Before continuing with our trip planning series, here are a few updates on our upcoming adventure on Route 66. As of this morning here is a list of the scheduled stops to sign books and a rough idea as to the times we will be at these locations.
Most of these are informal signings, just a stop to sign books in inventory, to visit a bit, and to see whats new on the road. As a result, concrete times for our visits are not really available and for that I apologize. Still, I hope our paths will cross during our fall adventure.
- October 14 from 2:00 until 4:00, Lile Art Gallery, 2719 SW 6th Avenue, Amarillo, Texas –
- October 15, mid morning, National Route 66 Museum, Elk City, Oklahoma –
- October 15, mid morning, Oklahoma Route 66 Museum, Clinton, Oklahoma –
- October 16, early morning, Powers Museum, 1617 W. Oak, Carthage, Missouri-
- October 16, early morning, Boots Motel, Carthage, Missouri –
- October 19, mid morning, Henry’s Rabbit Ranch, Staunton, Illinois –
- October 19, early afternoon, Barrett Station gift shop near Kirkwood, Missouri –
- October 20, Cuba Fest, Cuba Missouri –
- October 21, early morning, Mr. C’s in Lebanon, Missouri –
- October 22, late afternoon, Blue Swallow Motel, Tucumcari, New Mexico –
- October 23, early morning, Enchanted Trails RV Park and Trading Post, Albuquerque, NM –
As the schedule changes updates will be provided. Okay, lets talk about planning an adventure on legendary Route 66.
Supporting the mom and pop shops, the independent motel owners, and museums along the road is imperative to ensure the essence of Route 66 is preserved, to inspire others to open a business or restore a motel, and to fund the infrastructure development that is pivotal to preserving the highways unique heritage. However, the buying of souvenirs, t-shirts, or a meal at every stop can quickly leave you with a second mortgage to pay off the maxed out credit cards.
There are ways to support the folks on the road that give it vitality and life, and to enjoy the things that make an adventure on Route 66 unique, even with a restrictive budget. It just takes a bit of planning.
As an example, you can enjoy the excellent food, as well as the delightful ambiance, of the La Posada in Winslow by choosing breakfast or dinner over supper. The cost savings will be at least 10%.
Likewise with attractions on the road. Experiencing Radiator Springs at Disneyland would be an ideal way to close out a grand adventure on Route 66 but for the amount spent there you could take in the Peterson Museum in Los Angeles, Grand Canyon Caverns, and at least a half dozen other attractions. You could even enjoy some of the free attractions on the road (such as Afton Station, Henry’s Rabbit Ranch, or 4 Women on the Route), make a donation, buy a souvenir, and still save money.
The point in this is that you don’t have to travel like the impoverished Okie immortalized in The Grapes of Wrath to afford an adventure on Route 66. Neither do you have to max out the gold card to enjoy yourself. On Route 66 some of the best things in life are free, or nearly so.
Here is part one of a partial list of some of some excellent low budget attractions. In our next posting I will provide a list of attractions from Missouri to California, as well as links and contact information to assist in your travel planning.
Grant Park, Chicago –
Willis Tower, Chicago –
Lincoln Park Zoo, Chicago –
Chicago Portage National Historic Site, near Stickney, Illinois –
The walking tour in Joliet –
Midewin National Tall Grass Prairie near Elwood, Illinois –
The historic district in Dwight, Illinois –
Memory Lane at Lexington, Illinois –
Beer Nut factory at Bloomington, Illinois –
Abraham Lincoln Home National Historic Site – (a national park pass is a great investment)
Becky’s Barn near Chatham, Illinois –
Chain of Rocks Bridge –
Meramec Springs Park near St. James, Missouri –
