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.

Getting My Kicks on Route 66 - part 2 of 3

continued from part one :-

We left our hotel in Springfield Missouri to head to Kansas which only accomodates a few miles of the route. Before leaving had noticed the sign that Elvis had stayed at the place and following a bit of investigation found out it wasn't my room but the one next door, still never saw the ghost.

Remember stopping of at some dead end town in Kansas where 4 women ran a souvenier shop which we visited, they where real charactors (sisters i think) and told a tale or two. Also provided free coffee and biscuits which was nice. Lots of little towns like this, there is plenty of poverty about but decent people (take note Mr Obama).
Before leaving another bloke took us to a bridge (on the 66) to show us his trick which was to turn is feet the wrong way (facing backwards) must have had double jointed ankles, was definately a strange thing to see.

Moving on we arrived in another run down town but it had a fantastic theatre (The Coleman), can't rememer the history as we were getting overload by this point but the guided tour was real good. If I remember (please correct me if wrong) it was run by volunteers.

 It wasn't long before we crossed another State line and were in Oklahoma where we first visited Tulsa before moving on to the capitol for a 2 night stay.

Well in the words of the Song Oklahoma City is pretty and it sure is would like to visit again one day.

We had a good city tour included and visited the State Capitol Building which is like every other State Capitol I've visited.

Other highlights were a Cowboy museum which had a massive section about Western movies which I loved, right up my street and of course they had plenty of things about the Duke.

Can't remember if it was before or after we went to a massive statue which was a tribute to the early pioneers, very impressive.

Another thing the City has done well is the tribute to those who lost their lives in the Oklahoma bombings which includes a timeline pond and a lawned area with a chair for each of those murdered. Was a little dissapointed that people were allowed to sit on these chairs for photos, didn't seem right to me.

We also visited the stockyards and a big western clothing store where many of our group stocked up on their Levi Jeans and cowboy hats.

Another beautiful part of Oklahoma was the riverwalk (think they are trying to copy San Antonio), also looked a good area for nightlife with interesting bars, restaurants and clubs.

Had lunch there at a nice place but would have liked to have gone back on the night. However our hotel was too far away and couldn't raise a possee for a taxi.

To be fair first night the hotel bar was fine, quite lively with a karaoke going but 2nd night (sunday) it was closed but a few of us managed to find a sports bar, bit of a nothing evening though as it was quite desserted.

We left Oklahoma to head Texas but not before stopping at one of the interesting route 66 museums, there are loads of them wish we could have done them all.#

Another small poor town and we stopped to meet a couple of real charactors of route 66, the self proclaimed redneck king & queen Harley & Annabell. They invited us into their home which was filled with route 66 memorbillia and then put a show n for us singing redneck songs. Was certainly different but great fun.




Finally we got to Texas but now was the problem of finding Amarillo with nobody to show us the way.

Only a one night stopover but went out to a ranch where we got on some trailers to be taken through the desert while real cowboys chased some cows about.
They afterwards put on a horse racing show before we had a typical cowboy meal, was authentic when the beef and beans came out but lost it with the salad bar, lol.
On return to the hotel bar which had some very nice beer prices (very cheap) a few of us had a game of cards, was actually good fun and we had many laughs.


On leaving Amarillo we had time to call at Cadillac Ranch for a photo shoot before moving on to the mid-point of the mother road, yes still another 1,139 miles to go.

One thing had become apparent by now was that Richard our tour manager only had a very small CD collection, one that played the Route 66 song in 20 different versions and Lou Reeds greatest hits, luckily I had my MP3 player and headphones, lol.

Reckon this is a good place to stop part two (more to follow).




Just thought I'd give a bit of publicity to a local York group playing the route 66 song, this version wasn't on Richards CD.

Getting My Kicks on Route 66 - part 1 of 3

In October 2012 I got the opportunity to fulfill an ambition and travel Americas iconic road trip Route 66. Following a petition on their website Just You included it among their holiday offerings and us single travellers could now get our kicks.

For me the holiday often starts the night before I travel as I stay over at the airport, this trip was no different and fortunately was able to get in touch with 3 other travellers (Paul, Kay & Victoria) and we met up for a meal at The Three Magpies Pub which was excellent.

On to the holiday and everyone knows that it starts from Chicago (near the Art Institute)and in the words of the song goes more than 2,000 miles, actually travels through 8 startes (Illinois, Missouri, Kansas, Oklahoma, Texas, New Mexico, Arizona & California) before finishing in Los Angeles (Santa Monica pier to be precise).

First two nights in Chicago we stayed at the Palmer House Hilton which is in the Loop (part of city centre) which in my opinion was the only decent hotel choice on this holiday. I like to go out and find a odd nightspot (live music) and most other hotels were on the outskirts of the places we were visiting.
We  had our included meal in the hotel on the first night which is a great way to get to know the other travellers, was actually 45 in the group which in my opinion is too big, always reckon no more than 30 is best. More space to spread yourself around especially on the long coach journeys, also its too many to get to know everyone.

After the meal a good few of us walked to Buddy Guys Legends Club, (even Richard our tour manager and Henrique our driver came with us), it was very busy and weren't allowed to sit because we weren't eating which was fair enough so stood near the bar. There was a Jamming session on with many talented artists on stage, noticed the guitarist was Tony Palmer who has a great reputation. Buddy himself was actually in the Club sat at the bar but was more interested in watching baseball on the tv than getting on stage. Think I left around midnight.

The group did a City tour on our day in Chicago (which had positive feedback) but I opted out as I know the City. I had a walk along the magnificent mile, then to the Navy Pier before going for lunch in my favorite Irish Pub "Fados". Afterwards had another good walk before heading back to the hotel for a power nap.

Had mentioned to everyone that I was going out at 6pm to get my evening meal while watching a group called Joel Patterson and the modern sounds at Andy's Jazz Club, they do a bit of everything from Jazz to Blues to Rockabilly and were performing the early act.
Seven people decided to join me including Peter and 6 lovely ladies and we had a lovely meal while listening to some excellent music.



On my walk during the day I'd picked up some free tickets (as you do coming from Yorkshire) for a duelling Piano Bar called "Howl at the Moon", its a lively place where they play requests encurage the audience to sing-a-long, rowdy but great fun. Hence after the meal I mentioned I was going and the others where welcome to come along which 6 did, one was a little tired so went back to the hotel. Pardon the pun but we had a "howl" of a time but the funniest part was when Ivy (oldest among us and I worried about it been too rowdy) saw some young ladies with fancy cocktails. Yes she ordered herself one and within 5 minutes of drinking it the young local ladies had her up dancing in front of the stage.

Always sad to leave Chicago but we'd a long way to go so we hit the route and a couple of hours down the road stopped at a little town called Pontiac which was really interesting for a number of reasons. Firstly the Mayor got on our coach and gave us a guided tour (ok its only 2 city blocks) then gave us a bag of souveniers, nice i thought.
On all the street corners there where miniature cars with interesting paint jobs, murals on walls (we are gonna see plenty of them), there was two small museums and best of all a cracking little cafe with some lovely cakes. Managed one of the museums but hope this year when I do the Heart & Soul trip we'll stop here to catch the other (and visit the cafe for another cake).


Next stop was lunch at the Springfield Illinois (does evey state have a Springfield) and of course this is Abraham Lincoln territory, we had an included tour of his house and also visited his grave, was very interesting.




Then it was onward to Missiouri and of course St Louis for a two night stop, trouble is our hotel was well out of town but found a couple of ok pubs walkable so managed to get an evening meal and have a good laugh.
On the day we had a good city tour including the Busch Brewery (along with free samples) and also had the chance to go up the famous arch which is a amazing structure. I'd actually been to St Louis before but not been up the arch.



On the 2nd night in St Louis we had an incuded "night out" at Lacledes Landing the famous nghtlife area. Basically we all chipped in $10 apiece for the coach to take us in the centre then we could do as we pleased. Now I say "night out" with tongue in cheek because ariving at 7pm and leaving at 10pm when many places are just getting going isn't a night out (why hotels should be in th centre people who don't want a late one can go to bed). Anyway to eat we gathered a few of the men together and went to a bar called "Show Me" for food. Actually its very good on the eye because the ladies serving are wearing very skimpy clothes, makes the food much better. Actually 3 of the ladies in our group saw us go in and followed only to ask after gtting inside "are we allowed in here ?" of course they were and joined us.
Funny from the waitress when she told us "I've never served anyone from England before" we asked "how long had she worked there ?" to get the answer "one week" made us laugh but don't think its the size of their brains that get them the job.
After we just had time for a beer at another bar before getting the bus for an early night.

Following day we were back on the road heading for another Springfield this time in Missiouri but onroute we made interesting stops.

First it was a place called St Charles which is very old with lots of interesting buildings, even found a shop selling English Grocerys and who said you can't get a decent cup of tea in America.
Even convinced a group of Americans they should buy Yorkie Bars instead of the rubbish chocolate they produce.





Then it was on to Cuba, no not Fidel Castros place its just a small Route 66 town with lots of interestin Murals everywhere. Actually even more interesting is the Quaker Bakery (well you have to support the locals).

Also on route we had a stop off at the worlds largest rocking chair, these things have to be done.


Finally we arrived in Springfield and a short City tour before meeting Wild Bill Hiccock and he told the story of his gun fight at a local saloon. To be honest thought Springfield Missiouri a bit of a dump.

On the evening we had an optional excurrsion to the "entertainment capitol" Branson which included a meal which was average in my opinion then on to a Tributes Show which was enjoyable, surprisingly the best act was Liberace gave us all a good laugh.

So on that note I'll end part one of my Route 66 holiday, lots of miles to go.