ROUTE 66
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We had often discussed driving across America. It may have been one of those things that would have been talked and dreamed about, always to be put off until some vague, undetermined time in the future, all the while wondering if we would ever actually realise it. Just before Sarah started her chemotherapy, I told her that once it was all over we would drive Route 66, The Mother Road from Chicago to Los Angeles, whether we could afford it or not. "Not going" was no longer an option. We had to face up to the fact that it was possibly our last opportunity to venture on such a journey. Although we figured that the odds were in our favour to still be around for quite some time yet, we could no longer rule out the possibility of our days together being numbered. Serious illness, despite its obvious problems, focusses the mind. It can bring about a previously dormant determination to achieve things. So we hatched a plan.
Around 12 months after Sarah's cancer diagnosis, and six months after her last dose of chemotherapy, we flew out to Chicago on our three week adventure - the holiday of a lifetime. Having found that our Facebook friends enjoyed our Chemo Diary, we decided to do the same with Route 66. As a result of this, at least half a dozen friends, or friends of friends, have been inspired to embark on the same journey. If WE can do it, so can many others. So this was our journey, compiled from our Facebook posts.
Select one
25th July
We'll be leaving London at breakfast time tomorrow, and arriving at Chicago 8 hours later at... er... breakfast time. We'll be 6 hours behind the UK, so if we post on Facebook at 8pm you'll all be asleep. By the time we get to Los Angeles we'll be 8 hours behind. Therefore, you'll probably have to check our walls to see our posts as they won't pop up in your news feed unless you check in the morning. We intend to put a post up each evening. Well, you know us - we may even be tempted to put two up!
We have an executive room. They must know I'm a very important government official.
27th July
After a 24 hour day from morning to bedtime, we have breakfast in Chicago while you're having your post-Sunday lunch snooze (do we still do those these days?). Just about to pick up car to frustrate the locals with my British driving. We managed to go up the Willis Tower yesterday, which is arguably the world's tallest building. The queue was so long that many people turned to cannibalism. On exit, we were so desperate that we stooped even lower than that and went into a certain fast food place - first time in many years. I'd like to think that it will be our last time ever. I don't know how I took the night time shot. I just pressed the button and our very clever Sony camera did the rest.
Only three murders in Chicago last night, but we managed to steer clear of trouble. First 20 or so miles of Route 66 done to save us driving back into the centre of Chicago tomorrow on a Monday morning, as we are staying on the outskirts about 20 miles out. Tomorrow it starts in anger. We're planning to cover between 200 and 300 miles, reaching somewhere between Springfield, Illinois (there are two Springfields along the way - quite close to each other) and St Louis. Today I had my first Walmart experience. The thought of it excited me a little, but it was really nothing special.
Mark Pritchard was with Sarah Pritchard at Hilton Chicago O'Hare
Route 66 - The start
Chicago and our car
Chicago disappearing in the distance
Looks like we're going the right way
28th July
This morning we watched the sunrise over Chicago O'Hare airport from the hotel room at 5.45am after waking up early. It's at times like this I thank the Lord for my bladder. A very fitting start to our adventure. — with Sarah Pritchard at Hilton chicago.
Today was a challenge, but we managed to cover around 200 miles. Staying at Springfield, Illinois at a Super 8 motel. This Route 66 business - or Rowt 66, as they say round here - isn't as straight forward as we'd first thought. Signposts really aren't that good, or maybe it's because it's new to us and we haven't picked it up properly yet. We got lost at Blooming(hell)ton, losing a good hour. However, it's a learning process, and we saw some nice places on the way. If we make good progress tomorrow we may find ourselves staying at another Springfield, in Missouri.
Couldn't resist this
29th July
Route 66, day 2 - This evening we are staying at a motel in Cuba. It is actually a town along the route, also known as Mural City. As we arrived here after sunset, we will explore it first thing tomorrow. My US driving skills and Sarah’s navigational skills have both improved considerably. We had a hiccup in St Louis, Missouri, where we drove across the Mississippi River FOUR times in an effort to rejoin Route 66. However, we kept calm and resisted a Jerry Springer moment.
Gateway Arch, St Louis - inside and out
Real Mother Road
Now we know we are in America
30th July
This is a photo of the Mother Road next to the Insterstate. It runs alongside it for much of the way, but unfortunately as it twists and turns, it crosses over it frequently. When it crosses over, the junctions can sometimes be a little complicated and it's very easy to take a wrong turn. The US roads do seem to be badly signposted. What we had planned as an easy day turned into a day with some moments of soul-destroying frustration. But then we also have to concede that, as someone commented on one of yesterday's posts, it's a great place to get lost! We once found ourselves on a road that was clearly labelled Route 66, which then took us south 20 miles off course and almost into the neighbouring state of Arkansas. This evening, we've ended up in Springfield, Missouri, which is apparently the home of The Simpsons. I don't know much about them other than the fact that one is called Homer and another has blue hair, but nonetheless, that's where we are. Tomorrow we will continue on through Kansas (only for 13 miles) before entering the state of Oklahoma towards Tulsa. I've been waiting to say this for months, in fact it's the only reason I wanted to come here - We are Only 24 Hours From Tulsa. Ooooh, that felt good :D
What a sick, cruel song. Talk about rubbing her nose in it. Jeez!!!!!
Gene Pitney
24 Hours From Tulsa
Bikers' corner
The world's largest rocking chair.
It doesn't rock.
Cuba - known as Mural City. It would be nice to have such a place in the UK, but I fear the murals would be a target for people who don't care.
Is that Terry Wogan?
31st July
The stretch of the Mother Road that winds through Kansas is only 13 miles long, so we weren't here for long before entering the state of Oklahoma. However, we powered along 270 miles of Route 66, not touching the interstate once. Navigator Sarah Pritchard really came of age today, waking up with a determination to not get lost. Boy did she succeed. With no intention of going further than Tulsa, we managed a little more and ended up in the Lincoln Motel in Chandler, where I have a little task to carry out for my cousin, Colin, who has given us so much help in planning our journey. Fingers crossed that I can accomplish the mission! You'll see a picture of Towmater, the pick up truck from the Movie "Cars", next to the original truck that inspired the film makers. It was at a place owned by a lady called Melba the Mouth. She lived up to her reputation and was a very funny lady.
Towmater on the left, with the original truck on the right
Melba the Mouth
Anyway, we are now a day ahead of schedule, and tomorrow we intend to pack in many more miles so that we can take our time when the real fun begins from Texas onwards.
— with Sarah Pritchard at Lincoln Motel, Chandler, Oklahoma.
Afton Station
Oklahoma
1st Aug
As the heat of the desert reaches out to us with the tips of its fingers, it is now time to slow down, do fewer miles and play more. We could comfortably reach the midway point of Route 66 tomorrow, but we need to avoid progress for progress' s sake. Instead, we shall explore what Texas has to offer. We are at Shamrock, just a short distance into Texas from Oklahoma. Tomorrow night (tonight, to you), we have pre-booked a hotel in Amarillo, about 100 miles away. So we can't go too far. We took some interesting (we think) shots, and I'm beginning to make use of the panoramic feature on our camera. Our camera is a godsend, as we can wirelessly upload hundreds of photos to our tablets in minutes and then share with whoever we want. This, I hope, is where the holiday REALLY begins :)
— with Sarah Pritchard at Holiday Inn Express Inn and Suites.
It's claimed to be the world'slargest totem pole
I think it is!
We've done and seen so much that Chicago seems weeks ago. We might make it to Texas today - we'll see how it goes. First thing will be to get through Oklahoma City. We don't have many scheduled places to visit today, but there is a space museum at Weatherford. Yesterday we took a detour to Chouteau to see the Amish community. We couldn't locate them, but we did eat at the Amish Cheese House where some of them work.
Yep, we made it
2nd Aug
After just crossing the Texas border yesterday evening, we decided to spend the day here. Much of our day was spent in the Palo Duro Canyon where I was on the lookout for wildlife. I refuse to come home until I have a picture of a rattle snake. We spent much of our time singing the same song, and our arrival at Amarillo answered its question. We only progressed 80 miles today. However, after a brief stop at the mid-way cafe at Adrian, we will do a long fast drive to Alberquerque (about 200 miles), where there will be many more attractions awaiting us.
PALO DURO CANYON
3rd Aug
Today's plan - After stopping at the mid-way point cafe at Adrian, interstate all the way to Alberquerque (about 280 miles).
Today's actual - Addiction to the Mother Road takes us on a different adventure. We reached the mid-way point at 9.55am, exactly six days from the beginning of our journey at Chicago. Then five dead ends and an 18 mile dirt track added time to our Alberquerque ETA, arriving at The Holiday Inn at Alberquerque Airport at 5pm. The clock in our hotel room displayed 4pm, so I guess we've crossed a time zone. It's the same as putting the clocks back in October and gaining an extra hour. I'm sure we'll suffer eventually by way of jetlag when we return, but for now we'll just make the most of it. A couple of people have asked us what we'll do with the extra hour (wink, wink!). Well yeah ok, but what about the other 55 minutes???!!!
Route 66 midway point at Adrian, Texas
As the day is dawning on a Texas Sunday morning...
Never thought I'd be able to say that for real in Amarillo!
Yes - as we speak! Not sure if the wife appreciated my camera clicking at this time of the morning, but at least we've got an early start for Alberquerque :D
I know this isn't the best photo of a rabbit, but I spotted this on the side of the dirt track stretch of the Mother Road close to the Texas/New Mexico border. He looked lost, then he turned and said - I knew I should have taken that left turn at Alberquerque!
Ok, I'm gonna come clean about something. You see, I romanticised a little about seeing the dawn breaking at Amarillo. Yes, there is no lie in that, and I'm delighted with the window photo I posted earlier. However, if the truth be known, the place we were staying at wasn't the most romantic of places. It was a little like a DSS hostel for the homeless. Now please don't get me wrong - I don't look down my nose at anyone, and if there is one charity that I really support more than any, it's of the homeless variety (I always like to buy the Big Issue), and I would never disrespect the homeless or treat them as second class. But we are on a holiday of a lifetime and we want something nicer. So we have now decided to "up" the standard of accommodation and to take no chances.
4th Aug
Forget the rattle snake. I'm not coming home til I've seen a bear. Despite searching the hills of New Mexico, our bear hunt served fruitless. We did, however, see some other interesting wildlife. Poor weather altered some of our plans, but it was fun driving through the semi-desert surrounded by thunder storms. As the wife said, "Everyday day is like going on a new holiday!" We finished at a hotel in Navajo Indian territory, less than a mile over the border into Arizona, in a town called Window Rock. It's close to Gallup, New Mexico. The Grand Canyon beckons, and then Las Vegas, but not just yet. Tomorrow we have a hotel booked in Winslow, Arizona. I believe there's a famous corner there :)
It seems that all American towns look like this
New Mexico wildlife
Still on track
"Standing on a corner in Winslow Arizona"
5th Aug
Route 66 has been an unbelievably enjoyable journey, but in some respects the holiday has now only really just begun. Arizona, to me, is the destination. The journey has been a holiday experience of a lifetime so far. However, I cannot really express the beauty and tranquility of this desert with mere words and photographs. If you can afford to go, then you must. If you can't afford to go, you must find a way of affording it. If you are afraid of flying, you must find a way to conquer that fear. This is before we have even reached The Grand Canyon. That is on the agenda for two day's time. If we hadn't experienced what we have over the last five years, we would have put it off for longer and maybe never done it. I think I should work for the US Tourist Board.
There are no words to describe the beauty of Arizona.
6th Aug
Today we'll be going to see a crater where a meteor landed. Isn't it amazing - of all the places in the world, it happened to land in a crater!
With only 100 miles necessary to reach our pre-booked motel at Williams, just west of Flagstaff, we decided to take a couple of side trips. The meteor crater and Oak Creek at Sedona - oh and don't forget Winona. Today is the first time since Chicago that we have booked more than one night af the same place. Tomorrow is the Grand Canyon (I think that's some little scenic area), then we shall be off to Las Vegas for three nights where I hope to win enough money to buy a suitcase large enough to bring my winnings home. — with Sarah Pritchard at RT 66, Williams, Arizona.
Meteor Crater
Don't forget Winona!
Slide Rock
As we continue our journey, we have to keep altering our clocks by one hour. If we go much further west we'll be in the east!
7th Aug
Wife wakes up before alarm for the first time!!!! Is there something on the agenda by any chance?
I was told to expect the Grand Canyon to be bigger than I'd anticipated. So I expected MUCH bigger than I'd anticipated. I was wrong. It is even BIGGER! We spent five hours there and resisted the urge to stay until sunset. Part of us wanted to, but part of us wanted to have even evening relaxing in Williams, a very retro-Route 66 style town. We'd be happy to spend another night here, but Vegas is calling, and we've got to pay for this holiday somehow. It's like a holiday that goes on forever. I always said that the holiday for me was just about the road trip - anything else we could squeeze in would be a bonus. Well we've had bonus upon bonus upon bonus, and it is still continuing. A truly spectacular day. A great day for the wife too, as she had a day's rest from navigation as the journey was straightforward.
The mighty Colorado River versus the Grand Canyon
Williams, Arizona
The remaining agenda -
1 more night at Williams, Arizona; 3 nights at Las Vegas; 1 night at San Benardino; 2 nights on the Queen Mary at LA; 1 night at LA airport; Home :)
8th Aug
If the truth be known, the Mother Road doesn't pass through Nevada, but Nevada is where you'll find Las Vegas. So Nevada Desert it is. Still not seen that rattle snake yet! We really hope to return to Arizona again. It so much reminds me of our home city of Newport. WHAT A STATE!!! I just looked at the map and forgot how far away Vegas is from Williams, Arizona - about 300 miles it seems. As I write, it is exactly 8.15am and we are just off to breakfast at our hotel. Better get a move on. Incidentally, I didn’t mean that about Newport - just couldn't resist the joke :D
My wife is very, very lucky indeed for two reasons. Not only has she survived cancer, but she has me as her husband. I'm relying upon her never-before-matched good fortune to drop the jackpot on a slot machine or to send me positive vibes on the blackjack table - I knows how to play it, see ;)
Colorado River
The journey from Williams to Las Vegas
Driving through the Nevada Desert
Hoover Dam
Approaching Vegas
As we headed north through the Arizona Desert where it becomes Nevada Desert, the temperature rose ferociously. Many would find it unbearable, but Sarah and I are heat lovers. Ok, we wouldn't like to be mowing the lawn or digging the garden in it, but our bodies (especially mine) thrive on heat. I have never known such heat. Las Vegas offers no respite, but we shan't be complaining. The hotel has provided us with a luxurious self-catering apartment, although we don't plan on doing any cooking. We took a walk along the Las Vegas strip this evening to take some pictures, find a restaurant and check out the casinos. We weren't really prepared and didn't know where to go. It was loud, overcrowded and full of half-naked women. Sarah wasn't impressed with that at all. I was prepared to put up with the noise and the crowds.
Seriously though, so far, Vegas isn't quite our thing (much to my surprise), and we agreed that the best part of today was the journey rather than the destination. However, we shall plan more for the next two days now that we know what it's all about. If all else fails, we can sunbathe at one of the five outdoor pools that our hotel offers. Sarah has also been badgering me to get up early to listen to the football on the radio. Newport County will be kicking off at 7am our time for their first game of the sesson. I'll see if I can set the alarm for her — with Sarah Pritchard at Las Vegas Strip.
9th Aug
"Don't take your dreams with you to the grave."
(An interesting quote from a man we met today who didn't succeed in selling us a timeshare)
LAS VEGAS
LAS VEGAS
Today we have been guilty of poor planning, and in some respects haven't made the most of things here. But things are looking up, and we always have to look on the bright side these days. Had an interesting afternoon after a poor start, and we are looking forward to a late night exploring the hotels with all their colourful themes. Other than that - what goes on in Vegas STAYS in Vegas ;)
After a day of heading off to all the wrong places (sort of), we got ourselves back on track and learned what Las Vegas is all about. Fantastic place, loving it all and looking forward to tomorrow. It's not quite what our journey is about, and can never quite match The Mother Road, but it's fun and full of amazing photo opportunities. Take a look at these (all credit to our amazing camera that finds light in places where even an owl would struggle) and take a look especially at the one with the gondola in the Venetian Hotel. It is actually an INDOOR shot! 2am now and time for bed. — with Sarah Pritchard at Las Vegas Strip.
The Mirage Hotel
The Paris Hotel
The Venetian Hotel
10th Aug
We have now fallen in love with this crazy city of sun, sin and spectacle. I lost a little at the casino today. Not enough to break the bank, but a little towards the city's upkeep and we had a great day doing so. But Hell, this journey is not about Las Vegas. We need to drive south, back down to the Mother Road tomorrow - a brief, final day of proper travel before hitting our final destination of Los Angeles. We will be heading for the Wigam Motel at San Bernadino, on the outskirts of the city before finally completing the journey. It's been such an absorbing trip that it now seems to have become a way of life, with normality seeming to have been forgotten. I think that means that we have had a real holiday. All things, however, good or bad, come to an end. But we have more good things yet to come before returning - not least meeting up with friends (who, as I type, are travelling from Newcastle, England to Los Angeles). I'm sure that'll be fun :) — with Sarah Pritchard at Holiday Inn Club Vacations - Las Vegas.
Musical fountain display at the Bellagio Hotel
This would have been nice...
... but she had to settle for $25
California Desert
11th Aug
I always knew that this was to be the longest day of travel. Leaving Vegas at 10.15am, with a few stops, we covered 320 miles and arrived at the Wigwam Motel at San Bernadino at around 7.30pm just as the sun was setting. The journey to Vegas by-passed some of the Mother Road, but when we rejoined it we backtracked some distance as this was a section that our guide, cousin Colin, recommended that we didn't miss. We weren't disappointed, with some absolutely stunning scenery that has become characteristic of our journey. Although Vegas was fun, the holiday is all about the journey, and it was a huge comfort to be back on the Mother Road. Tomorrow we will complete the journey. We are on the outskirts of Los Angeles, California, just a short distance from the final destination. The wife said that this has been such a great holiday that it was worth having cancer for. Beat that!
Calico Ghost Town
When a ghost town becomes a tourist attraction, it ceases to be a ghost town. So what's the attraction?
Dry lake close to Newberry Springs (or "curly mud" as Sarah likes to call it.
Sarah takes to the wheel close to Newberry Springs
Wigwam Motel San Bernardino
I never thought id ever be able to talk the wife into camping!
We had to wait for this bad boy at a railroad crossing close to Newberry Springs
LOS ANGELES
12th Aug
Los Angeles is bloody enormous. No kidding. With slow traffic keeping our speed down to an average of about 10 mph throughout the city, our estimate of about an hour/hour and a half turned out to be a five hour journey covering the 70 odd miles from the Wigwam Motel at San Bernadino to The Santa Monica Pier. But it has to be said that it was the most enjoyable traffic congestion we've ever experienced. Los Angeles is a beautiful city to drive through, and we had the privilege of stopping to use the restrooms at MacDonalds close to Beverly Hills, the one that Simon Cowell almost certainly frequents for his sausage and egg McMuffin breakfast. Sorry this post is a little late for the early risers, but we've had the pleasure of a wonderful evening with Jayne Hawkins and family on the Queen Mary ocean liner at Long Beach which has delayed our usual posting time. This is our hotel for the next two nights. Coincidentally, they are beginning a USA road trip to San Francisco as we are ending our road trip, and staying at the same hotel. Jayne and Sarah have both been through similar chemo treatment at exactly the same time and met on a Facebook group called The Stars. Fitting that we should meet up at LA where all the other stars live :) — with Sarah Pritchard at Queen Mary Hotel, Long Beach CA.
We spent about half an hour in traffic on Santa Monica Boulevard today...
Our first ever view of the
Pacific Ocean
Sat in the bar on the Queen Mary docked at Long Beach, LA, reflecting on the last three weeks. We have holidayed hard and done so much. Time to come home to dig up the potatoes. I'm looking forward to that.
13th Aug
Last official day of the holiday, before having a chill day tomorrow at an airport hotel, went out with a BANG!!! No less I'm delighted to say. Although our Geordie buddies the Hawkins were fabulous company, I'm sure they won't be offended if I say even THEY were upstaged!
Beverly Hills tour
Sarah's only heart throb happens to turn up as we are strolling along Hollywood Boulevard. She doesn't believe I had it all planned!
14th Aug
TWO earthquakes in California in the last couple of hours. Could be in for a bumpy night :) — with Sarah Pritchard at Holiday Inn Express Los Angeles Airport.
We now have a whole 24 hours of relaxation before flying home tomorrow afternoon (it's midday here). Our adventure has been as incredible as our posts have suggested. No spin, no exaggeration, not even a single argument in three weeks! We could have posted SO much more, but we are conscious of overfilling your news feeds. We like to use Facebook in an entertaining or helpful way as we know how every post infiltrates people's homes and private lives, and that it should not be used in the wrong way. I hope we have got the balance right. We planned this trip thoroughly, to the extent that everything went as well as it could have possibly have done and MUCH better than expected - even little things like returning the hire car in time for a full day's relaxation before flying back. We hadn't planned for Sarah to be stood only a few feet from Pierce Brosnan, though (don't tell her I said that as she thinks it was my last planned surprise for her!). We hope that you enjoyed it. I know a couple of people have been inspired to do Route 66 as a result of it. If anyone wants to know anything about it then don't hesitate to inbox either of us. We're off to the outdoor pool now for our last piece of Californian sunshine :D
15th Aug
Mark Pritchard was with Sarah Pritchard at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX).
God I love technology!
Holiday Inn Express
Los Angeles Airport
Goodnight everyone. Boarding very soon. By the time you wake up well be... er... still on the bloody plane! :D