Getting My Kicks on Route 66 - part 3 of 3

Hitting the road again the next stop was another car museum before leaving Texas reaching our 6th state New Mexico on route to Albuquerque for another two night stay.




The hotel was once again on the outskirts of town but near a up market shopping mall with a couple of decent restaurants. After grapping a bite to eat Peter & myself decided to try find a decent Pub for a few beers. We came across a Mexican Sports bar and it was a big place with about 300 people in there. Got our drinks then realised why it was so busy Mexico where playing football and 90% were there for the game which was on the large TV screens. Felt a bit like the same odds as been at the Alamo with us two and 300 Mexicans, was gonna support the other team but didn't seem like a great idea, lol.
Actually it was quite a friendly place and we went back the following night although a lot less people in there.

Our spare day we had a trip to the state capitol (oldest in the USA) Santa Fe, was an interesting place especially for those interested in Indian crafts. Was a few nice cafes but was really a quiet day, personally i would have liked to have had less time in Sante Fe and maybe half a day to explore Albuquerque.

Leaving Albuquerque we hit the road towards Arizona stopping for coffee and cakes at the famous hotel El Rancho, n.w this would be a nice overnight stop.

The sparse landscape took us through some interesting places, we touched on the Badlands before visiting the Petrified Forest.

We also stopped to visit the Meteor Crator, which is massive.

Eventually we moved on to our hotel in Flagstaff, that evening many of us ate at the traditional route 66 diner a short walk down the hill, well it seemed right didn't.

Following day we hit the road again venturing off route for lunch at the Grand Canyon, losing one of our group who Richard eventually found in the wrong car park.
After the Canyon we actually did our longest stint on the origional route 66 (about 80 miles) Sleigman to Kingsman. Although we are doing route 66 its now a case of following the spirit of the mother road as most is along modern interstates.
In Sleigman we visited the famous barber shop.

Overnight in Kingsman came with a warning from Richard that it was a very rough town and avoid going into any of the Pubs. A nice restaurant opposite the hotel was recommended so thats where we had our meal. However after our meal Peter and myself got directions to a local pub so decided to give it a go, a few of the others followed us down the road.
On arrival the place looked scary, bars on all the windows and a big sign telling us we couldn't take in firearms. What the hell we walked in and it was really busy with what appeared to be rednecks having a good time. Three Pool tables in action, a karaoke and people dancing and singing all over. I made my way to the bar and ordered the drinks, the lady at the bar was interested in where we were from after hearing my accent.
Most of the group had taken a look from the outside and U turned but Pippa and Mike came in and joined us at the bar.
The bar maid asked if I was going on the Karaoke and I explained I couldn't sing, Pippa mentioned Mike had told her he was a decent singer so we put his name down. Eventually his name was called and he gave a brilliant Elvis impression and the locals loved it, a few came over chatting (don't think they've seen strangers before. It turned out a very good night, "who dares wins".

In the morning we left for the last leg first visiting another museum before on to the Bairstow Mall for some bargain shopping. Eventually we hit Los Angeles after driving through the San Bernadino mountains and found our hotel.

After checking in and a quick shower it was back on the coach for an evening in Santa Monica, walked down to the pier and we had done it, reached the end of the trail, we'd certainly had our kicks along route 66.

Actually didn't stay at the Pier too long went into town for my meal at a English Pub, nice Steak & Ale Pie.

The holiday wasn't quite over as we had another day in LA which most of us took the optional excurrsion to visit Universal Studios, managed to get around all the rides plus see Waterworld so was great fun as always.

We also had a farewell meal that night at a Scottish Pub, nice piece of Beef I'll add.

Final morning it was a quick tour around hollywood, lunch at the Farmers market before sadly making our way to the airport for the long flight home.