Next year the Mother Road, the infamous Route 66, will turn one hundred years old. The 2,448 miles (3,940 km) connecting Chicago, Illinois to Santa Monica, California hold a storied place in this country's memories. And a hell of a lot of kitsch. The hallowed highway has seen its share of ups and downs over the past century, but next year they're going to be doing it up good for the big birthday.
I've spent some time on the old Route 66, most recently in 2023 when these photos were taken. Never covered its full length though, always picked up its trail in St. Louis and followed it to Santa Fe and Albuquerque in New Mexico. Ever since getting wind of the upcoming centennial, I've not been able to get the notion out of my head of doing a road trip end to end to document the occasion and situation.
On our 2023 trip, we were "in search of the American Dream!" Never quite found it, but did pick up enough signs and traces to be certain that if it is to be found, the centennial of the Mother Road is the place. We were pressed for time in 2023, would have do it right this time around and take the time to get to know the places and people along the way.
Doing that takes a bit of cash, even if you're traveling on the cheap like I try to do. I've never been one to suffer from an abundance of cash, so I've been reading up on the DHF. Don't know that there's a snowball's chance in hell of it succeeding, but there's got to be enough of an overlap between HIVE's goals and mine for a proposal. Still trying to figure out what that is, if you've got any suggestions, I'm all ears. In the meantime I should probably working on my grant writing skills.
Who else has did some traveling on Route 66? Always come away with the feeling that I was driving through history, that the Mother Road was a microcosm of the American West. The varied array of landscapes along the way may have contributed that that feeling.
This road trip notion is still in its early stages, going to need more flame and hot air before it achieves liftoff. Any of y'all have experience with DHF proposals (other than getting pestered to vote for them)?
If you're interested in taking part in the shindig or getting a few kicks on Route 66 yourself, check out this website with a rundown of the goings-on. Now who is bringing the birthday cake?