Starting in Chicago at the beginning of historic Route 66, Jackson Ave and Lakeshore, we are travelling to La Paz by a slow, expensive but very interesting route. We passed the mid-point of Route 66 earlier today when we zipped by Vega, Texas after staying the night in Shamrock Texas. The small towns that once fed and hosted many thousands of Route 66 travellers are shrinking if they have been by-passed by the new interstates. Shamrock was once at the intersection of the two highways that traversed America – Route 66 going east-west and 83 going north-south. It is now pretty easy to stand in the middle of that intersection and take photos without worrying about traffic.
These small towns are charming none-the-less – warm, welcoming and very friendly people who are genuinely happy that you are visiting. Enormous work and energy going into renovations, refurbishments and recording of history to be sure that the remarkable political, social and engineering achievements associated with the creation and operation of Route 66 from its inception in the early 1900’s are well documented and preserved.
We are trying whenever possible to stay in the small places and in the motels that served so many people over the years. Many of these places have been beautifully refurbished and we are surrounded by other people who are keenly interested in tracing Route 66. The proprietors in general are keen to build their business on the people who are seeking to know more about the history of this famous road and are happy to provide very good value for a room given that the premises are dated. Though dated, the places that we have used have been very comfortable and we have been very well looked after. These are classic motels without the frills but as a nod to modernity they have free WiFi.
Much of the original highway is gone, paved over or chopped up into short sections. We were able to drive on the real thing in Missouri, Oklahoma, Texas and for a short stretch in New Mexico. The big interstate highways are just much easier to use and despite the enormous number of cars and trucks on them, they are easy to navigate and comfortable to drive on. The old road is often running alongside the new road and portions of it are still in use.
We are using a variety of guides to help us find the real thing whenever possible and to help us locate points of particular interest, including the above noted historical places to stay and eat. The “Road Scholars” who are compiling this information are driven by a sense of practical preservation of a significant phenomenon that will be lost if they do not continue their work. Route 66 “societies” exist in all of the states that the road traversed and they take great provide in raising the funds necessary to preserve, rebuild and document important elements of the highway and the facilities that are essential for a long distance traveler.
It is all very impressive – the beauty of the varied landscapes, the history of the road and its travelers and the grand road trip that is that much grander because of what it was and how it is being kept alive.
CADILLAC FARM – AMARILLO, TEXAS
