Didn't make much progress getting down the road today. After leaving the Western in Sayre we went to the National Route 66 Museum in Elk City, Oklahoma. Spent at least a couple of hours and still didn't visit all of the exhibits. VERY impressive.
Had a late lunch at Picante Grille in Clinton, then made it a few more miles to the Best Western in Weatherford. Don't think we put 60 miles on the odometer. And it still wasn't a nice enough day to put the top down on the Mustang. Dang!
The way I can tell we've been gone for a week, is that I'm out of clean panties. Laundry was the activity of the evening.
Thursday, May 15, 2014
Wednesday, May 14, 2014
Amarillo
It was too cold again today for it to be a pleasant drive with the top down, although it was a stunningly gorgeous day. (We can now claim that we've been to Texas when it wasn't hot.)
Had lunch at Smokey Joe's in Amarillo, and then we found a barber so Tom could get the haircut we ran out of time for before we left Bellflower. (And I was FULLY prepared to give him a 30 second buzz cut, but we were already running 15 minutes late.)
After Tom's coif we had to backtrack about 10 miles because we missed the Cadillac Ranch. Didn't have to spend much windshield time on the Interstate, and for the most part along the frontage road (which we seemed to own) we were able to move along at a 55 mph clip.
Made it out of Texas, but only as far as Sayre, Oklahoma where we're staying at the Western Motel (not to be confused with Best Western). I've stayed at nicer places, but it was only about sixty bucks, so what do you want? Has a fridge and microwave.
It was a nice enough evening to briefly peel back the top off the Mustang to go down the road apiece where we had dinner at the Stardust Restaurant, and then we ended up driving down a 3 mile dirt road where our Magellan device assured us there was a club. Instead of commerce, we encountered farmland when it informed us that we had arrived.
After circling back we ended up at the 66 Lounge where they had a beer license, and where they had two very busy pool tables. The beer selection they offered was less than stellar, but we sat down and had a couple of Coors, mainly because they allow smoking indoors in bars in these parts, and so we decided that we'd really stink up the joint and smoke cigars. Don't remember the last time I smoked a cigar indoors.
Had lunch at Smokey Joe's in Amarillo, and then we found a barber so Tom could get the haircut we ran out of time for before we left Bellflower. (And I was FULLY prepared to give him a 30 second buzz cut, but we were already running 15 minutes late.)
After Tom's coif we had to backtrack about 10 miles because we missed the Cadillac Ranch. Didn't have to spend much windshield time on the Interstate, and for the most part along the frontage road (which we seemed to own) we were able to move along at a 55 mph clip.
Made it out of Texas, but only as far as Sayre, Oklahoma where we're staying at the Western Motel (not to be confused with Best Western). I've stayed at nicer places, but it was only about sixty bucks, so what do you want? Has a fridge and microwave.
It was a nice enough evening to briefly peel back the top off the Mustang to go down the road apiece where we had dinner at the Stardust Restaurant, and then we ended up driving down a 3 mile dirt road where our Magellan device assured us there was a club. Instead of commerce, we encountered farmland when it informed us that we had arrived.
After circling back we ended up at the 66 Lounge where they had a beer license, and where they had two very busy pool tables. The beer selection they offered was less than stellar, but we sat down and had a couple of Coors, mainly because they allow smoking indoors in bars in these parts, and so we decided that we'd really stink up the joint and smoke cigars. Don't remember the last time I smoked a cigar indoors.
Tuesday, May 13, 2014
Vega
Having accessed the day's weather, and determining that Santa Fe would not make it out of the forties, we decided we'd plow on to Texas, and skip the optional Santa Fe loop along 66.
Once we left Albuquerque, we did notice the shrubs had a fresh dusting of snow, and in some places, snow on the ground. Had lunch in Moriarty at Shorty's BBQ.
Most of our drive today consisted of frontage road, and for about 40 miles we just couldn't resist lowering the top, even though we had to put the heat on full blast.
Made it out of New Mexico into Texas, but didn't quite make it to Amarillo and stopped in Vega for the night where we had a delicious meal at Roosters.
Going to watch the rest of "Frontline" now. More later.
Once we left Albuquerque, we did notice the shrubs had a fresh dusting of snow, and in some places, snow on the ground. Had lunch in Moriarty at Shorty's BBQ.
Most of our drive today consisted of frontage road, and for about 40 miles we just couldn't resist lowering the top, even though we had to put the heat on full blast.
Made it out of New Mexico into Texas, but didn't quite make it to Amarillo and stopped in Vega for the night where we had a delicious meal at Roosters.
Going to watch the rest of "Frontline" now. More later.
Monday, May 12, 2014
Albuquerque
When we left the Best Western in Flagstaff, it was actually snowing slightly. Definitely not a top-down kind of day. And we knew we'd have to be on the 75 mph portion of 66 for most of the day, so it was almost poetic that it was too cold for craving the wind in our hair.
As a reward for having to be on so much freeway, we did go and visit Meteor Crater where we had lunch at the Subway, if for no other reason that we had gift cards. Then we had to stop in Winslow, because we were instructed by a friend to buy her a t-shirt, and have our pictures taken next to the Indian. We found one.
Made it as far as Gallup and stayed at the Iconic El Rancho. Wanted to go to Sammy C's Rock 'N Sports Pub and Grille for dinner, but we were going by a website that said they were open until 10, which they were, but just not for food. Had to settle for Taco Hell.
From Gallup we were able to take many two lane roads where there was no one in front, no one behind and only a rare oncoming vehicle. Oh, except for the occasional biker or walker pushing an all-terrain cart out in the middle of nowhere. Most of them did not appear to have ecstatic expressions on their face. Well, it was still not a top-down kind of day, as it was in the mid-fifties. Ironically, we haven't been able to ride top-down since our last day in California. Funny.
We decided to take the optional 1937 alignment loop through Los Lunas where we found a Tractor Rib & BBQ Brew Pub for lunch that was a definite improvement over chain outlets (not that they don't have their place.)
Tonight we're staying at the Monterey Non-Smokers Motel in Albuquerque. This place is a complete bargain, quite spacious and every bit as nice as the Best Westerns we've been staying at. (Keeping in mind that there's no complimentary breakfast.) And they provide real glasses and real coffee mugs, instead of that throwaway crap.
We have gift cards for BJ's, and so as boring as that is, that's where we're going for dinner tonight.
As a reward for having to be on so much freeway, we did go and visit Meteor Crater where we had lunch at the Subway, if for no other reason that we had gift cards. Then we had to stop in Winslow, because we were instructed by a friend to buy her a t-shirt, and have our pictures taken next to the Indian. We found one.
Made it as far as Gallup and stayed at the Iconic El Rancho. Wanted to go to Sammy C's Rock 'N Sports Pub and Grille for dinner, but we were going by a website that said they were open until 10, which they were, but just not for food. Had to settle for Taco Hell.
From Gallup we were able to take many two lane roads where there was no one in front, no one behind and only a rare oncoming vehicle. Oh, except for the occasional biker or walker pushing an all-terrain cart out in the middle of nowhere. Most of them did not appear to have ecstatic expressions on their face. Well, it was still not a top-down kind of day, as it was in the mid-fifties. Ironically, we haven't been able to ride top-down since our last day in California. Funny.
We decided to take the optional 1937 alignment loop through Los Lunas where we found a Tractor Rib & BBQ Brew Pub for lunch that was a definite improvement over chain outlets (not that they don't have their place.)
Tonight we're staying at the Monterey Non-Smokers Motel in Albuquerque. This place is a complete bargain, quite spacious and every bit as nice as the Best Westerns we've been staying at. (Keeping in mind that there's no complimentary breakfast.) And they provide real glasses and real coffee mugs, instead of that throwaway crap.
We have gift cards for BJ's, and so as boring as that is, that's where we're going for dinner tonight.
Saturday, May 10, 2014
Flagstaff
Didn't make it as far as Winslow today as we had intended, but did manage to burn up a whole quarter of a tank of fuel getting to Flagstaff.
The only thing I can ascribe to as having made such meager progress, is that the Best Western we stayed at in Kingman had a check-out time of noon, and we lollygagged. Luckily, we're on no schedule.
In Ash Fork we had a pleasant lunch at a local pub hangout called The Oasis Lounge that has been recently refurbished with expertly rough-hewn wood and paneling everywhere. Limited menu, but good Mexican grub and prices that appealed to my cheap bastard side.
Most of today's drive involved secondary roads where there was no one in front of us, no one behind us and no one coming upon us for the majority of the time. AND we ended up on a gravel road portion of Route 66 for a short term. I was taken by how the striking landscape went from the quintessential Arizona desert we're all so familiar with to lush groves of pine trees. But as I look at my maps, I realize that we are ascending upon the Continental Divide.
Staying at yet another Best Western here in Flagstaff, and had supper at the Beaver Street Brewery & Whistle Stop Café. The large soft pretzel appetizer was AMAZING!
Planning on a side trip to Meteor Crater tomorrow, which quite possibly might translate into our not making it out of Arizona by tomorrow. Way it goes.
The only thing I can ascribe to as having made such meager progress, is that the Best Western we stayed at in Kingman had a check-out time of noon, and we lollygagged. Luckily, we're on no schedule.
In Ash Fork we had a pleasant lunch at a local pub hangout called The Oasis Lounge that has been recently refurbished with expertly rough-hewn wood and paneling everywhere. Limited menu, but good Mexican grub and prices that appealed to my cheap bastard side.
Most of today's drive involved secondary roads where there was no one in front of us, no one behind us and no one coming upon us for the majority of the time. AND we ended up on a gravel road portion of Route 66 for a short term. I was taken by how the striking landscape went from the quintessential Arizona desert we're all so familiar with to lush groves of pine trees. But as I look at my maps, I realize that we are ascending upon the Continental Divide.
Staying at yet another Best Western here in Flagstaff, and had supper at the Beaver Street Brewery & Whistle Stop Café. The large soft pretzel appetizer was AMAZING!
Planning on a side trip to Meteor Crater tomorrow, which quite possibly might translate into our not making it out of Arizona by tomorrow. Way it goes.
Friday, May 9, 2014
Kingman, no Barstow or San Bernadino
Officially began the Route 66 portion of our trip in Needles where we had lunch at the Pirate's Cove resort on the Colorado river. From there we continued to Oatman (where they have the street-wandering burros). For several miles after Oatman the speed limit is 25, as the windy road takes you past some truly spectacular scenery. Who needs the Grand Canyon when you got this stuff?
We made our designated destination of Kingman (if for no other reason than it's in the song) and are staying at another Best Western, and where we enjoyed a local dive bar called the Fireside.
We're going to shoot for Winslow tomorrow, even though that's from a completely different song.
We made our designated destination of Kingman (if for no other reason than it's in the song) and are staying at another Best Western, and where we enjoyed a local dive bar called the Fireside.
We're going to shoot for Winslow tomorrow, even though that's from a completely different song.
Ready, set, go
So, we're off on our transcontinental journey from west to east, secure in knowing that Ivan the Terrier is well looked after, along with the old homestead.
After having lunch at Applebee's with my aunt Carrie in Beaumont, California, along with her friend Dee and Tom & Marlene who came down the mountain from Idyllwild, we were able to make it as far as Twentynine Palms for our first day of travel. Stayed at the Best Western, and had a very pleasant experience at an Italian restaurant called Bistro Twentynine for dinner.
The Route 66 portion of our trip won't officially begin until we hit Needles a little latter today, and then we're planning on making it as far as Kingman, Arizona.
We've already completed the California portion of Route 66, so we're not cheating by starting in Needles. And when I say we completed, I mean the whole thing from Foothill Blvd. to Sunset to Santa Monica all the way out to the pier where we rode the Ferris wheel and had some very expensive Margaritas.
And the best part, is that it looks like a top-down-on-the-convertible kind of day.
After having lunch at Applebee's with my aunt Carrie in Beaumont, California, along with her friend Dee and Tom & Marlene who came down the mountain from Idyllwild, we were able to make it as far as Twentynine Palms for our first day of travel. Stayed at the Best Western, and had a very pleasant experience at an Italian restaurant called Bistro Twentynine for dinner.
The Route 66 portion of our trip won't officially begin until we hit Needles a little latter today, and then we're planning on making it as far as Kingman, Arizona.
We've already completed the California portion of Route 66, so we're not cheating by starting in Needles. And when I say we completed, I mean the whole thing from Foothill Blvd. to Sunset to Santa Monica all the way out to the pier where we rode the Ferris wheel and had some very expensive Margaritas.
And the best part, is that it looks like a top-down-on-the-convertible kind of day.
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