|
For its first four decades, "The Mother Road," as Steinbeck called it, served as the introduction for millions of travelers -- from dustbowl refugees to vacationing families -- to the American west. Today, although the original highway has been completely superceded by interstates, many of the old Route 66 roads still exist. In some states, these old roads are even protected by law so they can be toured by those who want to experience the legendary highway -- whether by car or bicycle. By leaving the superhighway to the commercial truckers and time-obsessed, these people discover that following the older, slower road brings them closer to the history and the landscape. And what a landscape it is. From its start in Chicago to its finish, 2,448 miles later in Santa Monica, CA, Route 66 traverses a stunning array of environments -- from farmlands, to plains, to mountains, to deserts. For those who want to experience the most scenic and unspoiled Route 66 miles, a Mother Road tour of the Southwest is the way to go. From Santa Fe, NM, to Barstow, CA, Route 66 travels a classic route past high and low deserts, buttes and mesas, native American lands, lava flows, petrified forests, and even meteor craters. One of the most interesting stretches of old Route 66, to pick just one example, is in the Petrified Forest National Park, about 25 miles from the town of Holbrook in northeastern Arizona. At one time, Route 66 actually traveled through the park. Although that road still exists, it's now closed to automobiles and rapidly returning to the desert. It can still be bicycled, however, and the rewards include a spectacular view of the multi-hued badlands of the Chinle Formation known as the Painted Desert. Learn More Photo above courtesy Jim Bradbury. |
Route 66 was conceived 75 years ago as a way to promote better roads. The most famous highway in the world has now been used to promote better use of roads by serving as the course for the American Solar Challenge, a solar-powered car race with 28 entrants (the University of Michigan entry took the prize with an elapsed time of just over 56 hours).