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