Day 15: Route 66
Yes, I got a kick out of Route 66. The iconic roadway running between Chicago and Santa Monica was parallel during my journey from Gallup, NM and Kingman, AZ as I traveled Westward on I-40.
It was a day of extremes. It was cold (for highway riding anyway) as I started my journey from Gallup, around 58°. As I traveled across the desert it warmed up a bit with my destination in Kingman, AZ at 105°. In between I had great little visits to Route 66 spots and byways and good weather and really bad weather! I can only describe the heat as I descended into desert as a wall of heat. It feels like it has actual substance.
Another point I keep forgetting to mention. The wind between canyons and desert along the highway is that I’ve traveled have been the strongest I’ve ever experienced. They really make you alter your track and adjust constantly. It’s like a gust during a thunderstorm. All of the sudden it throws you in different directions. And of course, trucks on the highway have their own challenges as they create their own vortex of wind that throw you off track and really make you pay attention.
While I don’t like the trucks for the winds they create, I think we should all acknowledge and appreciate truckers across this country. They supply everything to where we live so we have the convenience and don’t have to travel far to get almost anything. It’s incredible how many trucks around the road and they’re all bringing stuff somewhere. Without them, life would be quite challenging for almost all of us. Anyway, back to the trip.
The highlight of trip had to be Winslow, AZ made famous by the Eagles song “Take it Easy”. The photos say it all. Yes, in that corner that Glenn Frey was standing on is on route 66 in Winslow.
Most of the other parts of Route 66 were full of older low budget (and supposedly famous) motels and tchotchke shops. (yes, I did voice to text to spell the word tchotchke).
Besides Winslow, I checked out, Gallup, Williams, Arizona, and my destinations this day, Kingman, Arizona for route 66 sights. It was fun!
Alert readers may have noticed I changed my itinerary to ride to Kingman rather than Flagstaff, a long day in the saddle of 350 miles and 11 hours due to rain delays and slow rain riding. (Now totaling 3853 miles). I decided a few days ago I was going to alter my trip to arrive in CA and final destination where I’m dropping bike and flying home from, San Fransisco, a few days earlier to get home next week Wednesday or Thursday rather than Sunday.
The rain riding was challenging was I had to go as slow as 30 mph on an interstate or the speed limit is 75 mph. And yes, cars and trucks still were traveling that fast. Needless to say I had my emergency flashers on when I was going below 55 so it was a bit nerve-racking with all the big trucks passing me by while trying to avoid hydroplaning and the big amount of rain. Not to mention being very difficult to see through a windshield that has water on both sides and my goggles so three sets of clear glass with raindrops on them. So much fun! In all seriousness, while it was challenging, it was also rewarding to be able to get through it. Todays journey was from Kingman to Big Bear Lake in California, the final state I’ll be visiting. Enjoy the photos!
