Playing Hooky on Route 66!

Live!  Ride On The Back Of A Harley And See America!


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May 10, 2007        Left Hampstead, NC about 7:30 AM, by the way thanks to Jeff and Renee for the free departing breakfast it was great.  It was a long 406 miles and as usual God's great since of humor was in full swing as we didn't get any rain until the last 10 minutes of the day.  Arrived at Saunton, Va. about 6:00 PM, would have got there sooner if not for the abduction!
You have got to eat at Mrs. Rowes.....  Enjoy the pictures.

May 11, 2007        Got a late start out of Saunton, VA. approximately 11 AM....  Had to get Charlies bike checked out due to some electrical problems or some metal on metal noise problem.  At Shenandoah Harley-Davidson our buddy, Master Technician, T.J. Tehrani, discovered the malfunction which proved to be quite humorous.  TJ discovered by turning the bike hard right the starter switch would engage when it came into contact with the tank bag.  Extremely relieved it was nothing serious we all had a good laugh at Charlies expense.  Later on we discovered the Lincoln Highway (Americas oldest and longest) on our way to Shanksville, PA., and temporary Flight 93 Memorial.  Miles road today was 256 with a total of 642.   Enjoy the pictures.

May 12, 2007          Down day to catch up with the web site and to rest.  We are trying our best not to burn ourselves out by just logging lots of miles.  A trip of this magnitude takes a little time to acclimate to the hard riding.  Did take a little break to go see the Quecreek Mining Rescue site where nine miners had a very happy ending to what could have been a tragedy.  Sunday is Mother's Day we would like to wish all you mom's a very happy Mother's Day.  We head West in the morning and that will be our compass heading pretty much for the next week or so.  As usual enjoy the pictures.

May 13, 2002        Sunday, Mother's Day, 7 AM Somerset, PA. 43 degrees headed for Pinkerington, Ohio to the National AMA Motorcycle Museum.  If there ever has been a V-Twin hugging kind of day folks this is it!   Ok, so I started out as I usually do saying oh it's not that cold.  I did wear my chaps, which everybody knows I hate, and Charlie ask's are you going to wear anything on your face and I said no it's not that bad.  So it's 7 AM 43 degrees and I have  no face protection except for my windshield.  On the Interstate for 10 minutes, guess who's pulling over, it would be me, NEAL!
And taking a whole lotta crap from Charlie, which I have to say is well deserved.   Beautiful ride through West Virginia into Ohio and arriving at the much anticipated AMA motorcycle museum.  If you are a motocross fan this museum is heaven.  From the beginning to modern day supercross, they have everything.  Charlie and I as members of AMA paid a mere $5 to register for the beautiful BLACK SHADOW VINCENT that will be given away in July 2007.  We recommend the museum for everyone.  Rights... Riding... Racing...
    On our way to Indianapolis it was time for a stop we pulled into a Springfield, Ohio rest stop an saw a fellow biker and pull up beside him. He was riding the exact same bike as myself, (Neal) and as soon as we pulled up he said fellows can you give me a hand.  Of course we said, what's the problem, he said I dropped my bike, I had help getting it back up but my highway foot-peg is bent into my lower fairing.  He wanted to know did we have the tools to help him out.  And the answer was ABBA-SOLUTLEY!  After talking with Jim we found out he had been driving for Harley-Davidson for 28 years.  Charlie and I were all of a sudden in very good company.  Jim God bless you and your wife.   Our prayer's are with you.  Neal and Charles.
Our mileage for the day.....  422 miles.  Enjoy the pictures.

May 14, 2007        Monday:    It was pretty cool going to the INDY 500 (Brick Yard) especially a couple of weeks out from the big race on Memorial weekend.  If you're a race fan this is where the rubber meets the road.  Nothing shakes the imagination even for non-motor heads than the INDIANAPOLIS 500.  From the novas to the professional, everyone feels at home at the INDY! 
    Left Indianapolis headed towards Chicago to find where the Mother Road Begins.  Going across the farm lands of Indiana was challenging and beautiful both of us being old farm boys, pretty impressive.  My license tag (Neal) reads GWTWIND I had no idea what repercussion's that would have later on.  The WIND was blowing on the beam 20 to 30 MPH, gusting we don't know.  But we do know why they call it the WINDY CITY!  Beautiful city, beautiful sky-line, lake Michigan, wow what can we say...   WE FOUND THE CORNER OF ADAMS AND MICHIGAN, the beginning of the Mother Road ROUTE 66, that's why we came here, that's why we left.  WE LOVE CHICAGO!  Enjoy the pictures.    Total mileage as of today is 1,372.

May 15, 2007         Tuesday    Out of the city finally, on the Joliet road headed to California.  When we got to the town of Joliet we saw our first opportunity to actually stop and really do some filming. We soon realized that this part of 66 with heavy traffic would be very difficult to get good audio. 
So what the heck!  We did it anyway.  We did an HDD and a still with GPS marker with our Sony equipment. About this time up walked Chris Musant'e an introduced himself and wanted to know what were we doing.  We were explaining our trip to Chris when he informed us the contribution that his Pop made for all of us road warrior's.  It seems the Sr Musant'e was the man that first made the glorious chicken wings that we all search out on a regular basis.  Our hats are tipped to the Sr, God bless you.  We also met Sue, didn't get her last name, but she guided us to the Joliet Area Historical Museum who is about to open their Route 66 wing.  Great folks very informative thank you very much.  Got down to Wilmington, Ill. and the sky was starting to change when we pulled into The Launching Pad for a quick lunch.  As we were eating the girls at the Pad informed us that they had heard of extreme weather heading our way including hail.  We went into scramble mode to get our rain gear on and secure the Glides.  They were kind enough to give us directions to a motel close by.  Later on we sought shelter under the awning of the local VFW.  A break in the weather came soon thereafter and off we went.  The next 20 minutes of riding was some of the scariest we have ever encounter.  Blinding rain that felt like nails, wind so strong that at 30 mph the electra glides were blown into the oncoming lane over and over again, with no where to go no shelter in sight we could only press on.  Finally in Dwight, Ill. we saw our safe heaven at the Classic Inn.  There is one bright note to the bad weather, it pressure washed our windshields and farings. Bugs be gone!  Trust us when we say we know how Dorothy felt.  Today's mileage is 80.
                           
May 16, 2007   Wednesday    Had breakfast at Pete's Family Restaurant and Cocktails headed out on 66 and arrived at Odell, Ill., and took a break at the Standard Oil Company Filling Station.  Built in 1932 it is the original building intact, including the shingle siding, it is on the National Historical Register.  Charlie had to run back to the Classic Inn to recover his tank bag and I elected to wait at the station.  A steady line of jaguar's started to fill the gravel parking lot.  Obviously touring 66 like ourselves I asked where they were from.  It turns out their club was from the Netherlands and they had shipped 65 cars over to America just to ride Route 66!  Outside of Atlanta we saw first hand the prairie grass restoration.  Springfield, Il., we settled in at the Route 66 Hotel and Conference Center, had a great time talking with Bill Vala who is the owner.  He gave us a little history on the building.  This was the very first Holiday Inn located on Route 66 in the State Of Ill. Visit www.rt66hotel.com for a really nice place to stay.  We would like to thank Toni and Regina for putting up with all of us, it was a blast.  And last but certainly not least a big thanks to Bill for putting Playing Hooky On Route 66 on the marquee.  Total miles 145.

May 17, 2007    Thursday     Visited the Lincoln Memorial first thing this morning.  The only thing we can say here is just go look at the photo's they certainly speak for themselves.  Pulled up at the Cozy Dog to grab some lunch and check out this famous drive in.  Meet Bob Waldmeyer and Carl Johnson.  Bob is a Route 66 artist whose done many mural's of Route 66 and Carl is a writer for www.route66pulse.com a popular mag for the route.  At Mt. Olive, Ill., we opted to stop and check out Soulsby's Service Station built in 1926. It was in business until 1991 for a period of 65 years.  During this entire time they only sold Shell gasoline and products.  Left Illinois by crossing the Mississippi into Missouri and stopping at the Chain of Rocks Bridge.  Opening in 1929 it is one mile long and 24 feet wide it has a 22 degree mid-span bend require for safe river navigation.  Arrived in St. Louis, Mo. Total miles today is 130.

May 18, 2007    Friday        Happy Birthday Wendy!!!!!!!!!!!

The St. Louis Arch... gate way to the West speaks for itself check out the photo's.  Went to Gate Way Harley-Davidson to pick up a bulb for Charlies bike.  Have never had a warmer reception at any dealership as newbie's.  Tom Wilkerson and Peter Snider made us feel like we were at our local dealership.  They should be crowned Ambassadors of the motor company.  Thanks!   In Stanton, Mo. We decided to stop in at Route 66 Cycles just for a break.  Another great bunch of guys, left out of there smiling with our complimentary YO YO's.  Out next stop is the Toy and Truck Museum, also in Stanton, Mo., the owners Bruce and Loraine Barnes, have been collecting toys for over 40 years.  Also, at the museum is a collection of full scale trucks (MACK). This museum is a must see.

Devils Elbow, Mo., is a dangerous curve and demands respect today. The hand laid stone wall is still very much intact with beautiful views of the big piney river. However, Big Piney River Bridge is in jeopardy.  More on that later.  Also at Devils Elbow, Mo., met Terry, Pop and the guys at the Elbow Inn.  This is the epitome of what a bar should be.  Great historical location great historical structure and the main ingredient....   Great folks! Had a ball!  Visit www.elbowinn.org  Check out the pictures.   Total miles 189.

 May 19, 2007    Saturday       Did our thirteen miles through Kansas 
did stop at Baxter Springs for a break.  Wound up at Miami, OK.  Total miles today was 267.  

May 20, 2007    Sunday        Arrived in Afton, Ok., at the Route 66 Packard Museum and although it was closed we still got to drool just looking through the windows.  Across the street is Bassetts since 1911 the building started as Pearce and Harvey Carriage Company.  Since 1922 it has been a grocery store and is the oldest family owned business in the State of Ok.  Also located here is the old Palmer Hotel, sadly in a state of disrepair.  Met our buds Gary and Kelly along with Jack and Terry at the Route 66 Harley-Davidson.   They took us to Crow Creek Tavern for lunch and wound up in Catoosa, Ok., at the Blue Whale on Route 66.  It was great seeing these guys, hope it's not as long till the next time.   Today's miles 147.   Total miles for the trip is 2,339.
                           

May 21, 2007              Monday           The ride between Tulsa and Olk City was curious at best, many very different looking folks walking both ways.   When we found out there was yet another shoe tree on planet earth we had to stop and enquire.  Seems that in the early days of this particular trading post they would put out-grown shoes from the kids on a tree because a hobo came by so regularly that you could set your watch.  Pretty soon more shoes were showing up than being taken.  For all you Hampstead people, this sound’s familiar.  It’s been going on here forever…. Small world….

Afton is a great town as is Chandler the Lincoln Motel Cabins has a stretch of the original route with curb directly in front of the facility.  Also, the H & S theater built in 1926 is under a face lift beautiful building, a must see!   Coming into Acradia the Rock of Ages Hay Barn on the right is quite a site.  The Hillbillee Hotel and Bed and Breakfast museum and a great place to stop is on the left, check it out.    But the most famous building in Acradia is the Round Barn.   Build in  1898 restored in  1998 it is a masterpiece of barn building.  Coming from tobacco country we were amazed.   Believe it or not they still rent the top half out for dances, including bands that have a hell-u-va time figuring out the sound in a room that is nothing short of an echo-plex.   I LOVE IT!   Mr. Sam was our tour guide at the Round Barn, he is also the owner of the Rock of Ages Barn as you come into Acradia.  Obviously a local gem that deserves the respect of everyone he encounters.   Thank you Mr. Sam.

Edomond, Oka., Sleep Inn sounds good to us especially when Harley-Davidson world is across the street, Outback is to our right, and the dealership said they could change our oil pronto.   We could not have ordered a better situation.  Playing Hooky is good.  Total miles today is 114.


May 22, 2007              Tuesday           Day 12                        the guys and gals at Harley-Davidson World in Edmond, Oka., were gracious enough on Monday the 21st  to let us leave our bikes over night because of the promise of bad weather coming in.   We want to give a big “THANK YOU” to everybody in Edmond for taking care of two guys on the road.  WE APPRECIATE IT!   (Joy you will be getting an email from Wendy)  Thanks Neal.   Frank at the Sleep Inn in Edmond, he is the man!   Phony Bridge check out the pic’s.  Hydro, Oka., the original gas station is very cool,  but now days Lucilles Road House Restaurant Gift shop Grill and fountain is one of the best new attractions on main street.  We’d like to give a big thank you to all the gal’s that are hard working at Lucille’s.   Weatherford, Oka., has some of the largest commercial windmills generating supplemental electricity in the country, check out the pic’s.   Elk City, Ok., Mileage is 162 miles.


May 23, 2007              Wednesday     Day 13                        Sayre, Ok., the wonderful Grapes of Wrath shot of the family turning the corner, shot here not in Ok city.   At the corner of 4th  and Elm a passer-by would think that there were fall-out shelters on each side of the street.   In reality these are steps leading down to an underground passage way so pedestrians could cross the street during the hay-day of 66.  The traffic was so bad it would be dangerous for one to attempt to cross during high congestion.  It has also been used as a temporary Dorothy Shelter! 

  Erick, Ok.,  HOME OF “THE MEDIOCRE MUSIC MAKERS“ OUR FRIENDS HARLEY AND ANNABELLE, THE OWNERS OF THE SANDHILLS CURIOSITY SHOP.  LOCATED IN THE BEAUTIFUL REDNECK CAPITAL OF THE WORLD!!!!!!   We just love these guys because they are the real deal.  They welcomed us into their shop as if we were the first people that had ever walked through the door.  We know this is not the case but that’s ok.  There sincerity about Route 66 shines through with the honesty that is lost on must of the route.  Charging nothing to come in and visit and see their 21 years of memorabilia say’s everything we need to hear.  Sixty-Sixers they truly are.  GOD BLESS YOU BOTH!  ( create the link to there file)

  Also the Roger Miller Museum is in Erick, Ok., however leave your camera in the car or on the bike, because Mrs. Miller refuses to let anyone take pictures.   Leaving Erick Ok., we find ourselves sometimes with a few feet of grass between  us and 80 m.p.h. tractor trailers on our right in the opposite direction.   INTERESTING AT BEST!   Devils Rope Museum Chandler, Ok., you figure it out.    The first Phillips 66 station was built in Chandler, Ok.   Also the Avalon theater built in the 1930’s is here.  

 At this point and time I (NEAL) would like to comment on something I read about but never experienced until now…  Running 60 M.P.H. down old 66 with vista’s off to each side I found myself in a bit of a fix.  Looking up I realized I had 10 feet before I entered “THE ADVENTURE ROUTE.”   What this means is the road turns to dirt and gravel and rock, and in my case in-a-hurrrry.    Charlie said “ all I say was a big puff of red dirt”.

After going into MOTO-X mode it took me about 150 yards to stop.  Lucky for me it was before the big sweeping curve to the right.  I found my self laughing so hard I could not believe, what a DUMMY!   We end out day with the leaning water tower and the largest cross in the western hemisphere before entering Texas.     At Amarillo we pull in at THE BIG TEXAN, restaurant,, hotel,, casino shooting gallery and just a heck of a place.  Total mileage 154 miles.


May 24, 2007              Thursday         Day 14           

Amarillo, Texas The Cadillac  Ranch, 10 Cadillac’s  on I-40 at a 45 degree angle buried in the ground.   No cover, but one of the largest tourist attractions in Texas.  Go figure.

Vega, Texas Mid Point of Route 66.  Equal mileage to Chicago or  L.A.   Had lunch at the Mid Point Café and gift shop.  Fran and company have great chow and a wonderful gift shop.  This is a big time stopping off point for any and everybody that travels 66.  Fran has probably forgotten more than we will ever know about 66.   Thanks Fran.

While having lunch at the Mid Point we met Bill and Rhea on there way back to the Blue Swallow Motel in Tucumcari, NM.  Bill asked “Where are you staying in Tucumcari”?  We said “don’t have a clue”.   Bill said “Now You Do”.   A few hours later we found ourselves at maybe the coolest 30’s built motel on main street.   Bill, Terry and Rhea welcome us as no other hotel has since we left Carolina.   God Bless you guys, hope all works out.  Everybody check out the picks of this great trip back in time. (Put link to our site then off to his)     127 miles

 

May 25, 2007              Friday              Day 15           

   We had our choice of going straight to Albuquerque, NM., or doing the pre-1937 route, which is the loop up 84 North to Santa Fe, NM., guess which one we took.  It was absolutely  beautiful.  However the weather was not so cooperative.   Our motto of the day “COME HAIL OR HIGH WATER WE WILL PREVAIL”.  In other words we got hammered.  Found ourselves in Santa Fe, NM. At Sal’s Red Sky Grill and Hotel.  Sal’s a great guy and made us feel welcome and invited us back in the morning for breakfast and we are going to oblige.  Total miles today  202.

 May 26, 2007            Saturday            Day  16

Happy Happy Happy Happy Happy Happy Happy Happy  Birthday Harris From Dad and Charlie Have a great one!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

At Santa Fe Harley-Davidson met up with a bunch of riders who told us of a great side trip.  Highway 14 South out of Santa Fe is the Turquoise Trail that leads to Madrid, New Mexico.  The significant's of this side trip is that a large part of the movie "Wild Hogs" was filmed here.  Check out the pic's.

The Mind Shaft Tavern built in 1946 for the miners has been in operation ever since.  The interior is ponderosa pine is from ceiling to floor.  Beautiful!

 We past the continental divide today and wound up in Holbrook, Az.  We have finally decided tonight is the night we "CAMP".   The KOA will never be the same.

 

May 27, 2007        Sunday            Day 17

Left Holbrook, Az., and did the 28 mile run through the Petrified Forest and Painted Desert.  The pictures tell this tale.  We now know where they filmed the 69 moon landing.   (HAHAHAHAHA)  

Standing on the corner in Winslow, Az. At this point in time we encounter massive dirt devils ( that's desert tornados for all you vacuum cleaner reference people).  Meteor crater speaks for it self.  Arrived in Williams, Az., total miles today is 248.

May 28, 2007        Monday            Day 18   Memorial Day

Hope everybody had a great Memorial Day and God Bless all the troops.

Williams, Az., great little Route 66 western town.  It certainly has that small town feel.  Unlike living on the coast and smelling salt air every morn, when you walk out here in the morn you get hit with the scent of ponderosa pine.  It almost like having an open bottle of pine-sol somewhere that you can't find.   The Grand Canyon is magnificent.   Check the pic's.  Miles 125.

Total Miles as of today is 3,826..

May 29, 2007    Tuesday        Day 19

Leaving Williams, Az., this morning, but before we do we must comment on the Travelodge and staff where we stayed.  These guys were the best.   Ashfork, Az., there's a De Soto sitting on top of the building which consists of beauty shop, barber shop, gift shop, tanning booth, etc.  Ashfork was originally the Old Trail which eventually became Route 66.  A railroad route also came through Ashfork, it was all about the MOOOO COws...

Seligman, Az., we are at Angel Delgadillo Route 66, Barber Shop/Museum/Gift Shop.  Got our picture taken with Angel and the two bus loads of French tourist's thought Charlie and I were members of some American motorcycle gang.  They could not take enough pictures and eventually we just had to leave.  Met up with Rider and Carla and we followed them to Kingman, Az., where we broke off onto 93 (which is not Route 66 but a side trip we could not ignore) towards Hoover Dam and eventually VEGAS!  Baby!  HOT HOT HOT DESERT DESERT...  Check out the pic's.   At Vegas end of the day 248 miles.

May 30, 2007    Wednesday    Day 20

Vegas  4 am Wednesday morning HOT, Expensive, Lost Money, and people are still out partying, we are out of here.  Everybody should see Vegas at least once. 

Had lunch at Mr. D's Route 66 Diner back in Kingman, Az., right across the street from the Powerhouse and beside the Santa Fe Railroad exhibit.

Oatman, Az., cowboys, gun fights, burro's in the streets, a true western town.  Met Mike, alias, FOX, Mike is a gunfighter, photographer, stagecoach driver, history buff, and Ghost Hunter...   Had a great time swapping stories, check out the pic's.  Oatman is where Clark Gable and Carol Lombar snuck off from Hollywood to get married.  The remote location of Oatman was a perfect get-away for the celeb's.  There honeymoon suite has been left as it was.

The Oatman hotel was built in 1902.     Needles, Ca., hot as *#!%.  Welcome to California, topped off the bikes and paid a whopping $ 4.21/gal. for 90 octane.    203 miles, it was 115 degrees going across the Mojave.

May 31, 2007    Thursday        Day 21

Left Needles and arrived in Barstow, Ca., (All you Wilmington people run out to Interstate 40 and check the sign to see how many miles that is from Wilmington) at 11:30 am to top off the bikes. As we pulled out Charlie started honking his horn and pulled over.  The ball joint connecting the shifter to the tranny linkage had failed and was just hanging.  Couldn't make a permanent fix on the side of the road so we had to Band-Aid it.  After wiring up the linkage we limped to Victorville Harley-Davidson for permanent repairs.  While we were there and the day was already shot we asked if they could do our oil changes and of course they obliged.  Got some good zzzzzz on the couch.  First time our bikes had been washed since we left we forgot what color they were. Stayed at the Greentree Inn where they served the best prime rib in California, WE'RE SURE!  Total miles 193.

June 1, 2007    Friday            Day 22     We have arrived!

Friday morning left Victorville with one thing on our mind, today is the end of our journey on Route 66 and the beginning of our return trip! Arrived in Santa Monica, Ca., around 11:30 am, the Pacific is absolutely beautiful.

These 22 days on the road have been extraordinary.  We have seen things and places that are truly amazing.  We have met some of the most interesting people and characters one can only imagine.  The revitalization and re-birth of Route 66 is, we believe in its infancy.  The importance of keeping the momentum going in this endeavor is paramount.  What a tragedy it would be to lose such a huge part of Americana.  total miles 125.

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WE LOVE THE MOTHER ROAD

total trip mileage 4,595

 

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