This is the OFFICIAL thread of the 2009 Cruising LH/Route 66, from Illinois to California! Specific details and some aspects need to be finalized, so watch for updates....
The information is spread over 2 SECTIONS:
#1...
...Background
...Routes/Traveling
...PBS Specials
...Possible Book Offer
...Fundraisers
...Sponsorships
...The People
...Planning Assistants
#2...
...Dates
...Proposed Schedule
If you need to contact me about this event at any time, my __Cell Ph#__ is noted in my signature at the end of the details (Post #2).
**** BACKGROUND ****
None of my yearly road trips have taken me all the way to California or welcomed people to join me for part or all of the DRIVING portions of the trip; this one will do BOTH...and follow the path of "The Mother Road".... I am planning a cruise along Route 66 ... with stops at icons and places along the way to explore Route 66 and, of course, meet people. This is an invitation to ALL to join this "convoy" from Illinois to California ... or any place along the way you are able to meet.
This event developed from a suggestion by ChevyTalk's Bobs53PU...and, because of my own interest in Route 66, I ran with the idea. I'm curious about Route 66 because I enjoy older cars and roads. The song "Route 66" has had a part in my interest, and a special on PBS about a mother/daughter duo who took the Route 66 trip also peaked my interest. BUT...what deepened my curiosity about Route 66 was the movie "Cars". Strange, yes, but "Cars" featured a lot of scenes from Route 66 ... and was based on actual people and places along Route 66. It also featured history of the road, and illustrated the effect of interstates, such as I-40, on life along Route 66.
Since the movie "Cars", I've made a mental note that "one day" I'd travel the basic path of Route 66, of which I personally have not driven much. I was along it somewhat during my October 2004 road trip...
http://www.chevyasyl.../0410/0410.html
...and again a bit in Oklahoma City and through IL during my October 2006 trip:
http://www.chevyasyl.../1106/1106.html
IMHO, this is a chance of a lifetime; I hope others agree...and join this "convoy"....
Route 66 map:
http://www.nps.gov/h...t66/map/map.htm
Route 66 info:
http://www.historic66.com/
**** OTHER ROUTES & TRAVELING ****
In researching Route 66, I've discovered other "old routes".
One is the LINCOLN HIGHWAY, with which I'm somewhat familiar, given the historic marker signs along IL RT 38 through Geneva IL towards Elburn IL and points farther west. I've also driven much of the LH, including the path in IL as well as along I-80 in Wyoming during my aforementioned October 2004 road trip and during my trips back and forth to PA via RT 30. Unlike Route 66, the LH covers the United States, coast to coast. Maybe someday I'll find/have time to travel that ENTIRE route and, if I do, it'll be a planned event, similar to this one.
LH map:
http://www.lincolnhi...assoc.org/info/
LH info:
http://www.lincolnhighwayassoc.org/
Another is US ROUTE 20:
http://www.usroute20.com/
...which goes directly through my hometown of Elgin IL! So, I drive along it a lot each week ... as well as when I use RT 20 to go to Rockford, Freeport and Galena IL....
Another is US ROUTE 2:
http://en.wikipedia....ki/U.S._Route_2
And, of course, THE DIXIE HIGHWAY:
http://en.wikipedia....i/Dixie_Highway
**** PBS SPECIALS ****
A program about Route 66 was broadcast on PBS a few times last year. It featured a mother and daughter traveling Route 66 in a rented Mustang convertible and highlighted several sites along Route 66, including the Wigwam motel (featured in the movie "Cars").
While preparing this cruise along Route 66, I watched the PBS special about the LINCOLN HIGHWAY...and my interest and enthusiasm for the LH increased. "A Ride Along the Lincoln Highway", an exploration of the nation's first coast-to-coast highway (NYC to San Francisco, spanning 14 states), was broadcast on Chicago's WTTW, Channel 11, Wednesday, October 29, 8p-9p.
**** POSSIBLE BOOK OFFER ****
ChevyTalk.org's hinckley wrote _Route 66 Backroads_:
http://www.voyageurp...tails_40566.ncm
He kindly had a copy mailed to me. I have reviewed it (and plan to read it completely soon); it is an AWESOME book. I hope that, for those planning to join us on this "convoy", Jim Hinckley's book may be purchased at a discounted price. I am in the process of ironing out those details. Once that is complete, I will advise further...so watch for updates!
**** FUNDRAISERS ****
These will be for non-profit organizations; details to be arranged.
The Illinois Route 66 Heritage Project...
http://www.illinoisroute66.com/
...is the beneficiary while we meet at the Cozy Dog (Springfield IL) and The Ariston Cafe (Litchfield IL).
The Adult Congenital Heart Association...
http://www.achaheart.org
...is the beneficiary while we meet at the Cafe on the Route (Baxter Springs KS), the Big Texan Steak Ranch (Amarillo TX), the Wigwam Motel (Holbrook AZ); travel the longest uninterrupted stretch of RT 66 (Ash Fork AZ - Topock AZ); and visit (by arrangement) the Route 66 "Mother Road" Museum (Barstow CA).
**** SPONSORSHIPS ****
Yes, this trip is expensive. I hope to secure companies or groups as "sponsors" of portions of the trip (meals, hotels/motels, attractions, the "Cars" movie, gas stops, etc.) to assist with the costs and encourage more people to participate and more to donate to the worthy causes.
KUDOS to one such sponsor ... the FIRST GENERATION MONTE CARLO CLUB! Dues paying FGMCC members who participate in this event for more than 100 miles will each receive a $25 gas card. In addition, the FGMCC will sponsor food for everyone at one stop in IL, up to $100.
If you have suggestions of a company(s) or group(s) that might consider such a contribution to this event, please advise me.
**** THE PEOPLE ****
This is for ALL ages and levels of interest in Route 66. The FOCUS is OLDER cars, but newer cars are welcome, too! If you'd like to participate and want to ride with someone, please advise. We'll see what we can do to assist in making such arrangements.
I'm posting this to various groups/clubs:
ValveReplacement
ACHAheart.org
IL Monte Carlo Owners Group
MI MC Group
NY MC Club
MC Mailing List
El Camino ML
GM Inside News
Cheers and Gears
1st Gen MC Club
2nd Gen MC Yahoo Group
3rd Gen MCs
4th Gen MC SS
MyMonte, 5th gen
2000montecarlo.net, 6th gen
National MC Owners Association
Monte Millennium Generations
MC Forum
WickedMontes
ChevyTalk.org
TriplePlate
CarNuts.us
RaceFansGarage
FullThrottleV6
Please invite others of which you are a member...but, please advise me if anyone in your group decides to join us.
**** PLANNING ASSISTANTS ****
To ensure this is a success, I need some help planning. I'd like to have at least 1 volunteer in every state along the way to help arrange events, tours, shows, etc. Please contact me via Email (faithcubsmc2691 @ aol . com) if you are willing to help....
Missouri ... ?
Kansas ... ?
Oklahoma ... ChevyTalk's Dee Gee and Bobs53PU
Texas ... ?
New Mexico ... ?
Arizona ... ChevyTalk's hinckley (western AZ)
California ... 2000montecarlo.net's juliochango
*SECTION #2*
**** DATES ****
MARK your calendar ... NOW!
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 5 - WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 16, 2009
Yes, the first weekend is Labor Day Weekend, a busy/eventful weekend. It isn't "perfect" for me either (I usually wash/wax my car for the last time before winter), but this would, for most, be a 3-day weekend, good for 1 less vacation day from work used for the trip....
**** PROPOSED SCHEDULE ****
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 5, 2009
8a-10a ... breakfast/kick-off gathering, IHOP _or_ Steak'n'Shake, Randall Rd, Elgin IL ... just south of US RT 20 (TBD)
10a-12:30p ... travel Elgin IL - Dixon IL, via IL RT 31 - IL RT 38 (LINCOLN HIGHWAY), ~75 miles ... passing the LH Association Headquarters, Franklin Grove IL:
http://www.flickr.co...bee/2921023053/
http://www.lincolnhighwayassoc.org/info/il...in_grove-RF.jpg
12:30p-2p ... lunch, Dixon IL:
http://www.lincolnhi...xon_arch-LH.jpg
2p-6p ... travel Dixon IL - Springfield IL, ~180 miles
6p ... gathering, Cozy Dog, Springfield IL:
http://www.cozydogdrivein.com/
SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 6, 2009
7a ... breakfast
8a-10a ... sites, Springfield IL
10a-11a ... travel Springfield IL - Litchfield IL, ~45 miles
11:30a-1p ... lunch, The Ariston Cafe:
http://www.ariston-cafe.com/
...dessert at JoBetts, Litchfield IL
1p-2:30p ... travel Litchfield IL - St Louis MO, ~60 miles
2:30p-5:30p ... St Louis MO sites, including dinner (PLACE TBD) and visit Ted Drewes Frozen Custard, Chippewa Ave:
http://www.teddrewes.com/Drewes.asp
5:30p-7:30p ... travel St Louis MO - Stanton MO, ~65 miles
7:30p ... stay at Meramec Caverns, a Route 66 icon:
http://www.americascave.com/
MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 7, 2009
8a ... breakfast
9:30a-1p ... travel Stanton MO - Springfield MO, ~160 miles
1p-2:30p ... lunch
2:30p-5p ... Wilson Creek National Battlefield and/or the Gray/Campbell Farmstead:
http://www.nps.gov/wicr/
http://www.graycampbellfarmstead.org/
5p-7p ... travel Springfield MO - Joplin MO, ~75 miles
TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 8, 2009
7:30a-8a ... travel Joplin MO - Baxter Springs KS, ~18 miles
8a-9:30a ... breakfast, Cafe on the Route, Baxter Springs KS:
http://www.cafeontheroute.com/
9:30a-3p ... travel Baxter Springs KS - Oklahoma City OK, ~210 miles ... including lunch and brief stops at POPS and the Round Barn, Arcadia OK:
http://www.pops66.com/
http://www.arcadiaroundbarn.org/
3p-5p ... Cowboy Hall of Fame, Oklahoma City OK:
http://www.nationalcowboymuseum.org/
5:15p-6p ... travel Oklahoma City OK - Guthrie OK, ~30 miles
6p-8:30p ... dinner and movie "Cars", drive-in movie theater
8:30p-9:30p ... travel Guthrie OK - Oklahoma City OK, ~30 miles
WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 9, 2009
7a ... breakfast
8a-11a ... travel Oklahoma City OK - Elk City OK, ~115 miles
11a-12:30p ... lunch, Elk City OK
12:30p-2:30p ... visit, National RT 66 Museum, Elk City OK:
http://www.nationalroute66.com/
2:30p-4p ... travel Elk City OK - Shamrock TX, ~55 miles
4p-4:30p ... visit, U Drop Inn, Shamrock TX:
http://oldgas.com/in...owerconoco.html
4:30p-5:15p ... travel Shamrock TX - McClean TX, ~20 miles
5:15p-6p ... visit, Phillips 66 Service Station, McClean TX
6p-8p ... travel McClean TX - Amarillo TX, ~75 miles
8p-9:30p ... dinner at Big Texan Steak Ranch, Amarillo TX:
http://www.bigtexan.com/
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 10, 2009
7a ... breakfast
8a-noon ... travel Amarillo TX - Santa Rosa NM, ~175 miles
noon-1p ... lunch (TBD)
1p-3p ... visit, Route 66 Auto Museum
3p-5p ... travel Santa Rosa NM - Moriarty NM, ~80 miles
5p-6:15p ... dinner, Rip Griffin Truck Stop, Moriarty NM
6:15p-7:15p ... travel Moriarty NM - Albuquerque NM, ~41 miles
7:15p-8p ... visit, Sandia Peak Tramway:
http://www.sandiapeak.com/
8p-? ... visit, Old Town, Albuquerque NM:
http://www.albuquerqueoldtown.com/
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 11, 2009
7a ... breakfast
8a-9:30a ... travel Albuquerque NM - Acomita NM, ~60 miles
9:30a-10a ... visit, Acomita NM, the oldest continuously inhabited community in America
10a-12:30p ... travel Acomita NM - Gallup NM, ~85 miles ... including a stop at the Continental Divide
12:30p-2:30p ... lunch and sites, Gallup NM
2:30p-4:30p ... travel Gallup NM - Petrified Forest/Painted Desert Visitor Center AZ, ~70 miles
4:30p-6:30p ... visit, Petrified Forest/Painted Desert:
http://www.americansouthwest.net/arizona/p...ional_park.html
6:30p-7:15p ... travel Petrified Forest/Painted Desert AZ - Holbrook AZ, ~30 miles
7:30p-9p ... dinner, Holbrook AZ
9p ... stay at Wigwam Motel:
http://www.galerie-k...lli.com/wigwam/
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 12, 2009
8a ... breakfast
9:30a-10:30a ... travel Holbrook AZ - Winslow AZ, ~35 miles
10:30a-noon ... visit, Cowboy "Standing On The Corner":
http://www.standinonthecorner.com/
http://www.roadsidea...com/story/12603
noon-1:30p ... lunch, LaPosada Hotel:
http://www.laposada.org/
1:30p-3:30p ... travel Winslow AZ to Flagstaff AZ, ~60 miles ... including stop at Meteor Crater Visitor Center
3:30p-4:15p ... travel Flagstaff AZ - Oak Creek Canyon Scenic Overlook AZ, ~20 miles
4:15p-5:30p ... visit, Oak Creek Canyon Scenic Overlook
5:30p-6:15p ... travel Oak Creek Canyon Scenic Overlook AZ - Flagstaff AZ, ~20 miles
6:30p-8p ... dinner, Flagstaff AZ (TBD)
SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 13, 2009
7a-8a ... travel Flagstaff AZ - Williams AZ, ~35 miles
8a-9:30a ... breakfast, Pine Country Restaurant, Williams AZ
9:30a-10:15a ... travel Williams AZ - Ash Fork AZ, ~20 miles
10:15a ... at Crookton Rd exit in/near Ash Fork AZ start longest uninterrupted stretch of RT 66 that goes to Topock AZ:
http://www.legendsof...rkSeligman.html
10:15a-11a ... travel Ash Fork AZ - Seligman AZ, ~25 miles
11a-1p ... visit and eat lunch, Snow Cap:
http://www.roadsideamerica.com/tip/101
http://www.route66gi....com/angel.html
1p-1:45p ... travel Seligman AZ - Grand Canyon Caverns AZ, ~25 miles
1:45p-4p ... visit Grand Canyon Caverns:
http://www.desertusa.../gccaverns.html
4p-4:30p ... travel Grand Canyon Caverns AZ - Peach Springs AZ, ~15 miles
4:30p-6:30p ... dinner, Hualapai Lodge, Peach Springs AZ:
http://www.destinati....com/lodge.html
6:30p-8p ... travel Peach Springs AZ - Kingman AZ, ~55 miles
8p-? ... visit, Hualapai Mountains, Kingman AZ
MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 14, 2009
8a ... breakfast
9:30a-11a ... travel Kingman AZ - Topock AZ, ~50 miles ... through the Black Mountains, a very scenic portion of RT 66:
http://www.americansouthwest.net/arizona/r...ck_kingman.html
11a-12:30p ... lunch, Topock AZ
12:30p-2p ... travel Topock AZ - Goffs CA, ~45 miles ... with gas stop in Needles CA?
2p ... At Goffs CA, start the earliest alignment of Route 66, which swings under I-40 and follows part of the National Trails Highway:
http://en.wikipedia...._Trails_Highway
2p-6p ... travel Goffs CA - Essex CA - Amboy CA - Ludlow CA - Barstow CA, ~150 miles ... with some stops along the way, perhaps:
http://www.roadtripa...laces/goffs.htm
http://en.wikipedia....sex,_California
http://en.wikipedia....boy,_California
http://en.wikipedia....tow,_California
6p-7:30p ... dinner, Barstow CA
TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 15, 2009
8:30a ... breakfast
10a-noon ... visit, Barstow Route 66 "Mother Road" Museum ... would have to be an arranged visit:
http://www.route66museum.org/
noon-1:30p ... lunch, Barstow CA
1:30p-2:30p ... travel Barstow CA - Victorville CA, ~35 miles
2:30p-4p ... visit, Victorville CA ... will miss the Route 66 Museum because it is only open Thursday-Monday:
http://califrt66museum.org/
4p-5:30p ... dinner, Victorville CA
5:30p-7:30p ... travel Victorville CA - Burbank CA, ~90 miles
WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 16, 2009
8a ... breakfast
9:30a-11a ... visit Auto-Aero Books, Burbank CA
11a-12:30p ... lunch, Burbank CA
12:30p-1:30p ... travel Burbank CA - Santa Monica CA, ~20 miles, end Route 66:
http://www.cart66pf.org/Map/66west.htm
2:30p-3:30p ... travel Santa Monica CA - El Segundo CA, ~20 miles ... to visit the ADM by appointment only:
http://www.automobil...vingmuseum.org/
5p-6p ... travel El Segundo CA - Santa Monica CA, ~20 miles
6p-8p ... ending dinner, Santa Monica CA
So ... will YOU join us?
__847___Cort | 35swm | "Mr Monte Carlo"."Mr Road Trip" | pig valve.pacemaker
__337___WRMNshowcase.legos.HO.models.MCs.RTs.CHD = http://www.chevyasylum.com/cort
__9897__"Take my way, it's the highway, that's the best" ... John Mayer ... 'Route 66'
This post has been edited by kf71962: 12 November 2008 - 03:13 AM

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