In early 2020 I traveled across the country with the course of three weeks. My A to Z posts this year will have the “8154” theme, which will also be the title of my forthcoming new book that will document the epic road trip. Each entry will highlight a few stories with photos based on the alphabet and not the order of the trip. I hope you will enjoy this bouncy ride across the back roads of America. Please enjoy the R Stories. (all photography by David “Sumoflam” Kravetz)
Route 66 – Here and There
Though we didn’t drive the entire route, we did hit a number of places on our trip along the famed Route 66. Indeed, we got our kicks on Route 66!
Route 66 in Williams, ArizonaRoute 66 mural in Moriarty, New MexicoRoute 66 mural in Grants, New MexicoRoute 66 carved into wood in Devil’s Elbow, MissouriRoute 66 signs at the Falcon Restaurant in Winslow, ArizonaRoute 66 in Gallup, New MexicoUranus, Missouri water tower with Route 66 signBig Route 66 sign in intersection in Winslow, ArizonaRoute 66 Mural in Moriarty, New MexicoRoute 66 Hat from ArizonaMissouri Route 66 sign in St. Robert, MissouriVisiting Route 66 in Barstow, CaliforniaRoute 66 Shopping Center in Moriarty, New MexicoGrants, New Mexico Route 66 Drive-thru Sign
US Routes and US Highways visited
As with Route 66, also known as US Highway 66, there are a couple hundred US Highways / Routes. Here are signs from some of the US Routes that we drove on during our 8154 road trip. As I have written often, I try to take back roads and US Highways whenever I can.
US Route 2 near Davenport, WashingtonRoutes 14 and 16 in Gillette, WyomingRoute 16A in Hermosa, South DakotaUS 20 Terminus in Newport, Oregon – Route 20 is the longest continuous road in the United States.US Route 30 in Astoria, OregonRoute 34 in Philips, NebraskaRoute 59 in Marshall, TexasRoute 59 near Oregon, MissouriRoute 60 in Henderson, KentuckyRoute 60 and Route 84 in Fort Sumner, New MexicoRoute 61 near Cairo, Illinois. Also known as the Great River Road, it pretty much follows the Mississippi RiverUS Route 62 and Route 70 in Matador, TexasRoute 65 near Warsaw, MissouriUS Routes 70 and 84 in Farwell, TexasRoute 77 at state line between Iowa and NebraskaRoute 77 in Mead, NebraskaRoute 80 in Marshall, TexasRoutes 82 / 183 / 277 / 283 in Seymour, TexasRoute 87 in Happy, TexasRoutes 87 / 212 in Hardin, MontanaRoute 93 and Route 200 in Missoula, MontanaUS Route 95 in Searchlight, NevadaUS Route 95 in Moscow, IdahoUS Route 97 near Leavenworth, WAUS 101 in Coos Bay, OregonUS Route 183 in Taylor, NebraskaUS Route 212 in Crow Agency, Montana
Raccoon – Point Defiance, Oregon
While driving through Point Defiance Park in Tacoma, Washington, we came upon this cute raccoon.
Raccoon in Point Defiance, WashingtonRaccoon in Point Defiance, WashingtonRaccoon in Point Defiance, Washington
Raymond, Washington
Raymond is along US Route 101 and has over 100 metal people. The artwork is whimsical and fun.
Raymond, WashingtonRaymond PeopleRaymond PeopleRaymond PeopleRaymond PeopleRaymond PeopleRaymond People
Rex Museum – Gallup, New Mexico
Another great example of old Route 66 neon
Rex Museum old neon sign – Gallup, New MexicoRoarin’ 20s Sign on Route 66 in Grants, New MexicoRussell’s Travel Center sign in Moriarty, New Mexico
WATCH FOR MY NEW BOOK “8154” — COMING SOON TO AMAZON
I am currently working on my FOURTH book, titled “8154” to represent the mileage of my epic road trip with family. You can visit my Amazon Author Page to see my other books at https://amzn.to/3azY36l
In early 2020 I traveled across the country with the course of three weeks. My A to Z posts this year will have the “8154” theme, which will also be the title of my forthcoming new book that will document the epic road trip. Each entry will highlight a few stories with photos based on the alphabet and not the order of the trip. I hope you will enjoy this bouncy ride across the back roads of America. Please enjoy the R Stories. (all photography by David “Sumoflam” Kravetz)
