The Mother Lode of the Mother Road - A Route 66 Adventure Caravan 2024

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The Mother Lode of the Mother Road - A Route 66 Adventure

Route 66 is arguably the most famous highway in the world.  For most  of us, the mere mention of it brings back memories of family vacations, picnic lunches at roadside parks, souvenir shops and “are we there yet?”   Join us as we take a “bucket-list” trip from Chicago to Los Angeles, over 2200 miles, across 8 states, through three time zones, and with hundreds of “oohs” and aahs, ” following as much of the pre interstate alignment of the road as possible.

 

We will explore the history of the road itself, the evolution of transportation and tourism during the road’s heyday, the history of cities and towns along the way, and the art, culture and food that still give the road it’s flavor and appeal.

 

Just a few of the highlights:

Chicago/Joliet: beginning of Rt 66, Willis Tower, River cruise,

     Millennium Park, Rialto Square Theater, Frank Lloyd Wright

     Home & Studio, Ernest HemingwayBirthplace.

Pontiac IL: Rt 66 Hall of Fame/Museum, Pontiac Oakland

     Auto Museum

Springfield IL:  Lincoln Presidential Library & Natl Historic Site

St. Louis MO: Gateway Arch in St. Louis, Mississippi River Cruise,

     Chain of Rocks Bridge, Confluence Tower, Fox Theater

Meramec, MO: Meramec Caverns, and Jesse James Hideout

Springfield, MO: Devils Elbow Bridge, Gillioz Theater, Wilson’s

     Creek Nat’l Battlefield, Historic Rt 66 Drive-in Theater

 

****. Caravan will “break” from 10/2-10/12 for the International Rally in Sedalia, MO (separate registration/fee.)  We plan to caravan together from Springfield to Sedalia,  and then travel together from the Rally to continue the caravan!

 

Tulsa, OK: Will Rogers Memorial sites, Packard Museum

Oklahoma City: Oklahoma City Memorial Museum,

     Nat’l Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum,

Amarillo TX:  Jack Sizemore RV Museum, Big Texan restaurant,

      Cadillac Ranch, National Quarter Horse Museum,

Santa Fe, NM: La Plaza, a Harvey House Inn, Museum of Indian

     Arts & Culture, Georgia O’Keefe Museum

Albuquerque NM: Pueblo Cultural Center, Petroglyph Nat’l

     Monument, Rattlesnake Museum

Gallup, NM: El Rancho Hotel, El Morro Theatre, Santa Fe Depot

Holbrook/Winslow AZ:  Petrified Forest Nat’l Park, “Standing on the

     Corner in Winslow AZ”, La Posada Hotel

Flagstaff, AZ: Grand Canyon Railway/Bus Tour of Grand Canyon

Needles, CA:  Old Trails Bridge, side trip to Laughlin NV casinos,

     Oatman Ghost Town

Barstow, CA:  Calico Ghost Town, Amboy Crater,

Los Angeles, CA:  LA Highlights Bus Tour, San Dimas, Pasadena

     highlights,  End of Rt 66 bus tour, sunset dinner at

     Santo Monica Pier,

 

And of course, the countless vintage neon signs, quirky roadside attractions,  historic service stations, classic retro diners and motels, that Route 66 is famous for!

 

Notes to consider:

 

1)  We expect there will be 4-5 long days of touring via tour bus.  We will make every effort to locate pet sitting and/or kennel services for our furry family members, but ultimately it will be your responsibility to decide how to handle these long touring days.

2) We are tentatively planning 1 or 2 nights of boondock camping at a historic Route 66 site.  If this is a significant concern for you, please contact the Caravan Leaders for the current status before you register.

3). We will be have a few travel days at high altitude: anyone with health issues related to high altitudes should be aware this!

4). We will be traveling in the fall through a variety of altitudes and climates.  Be prepared for temperatures that could range from the mid 80s down to the low 30s ( and occasionally below!) - pack layers!!

5) Drivers should be comfortable driving in mountains as well as in metropolitan areas.

6). The 2024 International Rally in Sedalia, MO is only about 100 miles from Route 66.  We will pause the caravan after our stay in Springfield MO, for the rally, and invite all caravaners to come with us from 10/2-10/12, to enjoy the 2024 International Rally in Sedalia. Registration for the International Rally is a separate registration and fee (not included in the caravan kitty fee)  At the conclusion of the rally, we will travel together to continue the caravan at the next scheduled stop.

 

Start Date: 9/13/2024
Starting  Location:

          Name:        Hollywood Casino Hotel & RV Resort

          Address:    777 Hollywood Blvd

          City:            Joliet

          State/Province: IL

          Zip Code: 60436

 

Stop Date:  11/21/2024
Stop Location:  San Dimas, CA

Total Number of Nights:  59
Number of Stops:  21

   *** not including: pause 10/2 - 10/10 for Int’l Rally in Sedalia, MO

Leaders & WBCCI #. Tom and Vicki Ketchum, #5809
Home phone:      317-339-5777
Cell phone:          812-322-6075
Email:                  tvketchum@gmail.com

                             vicketchum@gmail.com

Maximum RV Units/With Leader:  25

Kitty Fee w/2:   $8400 (To Be Confirmed)
Kitty Fee w/1:   $6800 (To Be Confirmed)
Guest:              $1600 (To Be Confirmed)

Deposit Amount: $850.00 upon acceptance to caravan
Dates of Payments (if applicable)

          1.  1/2 remaining 1/1/2024

          2.  Balance   6/1/2024

Cancellation Fee:$100 plus non-recovered expenses                 

Leaders discretion after  6/1/2024