As a child I was always curious about people and I still am. I’m curious about their life, interests and experiences which is one of the reasons why I love to travel. I love to see different places , but my preferred form of travel is by airplane due to my impatient nature. I want to get to where I’m going and fast. When my good friend Michelle told me her sister Kim was driving to their house from across the country because it was part of their Route 66 tour I became curious. My only knowledge about Route 66 is from the popular song sung by Nat King Cole. When I’m curious I ask a lot of questions and Kim graciously agreed to answer them and share her experience with me.
How did you become interested in taking this road trip?
It all started with our 30th anniversary trip to Santa Fe, NM three years ago. As part of the trip, my husband and I thought it would be a fun adventure to drive a section of historic Rt. 66 from Albuquerque, NM to Flagstaff, AZ. We had such a good time exploring that we decided to do another leg of the highway this year, from Webb City, MO to Santa Fe, NM. The entire highway goes from Chicago to Los Angeles and we are looking forward to more “kicks on Rt. 66” when we explore the remaining two segments of the “Mother Road” (Chicago to Webb City and eventually, Flagstaff to Santa Monica). The nickname, “Mother Road”, was coined by John Steinbeck in his novel, Grapes of Wrath.
What is the name of the book/guide you used to plan your route?
EZ 66 Guide for Travelers by Jerry McClanahan
We found this book to be very helpful and easy to follow. It is a spiral bound guide with convenient page format, maps, tips, attractions and more. The author actually lives just off Rt. 66 in Oklahoma.
What are one or two fun facts you learned about Route 66?
The route, which goes through eight states, is about 2,448 miles long. The Kansas segment is the shortest of the whole highway, barely spanning 13 miles. However, it is one of the purest segments since you cannot see any interstates. The New Mexico segment is the longest of them all: 392 miles. Highly recommend tackling Rt. 66 in pieces so you can fully enjoy! The Webb City to Santa Fe drive took us 3 days – well spent.
In 1926 only 800 miles of Route 66 were paved. It was only in 1937 that Route 66 was paved end to end. Today, you can still drive down a narrow 9 ft. stretch of the 1920’s road called “Ribbon Road” between Afton and Miami in Oklahoma.
This 190 foot cross (19 stories) billed as the “Largest Cross in the Western Hemisphere” was found along the way in Groom, Texas.
I love a good restaurant recommendation and this was a fun place Kim and her husband stopped to eat in Amarillo, Texas.
Kim is someone living curiously and patiently navigating all of Route 66 with her husband by her side. I commend her for her patience to soak in the sights along Route 66 and be open to life’s simple joys like the beautiful sunset above. Beauty is everywhere and sometimes I need to get my head out of the clouds to notice it. If you are planning a road trip you may want to check out Route 66. Thanks for sharing your pictures and experience Kim.
I would be happy to get in a car and drive Route 66 or any other part of the country…if I had time to stop whenever something caught my interest. My hubby, though, he is just as ready to get on a plane and get to his destination. I am up for the adventure. Maybe someday!
Good for you Chloe! I wish I was a little more that way. I think beautiful scenery and no traffic always helps! It sounds like your husband and I would be good traveling companions 🙂
Love this! This is a perfect example of the journey, not the destination!
I always said if I could time travel, I’d love to go back to the glory days of Route 66!
Yes it is Jeanene. I’m guilty of missing out on the journey. You should add Route 66 to your bucket list 🙂
Looks like fun… just meandering along and stopping to see anything that catches your eye! I think I have been on portions of Route 66, but never end to end. As I get older, I think I get more concerned about having concrete plans. I like to know where I will be sleeping – and when I’ll be able to call it a day and relax with a glass of wine:)
I’m with you Seana! I enjoy a nice spa, but I’m usually up for an adventure. I like to have a plan. I think the Route 66 guide book is for the planners like me.
Looks interesting but I’m with you Dawn I prefer to travel via plane. I can’t sit too long in a car.