Day Twelve...Route 66!!!!!!!

Today is the day…

I’m ready with my new kicks…

To drive Route 66!!!

 At least that was my attitude when I left the hotel.  I had the strange idea that I would hop on 66, grab food at a local diner and enjoy the drive.  Boy was I wrong!

 What I didn’t seem to grasp in my preparation was that Route 66 is no longer a straight shot road.  It is present in certain sections (damaged areas are replaced with I-40) and merges with multiple local roads.  It weaves in and out of I-40 and if one doesn’t pay close attention, they can end up Lost!

 Luckily I figured out what was going on, pulled out a map and compass and decided to ride this old school.  (After 2 hours of driving in and out of OKC!)

 Big shout out to my Dad for teaching me how to read a map!!!

 First up was OK.  I stayed close to I-40 as I was still getting the hang of the weaving Rte 66…that and I was trying to avoid the congestion of Oklahoma.  All I can say is when I got out of the city everything slowed down and I was able to take a BIG breath.

First stop was the Route 66 Museum.  It was here I got to stop and watch an oldie in an old ride!  I also got to see the original ford used in the Grapes of Wrath!  Later on I also got to see the courthouse in the same movie.

Next up, Texas.  Route 66 runs through the tip of Texas, so it was a pretty short drive.  However, I made the most of it.  I stayed all on the country road!  (at least that which was available)  I had to put my jeep in 4WD and oh, did I love that!  Way more fun than a boring interstate.  It was on one of these jaunts that I saw this little movie inspiration...

Texas was Beautiful.  Trees, wheat, farms…open land as far as I could see.  I had a lot of fun driving around Texas.  At one point I was cruising a country road and 5 deer crossed the road in front of me!  I grabbed the camera but missed. 

I did have my camera when I made it to Cadillac Ranch.  Amarillo billionaire Stanley Marsh III wanted a piece of public art that would baffle the locals.  So he imported a group of art-hippies from San Francisco known as “The Ant Farm.”  They came up with a tribute to the evolution of the Cadillac tail fin, and buried 10 Caddies nose deep.  People would stop to see the cars, then deface them or rip off pieces as souvenirs.  Eventually, the creators came to encourage this and we have what is now known as Cadillac Ranch!

       

I left Texas behind and began the journey in New Mexico.  More of the same weaving in and out of I-40 and Local roads.  However, the landscape changed completely.  I’ve heard that NM is a state where people find religion.  All because of the amazing Landscape.  And I can honestly say, I get it.  I felt the same way looking at this country, as I do when I look at the ocean.  AMAZING!  How can you question the existence of something greater when this exsists?

I closed the night out in Santa Fe...to snow!  I couldn't believe it, considering how hot it was in the south...I may need to make changes to my itinerary...

As for Route 66, It was really something driving through here.  I could see where Cities built up around the mother road, and could imagine the bustle going on around back in the day. 

Today, it’s mostly a mixture of fading towns, deserted buildings and ghost towns.  It was sad to see how obsolete these towns became with the development of the Interstate.  People were no longer travelling through, as they were able to take advantage of modern conveniences.  It’s sad.  And I had a lot of time to contemplate this while driving through some beautiful country.

Now I will admit, I love my IPOD, I enjoy GPS, and I am quick to whip out my cell phone whenever I want to Google something right away.  My first thought when I need anything is to find the modern convenience stores like Walmart or Target.  But this has got me thinking about what it takes to keep smaller business running, and how important they are to the livelihood of these towns. 

And not only that, but how much time I spend trying to get things done Immediately.  I saw something recently that said, “My favorite form of gratification is instant.”  I related to that, especially as there were times on the road I considered taking I-40 so I could get to my destination faster. 

So I guess what I’m saying is I’m loving this trip.  It’s getting me to question what is most important to me and with who, and where I spend my time.  And Money.  And that money isn’t everything.

I am so glad I’m making this move.