Clark Gable stayed in before WWII ($66). Wonderful!

Side trip – Hamilton, MO

I was telling a quilting friend about my trip and she asked if I was going to Hamilton, MO. I had no idea why I would, and she pointed that Hamilton is where the Missouri Star Quilt Company is headquartered. This is a fast growing internet company that has actually opened 11 different store fronts down the main street in Hamilton. The company continues to grow, too and they are determined to expand in such a way as to create more and more jobs there in Hamilton.

Day trip up to Missouri Star Quilt Co in Hamilton, MO

While I was there, I got to take a tour of their warehouse. The warehouse is currently 30,000 square feet, being expanded to 100,000 square feet! MSQC currently employs 270 people, up from 15 just 7 years ago – and this will continue to grow.

Thousands of bolts of fabric and shelves and shelves of patterns, books, tools and more! Ah, the quilts I could make with all of this!

It was a 3 hour drive from Carthage up to Hamilton, so I stayed the night at the Home Inn Hamilton, a little bed & breakfast just outside town. It was wonderful! And they had the most comfortable bed I think I’ve ever enjoyed. I highly recommend staying there. Since I was visiting MSQC, they gave me a discount on the room ($70).

On this detour, I decided to take the occasional side trip and explore various places being advertised on all the bill boards I was seeing. Jones’ Boots was not quite the megastore I was expecting from the signs, but they did have the perfect pair of black boots for me! I paid a little extra to have them shipped to my home. I also visited a pecan store and a couple quilt shops. It’s really fun to just do whatever strikes your fancy!

It’s worth noting that from St. Louis through Carthage, the weather was warming up to the upper 70’s and lower 80’s. Driving north to Hamilton, I drove through some pretty heavy thunderstorms and experienced some cooler weather. This is why it is necessary to have plenty of layers of clothing on hand. It all changes so rapidly! Personally, I love waking to a chill, misty morning, driving out through the rain, and ending the day in bright sunshine and warm weather.

Since I’d spent a little extra time in Hamilton, I decided to stay in Carthage at the Boots Court again. Happily, room #6 was available ($66).

And here we leave Missouri, laden down with memories and other treasures. It felt good to get back on Route 66 and continue my primary adventure.

Next up: Kansas!

Route 66: Intersecting Illinois

Posted on May 14, 2016 by Jeanne H.

I’ve been trying to think of the best way to relate my travels and adventures, while still keeping my posts easy to track. I mean, I love being all Miss Creative Writer with “The Dream is Still Alive” and all that, but that’s not terribly organized for you, my reader. So I’ve decided to list out my travels state by state. We’ll see if that helps. Since I started in Chicago, we’ll begin with Illinois! Go figure.

Now, I’ve already had a post about my initial beginning, but for those of you only just joining us, here is the state of Illinois as a whole:

Chicago

Where it begins in Chicago

As you read, you will find that not only do I not care for big cities, but I will actually avoid them at all costs. I couldn’t avoid Chicago entirely, though – it’s the beginning! So I drove to the starting point, snapped a couple pictures of the “Begin” sign, and moved on. I never even got out of my car in the entire city of Chicago. Granted, as far as cities go, Chicago is fabulous! And if I had the time, money and the tour guide, I’d spend some time there. Not this trip, though. Moving on!

Joliet

A very pretty little town and very proud of being what they consider as the start of Route 66. They have a very nice museum there.

Route 66 Museum in Joliet, IL

Personally, I was thinking to myself that I needed to make some miles on this, my first day. So I moved on pretty quickly. But this is a town worth further exploration.

Wilmington – Braidwood – Gardner – Dwight

In Wilmington you can see the Gemini Giant, one of 3 “Muffler Men” giants in IL. The Launching Pad Drive In restaurant, in front of which he stands, is no longer open.

Gemini Giant, Wilmington, IL

But the Polka Dot Drive In, in Braidwood, is still open and dishing up classic burger and fries. It was fun to see some of the characters around the place, too.

Polka Dot Drive In, Braidwood, IL

Characters at the Polka Dot

Elvis and Me

Blues Brothers at the Polka Dot

Gardner

Most of IL had really good markers pointing out Route 66. Gardner is the first place where I saw it painted on the road!

Rt66 is well marked through IL

Dwight

About this point, I had decided to call it a day. After all, I’d actually driven 3 hours from Indianapolis to the starting point in Chicago. I then spent several hours driving and exploring from Joliet onward. I pulled up my trusty bookings app and reserved a room at a motel in Dwight. Here I learned my first lesson: not all motels use the common websites to advertise (booking.com, travelocity, etc). I was a little concerned that I was overspending my budget on my first night out, so I prayed that God would simply show me how to save money moving forward. As I pulled up to my reserved motel, I saw a motel literally across the street advertising half the price! I cancelled the original reservation and got my cheaper room ($46).

Throughout my trip God has guided me so that I have remained safe and secure.

Okay, so the room smelled really strongly of the chemical disinfectant they used. But it was clean, and I just left the door open for a bit to air the place out. I slept comfortably and started off fresh the next day. I even started with a tasty breakfast at a Route 66 diner just down the road.

Great place for breakfast!

Odell

There is an adorable gift shop and photo opportunity. A little pricey compared to later gift shops, but the woman there was so nice and so fun to talk with!

Odell, IL gift shop

Photo op across the street!

Pontiac

Amazing town! They have a fabulous museum (free) and murals on buildings around town. I also got a picture with Abe Lincoln. Every time I started to drive away, I saw something else that I wanted to photograph.

Wall murals in Pontiac, IL

Me and Abe Lincoln in Pontiac, IL

The only photos you will regret are the ones you didn’t take!

Towanda

Towanda!

I didn’t see or do anything particularly notable here. I just like the name. Towanda! Say it loud – with gusto – and throw your hands in the air! TOWANDA!!

Bloomington/Normal

Big city alert! Move along, folks. Nothing for us here.

Funks Grove

Funks Grove

Tiny gift shop, but fabulous Maple Sirup. They explain why it’s spelled “sirup” instead of “syrup”.

Atlanta

It’s another Muffler Man giant!

Paul Bunyon, Atlanta, IL

Lincoln

This town is large enough that I would normally avoid it as a “big city”, but it had the World’s Largest Covered Wagon with a giant Abe Lincoln sitting in the driver’s seat. How cool is that! Lots of other stuff to see and do here, but I moved on pretty quickly.

World’s Largest Covered Wagon – Lincoln, IL

It’s big! World’s Biggest Covered Wagon

Springfield

Our third Muffler Man! He stands outside the Lauterbach Tires shop and he used to hold a tire in one hand. I rather like the American flag.

Lauterbach Man, Springfield, IL

Okay, so, technically, according to my arbitrary definition, this is a big city, too. But I was on the far side of exhausted so I asked around at the restaurant where I had dinner and I was directed to the Route 66 Motel. Room was clean, no chemical smell, but the whole place was overwhelmingly done in a Route 66 motif. Well, what would you expect from the “Route 66 Motel”? $72 for the night.

A fun place to stay

Carlinville

Okay, so this town isn’t even listed on the “Here It Is” map! That’s a shame, it should be listed. They have a classic, beautiful town square with businesses surrounding a park in the middle. They have their nod to Route 66, but it’s not the foundation of the town. I found this place very refreshing! They have this little pizza joint right on one corner in the town square that is fabulous! $7 for their all you can eat pizza buffet. Totally worth blowing the diet for this!

I have a ways to go!

And here we leave Illinois – that is, the next major stop is St. Louis, MO. So that will be the next post. This covers 2 1/2 days of travel. I have not mentioned the beauty of the landscape nor the enjoyment in viewing so many towns and neighborhoods along the way. This is something that must be experienced. Photos just cannot do justice. I rested where I wanted and explored when it took my fancy. This is the freedom afforded by a road trip – and such was the freedom sought on Route 66 by so many since 1926, 90 years ago!

Watch for my next post as we move on to Missouri.

Save

Route 66: The Trip to Get to the Start of the Trip

Posted on May 2, 2016 by Jeanne H.

Well, my friends, I am on my way! In the last couple days I have driven about 1,100 miles. As I live in Denver, I have chosen to drive up to Chicago to start my Route 66 adventure. But I am also swinging through Indianapolis, IN so that I may visit dear friends.

A Good Beginning

Me and Jeannie High Prairie Quilts 4-30-16

Jeannie and Me at High Prairie Quilts

My drive begins at High Prairie Quilts in Parker, CO. I am part of the “Last Weekend Block-of-the-Month” group, so I attended the meeting and managed to grab Jeannie, the owner, for a quick photo – she’s on the right. For me, any day that starts with quilting is a good day! My friend, Lida, joined me here and we immediately got on the interstate and headed East.

Weather is a Factor!

A snowy drive leaving Denver

I trust you will forgive a few fuzzy photos. Though the roads were clear – no ice or snow buildup – it was a cold day to be driving. It is not unusual for Denver to have snow well into May, but for some reason we are always surprised by it!

No snow in Kansas!

But apparently Kansas had put up their invisible weather barrier. It seemed the moment we entered KS the snow stopped.

It was still cold, though! Yet, I know that the majority of my trip will be with warmer weather, so my hoodie was sufficient for the day.

Give it 5 minutes – or a couple hundred miles

A beautiful afternoon drive through Kansas

By the afternoon, and having driven across most of the state, the weather had warmed up and the sky was showing picturesque puffy clouds in a beautifully blue sky.

Pretty in pink

As the sun started going down behind us, the clouds lit up with pinks and purples.

Kansas City, MO at dusk

I’m sorry this picture does not do justice to the Kansas City, MO skyline – the cloud cover was thickening once more but the setting sun had dropped below the clouds and lit up the city with the final rays of the day. It was beautiful! Thank you to Lida for taking most of these pictures for me!

The Longest Mile of the Day

It was still a few more hours to reach St. Louis, where Lida and I stayed with her son and his wife. We arrived shortly before midnight. Surely the longest part of a drive is when you are almost there, but not quite! This day involved about 13 hours of travel time and we were both grateful to collapse into the warm beds provided for us.

Setting Priorities

While a vacation is about getting away from home and seeing new places, one must still decide what are the priorities of life. I left Lida with her son’s family to continue on toward Indianapolis, but first took time to worship my great and wonderful God! What a joy to join in prayer and song with strangers who are, at the same time, family. I worshiped at Christ Church, who graciously welcomed me into their fellowship.

Weather is still a factor

Illinois – already green

The drive across Illinois was just beautiful. The weather had warmed up so that I didn’t even need a sweater. This is the time of year the states get started on road repairs, but I was not slowed too much by these.

The states are serious: when the signs say to slow to 55 mph or 45 mph,

do it!

Indianapolis is a fair distance out of the way when traveling from Denver to Chicago, but seeing dear friends is worth it. So it was a joy to pull up to my friend’s house last night to see her and her family. The had a fire going in the pit in the back yard and she grilled a delicious dinner for me. Tomorrow I get to visit with another friend from college who also lives in Indy. This has been a good beginning!

Upward and Onward

And then, when blessed visits are through, I shall drive from Indy to Chicago. If I can find parking, I’ll take a selfie of myself in front of the “Route 66 Begins Here” sign on Lake Shore Drive. And then I’m on the Mother Road! From there I have no deadlines. I will stop as I please, walk into this shop or that, explore as the whim will take me.

Keep checking back with me as I will let you know where I am staying and at what restaurants I have eaten – along with my recommendations. And we’ll see how the adventure unfolds with each rise and dip and curve of the road.

Route 66: 7 Things to Pack, or Leave Behind

Posted on April 4, 2016 by Jeanne H.

There’s something about packing for a trip – even an overnighter – that I really enjoy. It’s a challenge to balance what you need with what you might need, with what you just plain want to have along. So, being a resident of the US, here are my suggestions for what you should bring, or leave behind, on your trip down Route 66.

I’m actually writing this mostly for the benefit of any neighbors who will be visiting from other countries. My fellow Americans will probably read through this and give me a big, “Duh!” (That’s American for, “That’s so obvious, why do you even mention it?”) But having traveled through the UK, France, Jamaica and Africa, plus countless road trips across the US, I may have a few observations that could be helpful for folks visiting the US for the first time.

photo borrowed from lostintransit.org

1. Keep some perspective

First of all, keep in mind that you are not visiting a 3rd world country. The US has anything you could possibly need – and quite a few things you had no idea existed. Granted, you may be coming from the UK and you know for a fact that nowhere in the US is your preferred brand of biscuit. I promise, you’ll survive. But as you pack, relax! You’re going on vacation. If you forget your toothbrush or batteries or the special electric plug converter combo set that you bought especially for this trip – don’t worry about it. It’ll all work out.

At the end of the day, all you really need is

your identification, your credit card, and your spirit of adventure.

2. Don’t take what you can’t bear to lose

In the movie, “The Accidental Tourist“, the main character suggests that when traveling, never pack anything that cannot be left behind in an emergency. This is not bad advice. It goes along with keeping your perspective. Accidents will happen, luggage may be lost, or anything else could happen that may cause you to lose the items you brought along. Hopefully, if you were to lose your luggage, you can treat it as an annoyance rather than a heartbreak.

3. Personal Necessities

Even allowing that you can get virtually anything in the US that you have back home, there are still some things which need to be brought along. I’m thinking about your prescription medicine, special vitamins, or even your favorite skin lotion. Medicines, in particular, are highly regulated in the US and may be very difficult to obtain.

When flying, always carry your prescription medication in your carry-on.

As you go through your morning and evening routines, take note of the sundries you use. From your hairbrush to your toothbrush, your makeup, your morning meds and vitamins – consider carefully what you use each day. You’ll want to pack these.

And consider items like reading glasses and sunglasses – bring an extra pair. Put one set in your carry on, the other in your suitcase.

4. Clothing for Route 66

It was in May, 2008 that I visited Zambia, Africa. They had just finished their hot, wet season and I was coming from our cold, wet season. That is, they’d had up to 120 degree weather (48 Celsius) and I’d had freezing 20 degree (-6 Celsius) weather. As you can imagine, I was really enjoying the warm mornings at about 75 degrees (24 Celsius). One of the ladies who worked at the orphanage came around in a heavy sweater, concerned that I might be cold in my sleeveless shirt.

“You didn’t know it would be this cold in Africa, did you?” she asked.

So every place is relative when you start talking about hot weather and cold weather. When you drive the length of Route 66, you are crossing 3 time zones and numerous weather climates. This Route 66 site has some pretty neat info on weather along the Route. Depending on the time of year, you could go from cold and rainy to hot and dry in the space of a day. You need to have appropriate clothes for all possibilities.

Chances are that you aren’t driving the route in the winter, so you don’t need to haul along the cold weather gear. But if you’re from a very warm region, then the cooler temperatures on some parts of the drive may be uncomfortable for you. The opposite is also true: if you come from a cooler clime, the dessert heat may hit you like a hammer. Plus, rain can be expected all year.

The answer? Layers! Have a couple light-weight outfits for warm weather, with some overshirts, and a light jacket or sweater. Bring along a cheap, plastic rain poncho – like you’d use for camping – and plan on throwing it away when the trip is done. Comfortable shoes are a must! But you’re not going to a fashion show – minimize the footwear.

We’re pretty casual in the US, and we don’t expect travelers to dress formally.

Still, you may want to have one “Sunday-go-to-meetin'” outfit.

Personally, I am going to pack about a week’s worth of clothing for my 3 week drive. Almost every town will have a laundromat available – most motels will likely have washing machines and dryers that you can use for a small price, or possibly a laundry service. Airline luggage weight limits are crazy these days! Pack as little as you can for the trip out so that you have room for your treasures on the way home.

5. Practical Stuff

On a long road trip, there are certain things you need to keep in the car as a matter of necessity:

A case of water – doesn’t have to be chilled, but have water (not just soda) in case you get stranded or come across a stranded motorist who needs water.
Toilet Paper – there are plenty of rest stops on the road. They aren’t all stocked well with toilet paper. Just sayin’.
A warm blanket – the nights get cool in the desert.
First Aid Kit – doesn’t have to be elaborate, but have some bandaids and antiseptic on hand.
Contacts – have a friend back home that you text or email every day to let them know where you are, where you’ve been. This is especially important if you are traveling alone. If you don’t check in, your friend will know to make inquiries.

6. Electronics

We have lots of electronics nowadays. These days we have electronic devices to help us manage our electronic devices. Laptop, iPod, iPhone/Android, kindle, cameras… There is so much that we use on a daily basis. But let’s consider a couple things:

Are these really necessary? If I were leaving the country, I’d leave my laptop and ipod at home. I’m visiting a new place, seeing new sights, meeting new people! Most electronics will distract me and separate me from the experience. An “I”-pod is not a “we”-pod – it doesn’t make new friendships with others. And unless your cell phone is your camera, you’re on vacation! Put the phone away. Reconnect with the human race.

I will give one caveat here: bring the cell phone, but pack it away. Better yet, leave your fancy cell phone at home and buy a “burner phone” when you arrive. It’s cheap, it works on the local mobile system, and you can throw it away at the end of your trip. If you break down on the road, get lost, have trouble of any sort – you’ll want to have a cell phone for easy communications.

What if these things are lost? Remember the rule above – don’t take what you can’t bear to lose. I’ll be backing up my computer and cell phone before I leave home. If I lose the electronics, at least I won’t lose the data.

So why am I bringing it? I plan on blogging frequently while I’m on the road (shameless plug to get you to visit me again!) and I’ll be downloading my pictures daily. My car is 15 years old (seriously! 15 years old!) and doesn’t have a great radio, so I plug in my ipod to listen to my tunes while I’m driving. (Yes, I am that person who rolls down the windows and sings along with the music at the top of my lungs.) And, finally, reading my kindle at night helps me relax before going to sleep. So I have enough excuses to warrant bringing all this stuff with me.

7. An Attitude for Adventure

I’ve had folks tell me some pretty harrowing stories about events that happened on road trips – from flat tires, to flash floods, to getting lost and finding yourself in a town that you are pretty sure breeds serial killers. But none of that has ever happened to me. Well, I’ve had flat tires – and gotten to meet some really nice people who pulled over to help me! And, well, I was in a flash flood once – which made for a great story at the next family dinner! But I’ve never gotten lost. Well, except for that time I missed the interstate and decided to drive back roads across two states and got to see some of the most beautiful country God has placed on this earth!

Route 66 is a Grand Adventure! This is the road trip to end all road trips! Let go of all your preconceived notions and just let the experience happen. I’m looking forward to telling you all about the amazing people and places as I wander through my favorite country in the world!

See you soon!

Route 66 – Preparing for my Trip

Posted on March 22, 2016 by Jeanne H.

What an exciting time! Every five years, my company gives me a one month sabbatical in addition to my regular vacation time. In 2011, I took a motor-coach tour of the UK. This year, 2016, I am driving the length of Historic Route 66. From my home city of Denver, I am driving up to Chicago. From there I will embark on a leisurely tour of America, embracing the joy of slowing down. I shall treat the local speed limit as the limit – I don’t need to go that fast! I will stop for the night at whatever inn or motel should capture my fancy. I will enjoy meeting people, tourist and resident alike.

But as casual and lackadaisical as I would like to be, some planning is appropriate for an adventure like this. Understand – normally I am an extreme planner! I know where I’m going to be on what day at what time and what I’m doing at all points in between.

“You can be as spontaneous as you want,

if you plan well enough!”

So planning on not planning is actually a big deal for me. I know the day I am leaving, the friends I am seeing at the start, and a general idea of friends I will see when I land in Santa Monica. But once I’m on the road, I’m wingin’ it! So here’s me not planning:

1. Books on Route 66

I have picked up three sets of book/maps. I chose these based on recommendations from various Route 66 sites and Amazon.com reviews. I am happy to recommend them now.

The first is the “Route 66 Adventure Handbook” by Drew Knowles. This is filled with all sorts of stuff to see along the way. He also includes a section on “how to fish” – that is, how to locate a route that, technically, no longer exists. It’s interesting reading and I am filling it with little sticky notes to remind me of what I want to see as I’m passing through a given area.

Next is the “EZ66 Guide for Travelers” by Jerry McClanahan. Spiral bound, so it’s easy to lay flat as you pour over your maps, this book is itself a series of maps with notations of things to see. It’s easy to read whether you are traveling westward from Chicago or eastward from Santa Monica.

Finally, I have “Here It Is: The Route 66 Map Series” by Jerry McClanahan and Jim Ross. There are actually 8 maps, each map covering one state along Route 66. These will help round out your experience and find all those treasures of Americana history.

2. The Budget

Ugh. Gotta talk money. Alas, God has not seen fit to bestow unlimited funds upon me. Not that I haven’t asked on occasion, but as He has given me so many other blessings, I have no complaints.

The big question on every traveler’s mind: what will it cost to drive Route 66? And every blog and article and book will tell you that there are lots of variables and everyone’s trip is unique. They’re right, but if you really want to get down to brass tacks, you need some numbers.

Lodging: From the research I’ve done, the motels along the Mother Road will run, on average, $50 – $70 per night. Some will be more, some less – that’s why I’m saying this is an average.

I love this website! It has links to so many of the motels along Route 66. You can spend plenty of time checking out the different places that you may wish to stay.

Now, I’m not terribly fastidious about needing 5-star comfort. In fact, I’m looking forward to the occasional run down dive – the sort that makes for really great stories! But only occasionally. I think I’ll budget $60/day for lodging.

Food: I can hardly wait to get out there and blow my diet! But, once again, the budget is limited. Plan how much you intend to spend on food each day and remind yourself that every dollar spent on food means the fewer trinkets and souvenirs that you get to bring home with you.

But food has it’s place in the memories! So don’t think I’m saying to avoid all greasy spoons along the way. I’m saying to choose wisely. Plus, “blowing my diet” does not mean throwing all caution to the wind. You can still eat healthy on the road. Stop at the occasional grocery store to buy the fixin’s for sandwiches. You can enjoy peanut butter sandwiches in the car. And warm soda pop (don’t question this – it’s part of the experience). And grapes. I remember road trips with the family when I was little and the best part was when Mom would break out the green seedless grapes from the cooler!

I figure you can get away with $15-$20 per person for food each day. On average!

Fuel: The other big expense! Whether you’re renting transportation or driving your own, you need to fill ‘er up. On the website DrivingRt66.com, they had this link to the AAA Fuel Cost Calculator. It’s a sweet, little tool that will help you get a good estimate of what to expect. For my trip this year, using my little ol’ jalopy, it is suggesting a little over $400 round trip. So I’m going to estimate $20 per day for fuel.

The daily total: These are my big expenses: lodging, food and fuel. I believe that I can make this 3 week trip on $100 per day. (Be sure to read my later entries to see if I actually accomplished this!)

You’ll notice that I haven’t budgeted in souvenirs. That’s because, when push comes to shove, I don’t have to buy the dashboard bobble-head doll or another t-shirt. But even if I choose to go hungry, I cannot opt out of fueling my car or finding a place to sleep. (I’m not twenty-something anymore so sleeping in the car is not an option.) This budget is the bare bones minimum. If I don’t have $100 per day for the length of my trip, then I’m not leaving home.

“You walk a little taller

when you have some money in your pocket.” – Dad

I know I’m going to spend more than $100 per day. As you can well see, I’m a quilting junkie! The one thing none of these books talk about are the quilt shops along the way. I’ll be adding in my quilting adventures as I blog my way down the Road. Quality quilting fabric is expensive! But I am setting my mindset ahead of time as to what “extras” I am willing to buy so that I don’t blow my walking money on every bit of shiny I see. (In both England and Africa, I ran out of cash partway through my respective trips. Not fun.) If I watch my spending, I will be able to bring home a few treasures and make a fabulous quilt to commemorate the trip.

Okay, I know, you’re coming from the UK (or Australia, or Minnesota…) and I haven’t talked at all about what it costs to rent a car or what tour groups are out there or finding the best airfare to get to your starting point. And I’m not going to. This is enough to get you started. I now charge you to go and google to your heart’s content to find more specifics for your trip.

*************

Yeah, so, that’s it. That’s me not planning. Check back with me soon as I’ll be posting more about the upcoming trip and then, very soon, you can come on the road with me! I’m the sort that sees sunshine through the rain, so we’re going to have a great time driving down Route 66!

Save