Touring the Mother Road - June/July 2009

Touring the Mother Road - June/July 0209

Route 66 has been called the "Mother Road" and the "Main Street of America" and for good reason. It was a major factor in the building of our U.S. Highway system; carried tens of thousands of refugees from Oklahoma and Arkansas to the hope of a better life in California during the great "dust bowl" years which became the backdrop for Steinbeck's "The Grapes of Wrath". During World War 2 it was a major factor in moving war supplies and troops and after the war, it was the canvas we used to show our nation's prosperity and our love affair with the automobile that still exists today.

Route 66 officially doesn't exist today - it was decommissioned as a U.S. route in 1985 but thousands of people who know and love the route and what it represents have revived interest and preserved it - the eight states it passed through have help erect signage to help folks follow in the footsteps of those who went before and to at least partially experience life the way our parents, or grand parents experienced the great American highways.

As some of you know, I and a dear friend traveled the Route form its beginnings in Chicago and as far as the Cadillac Ranch just west of Amarillo, Texas in 2007. This year, I'm traveling the route alone in my 370Z; picking it up in Amarillo and heading as far as Oatman, Arizona before heading up to Las Vegas for a couple of days and then heading back home.

What follows is my attempt at writing down some of my experiences along the route

Edit: I wanted to make mention of something that happened and in doing so, dedicate this blog and in particular, this trip down Route 66 to the memory of a friend named Randy McLeod. Randy passed away on Thursday, June 25th at the much too young age of 52.

Randy’s passing certainly won’t be noted as will the recent passing of celebrities like Ed McMahon, Farrah Fawcett, Karl Malden and of course, Michael Jackson, Nevertheless, for those who knew Randy, it’s a sad time and a sad note on which to start a vacation trip.

I know randy as a part of the Datsun/Nissan “Z” car community in which I heavily participate…here is what a mutual friend had to say about Randy’s passing:

“Thomas Randy McLeod passed away early this afternoon (Thursday). Randy has participated in several area Z car shows, car club rides and regional Z events. Randy passed away at Erlanger Medical Center in Chattanooga. Originally from Jackson, Tennessee, Randy worked for TVA in both Chattanooga and Knoxville for 28 years. He is survived by a daughter and son. Randy attended UT-Martin, and graduated from UT-Knoxville with a degree in Nuclear Engineering. Randy also had completed Master degrees from UTK and was nearing completion of his PhD.

Randy was a Z enthusiast, having owned three, his latest a 2007 350z, San Marino Blue. Randy's Z was easily recognized by his personally built in-car computer and his passion for truly driving and enjoying his Z. He participated in, and placed at last years East Coast Regional Z Car Show, and attended ZNationals and ZDAYZ as well. He often joined the Smoky Mountain Z Car Club's rides and rides with the SportsCarFrenzy.com car club.”

Randy was often in my thoughts during my trip and it seems only fitting that I mention his passing here and dedicate my trip to Randy…I’ve no doubt he would have enjoyed the sights and history of Route 66 and especially the special and sometimes quirky people you meet along the way…I’m privileged to have had a chance to know him.