Route 66 – Epilogue

Well that was some feat, 2891 miles in three weeks. Would I do it again? No, but we rarely return to a holiday destination unless it offers more to see – the Hoover Dam being a case in point where we had not been able to view the internal workings on a previous trip.

Highlights had to be those areas which emphasised the Route 66 connections. Top of the list would be Winslow, Arizona, with its Standin’ on the Corner Park making full reference to the Eagles’ song Take it Easy, and its two memorabilia shops opposite which played Eagles’ songs all day and every day to the delight of its customers, but must have been an irritant for the shop staff. Williams, Arizona, also made good use of the Route 66 theme, and we understand from a sheriff this was a very safe town to visit.

There were many good experiences along the way, especially engaging with people we met including the Amish in Arthur (Illinois) and the lovely guide who took us back to his home to speak with his wife and share their passion for horses; a sitar player whom we met at breakfast in Los Angeles who shared his positive experiences of his hometown of Chicago – known for its high crime rate; such helpful and knowledgeable staff in the various museums and visitors centres who were only too keen to share their knowledge with interested travellers; and the many people who offered to take photos of us together.

The ghost towns, of course, were a sad sight, but as one museum curator told us, Route 66 was destined to fail from the start. The reason that it was constructed was to join remote communities and thereby improve trade. It became so successful that those using it were later calling for Interstate roads to be built which could by-pass the towns they did not wish to call in on.

We learned that many of those Route 66 support companies such as petrol stations, shops and motels went out of business very quickly, although we didn’t hear of, presumably, those with an entrepreneurial bent who would have seen the benefits of moving themselves nearer the edge of the new Interstate roads to trade with the vastly increased passing trade.

Certainly today those Interstates are heavily used, which brings me to one area I was not so keen on – the extremely heavy traffic especially heading in and out of the major towns like Chicago and Los Angeles; the crazy drivers over and undertaking at speed without signalling; the convoys of articulated lorries; the high winds and blinding rain. Far nicer was the chance to get off to the old Mother Road in the places it did run. This is where some businesses did a good job at attracting tourists and the inquisitive.

While towns like Winslow and Williams could add a lot to the tourist experience, for smaller areas it was more difficult. This is where the owners of the huge rocking chair, Giganticus Headicus, and Cadillac Ranch were able to capitalise with their ‘attractions’.

But we would not have got to see many of these off the beaten track sites if it was not for SatNav and Apple Maps. Both of these were essential. Although we had maps and directions these were in parts not detailed enough, or with the directions, too detailed. The SatNav gave us the main course, but even up to date maps cannot cater for recent changes and roadworks. Apple Maps can help here, but cannot be relied on in areas where a signal does not exist.

To bring our journey to a close we would like to thank all those who have followed our stories along the way, which makes this all worthwhile. There have been funny comments made, some of which we would like to share. Brother Dave for example, when John referred to all those items of memorabilia we saw and never knew we wanted, said he felt the same when seeing our photo of the rather attractive Dodge Viper sports car.

In true Eagles style, John’s long time friend from primary school, Maurice, said he was concerned John might be driving with Seven Women on his Mind. I advised him that one is more than enough.

Eric, our Australian friend who we met many years ago while touring Vietnam, was quick off the mark asking John if the trip was just Another Tequila Sunrise for The New Kid in Town, and did we manage to stay in the Hotel California, Such a Lovely Place? Well no, as we didn’t like the conditions that we could Check Out at Any Time, but could Never Leave. Instead we booked into the Andaz, West Hollywood, where The Doors stayed in 1966 until Jim Morrison was evicted for hanging off the 10th floor balcony; Led Zeppelin occupied several floors during which time their tour manager Richard Cole was said to have ridden his motorbike along the hotel corridors; Axl Rose lit a BBQ on his balcony, set off the fire alarm and threw steaks to passers by; and Little Richard moved in for 20 years. Only in America.

But luckily I did not turn into a Witchy Woman despite that frightful traffic and John is no longer standing on any corner salivating over a flatbed Ford.

Until our next trip, we say goodbye and thank you for watching. Meanwhile we will be Taking it Easy.

Copyright: Words and photos Sue Barnard 2022