The New Revised Semi-Permanent Plan

After much hemming and hawing about how to break the trip from Santa Monica to Gallup, NM into manageable and enjoyable chunks, I think I have it. Our biggest challenge is that we are leaving (and returning) to Portland, OR. Of course that may not seem like much of a challenge to those of you coming from Europe or farther; but it does mean that our travel to/from the Mother Road will actually be longer than our drive on the segment.

Our route will be based on the "Here It Is: The Map Series" published by Ghost Town Press. We found a nice book for the Arizona part of the trip: Route 66 Across Arizona by Richard and Sherry Mangum. It is published by Hexagon Press. We won't be taking any gravel or dirt road detours. We'll stick to the primary (best paved) route.

Days 1 and 2: Getting to the starting line

• Miles: 970
• Route: I5
• I don't know exactly where we'll stay that first night; we'll get as far as we can.

Day 3: Visit Santa Monica

We'll visit the pier and the Will Rogers Plaque in Pallisades Park. We'll take in a Dodgers game in the evening if they are in town.

Day 4: Santa Monica --> Victorville

• Miles: 115
• Route: Pasadena Freeway; Colorado Blvd; Foothill Blvd
• Attractions: Cajon Summit (train pictures) and the Victorville Route 66 Museum
• Question: Where should be spend the night?

Day 5: Victorville --> Kingman

• Miles: 240
• Route: National Old Trails Highway; National Trails Highway; Goffs Road
• Attractions: Santa Fe Depot in Barstow; Route 66 Museum in Kingman; the Sno Cap drive-in in Barstow
• Question: Where should be spend the night?

Day 6: Kingman --> Winslow

• Miles: 200
• Route: As outlined in the "Here It Is" map series from the Ghost Town Press.
• Attractions: Santa Fe Depot in Barstow; Route 66 Museum in Kingman; the Sno Cap drive-in in Barstow

Day 7: Winslow

We'll visit relatives in Sedona and stay at the La Posada hotel

Day 8: Winslow --> Gallup, NM --> Moab

• Miles: 239
• Once we hit Gallup, we'll head north for home.

Days 9 to 13: Moab --> Boise, ID --> Portland

• Miles: 1000
• We'll visit the Canyonlands, see friends for a few days in Boise, then head home.

All in all a trip of probably 3000 miles in two weeks!