Route 66

Believe it or not, I just did it this weekend...accidentally, sort of. My parents begged me to go on a last minute trip to our families reunion in Oklahoma. I hopped on a plane in LA, flew to Phoenix, and then began a LONG trek across Arizona, New Mexico, Texas, Oklahoma, and (ultimately) Kansas.

We pit stopped in a small town of Tucumcari, New Mexico and "accidentally" stayed at the Blue Swallow Motel. It was cheap and cute and we were dead tired. We marveled at all the old businesses that had closed, the neon signs, and the uniqueness of the town. I started doing some "travel reading" on my Sidekick while we drove and my parents and I discussed how sad it was how all these towns died with the introduction of the Interstate system. On Monday night, we went to see the new Disney Pixar movie "Cars" with my children...not knowing that it was a movie about Route 66. WOW! I was soooo into that movie and so wishing we had made more stops along the way. I even got misty eyed over the poor towns that were now reduced to near-ghost towns...very sad how much culture was lost and how many story they still have to tell.

We've now planned a 2 week road trip in the fall to take in all the sites along this historic route. I hope that it will help my children and myself understand the significance of the route and breathe a little life back into these little lost gems.

I HIGHLY recommend you make the trip (and see the movie!)

You made me want to see the movie (something I wasn't the least interested in doing)

Going to do craploads of research, the idea was to do this within 3 years or so, after I reach a couple of personal milestones

I live off I-66.. does that count?

I've been planning to do it on my bike sometime soon after summer is over.

Most of it, if not all has been dug up, or closed. There may be one stretch left.

skip the trip and just watch this movie

really, the little i've read about it did state a few sections were closed but nothing major :S

Ha Christopher LLoyd rocks

Actually, there is MUCH of the old highway (and it's nostalgia) to enjoy. Will you have to hop on I-40 in many locations? Yes. But can you still enjoy (and patronize) the many places that have endured the test of time and continue to hold the flavor (and fun!) of the old route? YES!



Cuba, Missouri:





Tucumcari, New Mexico:
(where we stayed and ate. AWESOME food!)





There are so many other cool places that I would like to visit. I never thought I would say that I am looking forward to a long road trip! haha

i likely will at the end of july for the same reasons u opened this thread.

i like the 5 minute cussing session with mike j fox