12 Things You'll Learn While Traveling on Route 66
/1. Single lane bridges DO exist, and your heart will beat faster than normal when you drive across one.
The feeling that someone from the other side might “run the red light” and drive on the bridge at the same time as you, HEAD ON, can be a bit much to handle! Especially when the bridge goes from a concrete structure to a metal frame. Not to mention it’s approaching dusk. But once you make it across that “long, stretch,” you’ll feel as if you can conquer anything in this world. Including driving across the country on Route 66! #OldChainOfRocksBridge
2. Diner food really isn’t that great, but the service and milkshakes will make up for it!
Maybe it’s the fact that no one should ever order a big, juicy chiliburger. Or that the chicken and fries are sprinkled one too many times with salt and pepper. But the milkshake will definitely make up for it! Also, the friendliness of the waitress will put the cherry on top of your Route 66 diner experience. #Route66Diner
3. Sleeping in the car isn’t half bad!
When you’re on a $500 (or less) budget, you’ll find ways to make the trip cheaper. Hotel rooms add up, so if you travel in a van or SUV, pack at least 10 blankets and a half-dozen pillows to make your very own “blanket bed” in the back of the vehicle! It’s actually pretty comfy, and will save you a couple bucks. Just be sure to pull over in a well-lit rest area. Or Walmart. It’s legal to park overnight at Walmart. #BlanketBed
4. But sometimes it’s okay to splurge and spend $66 to stay in a wigwam.
When you’re traveling on Route 66, there are so many unique places to stay. One being the “Wigwam Motel.” So yes, split the cost with your travel buddy and stay somewhere out of the ordinary! You won’t regret it. (Especially if that’s how you’re bringing in the New Year.) #WigwamMotel
5. Bring a notebook to scribble down things you want to do!
When you’re traveling on Route 66, there’s a plethora of attractions to see and places to visit. You may want to do a little research before you leave (that’s how I knew how to bring 4 cans of spray paint I had at home for Cadillac Ranch). Or, have your travel buddy look up some things when you’re on the road (I used Pinterest to find the majority of things we did). It may be helpful to break up each “big stop” (Ex: St. Louis to Tulsa), and write down things you’re interested in doing in between the two cities. Please note: You don’t have to have it all figured out when you leave! It’s okay to change things around. When you’re headed West, I might encourage writing down some nice rest areas or things you may want to see on the way back. For instance, some things we wanted to check out had to wait until going back home because it was dark out on the way there. This will (1) prevent your from driving hundreds of miles before the next rest area (if you’re sleeping at one), and (2) serve a reminder of things you can do on the way home! Because after all, this trip isn’t over when you head East. You’re just getting started! #HandyDandyNotebook
6. Spray painting in a white coat isn’t a wise idea. Or with your glasses on.
And here’s why:
Don’t worry. The paint will come off your glasses. The white coat on the other hand… #CadillacRanch
7. If you “run” into a cactus, it will prick you through the two layers of pants you have on.
You know those cacti that you can buy at Lowe’s? Well, you’re missing out on the real deal. Because when you’re climbing the Sandia Mountains in the desert, and you run into a cactus, it’s more painful than you attempting to “prick” your finger on a Lowe’s cactus. A half-dozen pricks will get stuck not only in your jeans, but your leggings and skin! It will hurt so bad that you will have to hide behind a rock in the mountains to individually pull each prick from your skin before you move forward on your journey. #SandiaPeakCactus
8. When your “Low Pressure Light” comes on and one of your tires won’t take any air, it might be because the valve is frozen.
I’m just saving you the trouble of going to an Auto Body shop, and two men telling you more about your car than you know. And a $10 tip, because although “air is free,” the kindness of others is worth passing along an Alexander Hamilton. #LowTirePressureProbs
9. When you’re in Mountain Time on New Years Eve, don’t expect to watch the ball drop with the millions of people in New York City.
Or hear Taylor Swift’s performance, until 2 hours later. Because your TV channel will cut to local news until it’s 11:30PM (your time) and will THEN play a re-run of the “live” ball dropping. You’ll hear the 10-9-8…countdown but the ball actually falling will be cut from the picture. But it’s okay, because you were able to enjoy an “extra” 2 hours of 2014 before bringing in the New Year! #BallDropOnNewYearsEve
10. When you get this text from a friend, you’ll start watching the weather more carefully.
I may have checked the weather the Sunday before we left, and saw that there was a 90% chance of snow at the Grand Canyon (our “last” stop on this road trip). But the weather always changes. And it takes the adventure out of things if you plan too much or overthink things. But when your friend texts you a photo of the Grand Canyon’s Instagram update, your Grandparents message you on Facebook and tell you to turn around, and you discover that part of Route I-40 is closed (the route that we needed to get to the National Park) because there’s 12 inches on snow in Flagstaff, you’ll reconsider what your “last” stop is before turning around and heading East on Route 66. #SafeTravels
11. The 5 Most Important Things to Pack:
Comfy clothes, toothbrush, phone charger(s), throat spray and a mini-tripod stand
(1) Comfy clothes – You’re going to be in a car for 72% of your trip. You have no one to impress. You want to be comfortable! So bring lots of sweatpants, sweatshirts, gloves, hats and a coat if it’s winter, and don’t forget your tennis shoes!
(2) Toothbrush – Yes, it’s okay to brush your teeth in the bathroom of a rest area. If you’re not showering for 1-2 days at a time, it’s essential to at least brush your teeth!
(3) Phone Charger(s) – Your phone is useful for a lot of things: GPS, attraction looker up (yes, I just made that word up), a flashlight, communicator, camera, etc. You’ll want to keep it charged.
(4) Sore Throat Spray – If you have even a 10% inkling that you may feel under the weather before you leave, grab a bottle of throat spray. 2-3 sprays every time your throat feels like it’s going to close up does wonders. Trust me.
(5) Mini-Tripod Stand – Ever wonder how we took some of our “together” photos? Not once did we ask someone to take a photo for us. Bring a mini-tripod stand, and use a wireless remote or download a self-timer app on your phone. Set your phone on the tripod, and snap away!
#TheEssentials
12. Even though the speed limit is 75 mph, you’ll find that most people rarely go over it.
It’s refreshing to know that parts of this world don’t have a “rush hour” or a “hustle and bustle” kind-of mindset. On Route 66, you just kind of mosey across the country. When you stop somewhere, people ask you where you’re from and where you’re going. They are TRULY curious! They get as just excited about your travels as you are. Traveling on Route 66 is not about any sort of destination, and that’s the best part. You can drive for 3 hours, and then pull off on the side of the road and find something to do. It breaks the journey up into small parts. Before you know it, you’ve traveled 1,520 miles in three days. You’ve been in 8 states and have gone further West than you’ve ever been in your life. And that’s what will make this trip, the most incredible adventure you’ve ever taken. #Route66RoadTrip
