Route 66 (2012 Trip) - any one live along the route?

[MissJeanavive]

Hello Fedora Lounge;

I am mapping out my route 66 drive for 2012 - anyone live along or near Route 66...I am trying to time it around swing dancing evenings as well...drop me a line...and perhaps you will leave the light on for me!

Cheers,

Miss Jeanavive

 

[Dan Rodemsky]

Wish I could do that! Do you have a schedule and a route? What vehicle are you using? Sure sounds like fun! My dad and I did it in '68 in a U-Haul. La to Chicago.

 

[Michaelshane]

I live about three blocks from 66.As the song says "Gallup New Mexico".

 

[1961MJS]

Hi

When I was growing up south of Springfield Illinois, Route 66 (now I-55) was awarded the "highway of death" for one of the years in the 1960's. 70 MPH and stop signs at the intersections.

Springfield's Cozy Dog restaurant is a good stop to make. Nice place, 3rd or 4th generation owners.
http://www.cozydogdrivein.com/

I've eaten at the Ariston, but it's a bit overpriced.
http://www.ariston-cafe.com/

If you do make it to Springfield Illinois you need to try a horseshoe. The place at the link below is not the most famous and hasn't been on TV so it's easier to get into and just as good as D'Arcy's Pint. Note that this ISN'T on Route 66.
http://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Dublin-Pub/150044751698953?sk=info

You should also stop at the Chain of Rocks bridge and walk out on the old one. I've never driven across it, but Dad said that meeting a semi at the curve on the bridge was "exciting". There's a picture on this page:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/U.S._Route_66

Note that I live in Wichita KS now, but the route DOES go through Southeast Oklahoma too. I checked out the Southern Illinois portion of the site below and it lists the numerous variations that route 66 went through. The Saint Louis Metropolitan area isn't exactly a friendly place until you get to the suburbs, so when it ways "dangerous" in the site below, they're probably right.
http://www.historic66.com/

Later

 

[skyvue]

the route DOES go through Southeast Oklahoma too.

I drove the entire length of Route 66 in 1992, and I was born and raised in Oklahoma. I've been to all the sites you mention.

However, I must correct you on your Oklahoma info. The route enters Oklahoma in the northeast corner of the state (after just a few miiles in Kansas), goes through Tulsa, continues southwest into Oklahoma City, and then due west from there. It doesn't touch the the southeastern portion of the state.

 

[1961MJS]

I drove the entire length of Route 66 in 1992, and I was born and raised in Oklahoma. I've been to all the sites you mention.

However, I must correct you on your Oklahoma info. The route enters Oklahoma in the northeast corner of the state (after just a few miiles in Kansas), goes through Tulsa, continues southwest into Oklahoma City, and then due west from there. It doesn't touch the the southeastern portion of the state.

My whoops. I'm considering taking my 24 year old on a day trip to the Davis gun museum and along 66 for a while. He's into history a little.

Later

 

[flyfishark]

Pontiac, Illinois, has a Route 66 Museum. 10 miles south of Pontiac (100 miles south of Chicago), at Chenoa, Morehead Street is a remaining portion of the original 2 lane Route 66. Wonder if you can tell where I'm originally from??

 

[stevndal]

I lived for several years near Route 66. About halfway between St. Louis, Missouri and Springfield, Missouri is a short stretch of the original two lane highway. Interstate 44 replaced 66 but at Devil's Elbow, Mo, there's about a mile or two mile stretch of the original road still left. It will give you an idea of what the original drive was like as well.

 

[Chas]

I've driven the California/Arizona portions of it myself - IIRC there's a good chunks of it left there; Kingman and Barstow retain some of that Route 66 feel, to be sure.

I remember one deserted gas station/truck stop somewhere SE of Barstow- very cool.

Dixie Lee once had the Burlesque Hall of Fame out there in the desert as well- it has since moved to Vegas, I believe.

 

[Tomasso]

Here's a funny little tidbit from wikipedia:

In April 2010, a company in the Netherlands, Tempting Brands, claimed to own the trademark of Route 66 and sent takedown requests to online retailers demanding that Route 66 merchandise not licensed by them be removed

 

[Chicago Jimmy]

I drive on it a few times a week on my way to work. Right outside Chicago on Joliet road through the suburbs of Hodgkins,Countryside, and Indian Head Park. It has the "historic Route 66" signs posted. You have to stop and eat at Dell Rhea's chicken basket,it's been there since 1938.
http://chickenbasket.com/

 

[JoeSpy]

Hi all! This is my premier post in the Lounge. I've been lurking for a week or two...just gaining info about hats and colognes.

I was born and bred (and still live) in San Bernardino (also mentioned in the song). I live within a mile of the original route. However, San Bernardino being what it is, I would caution you to gas up in Barstow and drive THROUGH San Bernardino without stopping. Nothing here but welfare cases and gangs (and me, of course). What's great about where I live is its closeness to mountains, beaches, deserts, nicer towns, etc.

Let us know when you travel!

 

[Fifty150]

You'll start off your adventure right here in Fog City, Baghdad by the Bay.

Of course, SF really isn't on The Route 66, but you have to start at home. Why not make that first stop The 21 Club, 98 Turk, @ Turk & Taylor? Again voted by Esquire Magazine as one of the best bars in America.

The town of Amboy, California was founded in 1858. From 1925 to 1971, Amboy was a vital stop in the Mojave Dessert on Route 66. During this time, everyone traveling to Southern California from the East traveled through Amboy. Interstate 40 replaced Route 66 in 1971 and Amboy became a ghost town.


In 1948, Dick and Mac McDonald opened the first McDonalds in San Bernardino, California. The brothers were the Henry ford of the restaurant industry. They did not event the hamburger, they perfected it and everything about it. McDonalds stood for quality control, mass production, speedy service, and of course .15 cent hamburgers! In 1954, Ray Kroc met the brothers in San Bernardino, and convinced them to let him open a McDonalds in Des Plaines, Illinois. In 1961, purchased McDonalds from the brothers for 2.7 million dollars and moved his headquarters to Chicago.

[video=youtube;GxXDD_7lgYw]http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=GxXDD_7lgYw[/video]

 

[John in Covina]

i live in Covina, CA and Route 66 (AKA Foothill Blvd) is not too far away.

 

[IXL]

My whoops. I'm considering taking my 24 year old on a day trip to the Davis gun museum and along 66 for a while. He's into history a little.

Later

That Davis collection is cool! My wife drops me off and goes on to do horse stuff while I lose myself for a few hours amongst all the classic arms.
When I was a small boy in the 1960's, my mother took me to see the collection, at that time housed in a hotel owned by Mr. Davis. I purchased a fold-out postcard featuring photos of many of the displays I had just viewed. The lady in the gift shop pointed me to the lobby, in the direction of an antique wing back chair occupied by a very elderly Mr. Davis, and prodded me to get his autograph on my card. I did, and I still have it after all these years.

 

[Highlander]

My Girlfriend lives near Eureka, MO where the Missouri Route 66 State Park is. We ride Bicycles in the park alot, and ride our bikes along the old highway some. Quite a historic Road, and some historic old Restaurants along the road. I have some photos I'll try and post.