June 2014 – Route 66 – Grevious Rocks

DAY 0-3 CHICAGO

Enjoy a day exploring Chicago. Stroll along fashionable Michigan Avenue, The Magnificent Mile, for some world class shopping or marvel at some of the most impressive architecture in the city’s bustling business district. The Sears Tower at 108 stories stands as Chicago’s tallest building since its completion in 1974 and is the tallest building in the Western Hemisphere. Boat cruises are offered on the Chicago River and Lake Michigan. Millennium Park, which opened in 2004 is a green oasis along the city’s waterfront and is home to many cultural events. In the evening do not miss a visit to one of Chicago’s famous blues clubs.

Day Zero

Day One

Day Two

DAY 3 CHICAGO – ST LOUIS

Collect your car and begin your journey by driving through the Illinois farmlands. St Louis is situated on the banks of the Mississippi River and welcomes you with its famous Gateway Arch commemorating Thomas Jefferson and his quest for westward expansion of the United States. Today’s Distance: 475Km/297 Miles

DAY 4 ST LOUIS
St Louis has always been considered the gateway to the west. It was host to the World’s fair and the first ever Olympic games held in the US. In 1904 it was from here that Charles Lindberg embarked on the first solo Atlantic Flight.

DAY 5 ST LOUIS – SPRINGFIELD

Today you will travel through the scenic countryside of Missouri, the home of Mark Twain. Along the route you will see numerous billboards advertising Meramec Caverns, a 26 mile cave system that’s worth a visit. Then continue to Springfield for your overnight. Today’s Distance: 355Km/222 Miles

DAY 6 SPRINGFIELD – TULSA

Enter the State of Oklahoma. It has a colourful history as a frontier state, as the destination of freed slaves looking for opportunity and equality, and as the heart of the oil boom in the early 20thCentury. The western and Native American heritage of the state is a large part of its cultural identity. Tulsa is the home of the largest and most comprehensive collection of western artifacts in the world, housed in the Gilcrease Museum. Today Oklahoma contains more native American tribal headquarters than any other state, as well as the nation’s second largest American Indian population.
Today’s Distance: 340 Km/213 Miles

DAY 7 TULSA – OKLAHOMA CITY

Continue to Oklahoma City, the garden state capital. Visit the myriad Botanical Gardens with its tropical conservatory or one of the interesting museums. Visit the Omniplex Science Museum in the Kirkpatrick Centre or the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum home to the galleries of western art and to the Hall of Great Western Performers.
Today’s Distance: 185 Km/116 Miles

DAY 8 OKLAHOMA CITY – AMARILLO

Stop in the town of Anadarko which calls itself the “Indian Capital of the Nation”. The town is home to Indian City USA and outdoor museum of native American dwellings.
Today’s Distance: 460 Km/288 Miles

DAY 9 AMARILLO – TUCUMCARI

Cross the state line into new Mexico and gain an hour. Drive through the ancient hunting grounds of the Comanche Indians until you arrive at Tucumcari.
Today’s Distance: 175 Km/109 Miles

DAY 10 TUCUMCARI – ALBUQUERQUE via Roswell

Today’s leg of your journey leads to Albuquerque, the city of the Rio Grande and New Mexico’s “Big City”, surrounded by beautiful mountains. Stroll around Old Town Albuquerque or visit the Pueblo Indian Museum on the Rio Grande. A few more miles than mentioned here.
Today’s Distance: 290 Km/181 Miles

DAY 11 DAY TRIP TO SANTA FE & TAOS

Enjoy a day in the State Capital of Santa Fe, a city dominated by unique Southwestern Pueblo architecture. Visit the colourful local Indian crafts market held daily in front of the Palace of the Governors, walk around the town square or visit the historic museum. If time permits, continue to Taos Pueblo, the ancient pueblo of the Northern Tiwa tribe of Native Americans that has been continuously inhabited for more than 1,00 years.

DAY 12 ALBUQUERQUE – HOLBROOK

Drive via Gallup, another famous stop on Route 66 that is noticeable for its mix of indigenous people and native culture. Enter Arizona and visit the Petrified Forest National park. This area was once the site of an ancient forest later covered by a lava flow.
Today’s Distance: 410 Km/256 Miles

DAY 13 HOLBROOK – FLAGSTAFF

Before arriving in Flagstaff make sure you visit the Meteor Crater and the impressive Sunset Crater Volcano Monument.
Today’s Distance: 170 Km/106 Miles

DAY 14 FLAGSTAFF GRAND CANYON via Monument Valley and Four Corners

We recommend an early departure so that you have plenty of time at the Grand Canyon. Along the canyon rim there are numerous vista points with ever changing views of this natural wonder. Stop by the Visitors Centre to learn about the history of the canyon. A few more than 78 miles. Nine hours driving. Hardest day in that respect.
Today’s Distance: 125 Km/78 Miles

In four places at once .. talk about multi tasking

DAY 15 GRAND CANYON – LAS VEGAS

Booked a 45 minute helicopter flight over the canyon prior to departing for Las Vegas. Then traveled via Williams you will travel along one of the longest remaining sections of historic Route 66 to Las Vegas. Crossing the desert you will cross over into the state of Nevada and reach the Entertainment Capital of the World. The “strip” will mesmerize you with its lights and mega-hotels.
Today’s Distance: 440 Km/277 Miles

DAY 16 LAS VEGAS

You have a full day to enjoy Las Vegas or to soak up the desert sunshine by the hotel pool. See one of the great shows in the evening. Bugger that Nigel we went to Area 51

DAY 17 LAS VEGAS – LOS ANGELES

The route will lead you through the Mojave Desert. In Barstow visit Calico Ghost Town and stop at Peggy Sue’s Diner for lunch. You then cross the San Bernardino Mountains and enter the sprawling city of Los Angeles, the city of dreams, sunshine, big cars and beautiful people. This is where Route 66 becomes Santa Monica Boulevard winding its way through Hollywood and Beverley Hills until it suddenly ends at the Santa Monica Boardwalk and the Pacific Ocean.
Today’s Distance: 458 Km/286 Miles