I Got My Kicks on Route 66

If you ever plan to motor west
Travel my way, the highway that's the best.
Get your kicks on Route 66!

Swa Frantzen

For those old enough to remember, there was a show on television called Route 66. And it was about two guys, Tod and Buz, in a red corvette who traveled Route 66. There was a different story every week about their adventures along the way. It was on TV from 1960 to 1964.

Route 66 earned the title “Main Street of America” because it wound through small towns across the Midwest and Southwest, lined by hundreds of cafés, motels, gas stations, and tourist attractions. It is also quite often called the "Mother Road".

Store near Kingman, AZ

Beginning in the late 1950s and continuing gradually over the next 25 years, old Route 66 was bypassed section by section as the high-speed Interstate highways were completed. Finally, in 1984, when the last stretch of freeway was finished, Route 66 was officially decommissioned; the old route is now designated Historic Route 66. You can drive the entire byway in four or five days, but to enjoy it, plan for several days per state. Not all of Route 66 is accessible, as the new highways were sometimes built right over the old road, so now in order to drive the entire route, some of it will have to be done on major freeways. Interstate 40 covers quite a bit of the old Route 66. You should also get a good map that shows where the bypasses to 66 are. AAA carries a nice guide map to Route 66, it is in their bookstore section and there is a charge for it. The road goes from Los Angeles, California to Chicago, Illinois, over 2400 miles.

During the Great Depression, hundreds of thousands of farm families, displaced from the Dust Bowl, made their way west along Route 66 to California. After World War II many more families came west on the "Mother Road" to find jobs in sunny Southern California. Today, the charm, the history, and the atmosphere that make up Route 66 bring travelers from all over the world to experience America the way it used to be.

Cadillac Ranch

Route 66 passes through a marvelous cross-section of American scenes, from the sunshine of Los Angeles, past the Grand Canyon and the Native American communities of the desert Southwest, to the streets of St. Louis and Chicago. Along the way there are many sights to see. In Missouri there are the Fantastic Caverns where you are driven through the caverns in a car/train type vehicle. In Amarillo, Texas you can visit Cadillac Ranch. There you will see a line of old Cadillacs half-buried nose-first in the ground. It is visible from the highway, and though it is located on private land, visiting it (by driving along a frontage road and entering the pasture by walking through an unlocked gate) is encouraged. In addition, writing graffiti on or otherwise spray-painting the vehicles is also encouraged, and the vehicles, which have long since lost their original colors, are wildly decorated.

Winslow, AZ

In Arizona there are many sights along Route 66, including the Petrified Forest, The Meteor Crater, and the Grand Canyon. You can stop and spend the night in a concrete Wigwam, or have dinner at the Road Kill Cafe. And why not stop and stand on a corner in Winslow, Arizona - reminscent of the old Eagles song.

There are many other sights along the way, and lots of diners and cafes that have stayed in business over the years because of the popularity of the old highway. The road ends at the Santa Monica Pier.

Whether you are motivated by an interest in its history, feel a nostalgic yearning for the good old days the route has come to represent, or simply want to experience firsthand the amazing diversity of people and landscapes that line its path, Route 66 offers an unforgettable journey into America, then and now.

Here are a few websites that will help with planning a driving trip on Route 66:
www.historic66.comwww.drivingroute66.com
http://www.national66.com/
http://www.route66.org/
http://www.oklahomaroute66.com/
http://www.missouri66.org/
http://www.bygonebyways.com/

Remember the old Burma Shave signs along the highway? They are all along Route 66. This one says - Big Mistake, Many Make, Rely on Horn, Instead of Brake, Burma Shave. As a kid I always loved reading those.

Tips for Traveling by Car

Summer is upon us, and with that vacation time.  People will be hoping in their cars and taking off to explore the country.  I wrote this last year and it has some good travel tips for those making car trips.  I thought I would re-post it.

“Thanks to the Interstate Hwy System, it is now possible to travel across the country, from coast to coast, without seeing anything.” Charles Kuralt

 

Driving near Sedona, Arizona

Since I retired from my job as a travel agent, we have had the time to take more road trips. As much as I love seeing other countries, I realize that our country also has a lot to see. And I don't want to miss all the wonderful things there are to see here. Traveling by car does allow you to see things that you miss while on a plane or a train. But it can also be tiring. Long hours of sitting in a car can take a toll on you as much as a long plane trip can. But if you take your time, it can be very rewarding.

Driving near Stowe, Vermont

I remember a group of Japanese tourists that came to see me when I was working at AAA. They asked me to map out a trip for them and to book hotels. They wanted to see some of our national parks and some of our more famous sights. They had 2 weeks, and they planned to go over to the Grand Canyon, then to the Black Hills and Mt. Rushmore, then across to Yellowstone, and then back to California and down through Yosemite and Sequoia. 

A stream in Sequoia NP

I told them that the trip was impossible in that short of a time. They didn't understand how big our country is, and how much distance would be between those locations, they would be in the car all day, every day. They said that they knew, and it wasn't a problem. They just wanted to see those things, and take pictures, they didn't need to spend any time there. I guess, if that is how they wanted to travel, who was I to talk them out of it. But that is not my idea of a good trip.

We all want to cram too much into vacations some times. You think, “when will I ever get back here, I need to see it while I'm here.” But no matter what the urge, we need to plan road trips out so that we have time to see what we are going to see. And as the quote at the beginning points out, that means getting off the interstate and seeing the actual county.

Yosemite National Park

TIP: If going to see several National Parks, consider purchasing the Annual pass at the entrance to the first park. The cost of the annual pass is $80 and will give you and the passengers of your car, entrance to any National Park in the USA, for one year. Since most National Parks charge an entrance fee of $20 per car to enter, if you are traveling to several parks on one trip, it would pay for itself at the 4^th park, and you would still have the pass for the rest of the year, to use for future adventures.

The Senior Pass is an even better bargain. Once you turn 62 you can purchase a Senior Pass for $10. This will get you and any passengers in your car into all the National Parks, and the pass is for the lifetime of the person who purchases it. You must be a citizen of the USA to purchase this pass.

Banff National Park, Alberta, Canada

Consider becoming a member of AAA. They will plan your trip out for you on a TripTix. You tell them where you want to go, what stops you would like to make, and they will map it out for you, and give you books on the areas where you are going. I know that with todays GPS systems and the internet, you may not feel this is necessary, but for a long trip, the TripTix is a great tool. And if you have children traveling with you, it gives them something to follow along on. They can flip the pages as you go, and they can see how close they are getting to their destination.

Lake Louise, Alberta, Canada

Here are some other travel tips that we have come up with during our years of traveling by car:

• Don't wait until your gas gauge says empty, especially when traveling in rural areas. Fill up when you see a gas station available, you may get into an area where there are no open stations.
•  
• Take snacks with you from home, or stop at grocery stores for snacks. Gas stations and convenience stores are more expensive, and have less healthy choices.
• Know the driving laws for the states you are going through. Laws vary from state to state. For example - not every state allows for a free right hand turn.

• 

  New Hampshire

  Do not drive while talking on a cell phone. It is against the law in most states, unless using a hands-free device.
• Consider joining AAA, they will provide towing and emergency road service in all 50 states and Canada.
• Keep your suitcases and camera equipment, and any valuables locked in the trunk and out of sight when you are parked. 
• Take your own music with you for entertainment. You will not have to keep finding new radio stations every few miles. We travel with our IPOD and CD's.
• If you have kids or dogs traveling with you, make sure you stop often for potty breaks and to stretch their legs.
• Take turns driving if there are several drivers on the trip.
• Make sure you have a good co-pilot to follow a map and get you to your destination, but don't be afraid to wander off the path and see something that wasn't in your schedule.

Near Sedona, Arizona

And the most important rule is to enjoy the scenery, stop and smell the roses, see the sights, and have fun!

Does anyone remember the old Burma Shave signs along the highway? They used to be everywhere, for those of you old enough to remember. They were amusing, and gave us something to look for while traveling. Recently, while driving in Arizona, we came across a couple. They brought back some nostalgia. Here are the 2 we saw:

You can drive -  A mile a minute - But there is no -  Future in it -  Burma Shave

Big mistake -  Many make -  Rely on horn - Instead of brake - Burma Shave

Have Dogs, Will Travel

This is an article I wrote last year, with summer coming I though I would re-post it.

 



"No one realizes how beautiful it is to travel until he comes home and rests his head on his old familiar pillow." Lin Yutang

On a trip to Joshua Tree NP

Much of the travel my husband and I do is by plane. We have two dogs, Baxter and Sadie, and when we travel by plane, they stay home with a house/dog sitter. But now that we are retired and have more free time, we are able to get away more often. So, while we still take the trips by plane, we have also been doing more car trips. When we travel by car, our dogs quite often come with us. And they love to go – anywhere. Just say the word "GO" and they are ready.

Baxter & Sadie in the car

We purchased them a car seat. It is a raised bed that is big enough for 2 of them to lay in and they have a harness that fastens them in. It still gives them room to sit up and move around some, but if we stop quick or are in an accident, it will give them some protection, at least they won't go flying. On short trips the one bed works fine, but we found that on longer trips they needed 2 separate beds, so we ended up buying another bed. That is so that we don't get that growl from the backseat which translates to “Mom, she's touching me!' They really are like traveling with kids.

Dogs and Me at Lake Louise, Canada

In today's world, more and more hotels are realizing that pets are part of the family, and there are many hotels that accept pets. From the inexpensive to the expensive. If we are just trying to get somewhere and not stopping there as a destination, we will quite often look for a Motel 6. If it's late and we just want a place to sleep, Motel 6 will ALWAYS take our pets. Most of them are basic but clean. However, there are some I look at and decide to pass up. My next options are Best Western, Comfort Inn, Days Inn or La Quinta, because about 70- 80% of those chains will take pets. If you are in the Pacific Northwest there is a chain called Shilo, and they are pet-friendly. If you are into high-end hotels, then Lowe's Resorts, Residence Inn and I believe some Four Season hotels will take your pet. Some of the hotels do charge extra for pets, and some require a deposit in case of accidents.

Baxter at the Farmers Market in Banff

If you are going to a National Park, check their pet policy. Most allow them, but they have rules. For example, we took our dogs to Yellowstone. Driving around was no problem, but all of the trails were “no dogs allowed”. If we wanted to go see the geyser on the trail we had to take turns staying with them, while the other person hiked the trail. It took twice as long to see everything, and we couldn't do it together. We had a cabin in the park, but you aren't allowed to leave your dogs alone there, and I wouldn't anyway. And never leave them unatteneded in a car, If it is hot, the heat that can kill them in minutes, but even if it's cold, if you are in a park then there is the possibility of wild animals. A bear can get into a car, and a dog might look tempting.

Getting to your destination takes a little longer with pets. You will have to stop every couple of hours to let them stretch their legs and pee. I think this is a good thing. Without the pets we tend to just keep going and then we are stiff and sore, the pets give us an excuse to stop. Also, meals are a little more difficult. We stop at fast food places with outdoor eating areas, so that the dogs can get out of the car. Or we pick up sandwiches and find a park or roadside rest area to eat in.

Going up the mountain in a gondola

We recently took our 2 dogs on a 6 week trip. We drove from San Diego to Washington state. That was a 2 day trip. We have a cabin in Washington, and when we got there they were happy, it's there second home and they are familiar with it. They can walk around without leashes. They even get in the inner-tube with me and float in the river. Then we spent a week on the Washington coast, and they loved that. We walked down to the beach every day and they got to run up and down the beach, smelling all the neat smells, and playing in the waves. They do love the beach. From there we headed north into Canada. We spent a week in a pet-friendly condo in Banff National Park, with day trips to Lake Louise and the glaciers. They seemed to enjoy that, they even saw 4 bears – from the safety of their car seat, and quite a few deer, and mountain goats. Baxter's favorite thing was chasing the ground squirrels outside the condo. He even got to ride a gondola to the top of the mountain in Banff – it is a pet-friendly gondola.

Stretching their legs on the trip home

A word about crossing the border into Canada and back to the U.S. I did call ahead of time to confirm what would be needed at the border crossing. We needed our passports, of course, and the dogs needed up-to-date shot records and I was told that they would need to look healthy.

At the end of our 6 week adventure, I will have to say that the dogs looked relieved to be home. The trip home took us 4 days, as we detoured through Glacier National Park. I really think they enjoyed the trip, and they always prefer to be with their people and not left behind, but when they saw that they were home they were beside themselves with joy. For several days when we would ask them if they wanted to go – the answer was obviously NO, as they would run upstairs and sit down and look at us.

Dogs on the deck overlooking the river

So, if you have pets, my advice is – take them with you, but be aware of their needs, keep them restrained in the car, never leave them in the car alone, take all their food and water supplies and some toys. And make sure you check restrictions on where you are going.


Dogs with me in the inner-tube on the river

 

Road Scholar - Formerly Known as ElderHostel

This post is from last year.  I am taking a break and re-posting a few things that I thought might be worth posting again.

“To laugh often and much; to win the respect of intelligent people and the affection of children; to earn the appreciation of honest critics and to endure the betrayal of false friends. To appreciate beauty; to find the best in others; to leave the world a bit better whether by a healthy child, a garden patch, or a redeemed social condition; to know that even one life has breathed easier because you have lived. This is to have succeeded.” 

Ralph Waldo Emerson

 

Last time, I wrote about senior travel.  As a senior myself, I have to say that I plan to keep traveling as long as possible.  I had heard about Elderhostel quite a few years ago, and since I was familiar with the concept, which was similiar to the Youth Hostels, I thought at the time, when I am older I will give that a try.  Now that I am of an age where I am considered a senior, I decided to check into it.  The program has changed somewhat, and the name has changed to Road Scholar.

Colisseum in Rome

Road Scholar is a learning program that combines stimulating, not-for-credit classes on a wide variety of subjects with comfortable, inexpensive lodgings.   It is for adults of any age.  They even have programs that grandparents can do with their grandchildren.  Discover and explore together with your grandchild through interactive learning experiences and field trips. Both you and your grandchild will share the joy of learning with other grandparents and their grandchildren, bridging generations and opening doors to discovery and friendship.

Road Scholar, the not-for-profit leader in educational travel, offers 6,500 educational tours in all 50 states and 150 countries. Alongside local and renowned experts, experience in-depth and behind-the-scenes learning opportunities, from cultural tours and study cruises to walking, biking and more. Their learning adventures stimulate discourse and friendship among people for whom learning is the journey of a lifetime.

Vermont

You can choose from programs close to home to overnight programs in cities and locations around the United States and the world, you're sure to find a Road Scholar adventure that captures your interest, dreams and desires.  When you participate in a Road Scholar program, you will not only expand your mind, you will be in the company of other people who believe that learning is one of the best parts of life.

Road Scholar instructors are both experts in their field and lifelong learners themselves who are excited to answer your questions, hear your opinions and share in your experience. Road Scholar programs are renowned for being inclusive, warm and welcoming for solo participants. They can either match you with a roommate or, on most programs, you can choose to room on your own.

From expert-led lectures and field trips to comfortable lodgings and meals, they handle all the details, including the ones you might not anticipate. They have taken the worry out of the planning, so you can focus on your learning experience.

They even have a scholarship plan for those who do not have the  financial means to participate.

Traverse some of the world's most spectacular waterways, offering you a convenient and rewarding way to learn and explore aboard ocean liners, riverboats and small ships.

Denali NP, Alaska

From Denali to the Everglades and countless beautiful, historic places in between, field trips to America’s National Parks reveal what adventurers can’t see on their own, with specialized experts showing you how to track wildlife or lead you to the spot with the most awe-inspiring view.

From hiking in the Grand Canyon to exploring France by barge and bicycle, to sharpening your golf or tennis skills, these active programs exercise the body and the mind.

You can go to a place that needs your help and volunteer while seeing the local area.  From tutoring schoolchildren or helping restore a crucial forest habitat for wildlife, to assisting with artifact restoration and museum curatorial work, Service Learning programs are an opportunity to make a difference in the world. www.roadscholar.org

Senior Travel

This is a reposting of an article I did last year.  I am taking a break, so will repost a few things from the past.

"A nomad I will remain for life,
in love with distant and uncharted places."
~ Isabelle Eberhardt ~

My husband and me
2 seniors at the top of Mt. Vogel
Slovenia

I am 65 years old, soon to be 66, and I am officially a senior, although most days I really don’t feel like it.  As the baby-boomers reach retirement, there will be more and more of us traveling. Today’s seniors are healthier and more active than ever before.  When I think about seniors traveling, I still think of people closer to my mom’s age.  My mom stopped traveling a few years ago; she is 94 and no longer up to making a trip.  But, as a travel agent, I had several clients who were well into their late 80’s who were still traveling several times a year, to all sorts of exotic locations.  I certainly hope I will still be traveling when I am their age also. 

There are companies that cater just to seniors.  When I worked at AAA we worked with a local company called Gadabout Tours.  They would actually pickup at your door and either take you to a central location where the bus tour started, or if you had booked a trip where you had to fly somewhere, they would take you to the airport. This was a nice feature, especially for seniors who don’t always have transportation available. They do day trips from the San Diego area as well as longer trips, even cruises and European vacations.  See your AAA travel agent or contact them at 

 www.gadaboutvacations.com

There are companies all over the country that cater to seniors and home pickup is a feature many of them have.  When my mom used to travel she would book her trips through the senior center and it also included home pickup.  She traveled all over the world with the senior center and a lot of the people on the trip with her were people she knew from the senior center.

Me in Durbrovnik, Croatia
age 63

Another good reason to book with a company that is specifically for seniors, is that everyone on the trip will be your age, and you will, hopefully, have a lot in common with them.  Also, if you are a single senior, they will pair you with another senior of the same sex, so that you can share a room and therefore, the cost.  It is not unusual for a senior to suddenly find themselves traveling alone.  They lose their normal travel partner, due to illness or death, but they still want to travel.  It costs a lot more to travel as a single, but there will probably be several people in that situation in a senior group, and they will make an effort to find you a travel partner to share costs.

Depending on how well you still are able to get around, you may not be ready for a senior group trip.  A lot of seniors are still traveling independently, and should continue to do so, as long as they feel comfortable on their own.  But for those who are starting to have some health issues or mobility issues, or find themselves suddenly without a travel partner, remember there are options and you can still get out and go.  You just may make some new friends along the way.