For those of you who are too young to remember this song, it's official title is "Get Your Kicks on Route 66". The song was written in 1946 and was recorded by Nat King Cole (before my time) and covered by many artists since. The song is about the original Route 66 which was a famous stretch of road that ran from Los Angeles to Chicago. One of the original U.S. Highways, Route 66 was established in 1926 and served as a major path for those who migrated west during the 1930's to 1950's. It was noted for it's strange establishments (e.g. Dinosaur Car Wash; Wigwam Motel; Wagon Wheel Motel) with their now retro gaudy neon signs and very strange statues. In 1985, it was decided the route was no longer relevant and was replaced by the Interstate Highway System. Several places along the now defunct route, still have sections that remain. On our southwest trip, we had hoped to spend some quality time on the old route. We stopped in Williams, Arizona, which has a decent section, and we also spent some time in Albuquerque where many of the establishments have been torn down and some are just plots of land with their decrepit signs ready to fall down. It's sad to see such a nostalgic road go by the wayside.
I wasn't pleased with the few shots I got on Route 66, so I dredged up this photo that I had taken in the Route 66 Restaurant last fall. The restaurant is located in Bar Harbor, Maine (go figure) about 1,300 miles from Route 66's original terminus.