There is something incredibly special about traveling Route 66; The American classic road trip. I recently connected with someone on Twitter who said he has gone out and discovered something new along the Route over 200 times – very impressive I’d say.
The American Classic Road Trip
While I don’t think I’m up for 200 visits, I would – in a heartbeat – retrace our journey, but only if we had more time. When you come across a treasure such as Galena, KS or Tucumcari, NM, you just want to stay put for a day or two, put your feet up and catch your breath.
When you have to breeze through a town in order to make your next destination, it leaves you feeling as if you missed something. I think we may have missed quite a few somethings, but we also saw so much and thoroughly enjoyed each moment.
Back in Familiar Territory
By the time we crossed into Arizona, we were back in familiar territory. We spent the night in Santa Fe, NM, primarily because we were scouting it out as a possible vacation location for ourselves and our friends. We did return the next year and spent a fabulous week enjoying everything Santa Fe and the surrounding area had to offer, but that’s another story.
I will tell you though that if you have the opportunity to visit Santa Fe, be sure to see the Loretto Chapel. The chapel itself is beautiful, but the story of the staircase is extraordinary and should not be missed. And take an afternoon to visit the Taos Pueblo, a living pueblo dating back 1,000 years. Two extraordinary Route 66 side trip experiences no one should miss.
Walnut Canyon
We planned our nine nights on the road to maximize time spent in states we’d never previously visited, so by the time we reached Arizona, we really had to put the pedal to the metal so to speak. After leaving NM we spent the night in Flagstaff and made a quick stop at Walnut Canyon – a place we had visited years before.
Unfortunately, mother nature felt it necessary to roll a huge storm through the area leaving fallen trees and boulders on the trails so we weren’t able to hike to the cliff dwellings. We are 2 and 0 for Walnut Canyon. Maybe the 3rd time will be the charm – someday.
Life After Dusk
Our last night on the road was in Laughlin, NV, I know… why? Well, we had to stop somewhere and we’d never been – nor will we ever go again – but it was interesting to see, although it was sweltering hot at 112 degrees. We stayed at a hotel/casino right on the Colorado River and that was lovely, especially since the room rate was $40/night.
Definitely an oasis in the middle of the desert, albeit an odd one. We couldn’t figure out why all of the riverside bars and beach activities closed so early… until we saw the critters come out after dusk – then we knew!
We Turned North
And so the last morning dawned. Leaving Laughlin we made our way home driving the last 539 miles in one very long day. We stopped briefly in Needles and then drove across the desert toward Barstow. We stopped in a tiny little town called, Daggett, to take in a bit of California history. While having lunch in Barstow we took some time to visit a small Route 66 Museum near the Harvey House.
From Barstow, Route 66 heads southwest, ending in Santa Monica. Sadly though, we turned north and headed home. All good things must come to and end – or so they say.
Route 66 Road Trip – Recap
We drove 2,478 miles on our Route 66 road trip in just nine days, and we filled all nine of those days with as much as we possibly could. The cheapest gas we found on the road was $3.69/gallon in Springfield, MO. We saw a massive warehouse in the middle of nowhere near Coffeyville, KS and it turned out to be an Amazon distribution center. Who knew?
We discovered the delightful happy hour experience at Sonic Drive-Ins and we took two road trip side trips so that I could walk in the path of Laura Ingalls Wilder, someone I admire greatly.
Life-Illuminating
I cannot say Route 66 road trip was a life-changing experience, but it was definitely life-illuminating. As a result of our little drive along Route 66 we have a good understanding of what it means to be from the heartland of America, or what newscasters mean when they refer to the Bible belt of America. We witnessed first hand the loss of so many small towns when the Interstate highway system was built, which diverted traffic away from the local businesses. America was on the move and no longer had time to stop at mom and pop diners.
It was good to see so many communities who have volunteers working diligently to keep the Route alive and it was good to take time to remember those who lost their lives in the Oklahoma City bombing.
It has been great fun for me to relive our Route 66 experience as we mark the 5th anniversary of our drive in July 2008. Thanks so much for reading. I hope one day you’ll have the opportunity to drive the American classic road trip known as – Route 66.
I really want to do Route 66 – it just seems like such a perfect, classic American roadtrip.
And I didn’t even know Sonics had happy hours! We don’t have many in the Northeast, but when I was travelling for races we had just about every meal at one.
Jess recently posted…Eating Your Way Through New England at the Big E
That’s exactly what it is – the perfect classic American road trip, with a dash of nostalgia. It’s epic! Thanks so much for reading!
Patti, as you know I consider myself your biggest fan of this ongoing Route 66 post thread. But, as you know I’m also sad it’s come to end. I’m excited for your next journey and I will right back on that bandwagon as well! 🙂 I can’t wait to take this trip in a few years myself and I will absolutely be referencing all of your posts for suggestions and ideas! 🙂 Keep up the fantastic writing, my friend…
Mike recently posted…My Golden Retriever, Phoenix, His Dream Come True Meal
Thanks Mike! I hope you and Phoenix do get to make the trip, I know you’d love it!
Good to hear you’ll soon be back on the road! Thanks for posting all your Route 66 tales, it’s been great and has inspired us to take on the trip in 2015; we will take your advice about spending longer than two weeks for the trip though.
Amy recently posted…Discovering the Banaue Rice Terraces
Yes, Amy, our tourist season is winding down and we are ready to take a good long break. Hopefully, if you do make it to the U.S. in 2015 we’ll somehow cross paths, would love to meet!
I can relate to making so many miles in so few days. I love the route 66 history and stopping any where that’s an off-the-super-highway places to visit. Our cheapest motel prices that don’t have any cigarette smoke to gross you out is Boomtown Casino, Reno, Nevada.
Neva Fels recently posted…A ferocious, but nice Viking named Hiccup
Oh – totally understand about the cigarette smoke, absolutely not an option for us. I’ll have to check out Boomtown the next time we visit Reno. Thanks for reading!
I’ve enjoyed traveling along with you in your Rt. 66 posts. We spent a night once in Laughlin — I wish I could remember the place, because it was actually pretty cool and away from the casinos. However, I admit I enjoyed the casinos, too. Made a little money, if I recall correctly. 🙂
Cathy Sweeney recently posted…A Secret Revealed: Puglia, Ti Amo
Laughlin is an interesting place – looks as if it sprung up right smack on the Nevada border so they could build another gambling mecca. Thanks for following along with me and as always, thanks for reading.
You really should check out Oatman AZ along old 66. The wild burros that roam freely on the street are quite a sight. Tiny town but very different experience. I loved visiting it (didn’t spend the night – don’t know if you can).
Thanks so much for the tip Barb – I will remember that for the next time we pass through that way, would love to see it. Thanks so much for reading!
I’d love to do this some day!! Tyrhone would absolutely be up for this drive, so I’m sure it will be on the cards for us at some stage. Only 2 and a half months till you hit the road again!! Awesome 🙂
Sarah Somewhere recently posted…On Weathering Storms and Turning Corners
It is an amazing experience to drive Route 66 and I would encourage anyone to take it on – just give yourself ample time because there is so much to see and do. Yep, we’re heading out again and looking forward to it. Big huge loop around the U.S., I love an epic road trip. Thanks so much for reading, Sarah!
Wow, that’s a lot of miles to cover in nine days. Looks fun. I’m excited to taste some of the Route 66 culture in New Mexico.
Lance | Trips By Lance recently posted…Ready to Explore Albuquerque Culture
It was a fast drive, but we made the most of the time we had! Thanks for reading and I’m sure you’ll enjoy Albuquerque!
We have a great photo of the Roadkill Cafe on Old Rte 66 in Seligman AZ that we love. We’ll have your Gallup NM post up on Wednesday. I love it!
santafetraveler recently posted…Photo of the Week: The Railyard at night
Seligman, AZ is too fun! Out in the middle of nowhere and hanging on to its Route 66 claim to fame, well-worth a stop!
a wonderful tour, I’ve never made it to the walnut canyon hike either or Laughlin for that matter oh well another time.
Hope you can link this up to Travel Photo MOndays Patti 🙂
noel morata recently posted…Cornerstone gardens and design, Travel Photo Mondays #13
Thanks Noel. I wouldn’t go out of my way to visit Laughlin (sorry Laughlin) but being able to actually hike to the cliff dwellings would be worth the effort to get there. I can’t believe we’ve been twice and haven’t yet been able to make the hike! Oh well. I’ll head over and try to link up for Monday.