On The Road to Rt. 66 - Santa Fe NM to Albuquerque NM

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Santa Fe New Mexico has to be one of the most charming cities I’ve ever seen.  From the historic adobe architecture to the hundreds of art galleries, it is a feast for the eyes.

We began our day with a visit to the Georgia O’Keeffe Musuem, which houses the largest number of works from this iconic artist in the world!  

I have been a Georgia O'Keeffe aficionado for as long as I can remember - especially since my world class art photographer uncle, Malcolm Varon, had an opportunity to spend time with O’Keeffe, taking pictures of her, as well as her artwork. 

Imagine my surprise, and delight not only seeing Malcolm’s name in the short movie credits, but also on several prints, books and calendars in the gift shop!  So proud to be related to this incredibly talented photographer!

We continued to enjoy this picture perfect day walking around the plaza, taking in the sites and sounds, and lunch at an outdoor cafe.

Of course we couldn’t leave Santa Fe until I found a little somethin’ somethin’ for myself!

We got back on the road, headed to Albuquerque - our next stop on Rt. 66.  The bright sunshine was quickly replaced with clouds - ominous clouds as we continued south. Radar showed some fast-moving storms, along with flash flood alerts! We decided to stay on I-25 most of the way, just in case!  

Fortunately the heavy storms missed us, and we made our way safely to Albuquerque, back on Rt. 66! 

Tomorrow we explore the history, culture and Rt. 66 significance of this famed southwestern city.

 

On The Road to Rt. 66 - Amarillo TX to Santa Fe NM

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Our Rt. 66 adventure took an artistic turn today!  They say everything is big in Texas, right?  That especially holds true for this larger-than-life art in Amarillo!

Not too far from Amarillo, we hit a milestone in Adrian Texas - the half-way point! Only 1,139 miles to go!

We marked the occasion at The MidPoint Cafe, “Home of the Ugly Pie Crust.” Yes, it was delicious!We marked the occasion at The MidPoint Cafe, “Home of the Ugly Pie Crust.” Yes, it was delicious!

A mere 22 miles, and we were entering New Mexico - here’s where the driving got a little hairy!

Once we got on the stretch of Rt. 66 that shared the interstate, the surroundings took on a completely different attitude - serene, majestic, inviting.  This truly is God’s country.

We took the pre-1937 route that brought us into Santa Fe, arriving with enough time to take in a little sight-seeing before dinner.  We visited San Miguel Mission, said to be the oldest standing church in the U.S., built in 1610.  Across the street is the oldest house in Santa Fe (and according to their literature, in the U.S.!), built in 1646.

 

We walked through town at dusk, and while many of the wonderful shops and boutiques were closed, the park was alive with a summer concert.

Tomorrow we continue to explore Santa Fe, and then on to Albuquerque.  ¡Buenas Noches!

On The Road to Rt. 66 - Tulsa OK to Amarillo TX

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For those of you following my adventure along The Great American Highway, preparing for a road trip of your own, a word of advice - however much time you think you’ll need, DOUBLE IT!  Who knew Oklahoma was such a big state?!  Another jam-packed day, logging 380+ miles on the Mother Road.  

Leaving Tulsa there were many reminders that we were in the Oil Capital of The World. The Ozark Trail alignment featured old, rusted oil tanks, symbols of the oil boom prosperity during the hey day of Rt. 66.

We drove through many small towns filled with former gas stations-turned-cafes, shops, or simply tourist attractions along America’s Main Street.  We stopped for lunch in Arcadia Oklahoma at Pop’s - a one-of-a-kind restaurant both inside and out!

It took quite a bit longer than we thought to drive through Oklahoma - we actually veered back on the interstate for a bit to save some time! Closer to the Texas border we tipped our hat to Will Rogers at the landmark plaque dedicating Rt. 66 as Will Rogers Highway.

We took pictures at the state line (are those holes in the sign what I think they are??)

We saw the stunning 1936 art deco design of the U-Drop Inn, in Shamrock TX.  We marveled at the purposely crooked Leaning Tower of Britten, designed to catch a tourist’s eye and get them to stop in Groom TX!  And we, well I, couldn’t pass up another photo op at the first Phillips 66 gas station in Texas in the town of McLean.

Shortly before 9:00 pm we pulled into Amarillo to catch a few zzzzz’s, but first, dinner at The Big Texan Restaurant, home of the Free 72 oz. steak (if you can eat it in an hour!). Imaging their confusion when my daughter and I ordered a 6 oz filet - to share between us!!

Tomorrow - destination Santa Fe NM!

On The Road to Rt. 66 - Kirkwood, MO to Tulsa, OK

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Day 2 along the Mother Road began with a stop at the Rt. 66 State Park in Eureka, Missouri. This 419 acre park along the Meramec River has several inviting trails, but we were more interested in the Visitor Center Museum, filled with Rt. 66 memorabilia!

The rolling hills of the Show Me State are quite scenic, varying from vast greenery to the many Rt. 66 roadside attractions.

In Springfield Missouri, we came across a giant paper cup! Actually, it’s part of the architecture of the building that housed the Solo Cup Company.  This particular plant closed in 2011 - the building is still vacant.

Dale’s Barber Shop in Joplin, Missouri originated in 1929 as a Shamrock gas station; it was converted into a barber shop in 1962 until the owner retired in 2004.

 

As we approached the Kansas state line we stopped for a quick pic at the Hogs and Hot Rods Saloon. Back in the day, Kansas used to be a dry state, making this 1925 state line honkey tonk a popular destination!

 

Kansas has the shortest stretch of Rt. 66 of all the states - only 13 miles - but we found plenty to see!  The Eisler Brothers Old Riverton Store is a throwback to the general store days of yesteryear - complete with pink flamingos on the lawn! 

The Rainbow Arch Bridge, built in 1926, is on the national Register of Historic Places, and you can still drive over it!

Entering Oklahoma, Rt. 66 takes us through Quapaw, once a booming mining town as depicted in one of the many Quapaw murals.

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In Miami (pronounced my-am-uh, from the Native American tribe) we see the Coleman Theater. Built in 1929 in the Spanish Revival style, it was a vaudeville and movie palace.  It remains open to this day.

 

After traveling over 425 miles today through 3 states, we’re ready to hit the hay in Tulsa OK!  Tomorrow we’ll hit the half-way mark on the way to Amarillo TX!