Sunday, May 01, 2022

End of the Road

Just in time for the end of our trip west: a google doodle celebrating Route 66

April 30, 1926, was the date when "US 66" was proposed as the ID for the developing route from Chicago to Los Angeles. "The iconic highway," says Google, was "known for its retro diners, quirky motels, eclectic art installations and extraordinary landscapes." 

Google says: "Today's video—set to the classic music track 'Route 66' by Bobby Troup—celebrates the cultural significance of one of America’s first national highways, and how it became a symbol of a changing nation."

This week we drove along the New Mexico, Oklahoma, and Missouri parts of the route. Of course we took the wide and speedy modern Interstates that replaced old Route 66 by the mid-1980s. On previous trips west, we've driven virtually the entire route of the old "Mother Highway." 

The old Chain of Rocks bridge near St. Louis, replaced in 1970 by the more modern bridge that we 
crossed when driving on Highway 270 into Illinois. (Image: Wikipedia)

Saturday morning, we drove from St. Louis across the Mississippi River at a location called "Chain of Rocks," which was in fact on the original Route 66, and which I remember well from my childhood in St. Louis. Although the quirky diners and motels are pretty much a thing of the past, the landscapes are just as extraordinary as ever!


11 comments:

eileeninmd said...

Hello,
I do enjoy road trips, even when I am usually the driver.
I love the view of the Chain of Rocks bridge.
Take care, enjoy your day and new week ahead.

Trin Carl said...

Chain of Rocks looks stunning and nice cabinets in your previous post. We desperately need new cabinetry in our apartment but I know they'll just replace everything when we move out. That's public housing for ya.

Bleubeard and Elizabeth said...

My house in Webb City, MO. is on the old 66 Route. I always wondered what it was like to see people driving by in those old cars when this road was in its heyday. So glad you got to experience a small part of Route 66 in your travels west this year. I've never heard of the Chain of Rocks, so that is totally new to me.

Divers and Sundry said...

I hadn't realized Route 66 went so far west. Cool!

Sallie (FullTime-Life) said...

Oh how fun -- I love a road trip! Looking forward to your adventures as you travel 'out west'.

R's Rue said...

I’ve enjoyed following your journey. Thank you for sharing.

Tandy | Lavender and Lime (http://tandysinclair.com) said...

I would love to do the old road at a leisurely pace.

Jeanie said...

What a terrific road trip. Love the photos. Wondering if when you go through St. Louis you go through parts of your personal memory lane!

Valerie-Jael said...

Sounds like you had a memorable trip! Valerie

Iris Flavia said...

Very cool video!
My Mom presented my Bro ages ago with a journey on this road on a motorbike.
He never went, thinking his English is not good enough. I could still kick his but# for that. What a chance!!!!

DVArtist said...

very nice post and I love the photo. Have a great day.