Special Update

Today I'm posting a special update. Here after you will find the complete itinerary for the trip I've done last July. The overnight stops and some dining places are evaluated with "stars".


07/13 : landed in Chicago. Motel : Econo Lodge Northlake (**)
07/14 : visit of downtown Chicago and first miles on Route 66. Motel : Red Roof Inn Willowbrook (***) on IL-83 located next to the Dell Rhea's Chicken Basket (****)
07/15 : Willowbrook to Lincoln (IL) Motel : Super 8 (***)
07/16 : Lincoln to Saint-Louis (MO) Motel : Econo Lodge Riverfront
in downtown Saint-Louis (**) caution : this motel is located on the border of unsafe block. The motel was ok but not the area.
07/17 : Saint-Louis to Lebanon (MO) Motel : Munger Moss (*****) a route 66 icon (subject of a previous post)
07/18 : Lebanon to Claremore (OK) Motel : Claremore Motor Inn (****) very friendly staff and great rooms!
07/19 : Claremore to Weatherford (OK) Motel : Best Western Mark Motor Hotel (***)
07/20 : Weatherford to Amarillo (TX) Motel : Big Texan (***) don't miss a great steak at the restaurant (*****)
07/21 : Amarillo to Tucumcari (NM) Motel : Blue Swallow (*****) for sure, my favourite motel on the Mother Road!
07/22 : Tucumcari to Santa Fe (NM) Motel : Travelodge on Cerrillos Blvd. (***)
07/23 : Santa Fe to Gallup (NM) Motel : Super 8 (***)
07/24 : Gallup to Holbrook (AZ) Motel : Wigwam motel (****) vintage motel. Don't miss this chance to sleep in a tee-pee ;) !
07/25 : Holbrook to Williams (AZ) Motel : Route 66 motel (***)
07/26 : Williams. Motel : Route 66 motel again (***) visit of the Grand Canyon NP.
07/27 : Williams to Needles (CA) Motel : motel 6 (***)
07/28 : Needles to Yucca Valley (CA) Motel : Super 8 (***) side-trip to the Joshua Tree NP.
07/29 : Yucca Valley to Barstow (CA) Motel : Econo Lodge (***)
07/30 : Barstow to Santa Monica (CA) Motel : Bayside Hotel (****) reasonable price motel located near the pier. A must for budget travelers.
07/31 : back to belgium

Mojave desert (CA)

Looking west on Route 66 as it goes through the Mojave desert in California.

Sitgreaves Pass (AZ)

Here are two pics of the Sitgreaves pass where Route 66 offers one of its most beautiful sight.
As you can see on the second pic, the elevation is 3550 Ft. at the top of the pass. The first one shows the beginning of the descent that leads to the town of Oatman.

Old Route 66 between Correo and Mesita (NM)

This is one of my favorite pics looking west on this 11 miles stretch of the road between 2 little towns in New-Mexico.

Jericho Cemetery (TX)

This Cemetary is part of the Jericho Gap. You can access this place by taking the Exit 124 of I-40. Caution : some parts of the gap are now private property.

If you want to learn why the Jericho gap was Infamous in the early days of Route 66, click on this link :
http://www.texasescapes.com/TexasPanhandleTowns/Jericho-Texas.htm

Route 66 in Miami (OK)

Old graveled segment of the Mother Road.

Route 66 marker, Galena (KS)

Route 66 marker on the Mother road.