Hello, I write from my RV “The Wander” as I travel through America’s desert Southwest on The Road.
“The Road,” as I call it: Route 66 — America’s Main Street — The Mother Road; many name it. Although most notably used as a westbound migration trail from the cold climes of the Midwest to the sunnier shores of California, I started in California, at the Santa Monica Pier, and headed east. Along the way, I ventured afield to view state parks, national parks and monuments, and other places of interest. Eventually, I will wind up in Chicago or thereabouts.
The interstate system bypasses The Road these days. But, many of the small towns and big cities still exist. You view places of great contrast, like Meteorite City, Arizona, Los Alamos, New Mexico, and Los Angeles, California.
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- Downtown Los Angeles
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- Scientist’s home, now museum, Los Alamos, America’s “Secret City”
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- What’s left of Meteorite City, Arizona
You find traces of genuine Rt 66 icons — signs, motels, the famous Rt 66 road shield — as well as new signage that tries to preserve its history. One example is the famous Burma Shave road sign campaign, where every quarter mile or so you see a new little sign on the side of the road that reminds motorists to buckle up, be safe, etc., all in rhyming sentences (on the Kingman – Peach Springs – Seligman road in Arizona.) You see classic cultural homes of America on Rt 66, and wonder why people made them their place, and why they left.
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- Fontana,CA Orange Shack, GPS: 34.10652, -117.46922
And, if you are willing to travel a bit off The Road, you can view places of great natural beauty. So far, I have seen and camped, in order, Carrizo Plain National Monument in California, Homolovi State Park in Arizona (Winslow,) and Bandelier National Monument and Rio Grande del Norte National Monument in New Mexico. (See the Menu for Attached Pictures.)
All in all, I am very happy on my own. In a way, I feel like I am stealing time for myself, so when I am with friends and family again, I can appreciate them all the more. Perhaps that what retirement really is like — the chance to do and see the things you really enjoy on your own — without social or financial consequences. After all, everyone needs to march to the beat of their own drummer.
Let’s meet back up here next week on the website. I am going to make myself scarce as I follow The Road Rte 66 through more of the desert Southwest and up towards Texas and Oklahoma.