You write:
>Enjoyed your note about Rt 66.
>I turn a magical birthday (ending in a 0) next May and am considering
taking
>my Harley out west to Rt 66. Although I enjoy driving my TR's, I really
want
>to bike it - I think. Any recomendations? Is it easy to get rooms?
>Any sights you recomend to see?
>Regards,
>Steve Thornton
Buy yourself a map. I bought a map detailling all of the sections of old
Route 66 from Chicago to Sant Monica. Sometimes it is not so evident what
roads are Route 66 and this map helps a lot. As for what to see, well,
what can I say?
Illinois: There is Lincoln's home in Springfield, Ill.
Missouri: If you like caves there are Meramec Caverns and Onondaga Cave.
Onondaga Cave is reputedly one of the most beautiful caves with many
stalagtights and stalagmights.
Also there is a Civil War (er, War Between The States) battle site near
Springfield (MO)
Oklahoma. The Chisolm Trail crosses the highway in two places. (Well, the
old trail and the new trail) And you can visit the birthplace of Garth
Brooks!
Texas: Amarillo is the home of the Quarter Horse Museum. And you can get
a 72 oz steak for free! All you have to do is eat the whole thing in 1
hour. And all the trimmings.
New Mexico: Visit the Sant Fe trail. Also see the continental divide!
Arizona: You can "Stand on a corner in Winslo, Arizona." The Great Meteor
Crater is just 6 miles off of the highway. The Grand Canyon is just 60
miles from Williams, AZ. The drive from Seligman to Kingman is nice
(Didn't Timothy McVey live in Kingman for a while?) And the route through
Oatman is a Must Drive! And Oatman is an old ghost town which is playing
up itself quite admirably. There are lots of bars and at least 1 hotel.
And wild mules, too.
California: More desert. You can buy the most expensive gas in the US in
needles! Oy! If you are a geology buff the old highway runs past
(through) a dry lake bed between Needles and Barstow, CA.
As for where to stay: I had no trouble finding a hotel (Super 8) but it
makes one meloncolly to see the remnants of what used to be a vibrant
economy along the old route now deserted due to lack of traffic. But lack
of traffic is what makes the drive fun. The old two lanes can be quite
aggrevating when you are following some pensioner driving his motor home
towing his boat and obviously in no hurry. I encountered 5 - 6 cars on the
70 miles from Seligman to Kingman and no traffic what-so-ever in the 40
miles from Kingman to the California border. But the route reconnects with
the new Interstate and there are plenty of hotels (mostly chains, but not
all) at these crossroads.
I say don't plan anything, just drive. Allot yourself about a week (more
if you can) and stop at the places that interest you. And remember, there
is the escape route - the interstate can take you home quickly.
Have fun.
Dave (I have a major case of wanderlust) Massey
Writing from beautiful downtown San Bernardino, Ca
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