What an experience traveling Route 66, or what is known as the Mother Road from Hamel, Illinois to California. We met many interesting people along the way that shared their experiences and where the trouble spots were. Most of the roads were paved and well kept, but occassionally we would come across a part of 66 that was questionable. We left Hamel and headed to MO, from there to OK which had the original brick road that ran 9 miles. It was a little bumpy along the way, but well worth it. Route 66 took us through the panhandle of Texas which was hot, hot, hot. Lots of prairie and tumbleweed. Traveled through Groom, TX where you will find the Leaning Water Tower and the 2nd tallest cross, Effingham, IL having the tallest. From there we visited the grave yard of several cadillac's. Buryed right into the ground. Seems like when visiting this site everyone brings spray paint and does their graffiti. From there we went to the Palo Duro Canyon Park. Very desolate and dry, yet very intriging. The one thing we were hoping to see was their Road Runner but I think it was too hot even for them. We had temperatures reach 110 in the desert areas with not a breath of air stirring.
In Adrian, TX we reached the midway of Route 66. Some neat shops at midway and it is where we met some others traveling the same route going West to East instead of East to West. Our last stop in Texas was a Ghost Town right on the TX, NM line. It's sad to see the towns gone to waste and knowing that someone had to leave it all behind to make way for progress.
Upon entering NM we came across a sign that warned that certain larger cars could not pass through this tunnel to continue enroute. It wasn't so much the height at 13'11", but the width. Very close quarters. Continued onward to the San Ildefonso Pueblo Village. We were able to walk around the village, but some areas were off limits, such as their sacred monuments, plus we were told in no uncertain words that we were not to approach the Indians who lived there or take pictures unless permission was given. As it was we had to pay to even take pictures of their village.
In Laguna, NM we hit the Continential Divide. Traveled into Gallup and had lunch at the famous El Rancho Hotel, where many of the past movie stars stayed. After lunch traveled onward to AZ and drove through the Painted Desert/Petrified Park. Even came across some elk grazing beside the road. Left there and took a side trip to the Grand Canyon. What a sight. It is breathtaking. You just stand there in awe.
Traveled to Williams, AZ where they were having a Route 66 car show. Everyone drove their antique car into town to display. From one end of the town to the next was lined with vintage cars. From there to Oakman where the mules run free in the streets. The town puts on reinactments of western gunfights a couple times a day. It was fun.
Driving westward into CA was hard. The Mohave Desert was so desolate. Hours upon hours driving through this dry land. We only saw one other car on Route 66 as we made our way in and out of the desert. It was very much a challenge as we made our way through the heat and the sand. My sister says, she hopes never to see another desert.
All in all we had a great time.
