Lets begin with some highlights for the western leg of the highway that refuses to be decommissioned and forgotten, iconic Route 66.
At the west end of the highway we have the linking of that highway with what has been the unofficial end of the trail for years, the Santa Monica Pier. The international press coverage received by such a relatively small event hints at the power that Route 66 has to fascinate. http://rwarn17588.wordpress.com/2009/11/11/end-of-the-trail-sign-dedicated-at-santa-monica-pier/
In Barstow the Harvey House and Route 66 Museum complex is a bit off the main drag but is well worth the time for a visit. On their website a calendar of upcoming events is posted to assist with trip planning. http://www.route66museum.org/
The little ghost town of Goffs is often overlooked even by fans of the old double six. This is not surprising as it is isolated on a loop that was bypassed in 1933. Still, the scenery and the town are well worth the detour. http://www.roadtripamerica.com/places/goffs.htm
In Needles, California, work continues on transforming the El Garces Harvey House (http://www.laposada.org/elgarces.html) from a diamond in the rough into a crown jewel. There are high hopes for this project as the owners have a track record with the success of a similar project, the La Posada, in Winslow, Arizona. http://www.laposada.org/hotel_floorplan.html
In Kingman, Arizona, there are a surprising number of fascinating attractions that are often missed as Route 66 is often the focus. Fort Beale and the White Cliffs Wagon Road are two sites well worth a visit. To enhance your visit, or to discover other over looked attractions, try Old Trails Tours. http://oldtrailtours.com/
Another attraction that is on the slow track to becoming a Route 66 destination for travelers is the Penske Truck leasing office in the Martin Swanty Chrysler complex. Housed in one of the last remnants of the Hobbs Truck Stop this office serves as an unofficial Route 66 visitor center with brochures from all along the route, local tourism information, signed copies of guide books by Jim Hinckley, and a small, but expanding museum dedicated to the history of automotive advertisement.
A top rated “must see” Route 66 attraction is about twenty miles east of Kingman in the historic mining town of Hackberry. The general store there has in recent years become a living time capsule presenting a fairly accurate picture of life on the road as it was when this was the Main Street of America. http://www.doney.net/aroundaz/route66/hackberry.htm
Winter is the ideal time for exploring the western leg of legendary Route 66 and the desert landscapes that embrace it. Plan your trip today and be sure to stop by and say howdy as you roll though Kingman.
