The end of the road – on Route 66

Amarillo, TX to Norman, OK

Today we did everything on Route 66.  We took the old route 66 out of town, jumped off to see the world’s largest barbwire museum, the really cool art deco gas station that inspired radiator springs in “Cars”, the national Route 66 museum (really well done), drove on more old route alignments through the countryside and even through the state Capitol. 

We did miss a few planned stops – the “bug ranch” (VW bugs instead of Cadillacs) seemed to have moved, and we just couldn’t do one more state route 66 museum. 

It did feel slower, no large semis around, and a few aha moments like “this is the road that people drove to escape the dust bowl?” Or “Wow, this IS gorgeous scenery!”

We arrive early to have a home cooked Indian meal and spend the night with my good friend Subodh’s parents.  What a treat.  We hear about their road trips across the country and his dad’s need to drive straight through for long distance. “We would start at five am and get there by 11 pm.” He says.   Brought back memories of my own dad who loved to drive and was not one to stop along the way. 

We have had a few long days, but nothing like the infamous straight through from LA to Chicago with my parents and a few siblings during a summer in high school.  The more I do this trip, I realize that I have actually done this road before – that it is literally the definition of Route 66.  I just don’t remember it since we only stopped once – just few hours in the Grand canyon to see the sun rise.

This is the joy of a road trip, or traveling, or just any adventure. It allows you to reminisce about your own history and allow others to share their adventures as well.  A pretty good deal all around.

We started the day hearing about extreme weather, viscous hail storms and possible tornadoes that were going to be just behind us if we continued our northeasternly route to Tulsa.  Most likely we would miss it, but who wants to be wrong about that?

So, we have decided to change plans and head south – all the way to New Orleans instead.  Just a day or two ahead of the original schedule.  Depends if we also want to try a long drive all day or not. 🙂

It has been a good “rest run” of Route 66. We now know much more about this iconic American road than I never would have thought existed.  “You could spend your whole life studying this road.” I comment to Siri and as we look at the numerous books written about it we realize several people have already done that and continue to do so.

So, it is time to say goodbye to this old fun road and move onto Cajun country in New Orleans.