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63air · 06-28-2007, 10:11 PM

We are thinking about a Route 66 trip during the last half of October but I'm not sure about the weather in Arizona then. Would this be a good time to go or are we going to hit their rainy season?
If it's a good time to go , we are not tied to 66 and are open to suggestions of places to visit and camp there that are dog friendly.

thecatsandi · 06-28-2007, 10:17 PM

66 is an awesome drive in arizona and New Mexico.

Goin camping · 06-28-2007, 10:21 PM

I'll be going down Rt 66 in early Oct. I'll let you know what weather we get. I believe it will moderate temp. The Monsoon season should be over by then.

AirstreamGypsy · 06-29-2007, 08:49 AM

...in October should be beautiful! I brought my baby home from Tenn in mid October and the weather was perfect. There are a number of excellent RV sites along the way. Everyone is still trying to keep the route open and rv'ers are a big help. You can always find some tree off the road to stay overnight if you get stuck.

Of course I suggest going from east to west on your trip.

AirstreamGypsy · 06-29-2007, 08:51 AM

I forgot to note where you were before I started my reply. So now I see Illinois. Absolutely perfect. Travel out slowly in the good weather. Run home in the cold.

Boondocker · 06-29-2007, 09:12 AM

You cant do better for timing. Oct is PERFECT for the south west, warm days and cool nights.

63air · 06-29-2007, 09:50 PM

Glad to hear about the weather. We have done 66 twice, once all the way to the Santa Monica pier,and the other time to Santa Rosa, New Mexico. That time we took a right and headed to Colorado when it hit 110 degrees by 10:00am. in New Mexico. Be nice if the gas prices would drop by fall.

flyguy · 07-21-2007, 11:11 PM

Sounds like a great trip. Oct. should be great although it still can be really hot if you get to the desert. Williams is a cool old town and you really can't go wrong in Flagstaff, AZ where I live.

I don't know if Rt 66 goes to Show Low and to the White Mtns. but at that time of the year it is a worth while detour. The weather is great and there are not a lot of people roaming around. If you go take your fishing pole and make sure you stop in at the outdoor shop in Hon Dah for info on the Apache reservation and for camping and fishing permits.

Have Fun

Flyguy

FreshAir · 07-22-2007, 01:48 AM

Yeah, October would have been better than late June early July, 1952. That was when Dad, Mom, my brother and I 'immigrated to California from Michigan via Route 66. No AC in this rig!

Neil

safari57 · 07-22-2007, 02:22 AM

Neil

I just love those old photos and the history with them. Got more?

Rte 66 is a road we traveled in 57 after we did a singing tour down the east coast (including a swing into Nashville to sing at the Grand Ol Opry). I don't remember much of it but my older brother and my sister do. I do remember one very bad road accident with bodies covered with sheets. And a place we were at where there were huge rats that scared the bejabbers out of my sister and I. Weird, I remember the dismal stuff, the others remember all the neat stuff.

Barry

Poprivet · 07-22-2007, 08:07 AM

As most of you know, Historic Rt. 66 lost it's glory when the interstate system opened up and Disney's new movie "Cars" revolves around this theme. If you are a fan of cars, NASCAR, Rt. 66, or just like good family entertaiment, I highly recommend this movie.

I will be travelling Rt. 66 this fall when I plan to attend the Balloon Fiesta Rally. I have found that a search on line of Route 66 has valuable information and is a great help in locating those obscure relics that still sparkle just because of someone's passion. Anyone for some cherry cider?

Happy trails
Pop Rivet

FreshAir · 07-22-2007, 06:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by safari57

Neil

I just love those old photos and the history with them. Got more?

Barry

More...ok. These pictures are all from our 1952 Rte.66 journey but mostly on the Calif. end. There is a photo of 14 year old ME hooking up the '52 version of a WDH. It was a 'dolly' consistant with what truckers used on double trailer rigs. It was 2 wheels separated by an axle with leaf springs up to the coupler. So the rear of the car did not have to contend with the tongue weight of the trailer. You could not back up with this set up. The trailer we had was a 1950 26' Pan American. The side view of it just barely shows the 'dolly' on the tongue. No holding tanks then. Dry weight was over 5000#. Our car was a big '48 Nash Ambassador. I found a couple of pictures of the 'kids' I met along the way. Most of the trailer parks had transient to permanent residents. Travelers used an 'overnighter' section of the park. We did not stay in any nice camping like trailer parks. Once in Oaklahoma waaaay out in the hot flatlands we got permission to stay parked along side of a gas station and used their restroom. We used the shower in the trailer and let the grey run on the ground. One picture shows my Dad and younger brother. Both are gone now. I used to be very interested in photography. However my darkroom sits quite unused now except for all the negatives of mine and Dad's. His goes back to just before the 1920's. I guess I better git busy and catalog them all. These are a start. I stumbled on them looking for old family pictures for our kids.

Neil and Lynn.

bilby05 · 07-22-2007, 06:28 PM

October is usually the most comfortable time for the trip through the Texas part of Route 66. Before you get to Amarillo, Oklahoma has some nice stretches through smaller towns that have "Route 66 Museums." Of course when you get to Amarillo, there is the old part of town, the San Jacinto Area and Cadillac Ranch on the west side of town. It's a couple of miles further west now, since the land increased in value too much and Stanley Marsh III, had it moved. Makes for a nice trip. I have heard of a place called "slab city" much further west, Arizona or maybe California, but never found it. Supposed to be an interesting stop.
Have a good trip,
bill b.

safari57 · 07-23-2007, 09:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by anholman

More...ok. These pictures are all from our 1952 Rte.66 journey but mostly on the Calif. end. There is a photo of 14 year old ME hooking up the '52 version of a WDH. It was a 'dolly' consistant with what truckers used on double trailer rigs. It was 2 wheels separated by an axle with leaf springs up to the coupler. So the rear of the car did not have to contend with the tongue weight of the trailer. You could not back up with this set up. The trailer we had was a 1950 26' Pan American. The side view of it just barely shows the 'dolly' on the tongue. No holding tanks then. Dry weight was over 5000#. Our car was a big '48 Nash Ambassador. I found a couple of pictures of the 'kids' I met along the way. Most of the trailer parks had transient to permanent residents. Travelers used an 'overnighter' section of the park. We did not stay in any nice camping like trailer parks. Once in Oaklahoma waaaay out in the hot flatlands we got permission to stay parked along side of a gas station and used their restroom. We used the shower in the trailer and let the grey run on the ground. One picture shows my Dad and younger brother. Both are gone now. I used to be very interested in photography. However my darkroom sits quite unused now except for all the negatives of mine and Dad's. His goes back to just before the 1920's. I guess I better git busy and catalog them all. These are a start. I stumbled on them looking for old family pictures for our kids.

Neil and Lynn.

Wow! These are outstanding photos Neil. They bring back a ton of memories of those years and evoke a lot of my own family memories. Thanks for sharing. As you find more you might want to consider posting them in a thread that will let people look back and remember how traveling with a trailer was when Wally was first building them. What is also neat for me is my Airstream is a 1951 so it was being used in the same environment.

Thanks again for sharing - more is always better...

Barry

FreshAir · 07-25-2007, 01:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by safari57

Wow! These are outstanding photos Neil. They bring back a ton of memories of those years and evoke a lot of my own family memories. Thanks for sharing. As you find more you might want to consider posting them in a thread that will let people look back and remember how traveling with a trailer was when Wally was first building them. What is also neat for me is my Airstream is a 1951 so it was being used in the same environment.

Thanks again for sharing - more is always better...

Barry

Thanks. That is a good suggestion. I don't know if I have too many more from back then but remember a couple from about 1945. I will gather (find) them and begin a thread. I will look forward to all the other contributions.

Neil and Lynn.

SnorkyII · 07-25-2007, 08:54 AM

Adventuretours ran this Route 66 trip in Oct.

Route 66

Sam

Carol M · 07-31-2007, 10:02 PM

In Oct. '95 I drove on "old" Rte. 66 as much as possible but mostly had to follow Rte. 40. NW of Tucumcari is Conchas Res. a beautiful place to camp, swim, fish, perfect sunsets and few people. Camping with 3 dogs that love water makes for a soggy tent but we had an inlet to ourselves and just ran wild! I can't wait to travel back in my Airstream. I still have 3 dogs but only 1 from '95--she's 20 and still swims.

soldiermedic · 07-31-2007, 10:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 63air

We are thinking about a Route 66 trip during the last half of October but I'm not sure about the weather in Arizona then. Would this be a good time to go or are we going to hit their rainy season?
If it's a good time to go , we are not tied to 66 and are open to suggestions of places to visit and camp there that are dog friendly.

Depending on your dates, you could even make the Branson Rally dates 12-14 October!

Steve

mello mike · 07-31-2007, 10:19 PM

That's one of my "must do's." Should be a great trip. AZ will be fine in October.

flyfshr · 07-31-2007, 10:55 PM

If I were to do Route 66, October would be my choice of month to do it in. Love those cool nights. Have a safe trip and post some pix when you're through. Make sure to check out Oatman, AZ. Quaint little historic town where the burros have the right of way.

Brad
FF