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USA Vacation 2016

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Bill from Scotland

Member
We are visiting August for another road trip across the US.Our route will take Chicago, Springfield Illinois, Saint Louis, Springfield Missouri, Oklahoma City, Amarillo Texas, Tucumari New Mexico, Albuquerque New Mexico, Holbrook Arisona, Phenix, Laughlin Nevada, Rialto California, Fontana California, Las Vagas, Mamoth Lake California, Tracy California, San Rafael California and finally San Francisco. I think this should take in much of Route 66 although I understand much of the original highway is now gone. We have lots of sight planed for visiting but would value any thoughts you guys have on not to be missed things to see. Im also interested in any old tractor yards that we may pass on the route. Any ideas or thoughts welcome.
Thanks Bill
 
OLD THRESHERS SEPT 1-5 MT.PLASANT.IOWA on the way from Chicago to ST.Louis 800 tractors and lots of steam engines look it up just mite like it
 
You can check and see if it's open to the public but White Sands Missile range had an great museum. You will also be very close to the......wait for it......white sands that it's named for.

Rick
 
Be vewwy, vewwy careful driving through Albuquerque--many a vacation has been ruined by failing to take a left turn there!
 
If you're in Tucumcari on a weekend, check out the Odeon Theater. An ancient, one screen theater, like stepping into the 60's!

Sadly I hear it's been renovated, but maybe they didn't go too far.

We were there about 5 years ago, itchy Mohair seats, snap, crackle pop sound, flickering picture with scratches!

Went to the concession stand, had to wake the attendant up, he had to be in his 90's but still could manage a smile! Prices were less than convince store!

Best movie experience since I was 8 years old! LOL
Odeon Theater
 
Sounds like a great trip. There are several companion books for the Route 66 trip- fill in the blanks and give great travel tips. Google is your friend there.

In August, bring lots of heavy clothes, it may be chilly. (not really, well maybe a little out in the desert, but most of it will be smoking hot)
 
Also when near St. Louis be careful to avoid East St. Louis (in Illinois) and Ferguson, Missouri - not safe places to be.

One a more positive note, when you're in New Mexico consider a side trip to Mesa Verde
Mesa Verde
 
The "Arch" and museum at St Louis.

Eisenhower museum at Abilene, KS but that is not on route 66.

Old IHC salvage yard in boot heel of Missouri. Don't know the name.
 
The Arabia Steamboat Museum 400 Grand Blvd, Kansas City, MO 64106 should not be missed if you are in the area. Google it for more info. We've been twice and I want to go back again.
 
There is the Abraham Lincoln museum in Spfld. IL, then 50 miles south in Litchfield IL. there is the Ariston Cafe, a Route 66 museum and the Skyview drive-in. All three sites in Litchfield have Route 66 history. Good food at the Ariston, I have not been in the museum yet.

Not too far from your route is the American Thresherman show in Pinckneyville IL. on August 17-21.
Ariston info
 
National cowboy and western museum, Oklahoma City. I have not been there.
http://nationalcowboymuseum.org/
 
Between Chicago and Springfield is Pontiac, Il. Rt. 66, War, Pontiac Automobile, and other museums. Buss loads come in for day trips. Nice little piece of Americana.
If you stop here let me know. We could meet up for lunch.
 
You'd better visit the Welters family at Verona,MO......You will see a bunch of MM's,Olivers,and Whites...They are only about 10 miles south of I-44 at Mt Vernon,MO..
 
Sounds like the song..."I've been everywhere, man!"..but do not bother to stop at the
Cadillac Ranch in Amarillo....some rusty old half buried cars....Ben
 
Tracy, California? I live pretty close to there. You must know somebody there, because it's pretty unspectacular. It's kind of like; it's a place to stop at on the way to where you're going to. Also, I might suggest going from Tracy to San Francisco; it's less than two hours away. And then maybe to San Rafael.
 
Bill, I remember a few years ago you wanted to do the Route 66 trip and some of us (including me) convinced you do the Rockies instead. I'm glad you're coming back for another trip (this must be the third or fourth one!) and I hope 66 lives up to your expectations.

It looks like Death Valley is on your way; August is crazy hot there, if you're thinking of driving through it.

You'll go past Mono Lake, it's quite an interesting spot.
 
Bill,

If you get lost and find yourself in mid-Minnesota, well get on-line and let me know. Me and the missus will have some room.

Enjoy the southwest USA,

D.
 
(quoted from post at 18:32:38 08/11/16) Bill,

D.
Click to expand...

Hey, while it's been a while but we enjoyed four corners where four states come together. It's let me think Arizona,colorado,New Mexico, and Utah, It's kinda cool with Indians selling turquoise jewelry. We have pics of the kids with arms and legs in all four states and may as well catch hoover dam and just a short jaunt to Las Vegas.
 
Walking/hiking in the canyon is serious, but it is worth walking down a trail. Depending on your condition. Only a half hour down and one hour back up will change your idea of how big and impressive it really is.
 
If you stop in St. Louis, be sure to tour the AB brewery. Free samples at the end! Also go up in the arch if you're not claustrophobic. The "bullet" style capsules for the tram are a little small.
 
If you have when in Amarillo go to Palo Duro canyon, but make time to go to the Panhandle Plains museum in Canyon Tx. It's about 20 minutes south of Amarillo on I-27. Plan at least half a day the whole day would be better. They cover about everything you can think of from prehistoric to wildlife, native Americans, pioneers, farming, ranching, the oil business and a fair collection of firearms. Again I would not leave the panhandle without stopping at this mueseum. I also second the suggestion below about Mesa Verde in southern Colorado, we just got back from there a few weeks ago it was great. Good Luck Tony
 
About all there is to see in Springfield is the Lincoln Memorial. We just passed through Amarillo in June. Didn't see anything there worth stopping for. The route you are taking I don't think there is anything between Oklahoma City and the Petrified Forest in Arizona. Then you pass a short distance from the south rim of the Grand Canyon. The people there really push you to take a buss tour of the park but you can easily drive your car around. They try to tell you there is no parking but there is.

Mostly what you will see from Texas through half of California will be desert. I think the best part of California is the National parks around Yosemite.
 
There are a few things to see in St louis .The Arch grounds and visitors center have went thru a update. I've lived 20 north of it all my life and have never been up to the top. The Brewery ,Zoo, City Museum,Jefferson National Expansion Memorial, Forest Park(site of the 1904 worlds fair) Botanical Gardens are a few. You shouldn't get close to Ferguson, but if you take 55-70- 64- 44 across the river you go thru East St. Louis but aint no problem. In Illinois you'll go by Cahokia Mounds Prehistoric Indian site at the IL 111 exit. If you cross the river on 270 you'll see the old 66 bridge. Closed now. Only open to foot traffic. Don't cross the river on I70. It dumps you right in the worst part of town. Use the 44-55 route.
Eric mentioned Ariston Café in Litchfield. Good food and atmosphere . South of Litchfield in Staunton there's a antique mall on the east side of 55 that has old cars and iron to look at. It's actually on old 66. On IL 3 north of 270 there's Lewis and Clark State Historic Site and Park and 10 story observation tower where the Missouri and Mississippi meet.
To bad you didn't come last year. Farm Progress was in Decatur.

Good Luck and safe trip.
 
"Devil's Rope" Barbed Wire Museum in McLean, Texas; Rio Grande Gorge, New Mexico; Nevada Salt Flats, Salt Lake; Meteor Crater. If near Reno, look at Virginia City.
 
Well thats me just up, been to the gym and now having a quick look at the replies you guys have added. I need to go through these in more detail tonight as you have added some great advice and places to visit, this is our 11 visit to the US and Canada, we love your country and the people.
Thanks for now.
Bill
 
Hi Bill,

Ken here for Ireland. We were over last year but travelled around Illinois, Iowa, Michigan etc. Had a fabulous time. Took in the Mid West old threshers at Mt Pleasant. Great show but the heat was getting to us. Anyhow, the one piece of advise I will give you is that if you have the time stay off the interstates and travel the more rural backroads. You get to see a lot more. However, my girlfriend was getting a bit tired of me driving into dealers lots and fields to see machinery.

Ken
 
While in Amarillo TX you might want to drive 30 miles south to Canyon, TX. There is a large museum dedicated to farming, ranching and life on the plains. Panhandle-Plains Historical Museum.
 
(quoted from post at 14:32:14 08/12/16) How about FARMALL LAND USA at Avoca,Iowa. Just off I80. Great place to spend some time.
Click to expand...

Will second that. Great collection of IH's. So clean you could eat your dinner off the floor.
 
Tim, Did you have that reference to Bugs in Scotland in your head?

I remember all kinds of Bugs cartoons, but that was not one of them. Personal favorite is the Barber of Seville.

Kirk
 
Ehhhh--could be!! :) Actually thought about that after I put up the Albuquerque reference, and saw it again while viewing the clip I put up with the rest of those references, and it seemed to fit with the circumstances, so I found it and posted it.
 
Bill > first off the post below mentions Canyon Texas, that is like a smaller Grand Canyon and a nice 1/2 day venture. While in Albuquerque look up the tram to the top of Sandia Peak. Billed as the longest cable span in the USA . Takes a couple hours up and down but something different and a good view of the valley. One other place in Meriarty New Mexico there is a fellow with 20 acres of old stuff, lots of old trucks but some tractors. Right on the side of the interstate best I remember. Archie Lewis Museum , he loves to show you around.
 
Oh that poor, deprived man. NO education is complete without at least the basics of Looney Tunes in general and Bugs Bunny in particular.

What a maroon!
 
Some thoughts not mentioned: museums in Chicago are great. Museum of Science and Industry would be a hoot if you like this website. Everything from tractors and trains to a Nazi sub. Arch in St Louis. Kahokia (old Native American site in East St Louis) is nice. If me, I'd skip Vegas and see the Grand Canyon. Much more beautiful and timeless. Leave plenty of time for San Fransisco- Alcatraz, Muir Woods, Fisherman's Wharf, cable cars, etc. A day trip to Napa or Sonoma to wine country is also a must. If you want to do Alcatraz get tickets in advance.

You will have a very LONG drive!
 
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