Route 66

We have covered Route 66 from end-to-end over the years. Even so, there are still places along the route we haven't seen, and some fun places to re-visit. In Needles, California we found beautiful murals. While taking pictures, a lady on the street approached and asked if we had questions. She works at the historical museum and was out for a walk. She was very helpful, pointing out the connection between Peanuts/Charles Shultz and Needles, especially Spike, Snoopy's cousin. She also provided directions to the Borax Wagon sign. We have searched for that sign and never found it. Dah! It was So easy to find.

Another spot we haven't seen is the old schoolhouse and general store in Goffs. And we still haven't. Understandably it is closed during the hot summer months. We did find the location though. It looks like a settler's village. Again, if we're in the area in cooler months, we will definitely stop back.

The puzzling thing was the road to Amboy and Roy's Motel and Cafe. The road off I-40 was closed last year for road work. Fourteen months later, that same road was closed for road work. OK, we will skip it and look for Death Valley. A few exits later, the road went north to Death Valley and south to Amboy. We chose Amboy and, if we came back to I-40, we would go north into Death Valley. It was very hot so skipping Death Valley would be ok. Roy's in Amboy is fascinating to me. The motel lobby is still in pristine condition. A photo of Roy and his wife displayed. How posh this must have seemed in the 60s with travelers staying in individual cabins, the shells of which remain.

That said, it is also in the middle of desert. Many times I commented to Papa how travelers must have thought they were doomed. Miles and miles on a curvy two-lane road going through the desert with nothing around. When will we find the next stop? Cars without air conditioning would be sweltering. No phone to check the next opportunity for fuel or food, just a paper map. Wow!

After Amboy, BetsyB's navigation took us on old Route 66 to Bagdad, or Big Dad's cafe. The building’s exterior is covered in memorabilia, while the business itself is permanently closed. Still the motorcycle groups congregate at the site.  

We were close to our location for the night and decided to abandon further exploring. Time to get some rest before another long travel day tomorrow. Death Valley will wait for another trip, hopefully in cooler temperatures.