a Route 66 primer

Here is one of the many kitschy delights to be found along Illinois’ Route 66: the Gemini Giant in Wilmington.  He is a 1965 Muffler Man, now stationed at the Launching Pad Drive-In.  This is the first of three giants I’ll see in this state, apparently.  (…lookit his face!  It’s creepy!)

For those of you who don’t know much about Route 66, maybe I should give you the Coles Notes.  In 1926, Route 66 officially opened, connecting a network of city streets, dirt roads and wagon trails that crossed eight states, all the way from Chicago to Los Angeles.  John Steinbeck named it “The Mother Road” in his classic novel The Grapes of Wrath.  In the 1930s, over 250,000 people (largest migration in American history) fled the Dust Bowl Era and made their way west to a new life along Route 66.  In the following decade during World War II, military troops and equipment were transported from across the country along the Route to training grounds in California.  These heavy loads took a toll on the route, which was not built for such vehicles and weights.  After the war, Americans were optimistic and wanted to travel!  Route 66 became the primo road trip, and millions took to the road to see the wonders of the west (Grand Canyon, Vegas, Hollywood, etc.).  All of this use and traffic on the road was ultimately too much for it.  The interstate system came into being and between 1977-1984, interstate highways were built to bypass Route 66.  In 1984, Williams AZ was the last town to be bypassed by the interstate.  Business owners said it was like a tap suddenly being turned off: one day there were hundreds of Route 66 travelers to serve – the next, maybe only a handful.  Most had to either move their businesses to where the new traffic flowed, or close up shop altogether.  The abandoned evidence from those bright times that lies along the deserted stretches was what initially drew me to this road.  The history, the stories, the quiet isolation… I am finding, though, that the areas where the original Route passes close to the interstate are not so empty after all.  What’s more, Route 66 associations are very active in keeping the history alive, and more and more restorations are popping up along the road.  Just last night I passed two beautifully restored gas stations in a matter of minutes.

OK, so: the internet is truly amazing.  I have only been on the road for a couple of days, and already people I don’t even know are contacting and following me.  I received a very nice call today from a company called “Campfire in a Can”.  They saw the blog and want to support me, and are sending me a portable propane campfire to use on the trip!  My first sponsorship – I certainly hope THAT trend continues.  (… now, how can I get sponsorship from Speedway, or BP?  Or Budweiser??)  Thanks to Maureen in St.Louis for agreeing to have it delivered to her home – and thanks to Lisa at Campfire in a Can for her support!