On a trip to Peru, we met a couple whose dream trip
in America was to drive along Route 66. This iconic highway has a reputation in
song and literature that has expanded beyond the borders of the country in
which it is located.
The myths and mysteries of this legendary highway are covered in great detail in Drew Knowles’ updated fifth edition of Route 66 Adventure Handbook (Santa Monica Press/ May 2017). If you’ve ever thought of traveling on the “Mother Road” of America, this is the one book to keep handy on your road trip. For Knowles, the journey becomes the destination—stopping along the way is as important as reaching a specific point.
Opened in 1926, Route 66 was almost discarded when
cars started zipping along super highways and interstate freeways that bypassed
its treasures. But a renewed interest in the cultural and social history
represented along its byways began in the 1990s, and the route is once again a
highlight of many tourists, both domestic and foreign.
How long will it take to drive the entire route of
2,451 miles? You could spend two weeks driving around 200-300 miles a day, but
that would only allow time to visit the most popular sites and main cities.
Better to plan a month-long road trip to allow for a more authentic experience
visiting historic downtowns of scattered communities, stopping for a burger and
root beer at a local soda shop, perusing antique shops, and spending a few
nights in original 1950s motels.
At each way point,
Knowles provides detailed information about far more attractions than one road
trip can cover. So, even if you make a comprehensive plan, allow for unexpected
diversions that are sure to happen when you travel deliberately, meander
purposefully, and take time to visit with people as well as places. After all,
that’s what a journey on Route 66 is all about.
Photos from free sources
The myths and mysteries of this legendary highway are covered in great detail in Drew Knowles’ updated fifth edition of Route 66 Adventure Handbook (Santa Monica Press/ May 2017). If you’ve ever thought of traveling on the “Mother Road” of America, this is the one book to keep handy on your road trip. For Knowles, the journey becomes the destination—stopping along the way is as important as reaching a specific point.
The quirky side trips on Route 66 appeal to a new
kind of traveler, the “heritage tourist,” people more interested in exploring
the roots of America than overcrowded theme parks or bustling city attractions.
For these tourists Knowles covers offbeat roadside attractions, vintage motels
and cafes, unique museums, Art Deco architecture, and amazing natural wonders
on this vintage road.
Knowles starts off telling how Route 66 came to be
and then suggests ways to get the most from your journey along the highway.
Recognizing that businesses and attractions are continually changing, he
admonishes travelers to keep an open mind and a wandering spirit. Just let
yourself discover whatever comes along at each turn in the road.
Maps, navigational guidance, GPS coordinates, and plentiful
photos will help you plan your trip and find specific points of interest. The
book is divided into sections for each state through which Route 66 passes:
Illinois, Missouri, Kansas, Oklahoma, Texas, New Mexico, Arizona, and
California. If you can’t make the entire drive, you can easily plot your path
through the states and along the paths of Route 66 that are most appealing.
Photos from free sources
Posts
2 comments:
I have always wanted to travel along Route 666!I'd be especially interested in stopping at the small towns along the way. They have always facinated me.
It's definitely an interesting road trip, especially if you love small town Americana.
Post a Comment