"2003 - Route 66 Tour : Part 1" Personal Page by Paulie_D

Why Route 66?

I love visiting the US. I'm so impressed with the effort that Americans put into making you feel welcome and how appreciative they are of their history. It's not something that we British do very well.

I have been on many bus/coach tours to the US with Cosmos but have noticed that, in recent years, they have pulled in their horns and seem to be concentrating on their core routes. Not surprising, I suppose, given the downturn in tourist travel. I was interested in seeing new places and, therefore, I decided to look at what was available with other companies.

After some leafing through brochures, I noticed that, for the most part, the mid-west seemed to be ignored. I could not think of any reason why this should be so and looked further into what was offered.
The Route 66 tour offered by Jetsave seemed to strike a chord. Firstly, because of the song but, more importantly, it passed through a number of cities & towns I had not yet visited.

Being somewhat well versed in bus touring, I knew that we would not be travelling the actual Route 66 road but rather using the Interstates; but I hoped that we would get off these often enough to see some of the Route 66 sights along the way. We will see.

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Throughout I will indicate if there is a Tip (T) or a Travelogue (TL). You don't have to visit these individually as you can visit each place's page by clicking on the place name link provided.

By the way, please excuse any change in tenses you may encounter along the way

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That song!

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

It winds from Chicago to L.A. more than 2,000 miles all the way
Get your kicks on Route 66.

You go through St. Louis..Joplin, Missouri..and Oklahoma City looks mighty pretty.

You'll see Amarillo..Gallup, New Mexico....Flagstaff, Arizona, don't forget Winona....Kingman, Barstow, San Bernadino.

Won't you get hip to this timely tip, when you make that California trip
Get your kicks on Route 66.

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September 4th

LONDON to CHICAGO

Arrival day. After a pretty good flight, I land at O'Hare around 3 pm (local) and take a shuttle ride (T) to my hotel, the Lenox Suites (T). It's around 9 or 10 pm by my body clock so I'm not going to do too much this evening.

The Hotel is only a 6 blocks from the Hard Rock so I walk over and buy the obligatory T-shirt.

Then it's another 5/6 blocks south to the House of Blues (T) for a quick meal (and a couple of drinks) before I decide to turn in.

That's blown the diet already. Well you can be on vacation or on a diet, you just can't do both at the same time!

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September 5th

CHICAGO

Oh heck..the body clock's still not right. After an early night, I'm suddenly wide awake at 4 am.

Eventually, I get back off to sleep but by the time a wake up and get myself started (need coffee) it's well after 9 am.

The hotel is only two blocks from Michigan Avenue so I head on over and take a stroll for some window shopping.

I find the old Water Tower (T), grab a couple of photographs and then walk the short distance the John Hancock Centre (T) for a trip to the observatory on top & some pretty impressive shoreline & city views.

I decide to take the free Trolley (T) over to Navy Pier - America's largest recreational pier - for a quick looksee. I'm not terribly impressed but it's only about 1 o'clock. Perhaps it livens up in the evening. (Remember for next time, Paulie)

Anyway, I'm headed for a White Sox (T) game tonight so I can't stay.

After a stop back at the hotel for a wash & brush up (that's a shower and a change of clothes for you non-Brits), I head over to the CTA station (T), only a couple of blocks away, to take the Red Line south to Comiskey Park.

I've never been to a baseball game before and I'm really looking forward to it. I collect my tickets (don't you just love the internet?) and stroll over to my designated gate. Hey, it's free hat night and they have fireworks afterwards! Man, did I get lucky or what?

Anyway, the Sox win & it's a great experience. One I am determined to repeat next time I get the chance.

It's pretty late by the time I get back to the hotel. There's no message about the morning departure so I have to call the tour guide's room for the time...after apologising profusely for waking him up.

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September 6th

CHICAGO

It's 8 am and I meet Kirk (our guide) and Jerry (our driver) as well as the other members of our tour group in the lobby.

Skyscraper sightseeing from the water is included in the tour this morning, with a cruise of the harbour, Lake Michigan and the Chicago River. (T & TL)

After lunch, we head over to one of the world's tallest buildings, the Sears Tower where our admission to the Skydeck is included.

After the tower, we are free to explore the Windy City at our own pace, so I head over to Buckingham Fountain (T) and then on to the Adler Planetarium (T).

As we are leaving fairly early tomorrow, I head back towards the hotel but drop in at the ESPN Zone (T) for a couple of beers and a burger on the way.

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September 7th

CHICAGO to ST LOUIS (370 miles)

An early departure for a fairly lengthy first day's journey on Route 66, where we're travelling southwest toward St. Louis.

We cross the farmlands of Illinois, visiting/passing Bloomington, and visiting the state capital of Illinois, Springfield, where President Lincoln began his career and found his final resting place.

We visit Lincoln's home (T & TL) and then head over to Oak Ridge Cemetery to see his tomb (T & TL) which is now a State Historical Site.

We arrive in St. Louis, on the Missouri border, early in the evening and check in to the Millennium Hotel (T).

I've done some research and it looks like the place to go is Laclede's Landing (T) so I walk over to the Metrolink (T) stop and head on over. If you followed the link you will find out that I wasn't very successful and so after a quick walk around and a meal I make my way back to the hotel.

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September 8th

ST LOUIS

We 'explore' Missouri's largest city and America's busiest inland port on an included orientation tour this morning but first, we are pleasantly suprised to be told that we are heading over to the Anheuser-Busch brewery (T & TL) for a free tour.

For lunch, we are dropped at the old Union Station (T), now a marketplace of shops and restaurants including the Route 66 Brewery (T) where I decide to drop in.

Then, it's on to the 630ft Gateway Arch (T & TL) on the riverfront for a visit to the museum and a ride to the top. Included in the price is a ride/cruise on a Paddle Wheeler (T) on the Mississippi.

That takes up most of the afternoon so we head back to the hotel.

The evening is free so I had decided to try my luck at the Landing again after yesterday's debacle. However, I got talking to some fellow travellers on the bus in the hotel bar (Club Soda only...honest) and I was pretty late in getting out.

Apparently, there is a free shuttle to the Casino at the Landing that stops at the hotel, so I decided to try that. Just my luck...it doesn't turn up and, after waiting for some time, I give up and try out the hotel's 'Fourth Street Grill'. If you clicked on the hotel link earlier, you'll see what I thought. My advice....don't bother.

Anyway, we have another early start tomorrow, so I turn in.

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September 9th

ST LOUIS to SPRINGFIELD, MO (220 miles)

We leave the Jazz city of St Louis and journey through Missouri, nicknamed the "Show Me" state, on way to Springfield, Missouri.

Firstly we make a stop in Stanton at the Meramac Caverns (T). Set beneath the picturesque valley of Meremac these spectacular formations come with a colourful history.

After arriving in Springfield we check into our hotel, The Baymont Inn & Suites (T). We have a little time to relax and enjoy our surroundings before heading out on an optional outing to the bright lights of Branson for an evening on the famous music 'Strip'.

We load on to the coach outside the hotel and are introduced to a local 'guide' named Toby who, it turns out, is a stand-up comedian when he is not showing us tourists around the place. Consequently, we are kept well entertained on our hour's drive into Branson.

Once we arrive, we are taken to a restaurant called the Golden Corral (T) where we will eat before being taken to the theatre for the show.

We don't get any time to explore Branson, which was a pity as I had heard of a place that I wanted to visit called McFarlains which turned out to be opposite the golden Corral. Ah well, there's always next time.

So, we pile back on to the bus and are take to the theatre for our show "Country Tonite!" (T).

After the show, we load back on to the bus for our drive back to the hotel for a well deserved rest.

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September 10th

SPRINGFIELD, MO to OKLAHOMA CITY (300 miles)

We leave Springfield following the contours of the land over rivers, round rolling hills and in between the lakes, these old Cowboy trails are an extensive leg of the journey.

For the first time, we spend some time off the interstate and actually travel down sections of the old Route 66.

We cross into Kansas to cover the whole 13.2 miles of old Route 66 roadway in the state. En route, we make a coffee stop in Riverton to visit the Eisler Bros store.

We leave Kansas for Oklahoma and once again, leave the interstate for a brief side stop on the old Route 66 to see the Blue Whale at Catoosa.

On the road again, we stop in Tulsa, often referred to as the cultural capital of the state, for lunch at the Metro Diner (T) before continuing on.

Back on the road, we head off towards OKC but, once again, pull off onto Route 66 at Arcadia to see the only round barn (T) in Oklahoma.

That photostop over, we haul ourselves back onto the bus and, after a couple more hours, we finally pull into Oklahoma City for a two-night stay at the Amerisuites (T).

As with many of the Amerisuites I have stayed in, their is no in-house restaurant or bar, so I head out for dinner. Fortunately, just outside is a 'Tony Romas' (T} so, I decide to go "off-diet" for the night.

The hotel is on OKC's "hotel-row" near the airport but not much else. Sure, there's other restaurants but nothing much else within reasonable walking distance. Apparently, there is a trolley that can take you into town but it's very infrequent and closes down fairly early AND it looks like it might rain Oh well, beauty sleep is something I can always use.

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September 11th

OKLAHOMA CITY

Sure enough, rain hits the south & midwest overnight but it look like it might be clearing up this morning. Kirk, our guide, tells us that he has moved things around this morning in view of the weather.

First up is the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum (T & TL). I'm not usually one for museums but, in fact, I really enjoyed this one. It's well worth a visit.

As we emerge from the museum, the rain has stopped. We load back on to the bus for a sightseeing tour of its highlights. Kirk decides to let us take an early lunch so we drive over to Bricktown (T).

A quick wander around to decide where to eat..I pass Hooters (T)..decision made. After a quick snack, I head over to the Bricktown Brewery (T) for a beverage or two.

I finish up with a stroll around Bricktown before heading back to the bus.

This afternoon, we have a sightseeing tour of the city. Unfortunately, due to an event taking place (remember the date) we cannot stop to see the Basilica. Instead, we continue on stopping off at the State Capital Building (T & TL) before heading over to the National Memorial (T & TL). The visit to the Memorial was all the more significant that day.

The weather look like is is taking a turn for the worse so we head back to the hotel. I had hoped to head over to Bricktown this evening but I'm disinclined as the weather is bad, it's a fair way away and we have to leave, as usual, quite early tomorrow.

So, I head out to Chili's (T) for a beer or two. I hadn't planned on spending very long here but I get talking to a couple of guys with a few hours to kill between flights. Jim & Larry (Hi, guys!) are on their way to St Louis from Texas but, due to the weather (apparently it's ben pretty bad down there) have missed their connection. They both work for Southwest Air and we have a grand time.

I have found friendly people like Jim & Larry wherever I have travelled in the US. who are willing to talk to a complete stranger. So different from England. If I started taking to a stranger in a pub there, he'd look at me as though I was a psycho! (Perhaps that says something about me but I don't think so).*

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September 12th

OKLAHOMA CITY to AMARILLO (260 miles)

Out of OKC, our first stop is the Oklahoma Route 66 Museum (T) to soak up some memorabilia.

Afterwards. we journey east to west, crossing Cheyenne and Arapaho country and entering a land of cattle, cotton, tumbleweed and oil millionaires.

We get off I-40 to travel a short section of Route 66 to Texola on the border of Texas & Oklahoma.

Now a modern day ghost town. When I-40 replaced Route 66, it bypassed Texola, businesses closed up & the town just died.

On our way again and we stop for lunch in Shamrock, Texas. Nothing worthy of a restaurant tip here but while taking a stroll down the road I came across a beautifully restored old Conoco Gas Station.

We're in the Texas Panhandle now, known locally as 'the real Texas' and renowned for it's hospitality.

Back on I-40 towards Amarillo, we pause at the 'Cross of Our Lord Jesus Christ' (T & TL) outside Groom, Texas.

Not much to do now until we roll into Amarillo for another overnight stop.

We pull into Amarillo in the early evening and check into the Holiday Inn (T).

Many of the others are heading out on an optional excursion to Palo Duro Canyon for a chuck wagon dinner. I'm sorry not to be going but I've been looking forward to tonight for a while. I'm off to the Big Texan Steak Ranch (T & TL).

I speak to the front desk and arrange to be taken to the restaurant in the free shuttle van (well done Holiday Inn) and collected at a pre-arranged time.

Please read the Tip & Travelogue for more details. If you can't be bothered, that's OK. but suffice it to say, I had a great meal & a rousing good time. I just wish I could have pursuaded some of my fellow passengers to accompany me. Pleasure shared is pleased doubled (or squared). (Hey, if no-one has said that before I think I'll keep it!).

The van picks me up at the appointed time and brings me back to the hotel. It's still early enough for a few more drinks.

Some of my bus tour group join me in the bar after a while having got back from their chuck wagon dinner. It sounded so good that I really regret not being able to go. Ah well, there's always next visit. Time for bed.

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September 13th

AMARILLO to ALBUQUERQUE (295 miles)

We leave Amarillo heading west on old Route 66. A few miles out of town we pull off the road for, what appears, no reason. Kirk, our guide, seems unconcerned and points off a short distance into a ploughed field. Damn, it's Cadillac Ranch (T & attached TL), the 'Hood Ornament of Route 66'. This pop art sculpture of ten cars embedded tail-up in a wheat field is said to represent dolphin fins in a sea of swaying grain. We stop for a quick photostop. I'm surprised by the lack of signposting and commercialism. I guess that's the wish of the man who owns the land and created the art piece.

On our way again, we soon enter New Mexico and Comanche country by passing through Glenrio, another ghost town created by the bypassing of Route 66, sitting on the Texas / New Mexico border

We briefly stop for coffee at Tucumcari, where an annual Route 66 Festival parade and rodeo draws the August (damn, missed it) crowds

We stop for lunch in Santa Rosa, at the Silver Moon Cafe (I would have done a Tip but I can't find Santa Rosa on VT), before heading onward to Albuquerque.

After a brief stop in Old Town just to get our bearings, we pull into our hotel, the Best Western, Rio Grande Inn (T) and head off to our rooms.

Tonight, we have an optional ride on the Sandia Tram (T), the world longest single-span tramway to dine at the top of Sandia Peaks in the High Finance Restaurant (T)

After dinner, we return to the hotel and I head into the bar (where else). It's pretty quiet, so I get talking to the bartender/bar manager, Susie and a US couple. We do the usual 'where are you from, where are you going?' thing and soon we are talking away like old pals (See what I mean about Americans being friendly?).

Not long after, more of my tour group join us and soon the joint is jumpin'. It turns out that Susie's daughter is staying in a town very close to the home of one of our group, which helps the conversation along. We have a fair number of Irish in our tour group and they know how to have a good time.

After a number of hours we have to acknowledge the fact that we have to be out and about tomorrow so, with much regret, we say goodbye to Susie and head off for some much needed beauty sleep. In my case, I have an early start to go hot air ballooning.

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DAMN!! I JUST REALISED THIS TRAVELOGUE IS SO LONG, I'M GOING TO HAVE TO BREAK IT UP INTO IN TWO PARTS..OH WELL.

September 14th

ALBUQUERQUE

5.30 a.m. - Damn!! It's early...and I think I drank a little to much last night. Oh well, I force myself out of bed, grab a quick shower and head out to the hotel lobby where I will be picked up for my Hot Air Balloon ride (T & TL) this morning.

I cannot recommend this experience enough. Please read the Travelogue. If you're in Albuquerque and have the time, give Skyspan a call.

However, all good things must come to an end and I am dropped back at the hotel around 11 am. Most of the rest of my tour group are on an excursion to Santa Fe today so I walk into Old Town Albuquerque.

Of course, what I had forgotten was that it was Sunday. (You do tend to lose track on coach tours). Once I'd walked the few blocks from the hotel to Old Town, I realised that practically everything is closed. (A light dawns.....that explains the optional excursion to Santa Fe).

There is a very useful public information storefront at the Plaza Don Luis which has some very helpful people with great ideas for things to do.

In the end however, I decide just to stroll the streets and take in the atmosphere. I take a look at the San Felipe de Neri Church (T) but there is a service going on so I carry on.

Well, it's lunchtime and the monster that is my stomach must be appeased. This isn't going to be easy. All the places that looked so good during our brief stop when we pulled in yesterday are closed. However, I find Julia's Cafe (T) and have a quiet Sunday lunch on the patio.

Afterwards, I decide to go back to the hotel, take care of some essential coach trip essentials (laundry) and take it easy. A nice afternoon nap (Hey, I did have an early start remember?). Then back to the bar for the rest of the evening.

Tomorrow we're off again back on Route 66.

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September 15th

ALBUQUERQUE to WILLIAMS (379 miles)

We have a long day ahead of us today as we cross New Mexico and, eventually, pass into Arizona.

On our way we stop for our morning coffee (& gift shop) break at the famous El Rancho Hotel (T & TL) in Gallup, NM (Route 66 song reference).

We continue on to the Petrified Forest National Park.

Firstly, we stop off at the Painted Desert Visitors Centre for shopping at the Gift Shop (T) and lunch (T)

Then we are into the park proper passing through the Painted Desert, a dramatic landscape of solidified sand dunes, which reflect the light a various times of the day to look painted.

Then we move further into the park to see the Petrified Forest.

Now, I'm a reasonably educated fellow but, for some strange reason, I always had the impression that this was a large, well, forest of trees that had been petrified. If I'd thought about it, I should have realised that these would have fallen over, broken up and been subject to thousands of years of natural attrition and, as it turns out, man's interference.

We stop at the Rainbow Forest Museum (T & TL) that offers the best examples of the trees whose cells have been converted by time to form quartz crystals. Inside, there are examples of trunks that have been cross-sectioned by diamond saws and polished to display the multicoloured crystal.

We can't stay too long as we still have some way to go to our overnight stop at Williams.

On our way we pass through Holbrook AZ and make a brief stop to see the Wigwam Motel (T), but we once again must push on but pass Winslow, Arizona (remember the Eagles' song?) and Winona AZ (as mentioned on the Route 66 song).

As it turns out out hotel, the Quality Inn Mountain Ranch Resort, (T) is actually 6 miles outside of Williams. I actually knew this from the research I had done on the various tour hotels but it was disappointing that we were not offered the opportunity to go into town. Oh, I suppose I could have made the trip by cab but after all thise hours on the coach I'm 'knackered' (that's English slang for dog-tired). So, I slip off to the bar, sink a few brewskis, eat my Chicken Caeser salad & chat to my fellow passengers. Another long day tomorrow so I head for my room fairly early. Tomorrow. we have the Grand Canyon and then onto Las Vegas.

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September 16th

WILLIAMS to LAS VEGAS (357 miles)

The Grand Canyon is our morning destination where , with any luck, we will take time to soak up the amazing views of one of the world's most spectacular natural wonders.

First stop is Yavapai Point which provides one of the most dramatic views of the inner canyon.

Then it's on to Bright Angel Lodge for more sightseing and an opportunity to have lunch. Outside, on the observation patio, you can take in the views and meet the local squirrel population who are incredibly tame.

Once again, however, we must be on our way as we still have a long way to go but we manage a final stop in the Canyon at Lookout Studio. Offering ever more spectacular views and the chance to finalise your Canyon shopping experience.

From here we continue through the desert towards Las Vegas.

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If you've come this far, guess we'll have to continue in 2003 - Route 66 Tour: Part 2.

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