Update. We are back from our Route 66 venture. I want to thank all those who commented and for the great suggestions provided. Eight days, ten states and 2400 miles. Sioux Falls to Chicago to start Route 66. Following 66, taking all the diversions possible on to the original route (before any realignments) to Shamrock, Texas and then back home. A fantastic trip to an earlier time and would encourage anyone to drive it. Here are some photos with more to follow. Enjoy.
We did 66 as much as possible on a cross country trip in our '46 Woodie. We used a set of maps from Ghost Town Press, called "Here it is Route 66". They come in a complete set of eight maps, one for each state that 66 goes thru. They are hand drawn pieces of art and give detailed information on each section of the road on where the road is still passable and attractions.
Look like the Wagon Wheel Motel in Cuba MO. We stayed there in 2009 and it was a run down mess. Since then I believe it has been fully refurbished and very nice place to stay. Next door was the Missouri Hicks BBQ place. It burned down after 2009 but also rebuilt since.
I can confirm that about the Wagon Wheel and the BBQ joint; I was there a couple years ago, and was a nice stay. It was a bit more than your average motel, but worth it. The Hicks BBQ food was great...but I am used to SoCal BBQ...
We have really enjoyed Mo Hicks BBQ in Cuba, MO, but sadly the owner just recently passed away, so I'm wondering what will become of the place.
If your in Arizona on Route 66 I live at milage marker 71. If ya want to stop by pm me I'll give directions. I have welder and tools if ya need help. Also cold beverages. Terry aka dirt t
Further update. We had no itinerary for the trip. We made zero plans except to enjoy the trip and we made no motel reservations, just done an online motel search when we were done for the day. This did backfire on us once as we were only 20 minutes from the Wagon Wheel motor court, should have stayed there. In a previous post, I mentioned that one of our rules was no franchised food. Someone stated that that might be difficult, but I can report that it was not. Again an online search found us mom and pop restaurants for breakfast in every town we stayed at. Lunch was usually light affair out of our coolers somewhere in a shady spot along the road (probably just like many travelling the Mother Road years ago). The evening meal was no different, we found privately owned pizza and Chinese restaurants and an occasional Bar for an adult beverage and a burger. That's it for tonight except for the photos.
Is that the "Rocketman" in Wilmington, Illinois? As a kid in the 50's, I always liked our Sunday drives to the country on Rt 66.
Gary's Gay Purita? Nice fellow keeping it alive. I hope you popped over the four lane to stop in Spencer at the gas station. Blessings to the people working to keep it restored, as it's a true treasure.
No itinerary, you’re running the route the same way we did a few years ago. IMO the only way to go. Must stops are the Mid-Point cafe in Adrian Texas and Joe &Aggies Cafe in Holbrook Arizona for Mexican/American fare.
This post is sort'a on topic. It's just half a bubble off. I've seen some documentary/quasi-travelogue offerings about Route 66 on my "smart TV" lately...... produced by under 30-40-year-olds and the like. They just flat don't get it. If they get off of any limited-access interstate, it's just a wrong turn or a location setting for a cannibals-eating-millennials movie to them. Long live Route 66! I hope what is left outlasts me and I plan to be around for a while.
The Jalopy Journal
