Route 66, “America’s Highway” runs parallel to I-40 from time to time, but not all the way through. Dusty and I took it for several stretches from New Mexico to California.

Winslow, Arizona

There are plenty of photo opps in the tourist traps that dot the old highway.  Winslow, Arizona ran with the Eagles song  “Take it Easy” to make its kitsch-ey mark and I fell for it! For those of you too young to remember, or whose taste in music has led you astray, the pertinent line says:

“Well I’m a standin’ on the corner in Winslow, Arizona and such a fine sight to see. It’s a girl, my lord, in a flatbed Ford slowin’ down to take a look at me…”

This photo now has a place ensconced in a Route 66 frame. After all, what’s life without some kitsch? Hats off to Dusty for setting up the shot and capturing the moment.

Oatman, Arizona

We lost more than a day from our planned schedule in the convection oven of the Southwest. From Texas through the Mojave Desert, temps were well over 100 and the winds surged at over 40mph.  Thankfully I had a hydration vest that kept me comfortable — submerge it in water and it works like a swamp cooler as you roll down the road.

In spite of losing so much time I was determined to visit Oatman, Arizona and Dusty humored me in spite of the long day already behind us by the time we approached Oatman (God love her!).

Formerly a gold mining town, Oatman is now a tourist destination thanks to Route 66 nostalgia and the wild burros that roam its streets. The burros are descended from pack animals turned loose by early prospectors, and are protected by the US Department of the Interior. You can set your watch by their 5pm departure from Main Street to the surrounding hills.

Dusty and I had a couple of apples in a cooler and we brought them out for photo opps. Only later did I learn that donkeys don’t digest them as easily as horses — it gives them diarrhea. Sorry!

As an adventure rider I have to note that the road to Oatman has wonderful twisties. Some day I’ll go back and take them at speed.