Route66 ~ the end

Drive west onto Colorado Ave. until it ends at Santa Monica Pier. Then walk straight out on the pier…

Wow! Wow! Wow! We made it! We finished >4000km on the mother road and arrived at the end: Santa Monica, California. (Ehm, yes, there’s people out there who walked Route66 from LA to Chicago in 65 days… well… ok… wow!)

Route66: an American icon. The mother road was opened in 1926!

We started at Lake Michigan and we finished >4000km later at the pacific coast. We met many wonderful people along the road who all shared their story with us. A couple who celebrated their 42nd wedding anniversary. A family from Colorado in the Chicago train welcoming us to the States. A chatty barkeeper. Even chattier guests at the bar. The friendliest motel owners. Many Americans who traveled to Germany before happily sharing their story with us. Seeing good old friends along the way. A cool retired chef who worked in France before and shared delicious recipes with us. The hot air balloon pilot who lived in Germany before. The boss of an old diner who couldn’t believe to have us & an Italian couple as customers. Locals sharing recommendations with us. Eating Mexican next to a Japanese couple. That’s our experience. People talk. Worldwide. That’s what makes traveling so wonderful.

The end of an era: Dwight D. Eisenhower, future president of the United States, was not impressed with the efficiency of the Route66. While he was leading Allied troops into Germany during WW II, Eisenhower became enamored with the German Autobahn highway network, reinforcing his belief that America needed a better and more efficient road system. Super highways, with divided lanes, limited access and no stop signs were first built along Route66 in California and Illinois.

Ever since the birth of classic American roadways, small towns and their unique stops along the way have contributed to the iconic status of these old interstate corridors. Roadside communities hold on to treasured locations that define the culture of classic Americana. Thanks guys for keeping it up and making it a real adventure for us!

We fell in love with the mother road, the classic cars & motorcycles, the old gas stations, the food served in neon-lit diners, the ghost towns, the music, the story from a time which passed already many many years ago. It’s a journey through the heart of the country where the meals are homemade and the neon still glows that still kicks 35 years after being officially decommissioned.

Route66 – the symbol of a simpler America. We could have stayed twice as long, so much more to see and do… but we need a reason to come back, right?

Well, we have also seen places and hoped the car wouldn’t breakdown… That’s also part of the experience.

Thanks to my travel companion & husband for driving us safely & being so patient for many many many photo stops. So thankful that we were able & capable to make this trip together. One year ago it didn’t look like it.

Route 66 song from Nat King Cole

If you ever plan to motor west

Travel my way

Take the highway that’s the best

Get your kicks on Route 66

It winds from Chicago to LA

More than two thousand miles all the way

Get your kicks on Route 66

Now you go through St. Louis

Joplin, Missouri

And Oklahoma City looks mighty pretty

You’ll see Amarillo

Gallup, New Mexico

Flagstaff, Arizona

Don’t forget Winona

Kingman, Barstow, San Bernardino

Won’t you get hip to this timely tip

When you make that California trip

Get your kicks on Route 66

Won’t you get hip to this timely tip

When you make that California trip

Get your kicks on Route 66

Get your kicks on Route 66

Get your kicks on Route 66

We had a blast! The USA makes it easy to fall over and over in love with!