Route 66, USA (2024)

Our Route 66 adventure started in the city of Los Angeles, California, USA. We stayed at a nice motel in Hollywood and obviously we had to visit the Hollywood sign. It's not that easy to get close to it but after some driving around we managed to find a good spot anyway.

It was truly nice to see the original McDonald's in the city of San Bernardino, California, USA. This was the first McDonald's that opened its doors and it has now turned into a small museum.

An antique station near the town of Oro Grande in California, USA. Although the town itself was once a flourishing community along Route 66, this part looked like set up to mostly attract tourists.

Bottles and more at Elmer's Bottle Tree Ranch near the town of Oro Grande in California, USA. This must have been the weirdest attraction along Route 66. Trees made out of empty bottles plus a lot more other stuff that can successfully pass as junk. Entrance is totally free and there was no-one around.

Technically the town of Calico in California, USA is not on historic Route 66, but it was so close that we decided to take a look anyway. Lots of effort has been going into restoring this small town to its former glory. We loved this 'Bucket brigade, for fire only' sign. Apparently people were supposed to form a line, fill a bucket with water and pass it on to the next person.

Walking around in the historical town of Calico, California, USA. It's not really an actual town anymore where people live and work, but restored to former glory to attract tourists. This here is the main square.

One of quite a few original motels is Roy's Motel and Cafe on Route 66 near the town of Amboy in California, USA. Almost all have huge signs attracting attention and there's always some old classic car from the 60's somewhere.

We loved to see snow on the surrounding peaks while exploring Joshua Tree National Park in California, USA. Also note the hundreds of Joshua trees in the valley which gives the park its name.

Just a few of the many Jumbo Rocks in Joshua Tree National Park, California, USA. It was so much fun and a challenge climbing these rocks and finding a way forward.

Split Rock is an interesting feature in Joshua Tree National Park, California, USA. Amazing to see what erosion can do to a massive granite rock.

A lovely Joshua tree against a blue sky in Joshua Tree National Park, California, USA. It is clear where the park got its name from as there are thousands and thousands of these trees.

This is a familiar sight all along Route 66, abandoned buildings with lots of graffiti. These are some old Route 66 ruins near the town of Chambless in California, USA.

The sphere is the latest attraction in the city of Las Vegas, Nevada, USA. Even though we knew it was going to be big, we were truly impressed by the size of the thing. It was so huge that is was hard to get a good overview. We finally found a good spot on one of the parking lots nearby and watched endless animations being displayed.

Awesome patterns on the sphere in the city of Las Vegas, Nevada, USA. We had a great spot looking at it from a distance and seeing the most amazing patterns being displayed. Very hard to leave this crazy display.

An original Saloon with an inviting 'Come on in' sign in the town of Oatman, Arizona, USA. Oatman is one of a few towns along Route 66 that have remained in business over the years, albeit modified to cater for the tourists that pass by.

The entrance to Mr. D'z diner in the town of Kingman, Arizona, USA. With an old delivery truck in front of the diner it really gives a good idea of times gone by. The diner is still open and serves a variety of food including burgers and fries.

Original gas pumps at the Hackberry general store near the town of Kingman in Arizona, USA. This is a typical example of an original general store that has remained in business along Route 66. Nothing much seems to have changed over the years.

Kind of a weird and yet funny slogan at the Roadkill Cafe near the town of Seligman in Arizona, USA. 'You kill it, we grill it' can be taken literally as they will prepare food from any animal that was accidentally killed on the road.

The post office in the make believe version of Bedrock near the town of Williams in Arizona, USA. Bedrock is known for the town where Fred & Wilma Flintstone lived in the 60's cartoon series The Flintstones. Even though the site is called the Raptor Ranch, the main attractions are the Flintstones houses.

We had so much fun walking around on the grounds of the Raptor Ranch near the town of Williams in Arizona, USA. They have done a wonderful job in creating a believable version of the town of Bedrock which is known from the 60's cartoon The Flintstones. This here is Fred's house with a bowl for Dino, their pet.

Admiring the massive rocks at Mather Point in Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona, USA. Even though this is the area that attracts most visitors it still makes one feel small looking at the millions of years of erosion.

Somehow people find it important to name natural phenomena. One needs a bit of imagination to see it, but this here is the view at Duck on a rock in Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona, USA.

Looking down at Moran Point in Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona, USA. It's a part of the Grand Canyon that we had not visited before. The view isn't all that different from other areas but with less tourists it is more relaxed here.

The Desert View watchtower can be found in a less visited, but nevertheless interesting part of Grand Canyon National Park in Arizona, USA. Views over the Grand Canyon were spectacular even without climbing the tower.

The other side of the Glen Canyon Dam near the town of Page in Arizona, USA. Even having seen it before it still is an amazing structure. Holding the water in Lake Powell provides for the majority of drinking water here plus it drives a power station creating electricity.

At the entrance of the Upper Antelope Canyon near the town of Page in Arizona, USA. Five years ago we were here for the first time and found it so beautiful that we gladly took a detour from our Route 66 road trip to come visit again. This time the weather was less sunny and being here in Spring also made a difference in the lighting and colouring. Still extremely gorgeous though.

Fantastic shapes everywhere while walking around in the Upper Antelope Canyon near the town of Page in Arizona, USA. Even though several groups of people are walking inside the canyon there are enough possibilities to get serene views like this one.

Awesomeness everywhere you look when inside the Upper Antelope Canyon near the town of Page in Arizona, USA. Looking all the way up it is clear how the falling sand and rain could have sculptured the sandstone walls. The light that falls in creates the most fantastic colours.

Slot canyons like the Antelope Canyon have been created over millions of years of erosion. Rain and sand falling through the cracks have polished the soft stone. We were lucky to have witnessed some falling sand in the Upper Antelope Canyon near the town of Page in Arizona, USA.

We thoroughly enjoyed being in the town of Winslow, Arizona, USA. After Route 66 no longer was the main highway the town didn't get many visitors anymore. After some time it was decided to make it more appealing to tourists by creating the Standin' on the Corner Park based on the song 'Take it easy' by the Eagles. It contains statues of Glenn Frey and Jackson Browne.

Tawa Point is one of the first stops in the Painted Desert, Arizona, USA. Tawa Point offers endless views on hills of colourful eroded rocks. Painted Desert is part of the Petrified Forest National Park.

Not all hills are smooth due to millions of years of erosion in the Painted Desert, Arizona, USA. This here is a white ridge at Kachina Point. Painted Desert is part of the Petrified Forest National Park.

Hundreds of millions of years of erosion sculptured these hills into what they are today. We just couldn't get enough of these painted rocks at Kachina Point in the Painted Desert, Arizona, USA. Painted Desert is part of the Petrified Forest National Park.

Because of the weather we had to make some changes in our plan to visit the Painted Desert in Arizona, USA. Due to expected thunderstorms we had visited most parts a day earlier and were not planning to do so again on this day. However, on our way to the Petrified Forest National Park, we had to go through Painted Desert again and when we noticed the blanket of snow that covered the desert we simply had to make some stops again.

Our first stop inside the Petrified Forest National Park in Arizona, USA. The amount of (pieces of) petrified trees is truly amazing. Some are just laying out in the open, but this one was sticking out of the rocks. It is mindblowing to think of the millions of years that have passed since there were actual trees here.

One of the best hikes we did was the Blue Mesa Trail in the Petrified Forest National Park in Arizona, USA. Following some well paved paths we got to go down into this beautiful valley with its purple, brown and grey colours. The silence was amazing and made the experience even better. While walking we passed many petrified remnants of trees, like these that were broken up in pieces.

Admiring an almost complete tree in Jasper Forest, part of the Petrified Forest National Park in Arizona, USA. We loved how everyone can get close to these millions of years old trees and even touch them.

Some huge petrified trees along a path in the Crystal Forest, part of the Petrified Forest National Park in Arizona, USA. Despite the terrible weather predictions we were really lucky up until we had reached this final part of the park. Dark clouds were fastly approaching and we barely managed to get back to the car before a heavy storm brought snow and hail.

Following Route 66 also brought us to the city of Albuquerque in New Mexico, USA. We really loved this city and its architecture. Here we are approaching the catholic church in the downtown area.

So many Mexican influences in the city of Albuquerque in New Mexico, USA. We found the Mariachi band on top of the Church Street cafe a really nice touch.

We had an amazing day while shopping in the downtown area of the city of Albuquerque in New Mexico, USA. The weather was fantastic which made all the colours really come out. We especially loved Nick Garcia's Patio Shops where we had an ice cream.

The TV show 'Breaking Bad' was largely recorded in and around the city of Albuquerque in New Mexico, USA. Lots of the show's film locations can be found but we decided to only go to the iconic restaurant Twisters aka Los Pollos Hermanos which played a very important role in the show. Since it is a regular burger restaurant we had dinner here in 'Walter's booth'.

Visiting an original and well preserved diner before we were about to leave the city of Albuquerque in New Mexico, USA. Unfortunately, the Route 66 diner was closed otherwise it would have been great to have breakfast here.

Following Route 66 brought us through the lovely town of Madrid in New Mexico, USA. Lots of colourful houses lined the main road through the town and we had a lovely walk. We really liked this house with the 'Ho ho ho' sign in their front yard.

Loving all the colours and the overall atmosphere while walking around in the downtown area of the city of Santa Fe in New Mexico, USA. We really liked the colourful Cathedral Place passage.

We had a great time shopping in the city of Santa Fe in New Mexico, USA. What we noticed and loved mostly is the use of vibrant colours everywhere, like these colourful peppers at the Rainbow Man.

A historical Route 66 underpass near the town of Tucumcari in New Mexico, USA. Kind of an eerie place to drive but nice to have found it.

Well, we made it halfway on Route 66. Welcome to Route 66 Midpoint in the town of Adrian, Texas, USA. Not really much to do here with just two cafes and a motel. One of the cafes was closed and the other one in the process of restoration, but offered us coffee anyway.

We loved the 1924 Magnolia Station in the town of Vega, Texas, USA. It's like a jewel in an otherwise not very spectacular town. Worthwhile to include it though in a Route road trip.

Extremely touristy but nevertheless not to be missed while driving Route 66 is the Cadillac Ranch near the city of Amarillo in Texas, USA. Everyone can buy a can of spray paint or two and make one of the cars in whatever one fancies. Lots of people did and do which makes for a very colourful display.

Entering Historic 6th Street on Route 66 in the city of Amarillo, Texas, USA. Even though it was rather sunny, it was extremely could to be honest. Beautiful street though with lots of preserved and restored buildings from the Route 66 period.

Found this awesome sign while walking along historic 6th Street on Route 66 in the city of Amarillo, Texas, USA. Hippies have been spotted in this area might definitely have been the case back in the sixties.

We really loved this mural at the Old Tascosa Brewery in the city of Amarillo, Texas, USA. It is located on Historic 6th Street which is part of Route 66 and has so many historic buildings.

The Route 66 Water Tower in the city of Amarillo, Texas, USA. Recently restored to its former glory in preparation for the 100 year anniversary of Route 66 in 2026.

Colourful details from above in the Palo Duro Canyon State Park near the town of Canyon in Texas, USA. This park may be smaller, but the similarities to the Grand Canyon are definitely there. A big plus is that we could drive down into the canyon.

We loved spending time in the Palo Duro Canyon State Park near the town of Canyon in Texas, USA. While still on Route 66 we took a detour from Amarillo to visit this great park. And since I love rocks, I went climbing up to the Big Cave.

Based on our extensive research we managed to find another restored gas station, the old Texaco gas pumps in the small village of Alanreed, Texas, USA. They really did a good job on this one.

We found some restored bright orange Phillips 66 gas pumps in the town of McLean, Texas, USA. Really a lovely scene, especially with the old truck parked next to it.

The restored Magnolia gas station in Shamrock, Texas, USA. The city of Shamrock is a true gem on Route 66 when it comes to preserved and restored buildings from the old days.

It's always great when you find a diner on Route 66 that has been preserved and/or restored to its former glory. Here we were getting our kicks on Route 66 in Tally's Cafe in the city of Tulsa, Oklahoma, USA.

Exciting moments just before the total solar eclipse in the town of Hawkins, Texas, USA. Dark clouds appeared at the worst possible moment, but somehow managed to disappear just a few seconds later.

Always an exciting moment while experiencing any solar eclipse is the appearance of the first diamond ring. We were very fortunate with the clouds disppearing just in time while staying in the town of Hawkins, Texas, USA.

The ultimate moment of any solar eclipse is when the corona becomes visible. This here is the one we experienced while watching the solar eclips of April 8, 2024 in the town of Hawkins, Texas, USA.

Since we were kind of in the neighbourhood we decided to visit the Southfork ranch that was used in the TV show 'Dallas'. It is still an active farm and located in the town of Parker, Texas, USA . The Southfork mansion can be visited on a tour which was pretty interesting.

It was surreal to hang around the pool at the Southfork ranch that played such a prominent role in the TV show 'Dallas'. Considering that people died in here on the show made it strange somehow. The pool is actually a lot smaller than it looked on the TV show.