| Route 66 can trace it's history back to the late 1920's | | | | travelers look forward to sleeping in a tepee and |
| when it was first proposed and laid out. However it | | | | many cite this landmark as a highlight of their trip. |
| was not until 1938 that the road was completely paved | | | | Further west is Joseph City, a Mormon establishment |
| from it's eastern beginning in Chicago, Illinois to it's | | | | set up in the late 1870's. Located in Joseph City is the |
| western terminus in Santa Monica, CA some 2,450 | | | | famous Jackrabbit Trading Post. One of the most well |
| miles later. Of course the route can be traveled either | | | | known signature sites of Route 66 is the famous |
| eastwardly or westerly though most Route 66 | | | | billboard that exclaims "HERE IT IS" located at the |
| travelers prefer to head from east to west just as the | | | | Jackrabbit Trading Post. |
| Joad family did in John Steinbeck's famous literary | | | | Further west past the Meteor Crater and the towns |
| work, The Grapes of Wrath. | | | | of "standin' on the corner" Winslow, the extinct Two |
| Sadly, Route 66 began to be replaced in the 1960's by | | | | Guns, the abandoned Twin Arrows and the "don't |
| new Interstate highways that bypassed many small | | | | forget" Winona lies the city of Flagstaff. Flagstaff is |
| towns along the way and was removed completely | | | | home to the famous Lowell Observatory and is also |
| from the interstate highway system in 1985. However | | | | the gateway to the Grand Canyon located an hours |
| in part to many Route 66 organizations, small town | | | | drive north. The canyon is well worth a side trip off |
| chambers of commerce, enthusiasts and historians a | | | | Route 66 to see one of the eight natural wonders of |
| plenty refused to let it die. Over the past 25 years | | | | the world. If you'd rather you can also access the |
| there has been a new resurgence of heritage tourism | | | | spectacular Grand Canyon via the Grand Canyon |
| that has rekindled interest in preserving this great piece | | | | Railway out of Williams just 30 or so miles west of |
| of Americana history & nostalgia that is Route 66. | | | | Flagstaff. Between Flagstaff and Williams lies |
| Often referred to as "The Mother Road", "America's | | | | Brannigan Peak. At 7,320 feet above sea level it is the |
| Main Street" or "Will Rogers Highway" the route | | | | highest point of elevation along the entire route of Rt. |
| passes through eight different states: Illinois, Missouri, | | | | 66. |
| Kansas, Oklahoma, Texas, New Mexico, Arizona and | | | | 15 miles west of Williams is Ash Fork, the flagstone |
| California. Let's take a look at the state of Arizona in | | | | capital of the world. Just past Ash Fork you can say |
| more detail. | | | | goodbye to I-40 as you begin the longest unbroken |
| Arizona | | | | stretch of Route 66 on the entire journey. Be sure to |
| Heading west, Arizona is the 7th of the 8 Route 66 | | | | stop at the legendary Snow Cap Drive-in in Seligman |
| states and has 401 miles from border to border. It | | | | and the fascinating general store in Hackberry before |
| boasts some of the most beautiful scenery, a few of | | | | arriving in Kingman. Here you'll find many still-preserved |
| the most unique must-see establishments, the highest | | | | business establishments catering to the Route 66 |
| elevation and the longest unbroken stretch of Route | | | | traveler including a very well done museum. |
| 66 on the entire journey. | | | | Be sure to leave Kingman while you still have daylight |
| Geographically, Arizona is home to Meteor Crater, | | | | because you're not going to miss the incredible |
| Petrified Forest and Painted Desert. These locations | | | | scenery that lies ahead as you travel through the |
| make for some incredible photo opportunities but also | | | | Black Mountain switchbacks & hairpins ahead. |
| a chance for exploring and hiking these natural | | | | Oatman awaits, as do the many wild burros that call |
| attractions. | | | | the old mining town home. Be sure to check out the |
| About 75 miles into Arizona, past both the Petrified | | | | historic Oatman hotel where Clark Gable and Carole |
| Forest and Painted Desert is the town of Holbrook. | | | | Lombard spent their honeymoon. |
| Home to the Wigwam Village Motel, most Route 66 | | | | |