Is on my bucket list

Is on my bucket list

I grew up (70's - 80's) in a small town in southern Illinois, literally right on Route 66 - it skirts the edge of my home town. After the interstate was built, instead of hopping on I-55, most locals would still frequently use Route 66 as the "back way" to get between numerous neighboring small towns up and down the area -- we all drove on it pretty regularly. In those days, it still had some great mom-n-pop truck stops, gas stations, hotels, and diners along the way. But then it was fully decommissioned when I was in high school ('85)... as teens during the waning heyday of leaded "regular" gas and muscle cars, we would often use Route 66 to drag race, because the viable section near us was was so smooth, straight, and empty. In the 90's, though, it didn't take long for the County to start chopping it up and covering it up, instead of having to maintain it; more and more sections of it were barricaded off with each passing year. Near that town where I grew up, half of it (2 lanes, one whole side of the highway) in a sizeable stretch between towns, was just completely covered over with a mound of dirt, like it never existed -- the half that remained was turned into a typical 2-lane road. But as a silver lining? At least the part that is still there can still be driven for about 20-25 minutes, unimpeded, outside of occasional stop signs in towns. It's still just as beautiful out there, too... even with the ghosts of what-used-to-be popping up occasionally along the sides of the road.

I grew up in Lincoln, Illinois in the 40's and 50's, which was on Rte 66. We regularly traveled on it to bloomington, and on vacations out west. 55 is the expressway now, but 66 runs alongside it. When I visit Lincoln, I always drove up 66 to visit my cousins in Bloomington

If I ever find a partner for a road trip Route 66 is on my list.

I've driven many sections of the southwest portion of it... most of the CA route and much of the AZ. In addition to Oatman, a couple other gems near here are: Amboy... a 50s ghost town which is allegedly going to be redeveloped; Grand Canyon Caverns... a must see in AZ; and Selligman, AZ (the town used for the inspiration for "Cars" ). Check 'em out! The section with both Selligman and the caverns is also a great section to bicycle!

In ten days I will be in Oatman, Arizona, photographing motorcycles on Route 66. If you are at the Laughlin River Run, you should swing on by, say Hi!, feed some donkeys, get your picture taken.

I live near the 285 which is old 66

I live fairly close to it...and I've done the whole thing in two separate trips. Chicago to OKC...and OKC to Santa Monica. Both were stellar road trips. I have tons of photos. I love, love, love the antique shops and mid-century signs --and businesses-- along the route.

Lisa's Truck Stop - east side of Moriarty - best food around.

I live just off route 66 in New mexico...til June anyway.
Be sure not to miss the singing road just east of Albuquerque...it'll complete your life.

Get your kicks on Route 66! I like the version done by Asleep at the Wheel

Several years ago, I worked at the Abraham Lincoln presidential library Springfield Illinois. People from all over the world came to visit. When asked if there was anything else about Springfield that attracted them, I was amazed at how many Europeans, especially English and Germans, were fascinated by Route 66 and were "Road-tripping" on Route 66. Any of our European members able to shed light on why that is?

In 2008, Paul McCartney and girlfriend Nancy Shevell took a road trip on Route 66. Paul was supposed to be traveling incognito but was recognized while in Springfield. Here is a picture of Paul with his new friends in Springfield and a link to an article in a British newspaper:

[dailymail.co.uk]

I grew up in Joliet, just south of Chicago, one terminus of Route 66. A couple of times per year, we would visit relatives in Bloomington, IL, a city in central Illinois through which Route 66 passes, I traveled a lot of miles on the original.

Interstate 55 was built parallel to Route 66, and much of the old Route 66 is now frontage road that has been repaved numerous times. However, many miles of the original concrete highway still exist right next to the frontage road through most of central Illinois.