Route 66 runs from Chicago to Los Angeles and is known as “America’s Main Street” as it takes you through eight states.
We started by looking around Chicago. This was one city that had never featured high on our “to-do list” but we were pleasantly surprised.
The famous old Chicago Theatre built in 1921
The beautiful old Wrigley Building
The Marilyn Monroe Statue across the road
Then the beautiful river that winds its way thru the city
Remember “While you Were Sleeping”. We found it really easy travelling on their L train.Short for elevated.Not attractive buildings but a great way to get around.
This trip seemed to be the trip of going up high buildings. We went just on dusk to the John Hancock Observatory. Great view from the top
Next morning we hopped on the L train and went to the Sears Tower or Willis as at the moment it is named.
Then we walked out onto the glass box and wow!
Then it was time to see the official start of our Route 66 trip then drive out of Chicago and we say our goodbyes to family as they go north and we head out on Route 66, where we will meet again at the L A Airport for our flight home.
Our first roadside sign, many more to come
We spent our first night on the route at Dwight, waking to ice on the car. No doubt thats why all cars come with scrapers. It got put to good use on this trip.
We spent time in Dwight looking at the first of many old service stations, still there from back in the days when this Route 66 was so popular.
On to Odell and another servo
The town of Pontiac is known for its murals
I have always wanted to see a “covered bridge” My luck was in
We drove through Bloomfield, Illinois, the home of Mc Lean Stevensen, from Mash and spent the night at Springfield, the capital of Illinois. We decided to make a side trip to Arthur to an Amish community. It was sleeting but a very enjoyable drive.
Spent the night at Hamel and next morning we were wakened by the sounds of a snow plough and sure enough, it had snowed overnight
After scraping the snow, we headed on and crossed the Mississippi River into Missouri and the city of St.Louis.
Love the way American towns have their names up on the water towers
There is still a small number of motels on Route 66 that are trying to give tourists the original feeling. One of the well known ones is Munger Moss in the town of Lebanon. We called to have a chat and a look, but sadly it was too early for us to stop.
Another interesting old servo
The next day we drove into Kansas, crossing the state line. The Mother Road as Route 66 is also known only traverses about 13 miles of Kansas.
Into Oklahoma, and with weather reports of bad weather coming in we knew we were in for some snow
Yes we woke to lots of snow
Once again lots of scraping for Poo
This days travel was all on icy roads. Cars in ditches all along the road.
We spent some time in Oklahoma City at the National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum. A very interesting place and such a large display.
We then moved on to Clinton and stayed at the motel where Elvis stayed. Don’t really think they.ve made any changes since.
Next morning we looked at the Oklahoma Route 66 Museum. (Still snowing)
We moved on to Elk City and another wonderful National Route 66 Museum.
Many times you felt you were in a time warp
Then we made it into Texas
We made our next stop in Tucumcari New Mexico. The Blue Swallow Motel has been lovingly restored to its former glory and was our favourite motel of the trip. Just delightful.
We left Tucumcari and decided to take the 1937 Route 66 to Santa Fe. Passed through some interesting country.
The time we spent in Sante Fe was very enjoyable. So old, so spanish.
We then travelled back down to Albuquerque to rejoin the post 1937 Route 66. Typical countryside
Had a look at the WigWam Motel, still just as it was back in its hey day, and still operating but decided it wasn’t for us and settled for the good old Best Inn.
More teepees. And petrified wood as well
Standin on the corner
Back on the route again and we realized just how many people came out here in this unforgiving country to try to make their fortunes
Our first sight of the Rockies
Then on to Williams. A town we had visited on a previous holiday. We decided we would stay two nights here and make a return trip out to the Grand Canyon, snow was predicted so we may see the Canyon under snow.
And yes, we woke to snow!!!
Billy our Mascot
We headed out from Williams to the Grand Canyon.The weather seemed to clear but then as we got closer it started closing in and snowing again. At the entrance, the ranger wouldn’t take our money till he made sure that he told us that visability was down to nothing.But we took the chance. And this was our first view when we got to the Canyon
But it pays to sit and have a coffee for it started to lift
Then all of a sudden it closed in again and more snow so we were really lucky. Travelled back to Williams pleased we had made the trip. It was our second visit to the Canyon but its just one place where you are just overwhelmed by its beauty.And especially now that we have seen it in two different moods.
Headed on and came to this quaint servo. So many such places scattered all along Route 66.
Next stop was Kingman. Typical 1960’s
Oatman. We had been here before and its known for their wild west re-enactment each day and the way the wild donkeys make their way into town from the surrounding hills. Country in this area not much good for anything else but gold mining.
We left Oatman happy that we had seen the burros and headed on . Still desolate country.
We crossed the Colorado River and we were in California. One state left to cross and our journey would be over.
This section seemed to be just miles and miles of abandoned service stations and motels. Just shows how busy this route was in its heyday. Now to get from one side of the country to the other its just a few hours in a jet.
Someone with too much time and too long in the desert
So we kept moving and we finally made it to Los Angeles. The End of the Road. Santa Monica Pier.
So, a wonderful trip. So much to see. We spent a couple of days in LA enjoying that city, especially going on board the Queen Mary. A very special place to have lunch on our last day before returning our car and meeting up with our daughter at the airport for our flight home.
Poo with daughters trip mascot in the airline lounge.The end of a wonderful month in America.
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