The Route 66 logo is painted on this segment of classic road near Essex, California
For 13 days, I drove across Route 66 from East to West armed with my camera and laptop to record the whole adventure. Neon, Fuel, Pavement and Americana on Route 66, chronicles the people, places, gas stations, kitschy roadside attractions and feeling of having stepped into a time machine that made it the most memorable road trip of my life.
The toy museum in Stanton, Missouri
Fun for kids and adults of all ages, I came across the Toy Museum in Stanton, Missouri, on a day when the owner was waiting for someone to stop by and purchase his collection. I truly hope this didn’t happen and the museum is still there today.
The Desert Hills Motel on Route 66 in Tulsa, Oklahoma
Bright and vibrant signs adorn the sides of the majority of Route 66 across America, like this one for the Desert Hills Motel in Tulsa, Oklahoma
Cadillac Ranch, Amarillo, Texas
On a lonely stretch of the highway in Amarillo, Texas, 10 brightly spray-painted Cadillacs stand tall in the desert at a Route 66 hotspot known as Cadillac Ranch.
The famous Route 66 Munger Moss Motel in Lebanon, Missouri
Located in Lebanon Missouri, the historic Munger Moss Motel still looks and feels just as it did during the heyday of Route 66. I truly enjoyed my evening there, even if I did have an unfortunate run-in with bedbugs.
Cement wigwams for rent at the Wigwam Motel, Holbrook, Arizona
For one night, I actually slept in one of these cement wigwams at the Wigwam Motel in Holbrook, Arizona. The motel is a part of a once-mighty chain that now only has a few links remaining, one of which I also came across just outside Hollywood, California.
The Blue Wale in Catoosa, Oaklahoma, on Route 66
By far one of the highlights of my entire trip across Route 66, the Catoosa Blue Whale in Oklahoma is a relic of the type of Americana that used to dot the entire drive.
Roy's Cafe, Amboy, California
Still in operation, Roy’s Cafe, Motel and Gas Station is the only stop for miles in either direction on Route 66 in Amboy, California.
Tucumcari, New Mexico_18
The motel may be shut down, but the Dr. Pepper soda machine in Tucumcari, New Mexico, still offers the promise of a quenched thirst.
Old gas station remnants alongside Route 66
Classic Route 66 remnants sit just outside the Totem Pole Trading Post in Rolla, Missouri.
Historic Route 66 in New Kirk, New Mexico
Pulling off the freeway in New Kirk, New Mexico, I came across this stretch of historic Route 66 at a 4-way intersection.
Two Guns Entrance Sign
The abandonment of Two Guns, Arizona, begins right at the sign welcoming visitors to this once popular and busy stop on Route 66.
Art's Motel Restaurant in Illinois
Hidden at the end of a dead-end portion of Route 66 in Farmersville, Illinois, I was fortunate to stumble across Art’s Motel and Restaurant at just the right moment of sun and clouds to capture this iamge.
Route 66 in Kansas
My drive through Kansas on Route 66 was a cloudy one, though that just gave me something different and fun to work with when stopping to photograph this emblem painted on the road.
Cool Springs Service Station, Cool Springs, Arizona_02
The Cool Sprints Service Station in Cool Springs, Arizona, is the last place to get gas before a windy and intense drive up through the mountains to California. It also was completely destroyed for the movie Universal Soldier and has since been rebuilt and turned into a tourist attraction.
Wow! I’m really impressed at how you captured all of the colors along Route 66. It makes me want to hop in my car and just drive.
Thanks so much Suzy! It really was that colorful…if not moreso.
Wow! You have really captured some of the vibrant colors along Route 66. It makes me want to hop in my car and just drive.
Love this! I drove parts of Route 66 this summer, and wish I could have driven the whole thing! The little relics of Route 66′s glory days are great. A real part of Americana.
AMERICA ART SOUNDS A FUCK.