Anyone here ever take the ROUTE 66 trip from CA. to Illinois or Illinois to CA.? I'm planning

[in_cog_ni_to]

to take my son on the old Route 66 trip, but probably not all the way to CA. and just wondered if anyone here had experienced the trip? What was it like? Was it fun? Were there lots of things to see and do? I just ordered some Route 66 travel books and maps and am hoping they'll be helpful in planning the road trip, but thought I'd see if any DUers have ever done the Route and could give me some pointers of where to go and what to see...what to avoid? I'll be leaving from Illinois and probably go as far as Oklahoma, maybe NM....dunno yet. Any pointers?

[Whoa_Nelly]

1. There iare more Route 66 miles in OK than in any other state.

Hope you do get to do this trip! Have always wnated to do it, too! :hi:

Am sure you've checked out all the Route 66 links online. Take a look at Google images for it, too.

[in_cog_ni_to]

3. Yes, I just ordered some books and maps for the Route. Since OK has more Route 66 miles than

any other state...I'm FOR SURE driving AT LEAST that far! It sounds like so much fun to me. My parents were both born and raised in OK so I may just have to travel to their old home town.....Ponca City, while I'm there. I haven't been to OK since I was a kid (a couple of years ago);).

[Whoa_Nelly]

8. There are a lot of good photo ops in OK

For the old motel signs and the old buildings. Sure, some of them are pretty run down or derelict, but that can make for even more interesting photography!

...*ahem* and we DO expect to see lots of pics if you make the trip! ;)

[rwork]

4. Check out the round barn

in Okla.,completly restored.Built by a German farmer close to 100 years ago.The acoustics are weird.When you speak it is like being at the focal point of a satellite dish where every sound comes back to your ears.

[in_cog_ni_to]

7. Ok. I will! Sounds pretty cool.

:) Thanks!:hi:

[rasputin1952]

6. I took a part of it, and some of it merges w/the Interstate

system, some of it is as lonely as one could imagine. In AZ, there are some beautiful sites, as well as in NM...Oklahoma is barren except for a few smaller towns. If you ever get on the Will Rogers Freeway, take a leak before you attempt to make it through...there are NO rest stops except these horrid little pull-offs that consist of a picnic table and a 55 gal drum used as a trash barrel that never gets emptied. I think they just let whatever is in them rot, and that makes a little extra room for the next bag w/a dirty diaper in it...x(

There are a few things to see, that is for sure, but be prepared for some serious stretches where you have no choice bu to bond w/the young-un...:D The travel books tend to hype the whole Rt 66 thing, and a few places actually make a living off it...Think "Grapes of Wrath", it hasn't changed much...:D

[skipos]

2. I'm curious about it too...nt

[helderheid]

5. Well if you ever plan to motor west

Travel my way
Take the highway that's the best
Get your kicks on Route 66

Well it winds from Chicago
To LA
More than two thousand miles
All the way
Get your kicks on Route 66

Well it goes to St. Louis
Down to Missouri
Oklahoma City looks oh so pretty
You'll see Amarillo
Gallup, New Mexico
Flagstaff, Arizona
Don't forget Winona
Kingman, Barstow, San Bernardino

If you get hip to this kind of trip
And go take that California trip
Get your kicks on Route 66

Well it goes to St. Louis
Down to Missouri
Oklahoma City looks oh so pretty
You'll see Amarillo
Gallup, New Mexico
Flagstaff, Arizona
Don't forget Winona
Kingman, Barstow, San Bernardino

If you get hip to this kind of trip
And go take that California trip
Get your kicks on Route 66

:hi:

[KansDem]

14. !

[in_cog_ni_to]

17. I have that song on CD...it'll be going with me!

:7

:hi:

[Canuckistanian]

33. Lyrics by Bobby Troup

Probably better known as Dr. Joe Early on the TV series "Emergency!"



More interesting trivia (if you're interested)

Bobby married Julie London, famous for her hit song "Cry Me a River" after Julie's divorce from Jack Webb of "Dragnet" fame.

Jack didn't hold any grudges, though. As producer for Emergency!, he cast them both for the show, with Julie playing the role of Nurse Dixie McCall.

[AllegroRondo]

9. I used to live on route 66 in Missouri

its been badly cut up and hard to follow since I-44 went through. Some parts are well marked and in good shape, some are hard to find and full of holes, and some just arent there anymore.

When you get to Waynesville, stop and see the frog. Its a large rock overlooking the road. For years people said it looked like a frog, until finally some high school kids went up and painted it green. Now they even have a summer festival called "frog days".

[ayeshahaqqiqa]

10. Rt. 66 goes through Springfield MO

and even though it is the home of John Ashcroft, there are some interesting things to see--just off Rt. 66 is the Shrine Mosque, which is really neat, architecturally. Be sure to eat downtown at Riad's (the best hummus and baba ganush I've ever had) where you can look at the square where was a real Wild West gunfight in the 1870s (I think it was Wild Bill Hickock, but I'm not certain).

You are near Wilson's Creek Battlefield, one of the first battles of the Civil War, and when you go towards OK, you'll be close to the George Washington Carver birthplace.

Sigh. I remember driving Rt. 66 when it was the way to get to Chicago.

[in_cog_ni_to]

15. There are many State Route 66 Historical organizations now and they each are trying to restore old

buildings, signs, stores, restaurants along the route. They also do indepth research into where the old route 66 was and give the turn by turn directions on how to follow it off and on the new roads. Some of the old route is just GONE, but they guide you to points along the way where it still exists, show you where old original gas stations are (restored), old restaurants that have been there from day one, original mom and pop stores, all-night diners and historical buildings. One picture I saw was an old court house/jail (?) and their phone was ON THE ROOF...it's still there!:) I love this kind of history.:loveya: I'm REALLY looking forward to the trip.

Thanks for the tips for Springfield, MO.! I've made note of them and will make it a point to see them.:hi:

[ayeshahaqqiqa]

26. One of the original Steak n Shakes is on Rt 66

in downtown Springfield, just a couple blocks from the Shrine Mosque. I figured since you are from Illinois, you know about these. If you don't--this one is like the one that was on the banks of the Boney (Boneyard Creek) in Champaign IL in the 1950s.

[in_cog_ni_to]

29. We have a Steak and Shake in our town. LOVE their milk shakes. I'd love to see an original.

It's still in business then?

[ayeshahaqqiqa]

31. Oh yeah

last fall, Riad's was closed, and we ate there. Chili mac-baked beans-steakburgers-and the incredible shakes--oh yeah!

[Louis C. Phurye]

11. Done the Illinois section.

It was great. Springfield is a great town. Got to check out all the Lincoln stuff too. The little greasy spoon diners are cool as is the old time signage. There are still some old Route 66 motels left too, that you can stay at. Albuquerque still has a lot of vintage Route 66 culture as do other out of the way places like Gallup NM.

[devilgrrl]

12. Yep, thought we actually cut in at St. Louis....

all the way the California.

Was it fun? Absolutely!

We stopped at the Merrimac Caverns in Missouri, Cadillac Ranch in Amarillo, TX. Stayed in Tucumcari, NM, etc. and hit the Grand Canyon in Arizona!

Do it do it do it!

[KansDem]

13. Are you planning on taking a vintage Corvette?

...just asking.

[in_cog_ni_to]

16. No, but I wouldn't mind taking the dude standing at the Corvette..:) Is that Troy Donahue &

Anthony Perkins? Looks like 'em!

[KansDem]

19. Close...guy on the right is Martin Milner...

Guy on the left is (I think) George Maharis.

Route 66
The cast was a virtual "who's who" of Hollywood from 1960-64.

[in_cog_ni_to]

22. Yikes! Missed that one by a mile!

I coulda sworn that was Perkins and Donahue.:(

[lies and propaganda]

18. I have property in Northern Arizona along Route 66

and its hilarious as hell. Kitsch to the max!

[Beaverhausen]

20. Are you old enough to remember all the words to the song?

I moved across country and my mom came along. We were on Route 66 for part of the way, and every time we saw a sign for a city mentioned in the song, she'd sing it. Fortunately, she has a good singing voice!

Have fun!

Get your kicks on Route 66!

[in_cog_ni_to]

21. No, but I have the song on CD. My son's gonna KILL ME because I plan on playing it

often!:7 Just for him!:rofl:

[knight_of_the_star]

23. What's the endpoint in CA?

Should have a good idea about some places to hit up near that point

[XOKCowboy]

24. Santa Monica Blvd as the song says....

My grandparents took it many times back in the late 30s and 40s from Oklahoma when it was still a dirt road in a lot of places. I heard tons of stories about their travels.

Anyway it ends on Santa Monica Boulevard at the ocean.

http://www.cart66pf.org/Map/66west.htm

Get yr kicks on Rt. 66!

[MurrayDelph]

25. Haven't done it yet, but it's on the list

Three years ago, I drove my later father's car out from Los Angeles to its new home in Orlando.

For decades, Interstate 10, where it begins in Santa Monica, has had a sign declaring it to be the "Christopher Columbus
Transcontinental Highway." It stops being Freeway in Jacksonville, but we found the road that ends in a parking lot by the beach.

I have seen parts of Route 66 in Pomona, CA (along Foothill Blvd, a nice street), and in downtown Phoenix (Van Buren Blvd, NOT a
nice street; unless you like ugly streetwalkers).

Have fun.

[Warren DeMontague]

27. Years ago. At least parts of it. There was some interesting stuff to see.

I think the Will Rogers museum, some giant totem poles.. the cadillac ranch in Texas I believe. I think most of that was on the old 66 route. Worlds-largest-ball-of-twine type stuff, but fun if you're so inclined.

[XOKCowboy]

28. There is a loop of the original 66 around Holbrook AZ...

that is worth seeing. There are (were) a few old restored 30's era diners and motels with tons of memorabilia. My parents and grandparents used to tell me stories of loading up the Packard and driving to LA from Oklahoma to see our cousins back in the 30s. At the time 66 was still partly unpaved and the cars had no air conditioning. Now that must have really been an adventure.

[in_cog_ni_to]

36. I just had to post this here! I just got a book, "As The Story Goes..." 'A Unique Collection of

Useless Information That Should Not Be Lost To Time.' by John and Lenore Weiss. It's a bunch of stories from old timers about Route 66. VERY entertaining tales about Al Capone, Dillinger, Nat King Cole, Steven Spielberg, and other notable people and not so notable people.:)

The town my S-I-L grew up in use to be the Route 66 House of ill-repute stop!:rofl: Godley Illinois. The Red Light district house was build right on the Will County/Grundy County line. When the Will County cops came to raid the house, they would run over to the Grundy side of the house and when the Grundy County cops came to raid, they would run to the Will County side of the house.:rofl: I now look at Godley Illinois in a WHOLE NEW LIGHT! I've been there many, many times over the years and never knew its history.:) Enlightening!

I was reading through the book today and came across some excerpts from a '1947 Journal of a trip on Route 66' and read THIS:

AUGUST 27 ARIZONA: "Went through Holbrook, the town that the law of the west considers the toughest town of the west. They actually go around with six shooters just as they do in the movies. Even the Indians look tough." I thought of your post in this thread and just had to share this little note from a journal.;)

[Canuckistanian]

30. That's one trip I'd like to take

I know the song off by heart because I've been hearing since I was five years old.

The National Geographic did an article about it in 2002. Here's the link to the article:
http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2002/01/0102_020104wir66.html

[misanthrope]

32. Considering gas prices...

...I assume you're taking an armored truck to carry all the money you'll need.

[in_cog_ni_to]

37. NOPE. I drive a Prius.

:) :hi:

[TahitiNut]

34. I did the trip with my parents in 1952 - the "hey day" of Route 66. Detroit-Chicago-St.Lous-L.A.

I was 9 years old. It took us over 5 days. It was an adventure! Burma Shave signs. Dinosaur parks, Mom&Pop diners, and all manner of roadside amusements. Gas stations gave away maps for free. Mobil, Phillips 66, Sunoco, Shandard Oil, Texaco, Pure ... competed on price, service, restrooms, and the quality of their maps.

I remember that downtown Las Vegas was far more active than the 'strip' - and the thumbing cowboy was the largest neon sign. I remember when truck drivers were the "knights of the road." I remember the Petrified Forest. I remember when Albuquerque was nothing but single story buildings and lots of neon after dark. I remember that Amarillo smelled like cows. I remember that Missouri retail businesses had these little plastic coins ("millage") because of fractional sales tax. I remember all the miniature golf courses.

... and the sunsets! Awesome.

We saw car license plates from every state in the country. Everyone was a "road warrior' -- off to see America.

[in_cog_ni_to]

40. Sounds awesome! There's a restored 'Original' Phillips 66 'filling station' in Dwight, Illinois

which has been kept as it was back in its day. The picture of it brought back a lot of memories! Do you remember when Texaco would hand out weiner whistles and Texaco red suckers with a fill up? I do! It was a real treat when we stopped for gas.:) The 'filling stations' used their "bathrooms" to lure in the travelers for business. "Clean Bathroom" signs were everywhere. SOME 'filling stations' even hired NURSES to travel around to their various stations and do health/cleanliness tests! :) I am really looking forward to this trip. The more I read about it, the more I want to go...NOW.

[Hobo]

35. On several Trips I have gone from Chicago to Santa Fe NM

Great drive! US 55, 270, 44, 40. Oklahoma has most still left. What to see.

Cadilac ranch amarillo, Tucumcari NM, Tulsa Ok.....its all good.


Peace

Hobo

:beer: :toast:

[seabeyond]

38. i am in amarillo, rt 66 c0ming right thru. give me a shout, i will buy you

a lunch.

[in_cog_ni_to]

41. No kidding?! I'd love to meet you, sea! When we decide exactly when we're leaving, I'll

PM you and set something up. Sounds great!:hi:

[seabeyond]

43. sounds great to me and easy as pie. anytime.... n/t

[Paulie]

39. You'll be driving near me, Joliet Rd becomes I-55 around here

:)

My mother took it when she moved to California in the 50's, and then back to Chicago. But parts of that road are gone, should be a fun trip though.

[in_cog_ni_to]

42. I just bought a book from a local Route 66 Historian, John Weiss. He lives in Wilmington and he has

shown some old sections of the road that are still in Joliet. I plan on startng the trip in Joliet (been to Chicago many times already), even though it's North of me, and seeing those sections...just because it sounds like fun and Joliet isn't very far from me. Plus, there's a few Historic things to see there..:) I've traveled the Route 66 around Elwood, (my Dad is buried at the Abraham Lincoln National Cemetary) Wilmington, Braidwood, Gardner and Braceville. I just never knew the history or the places to look for while I was on it. It'll be more fun this time, I'm sure.