Route 66

California: Harsh Yet Beautiful
Lush green groves.

Lush green groves.

I had mixed feelings about California.  The Pacific Coast was stunning, the traffic was horrible, the drought was (and still is) devastating and the scenery was amazing.  The California that I remembered from my youth was not the California I saw on this trip.  But nothing stays the same, everything changes.  Plus memories tend to soften over time.  I was surprised at California, but I enjoyed my time there also.  It was sad, beautiful and a wonder all in one.

Devastating effect of the drought.

Devastating effect of the drought.

Devastating effect of "man" on the land.

Devastating effect of “man” on the land.

Rain is needed badly.

Rain is needed badly.

The California landscape may be stark in places, but there is still a lot of beauty.

The California landscape may be stark in places, but there is still a lot of beauty.

It definitely was temperature HOT!!!!!

It definitely was temperature HOT!!!!!

California: Harsh and Beautiful

California: Harsh and Beautiful

Look at that temperature!! WOW!!!

Look at that temperature!! WOW!!!

Picked up Route 66 while in California.

Picked up Route 66 while in California.

California, yes it is amazing.

California, yes it is amazing.

Post shout out:  I pray for all the brave men and women who are fighting the fires in the West (not just California).  We did not see a fire, but drove through the smoke created by one and it was amazingly thick and made it hard to breathe.  I cannot imagine fighting one of these fires up close.  I pray for the safety and that this drought might end soon.

Rolling Down Route 66

I thought it would be fun to do a collection of Route 66 photographs.  I loved driving on Route 66.  It was full of history and fortitude.  As I stated in an earlier post, I felt bad, at first, that there were so many deserted buildings and businesses around Route 66.  Then I realized that there were still quite a few open businesses and that there seems to be restored interest in the historic route.  I hope that the route can recover and that businesses can once again thrive.  It is a piece of history that America cannot afford to lose.

Breakfast at Westside Lilo's on Route 66!!

Breakfast at Westside Lilo’s on Route 66!!

Keeping the memories alive at the Route 66 Museum in Clinton.

Keeping the memories alive at the Route 66 Museum in Clinton.

Route 66, also known as The Mother Road, the Will Rogers Highway and The Main Street of America.

Route 66, also known as The Mother Road, the Will Rogers Highway and The Main Street of America.

The actual Route 66!!

The actual Route 66!!

A menu from a diner that once thrived on Route 66.

A menu from a diner that once thrived on Route 66.

A picture of Pop's Hicks Restaurant.

A picture of Pop’s Diner.

Original signage.

Original signage.

Welcome to the Blue Swallow Motel on Historic Route 66 in Tucumcari, NM! They are still open on Route 66!!

Welcome to the Blue Swallow Motel on Historic Route 66 in Tucumcari, NM! They are still open on Route 66!!

More fun on Route 66!

More fun on Route 66!

Route 66 is the PLACE!!

Route 66 is the PLACE!!

The Route 66 Museum in Clinton is well worth the stop!! It is a lot of fun!!

The Route 66 Museum in Clinton is well worth the stop!! It is a lot of fun!!

"Well, I'm a standin' on a corner in Winslow, Arizona Such a fine sight to see It's a girl, my Lord, in a flat-bed Ford Slowin' down to take a look at me" by Jackson Browne and Glenn Frey

“Well, I’m a standin’ on a corner in Winslow, Arizona
Such a fine sight to see
It’s a girl, my Lord, in a flat-bed Ford
Slowin’ down to take a look at me” by Jackson Browne and Glenn Frey

Unfortunately, I drove right by the Cadillac Ranch without stopping.  I came up on my so fast, I drove right by it.  There were a few other sights I wanted to see but I drove right by.  Sorry about that.  Hope you do like the few photographs I actually did get.  I hope to be taking the rest of Route 66 on another trip.