Route 66 08.

A Trip of a Lifetime – again!
Route 66 Mk2

After driving Route 66 with friends, in British Austin Sevens, in 2006 we just couldn’t get it out of our minds. We felt we had to do it again – for health reasons!
Relief came when another friend came back from a visit to her daughter in San Francisco where they cooked up a plan for us to borrow her car for another drive of the fabled road as a threesome – later to become a foursome, when another widow joined the team.
What was the point of doing it again? Well, because of our relatively slow pace and tight schedule, we were not able to do justice to the many historic and natural sites along the road. Also we had met some very friendly people who we wanted to see again and see some folk who we unable to meet up with at all.
To this end this second trip was completely complimentary to the first. It was also nice to share our enthusiasm – and costs – with friends. And this tome will show anyone interested in ‘doing’ Route 66 that there’s a lot to see, other than the famous road.

As for Route 66, we did in fact see many people and sites that we didn't have time for last time. Of the first sites, we were able to visit was the ‘Route 66 Hall of Fame’ at Pontiac. Our A7 Rally plate was displayed in one of the glass cabinets.

Before leaving Springfield, Il we visited the well preserved home of Abraham Lincoln. It was a memorable experience and I can hardly believe that my left hand has grasped the same banister rail as the great man! The outside loo – or ‘restroom’ as the our US fiends will have it – had three wooden toilet bowls side by side!!



The interior of ‘Coleman Theatre’, in Miami (pronounced Miama) Ok, which we passed by in 2006, was magnificent. It was built in 1929 by a local businessman who made a mint in mining. It is built in the classic Spanish style and would not be out of place in London’s theatre land. It still attracts top acts. (Picture, from a postcard.)



We also stopped briefly in the Austins to see the unique Art Deco, ‘Boston Avenue Church’ in Tulsa. This time we were able to do it justice by going inside. The interior is stunning and more like a theatre than a church! Everything down to the furniture, lighting and ornaments was in a matching art deco style and in immaculate condition.





In Oklahoma City we saw nothing of the city other than our rather poor Motel. This time we had a half day there. It was a moving experience to see the Monument to the Oklahoma Bombing. Pic. We spent a pleasant evening in the ‘Bricktown’ area of the city.


We took a side trip to Acoma Pueblo, Nm. in the Sevens but we didn't have time to take the 'official tour' but we did this time. The Pueblo on top of a mesa is said to be the oldest continuously occupied 'city' in the States The road up was ‘built by John Wane’, previously it was a perilous climb through the rocks. There was plenty of Indian art for sale.


Also in New Mexico we had time to visit the massive Meteor Crater. It is 4,000 feet dia and 600 feet deep!
An extra day in Las Vegas (why does Elvis call it Los Vegas?) gave us a chance to go to the top of the Stratosphere for a superb view over this fantasy city - especially at dusk.
At Oatman Ca, we saw the hotel room used by Clarke Gable and Carol Lombard for their honeymoon.
It was good to see the first stage of the re-opening of ‘Roy's’ in Amboy in the Mohave desert after laying dormant for over at least 5 years. Petrol is now served, the diner is nearly ready and the motel cabins are next for restoration.
Finally we had a fantastic day at Universal Studios in LA.
But our warmest memories are of the friendly people we met 'en route'. Too many to mention by name but we must mention John Weis, chairman of the route 66 Assn of Il, who spent an hour with us and gave us a signed copy of his new book.

In Albuquerque we met Charlotte Rittenhouse, who's late husband, Jack, wrote 'A Guide book to Highway 66' in 1946. He drove the route several times in his 1939 Bantam Coupe. Mrs Rittenhouse is in her mid 80s and graciously signed our copies of the book - which is available from the 'New Mexico University Press'.

On both trips we used the 'EZ66' guide written and illustrated by Jerry McLanahan who has an internet update service. In his latest, he invites 'Roadies' to drop in - which we did. He gave us a very warm welcome, signed our book and gave us some postcards of his artwork.
In Seligman we met again the famous Angel Delgadillo, who is largely credited with starting the Route 66 revival, and who showed us the page in his scrapbook with a picture of himself with my Austin 7.

Finally, unable to tie up with Jim Concle first time, we contrived to have breakfast with him in Victorville Ca. Jim, was editor of ‘Route 66 Pulse’, and is also founder, CEO and Chairman of the ‘Route 66 Preservation Foundation’ and has done more than most to promote the ‘Mother road’. He spent over an hour with us and gave us some R66 hats, books and copies of his excellent newspaper. (http://www.route66pulse.com/ )

It has become a custom to leave a message in stones on the bank at the side of Route 66 though the Mojave Desert in California. In 2006 we left a simple ‘A7’ on the bank. Janet’s eagle eyes spotted it this time and we added ‘50’ to make ‘A750’. Anyone doing R66, look for the message a mile or two before ‘Roy’s’ at Amboy.


A disappointment was not seeing Bill and Terri of the Blue Swallow Motel in Tucumcari. Bill has cancer and was away having treatment. We wish him all the best. There was framed picture of the Sevens and Rally plate on show in ‘reception’. This was only one of 5 or 6 we saw en-route.

Towards the end of our time in the US we were entertained by Austin Bantam Society secretary Norm Booth at his home in Pasadena with some other members. Then we had a wonderful 2 night stay with ex ABS President, Jim Johnston, his wife Katie and friend Neil Frazer which included an afternoon on his super 60’ cruiser.

Ken and Eileen Cooke.

P.S. Soon after we returned home we learned about a big fire at Universal Studios, which we spent a day at while in LA.
P.P.S. Then the latest Route 66 Pulse came reporting that the Rock Café which we had ate at 3 weeks before, had been gutted by fire!
P.P.P.S. Then we heard of a big forest fire at ‘Big Sur’ which we passed on the way back to San Francisco!
(Will we ever be allowed back in the States?)