Finding Inspiration on Route 66

We’ve been on the road - the Mother Road, as John Steinbeck called Route 66. Our 1955 Chevrolet Bel Air was readied for the long drive with an air conditioner and electrical system upgrade. We took practice runs to high elevation and after a few adjustments we were ready to ship our hot rod to Chicago to begin the tour celebrating the 100th year anniversary of Route 66.

In September, we joined a small group of 10 for the memorable, 2,448-mile ride from Chicago, Illinois to California's Santa Monica Pier. Four were on motorcycles, plus one passenger, four were in vehicles. My husband and I were the only two in a classic car. "Myles" was quite a conversation starter along the way.

At Arizona’s Oatman Ghost Town, we encountered the famous wild burros roaming the streets. They gravitate toward shiny things they think they can eat; like chrome and paint on cars and motorcycles. Our guide kept chasing them away until a group of bikers parked close to the back of our car and the burros finally moved on.

• 

• 

• 

I found the 8” colorful commemorative patch in one of Oatman’s shops. The large patch felt like the perfect centerpiece for a commemorative quilt. I will choose fabric in colors from sites and surroundings we encountered. We watched some of the most stunning sunsets on tour and viewed the various road surfaces (asphalt, concrete, brick, dirt), we saw the different crops and vegetation: corn, wheat, oak, hickory, sunflowers, grasslands, shrubs, cacti, yucca, sagebrush, and Joshua trees; encountered other cars, motorcycles, tricycles, airstream trailers, trains, and truckers on the adjacent Interstate. All will offer inspiration for the quilt pattern and colors.

Interestingly, I was hoping that we would stop at antique shops where I would have an opportunity to look for some quilts. Most true antique shops were closed when we drove through town, as this was low season. I discovered that most shops with "Antiques & Collectibles" painted over the front door were a nostalgic message for visitors, and the modern-day shops carried Route 66 memorabilia such as t-shirts, magnets, keychains, caps, decals, soda pop, etc.

So, without a newly found, unlabeled quilt to write about, I outlined a couple of stories to work on when we returned home. I was encouraged by a stop at Elmer’s Bottle Tree Ranch in Oro Grande, CA, when I spotted several typewriters used as finials on his metal trees, or placed on unique metal stands.

From their website: Nestled along the iconic Route 66 in the heart of the Mojave Desert, Elmer’s Bottle Tree Ranch is more than just a destination, it’s a celebration of creativity, history, and the spirit of adventure. Originally conceived as a labor of love, our ranch has grown into a symbol of ingenuity and a must see stop for road trippers and desert wanderers alike.

Beyond the bottle trees, Bottle Tree Ranch pays homage to its desert roots and agricultural heritage with a myriad of trinkets and decorations carefully placed amongst other historic treasures of past. It serves as a gathering place for those seeking a connection to the stories, landscapes, and cultures of the Mojave. Whether you’re a history buff, a road trip enthusiast, or simply looking for a moment of tranquility, our ranch offers a unique experience that blends nostalgia with discovery.

We did not specifically look for barn quilts, but a couple found us. Like this one in Towanda, Illinois near Dead Man’s Curve.

The curve is no longer on the main route, but the Burma-Shave advertising red signs are prominently placed, reading:

“Around the curve

Lickety-split

Beautiful car

Wasn’t it?

Burma-Shave”

NOTE: This Burma-Shave photo was taken at another location on Route 66.

The second Barn Quilt was spotted at the National Route 66 Museum in Elk City, Oklahoma. I will share photos of our visit here in an upcoming blog post.

Elk City claims to have the world’s largest Route 66 shield sign (from their website): A massive neon installation visible from the road that captures the visual language of Route 66 signage at its most monumental.

Which brings me to today: what have you named your ride(s)? From the website: National Name Your Car Day is a cheerful annual event held every October 2. The day invites drivers to pause and give a fun nickname or formal title to their vehicles. It honors the daily role cars play in taking us to work, school, and road trips.

Giving a car a name may seem simple, but it turns an everyday machine into a true traveling companion. Drivers often choose names based on color, motor sound, or funny quirks. The event brings car fans together across neighborhood garages and social media.

You do not need a fancy sports car or a rare classic to join in the fun. Whether you drive an old family van, a small city hatchback, or a sturdy truck, October 2 is the time to give your ride a proper name.

"This highway, if you just think about it, is peppered with hope; it is peppered with tears." ~Angel Delgadio, co-founder of Arizona Route 66 Historical Association

I cried when we drove near a portion of the Trail of Tears; it looked and felt different. That night, I read through the Trail of Tears Heritage Sites. The National Park Service helps us remember and commemorate the survival of the Cherokee people, forcefully removed from their homelands in Georgia, Alabama, and Tennessee to live in Indian Territory, now Oklahoma. They traveled by foot, horse, wagon, or steamboat in 1838-1839. The Trail of Tears bore the heartache of tens of thousands of Cherokees, Creeks, Choctaws, Chickasaws, and the Seminoles forced from their homelands by the endless growth and greed of a young nation.

Thank you for stopping by.

XOXOX