ROAD TRIPS AND DREAMS OF SPRING
In the past few days, for reasons not completely clear, I began taking readers on a drive down my version of Memory Lane, which is somewhere between Mr. Rogers neighborhood and the Twilight Zone. I can assure you there is a point to these long winded stories and there is a fair bet it has something to do with Route 66 and the meaning of life.
For those who have surprised me with their support and encouragement for these sagas, thank you. Now, everyone else who follows the blog knows who to blame.
See, I am a bit like a stray puppy. Once fed there is no getting me off the porch. I find a great deal of satisfaction in writing and with encouragement just can’t quit.
Don’t forget where we left off. Now, here is a preview of the next installment. My envisioned road trip to points unknown in my battered old Chevy were cut rather short as I hit a major obstacle in the form of Clyde McCune, a sawed off little fellow that was tougher than a bag of nails who just happened to also be the Justice of the Peace in Kingman.
He was also the fellow who had cut me a few breaks for the occasional bouts of alcohol induced stupidity that marked a few of my weekends in town from the ranch. He was also the fellow I had skipped out on and that I owed a little bit of money to.
Okay, as they say in the movies, stay tuned. It is the weekend and that means its time for some travel tips, book reviews, and similar items.
As most of us are suffering from road trip withdrawal the decision was made that this installment of travel tip feature would focus on great getaways and destination ideas. Don’t forget, your ideas and suggestions are appreciated.
Route 66 is often the center of focus here at Route 66 Chronicles. So, with that as our theme, http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?t=1968adventurer&o=1&p=8&l=bpl&asins=0970995164&fc1=000000&IS2=1<1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifrI would like to present two of the best sites I know of for getting the latest and most current information about that magic carpet of asphalt Route 66 News and Route 66 Chamber of Commerce.
Now, the next item for planning a trip on Route 66 is a good guide book. If you can find a better one than Jerry McClanahan’s EZ 66 Guide, buy it and then tell me about it as I want one to.
In addition to being one of the most detailed and easy to follow guides to legendary Route 66, Jerry also provides information about lodging, often overlooked sites, and introduces followers to alignments of Route 66 often overlooked. As a bonus he provides a web link for updates and the address for his gallery in Oklahoma.
As much as I love adventures on the double six, it is the little detours that always enhance my adventure. So, a couple of years ago I took a cue from a vintage post card and wrote a book that listed some of my favorite detours from Route 66.
Most are easy, short detours that really don’t require a great deal of time but others can easily morph into a full vacation. And, like Jerry, I try to provide updates here and if all else fails, you can send me an email
So, if you find yourself in Kingman, Arizona, but long for a fine dinner amongst the pines, my suggestion would be Hualapai Mountain Park and Hualapai Mountain Lodge just a dozen or so miles south of Route 66 on a paved road. Now, with Route 66 Backroads http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?t=1968adventurer&o=1&p=8&l=bpl&asins=076032817X&fc1=000000&IS2=1<1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifradded to your Route 66 travel kit, lets take a look at some other interesting ideas for road trips and weekend getaways.
The forgotten cousin of Route 66 is US 6, at one time the only US highway to run north and south as well as east and west. It was also the longest with an eastern terminus at Cape Codd in Massachusetts and a western terminus at the traffic circle in Long Beach, California.
About forty years ago the western end was truncated and now the terminus is Bishop, California. With this exception the road is almost entirely intact.
Other interesting factoids about this highway are that it is the highest US highway, Loveland Pass in Colorado at 11,990 feet, and the last US highway to be fully paved with a section in Utah remaining a gravel road until the 1950s.
I have yet to drive the entire route. However, what I have driven and what I can determine from maps as well as conversations, this has to top the list for most overlooked highway for potential road trip adventure.
Another drive that rates very high on my list would be US 180 from Holbrook in Arizona to Deming in New Mexico. This is an excellent summer drive as much of the route is through deep forests and along mountain meadows bordered by lakes.
As an added bonus, the opportunity for leisurely side trips are limited only by the imagination. Ghost towns, wilderness areas, hiking trails, and, in Silver City, art galleries and a staggering array of dining choices, all add up to a near perfect vacation destination.
Next week, for our reviews and tips feature I have some new photos to share, updates on Kingman that might be of interest, and some great new automotive books to review.