Day 7

Boy, is there a lot of desert out west! As we approached Laughlin Wednesday evening the sun was setting so the mountains were hazy, beautiful sillouettes. We had been in pretty high altitudes for a couple of days but most of the climbing had been gradual so it didn't seem extreme.....until the decent into Laughlin. Just as it got dark, we dropped about 3000 feet in 12 miles. There was a 6% downhill grade and our gas mileage registered about 120 miles per gallon. It was so cool but a little scary. Mark negotiated the mountain curves like a pro. We stayed at a casino on the CO river. Laughlin is a very nice place but at 106 degrees, we decided not to stick around too long. As we continued into the California high desert. the land became very desolate. We decided to stick to the interstate as much as possible because of the exreme conditions. We tried to re-join the route a couple of times but it was missing. One of the adventures of this trip is trying to find existing sections of 66 in some parts of the country. We did take a couple of the better loops but after Barstow we gave up. There was a cool little diner/coffee shop in Ludlow but we weren't hungry so we moved on. We saw a huge solar collection field near Daggett, CA. Impressive!! We travelled through mountain ranges named Dead Mtns, Sacramento Mtns, Piute Mtns, Clipper, Marble, Bristol....you get the picture. All of these ranges surround the Mojave Desert. after Victorville, we started the downhill into San Bernadino. Knowing that the ocean was so close, we clipped along the rest of the way straight to Balboa Peninsula. It was decided that the LA section of Route 66 needs to be attempted seperately over a few days. Too much congestion to slow down and look at anything. We will visit part of it today but have decided that it merits another trip....going west to east to see everything that we have missed. We spent the afternoon on the beach at Balboa and then met mom & Bob for dinner on the island. It was a perfect ending to part 1 of our adventure. Today we will head up the CA coastline. After all of that barren desert, it will be heaven to follow the ocean for a few days. Don't misunderstand, the desert has it's own powerful beauty. But it is a threatening environment and there are signs everywhere (especially on the route) of those that tried to make a go of it there and failed. 78 degrees with sand ending in water is much more our style!

Days 5-whenever

Music on the Plaza in Santa Fe

Well, we've learned that much of northern AZ is not wireless-friendly. After leaving Santa Fe, we were'nt very successful finding wireless venues. We've even found a non-wireless Starbucks!!! Anyway....from Sante Fe, which was incredible by the way, we trekked across some of the most beautiful country so far on our way to Williams, AZ. Mesas of reds & browns, elk and free-range cattle everywhere. We followed the railroad most of the way so we saw plenty of very long trains. Stopped at one of the original Route 66 eateries, the Roadrunner cafe. food was not great but the atmosphere was cool. We've been trying to leave our money with the route locals as much as possible. Stopped in Winslow, AZ for the obligatory picture "on the corner". Turned out to be a great little community. Found a nice indy coffee place and a couple of decent gift shops. The people were very welcoming. As we moved through northern, AZ the land changed again. There is a definite feel of cowboy country down here. These people walk the talk. No trendy hats or boots, just jeans with Skol can rings worn into the pockets. We got to Williams in the afternoon and had a great night. Lots of local bars and restaurants all within walking distance from hotels. We stayed at the Grand Canyon Depot. Spent the evening enjoying live entertainment including music and a wild west shootout in the street. Hung out with several locals who were happy to share the local history. On Wednesday, we jumped on the Grand Canyon Express train for the trip to the south rim. More entertainment on the train. Spent the day hiking the rim trail. The canyon takes my breath away everytime I'm here. Pictures truly can not do it justice! After getting back to Williams, we took a sunset drive throught the mountains toward Kingman, AZ. We stopped at another historic cafe, The Copper Cart in Seligman for dinner. It was the BEST food on the route so far (except for those doughnuts). The sunset over the mountains was incredible. As we reached Kingman, we made the decision to go on to Laughlin, NV. A slight deviation from our route but a lot more fun. We've had great weather (80's & low 90's) the whole trip. As we decended into Laughlin we watched the temp rise to 101. It was 100 at 10 pm. I think we have found that extreme heat everyone hasbeen talking about. We will head into the California desert today so I'm sure there will be little relief until we get to the coast. I'm sure I'm forgetting so much but I will catch you up after I fuel up with breakfast. It is hard to believe that we are already halfway through our trip. Oh well, there is so much yet to come.....

Monday

When Lorrie says we found a great donut place, she means we found the greatest donut I have ever eaten and trust me I know donuts! I even bought a bag full to go. This trip is really almost too much to take in. When you are on the old route you feel like you are back in the 40's or 50's. I have gotten to know the road so well I can tell when we have ventured off the route and I can usually find my way back onto 66. As we pass old relic after old relic I kind of get mad at the people who are just letting this places fall apart. It can't be that hard to just do a little basic repair or upkeep. Kent and I could have one of these places back in business in a week. There are times when you don't see another car or person for an hour or so when you are on the actual route. I guess that may be why all the businesses went under, duh! Time to call it a night. A long trip to Williams AZ. tomorrow, 415 miles. I've got my bag a donuts to get me there!

More catching up

We have reached Santa Fe and are considering staying forever. What a beautiful place. We are using the wi-fi at a great indi book store/coffee shop. Here is how we got here... Day 3-4ish (I'm losing track). We departed Oklahoma yesterday but before leaving, took some time to wander the grounds of the Nat'l Route 66 museum in Elk City. It was closed (Sunday) but the place was impressive nontheless. As we headed west the landscape began to change dramatically. Black dirt turned to red clay, cows horns grew considerably longer and the wind became very hot. In Groom, TX we saw the largest cross in the western hemisphere. Texas was not terribly exciting because most of the route runs parallel to I-40. We did stop for lunch at the Midpoint Cafe in Adrian, TX. It is one of the purported 1/2 way points on the route. Nice place..lots of history. There were travellers from New York & the Netherlands resting there as well. We had planned to overnight in Tucumcari but we just didn't feel great about the available lodging so we moved on the Santa Rosa. Excellant decision! The road became rolling as we entered high plains country. Got to the hotel just ahead of a gully-washer. By the time we checked in and took a swim, the sky cleared and the sun came out. We had dinner at a historic place called Joseph's, took a sunset drive through the high plains to Puerto de Luna, a very old Mexican village that is still inhabited. New homes intermix with ancient ruins. This morning we had breakfast at another historic place called the Silver Moon Cafe. Scrambled eggs with chorizo & onions. Great way to start the day. We are taking the Sante Fe loop today which included a stop in Las Vegas, NM. So cool. Amovie is being shot in old town today so as we wandered the streets, we got to watch all of the action. the movie is "Paul" so we will watch for it in future. Turns out they make a lot of movies there including; Easy Rider, No Country for Old Men. We saw the building that Jesse James was shot in. Wyatt Earp & Doc Holiday all lived here so once again....history. I visited with a local artist/shop owner, Tito Chavez. bought a great pair of silver earrings from him. We also found the perfect doughnut (according to Mark) at Charlie's Spic & Span Cafe. You are now caught up. As I've been blogging, Mark has been booking us a hotel here so it sounds like we are here for the night. There is so much to do and see so I'll get back to you later. Lorrie

Yea!! back on line!

you know you're travelling old school when the wireless is out in the entire community. That's what happened in santa Rosa, NM yesterday. Here's how we got there: Day 3 We started the morning with a great breakfast at the Pankake Hut in Clinton, MO. On the drive into Kansas we came upon a narrow bridge under a canopy of trees. Sitting on the rail was a huge golden eagle. He took flight just a few feet in front of us, circled and landed back on his perch once we crossed the bridge. It was amazing. Stopped at an old gas station turned museum in Afton, OK. Had a nice visit with Laurel & Ron about the history of the area and some must sees to come. Stopped at the birthplace of Mickey Mantle in Commerce, OK and checked out the shed with dented steel walls from all of the practice pitches. We had to check out Totem Pole Park outside of Foyil. Well worth the side trip. Tried to imagine the Blue Whale amusement park (Catoosa) in its glory. It looks like a perfect location for a Pee Wee Herman movie. Will Rogers presence is everywhere in these parts. His museum rivals those of many Presidents'. We skirted Tulsa and Oklahoma City and spent more time in the smaller communities that have been largely forgotten by time. Many skektons in these parts leave much to the imagination. Miles of well maintained original road in this state. Great people, too! Stopped for the night at a KOA on Clinton Lake in OK. We rented a Kamping Kabin for a new experience. It certainly was cozy!!!

Sorry no Internet today. Catch up tomorrow.

Day 2

Well, after meandering from KC through Ozarks country we finally joined the route in Lebanon, MO. We started with a catfish & BBQ lunch and began our official journey. Old neon signs and diserted buildings are everywhere but enough remains to imagine how it was in the hayday of Route 66 travel. We have begun to meet some interesting 66 locals who are more than willing to share their tales and direct us to some off-beat sights that we may have surely missed. One such stop was Red Oak II, a town that was picked up and moved 20 miles to be closer to the route. Once a bustling tourist stop it is now eerily reminiscent of a Tim Burton movie set. We ended the day in Carthage, MO, checked in to a motel recommended by one of the aforementioned natives, junped into the pool to refresh, and headed out to the local Drive-in theater for a late movie. Just like being a kid except that we had popcorn, chili dogs, wine & cheese. It was awesome! Looking forward to another day of unknown adventures tomorrow

Lorrie

Day One

Good morning. Day 1 of the official trip has begun. We are leaving KC for Springfield, MO this morning. First stop is the Missouri Sports Hall of Fame. I've already left a pair of earrings at the hotel so at this rate my luggage should be very light by the time we reach home again! On the up side...we've already been in 3 states (IA, MO, KS) and we've barely started. Take care. Pictures will be coming soon. We made it to the end of the driveway before stopping to see if we had everything!