U.S. Route 66

There are many ghosts along U.S. Route 66. Ghosts of what once was, of a world that has moved on. Lonely outposts, forgotten towns, abandoned ruins, ghosts. Yet they still call out with a melancholy lure, that can quickly capture one’s soul. The route may be less traveled by today, but that can make all the difference.

Well it goes to St. Louis, Down to Missouri, Oklahoma City looks oh so pretty. You'll see Amarillo, Gallup, New Mexico.
Flagstaff, Arizona, Don't forget Wynonna, Kingman, Barstow, San Bernardino.

Elliot Koeppel 4/2/24 Elliot Koeppel 4/2/24

Geronimo Trading Post, AZ - Rt 66

Ok, I’ll admit it. I’m drawn to any type of Trading Post I pass by while travelin’.

Elliot Koeppel 4/1/24 Elliot Koeppel 4/1/24

Cool Springs Camp, AZ - Rt 66

After surviving some great hairpin turns and the descent from Sitgreaves pass and through the Black Mountains, the valley opened up and the driving was easy.

Elliot Koeppel 5/8/22 Elliot Koeppel 5/8/22

Goldroad & Sitgreaves Pass, AZ - Rt 66

My next destination was Sitgreaves Pass, which tops out at 3,550 feet. The pass was named for Captain Lorenzo Sitgreaves, who traveled through the area in 1851.

Elliot Koeppel 4/29/22 Elliot Koeppel 4/29/22

Oatman, AZ - Rt 66

I arrived a bit early and most of the businesses were still closed, but I walked up and down the town’s main street, interacting with the burros and taking pictures of the old buildings.

Elliot Koeppel 4/25/22 Elliot Koeppel 4/25/22

Goffs, Cal - Rt 66

I had just arrived in Goffs, California and was wandering about to see what I could find. The town dates back to 1883 and came to life along with the railroads, first as a siding and later as a major stop and water station.

Elliot Koeppel 4/23/22 Elliot Koeppel 4/23/22

Chambless, Cal - Rt. 66

About a mile and a half before reaching Chambless proper, I pulled over at a classic Route 66 stop, the former Road Runner’s Retreat Restaurant and Gas Station. There must have been hundreds of such places along Route 66 during the road’s glory days.

Elliot Koeppel 4/22/22 Elliot Koeppel 4/22/22

Amboy, Cal - Rt 66

I took the I-40 Kelbaker Road exit south to Route 66 and then backtracked west to Amboy to see what I could find.

Elliot Koeppel 4/20/22 Elliot Koeppel 4/20/22

Ludlow, Cal - Rt 66

It was early afternoon on day one of my “Goodbye God, I’m going to Texas” roadtrip when I turned off I-40 to check out the town of Ludlow, California.