| You still love Route 66, the "Mother Road." Or, you're | | | | New Mexico. There, you may tour an ancient Native |
| too young to actually have traveled that road...but | | | | American pueblo...or try your luck at a modern Native |
| you're lured by its lore. You love Southwestern | | | | American casino. Further down the road, you'll pass |
| scenery and marvel at natural wonders. Does this | | | | Grants and Gallup, then cross the state border into |
| describe YOU? Then, it's time you plan an | | | | Arizona.A major tourist sight--and natural wonder--lies |
| adventuresome road trip through fabled Route 66 | | | | just to the side of Interstate 40 at Arizona exit 311. |
| terrain, traversed in these modern days by the | | | | That's where you'll find the Petrified Forest National |
| Interstate 40 superhighway.Try starting your roadtrip at | | | | Park. Its visitor's center, visible from the roadway, hosts |
| Albuquerque, New Mexico's Route 66 Diner. Located | | | | interpretive exhibits explaining how an ancient forest |
| on old Route 66 (AKA Central Avenue, these days), | | | | fell, became steeped in a mineral bath...and literally |
| this cafe has installed a memorial to the Mother Road | | | | turned to stone! You may purchase shined-up samples |
| within its walls. As you enter the Route 66 Diner, you'll | | | | of petrified wood in the gift shop, or you may examine |
| see photos, maps...and even old highway signs...from | | | | (but not take!) specimens in the raw by driving along |
| the famous road's heyday. When you get hungry, you | | | | the park's internal roadways.Motoring westward, you'll |
| can munch down on the diner's old-fashioned "Blue | | | | find another natural wonder of a completely different |
| Plate Special" and order a super-thick malt. (For a | | | | kind. Between Winslow and Flagstaff, you'll reach |
| REALLY old-time treat, you can even still get an Egg | | | | Arizona's Meteor Crater. When you look at this giant |
| Cream or an ice cream soda at the Route 66 | | | | crater, you won't believe that it's not really the Moon |
| Diner!)Next, take a drive down Albuquerque's Central | | | | you're observing! The Meteor Crater's visitor's center |
| Avenue. You'll pass dozens of motels and restaurants | | | | hosts a movie and educational exhibits that interestingly |
| which were once spiffy-new, built for the motoring | | | | explain this natural cataclysm which happened so very |
| crowds who spent the night in this popular Route 66 | | | | long ago.You might wish to stop for a break at |
| "hub city." While many of these motels have "slid | | | | Flagstaff, New Mexico. Flagstaff's downtown area has |
| downhill," others stay well-painted and maintained for | | | | been "cutesified" and turned into a hip 'n' happening |
| today's tourists wishing to re-live an "authentic" Route | | | | restaurant and shopping district frequented by the local |
| 66 experience.While cruising down Central Avenue, | | | | university crowd. Flagstaff also makes a good base |
| you'll come to a brand-new attraction--the sparkling | | | | for day-trips...either to the red rock paradise of Sedona, |
| Albuquerque Aquarium. Stop in! You'll see high-quality | | | | to the south; or to the volcanic and Native American |
| exhibits of marine life from all cross-sections of the | | | | wonders north of town at Wupatki and Sunset Crater |
| oceans, from shore creatures to deep-water | | | | Volcano National Monuments.Ready to see the biggest |
| specimens. Traveling with kids? They'll particularly | | | | natural wonder of 'em all? From Flagstaff (or from |
| enjoy the adorable seahorses, luminous jellyfish, and | | | | Williams, Arizona, further west on I-40) you can get to |
| "scary" sharks!Animal-lovers will also want to visit the | | | | Grand Canyon National Park! You can gaze into its |
| Rio Grande Zoo, an excellent mid-sized zoo | | | | depths, take a hike, raft through the gorge on the |
| showcasing all the popular zoo animals that your family | | | | Colorado River...or even fly overhead on a helicopter |
| will want to see. For a barnyard experience, head to | | | | tour! Don't forget to check out the visitor's center, |
| the Rio Grande Botanic Gardens. Besides displaying | | | | where you'll learn how the giant canyon was carved |
| plants, the botanical gardens host a popular outdoor | | | | over eons by the Colorado's flowing stream. Also, the |
| exhibit called Heritage Farm. You can see | | | | IMAX Theater, just outside the park, provides a visually |
| demonstrations of farming and craftwork from the | | | | stunning overview of the Grand Canyon and its |
| "olden days," ride a horse-drawn wagon, or pet farm | | | | history.From Interstate 40 in western Arizona, you'll |
| animals in a barnyard petting zoo.Before leaving | | | | have a number of possiblities for continuing your road |
| Albuquerque, make absolutely sure that the | | | | trip. Continue on I-40, and you'll head into |
| boutique-lovers in your family visit Old Town | | | | California...towards the beaches and theme parks of |
| Albuquerque, where you can find unique, hand-crafted | | | | Los Angeles. Or...head northwest on US Highway 93, |
| merchandise while exploring the nooks and courtyards | | | | and you'll soon reach the bright neon lights of Las |
| of Albuquerque's original old adobes. Old Town | | | | Vegas. Or, still another alternative--head north from |
| Albuquerque is also a great place to dine, to relax in a | | | | Flagstaff and view the many natural wonders of Utah, |
| Spanish-style plaza, or to take interesting photographs. | | | | including Arches National Park, Zion National Park, and |
| On the other hand, make sure the theme park lovers in | | | | Bryce Canyon National park. What a delightful |
| your group get to Cliff's Amusement Park for a dose | | | | choice!Author Vicki Funes has been traveling Interstate |
| of thrills. Cliff's hosts the state's largest roller coaster, | | | | 40 at regular intervals since it was, indeed, old Route |
| the "New Mexico Rattler," and other scream-inducing | | | | 66. To discover more exciting vacation attractions |
| attractions. For families with children, Cliffs also offers | | | | along I-40, check out the "Interstate 40 Road Trip |
| a good selection of family and "kiddie" rides, as | | | | Planner" page of her website (which is called "Family |
| well.Time to get on the road again! Traveling along | | | | Vacation Getaways at Los Angeles Theme Parks. |
| Interstate 40 westward, you'll soon reach Sky City, | | | | |