Route 66 and a classic car museum, at Russels Truck Stop I-40

April 12, 2016

Route 66, also known as the Will Rogers Highway and colloquially known as the Main Street of America or the Mother Road, was one of the original highways within the US  Highway system.  US 66 was established on November 11, 1926, with road signs erected the following year. The highway, which became one of the most famous roads in America, originally ran from Chicago, IL through Missouri,, Kansas, Oklahoma, New Mexico and Arizona before ending at Santa Monica, California, covering a total of 2,448 miles (3,940 km).  


 

It was recognized in popular culture by both the hit song "(Get your kicks on) Route 66" and the Route 66 television show in the 1960s.

During our travels east from Arizona, along Interstate 40, which runs parallel to the old route 66, some sections of 66 are preserved and have kept the old signs and some of the buildings.

On our way out of New Mexico, as we headed East towards Texas, we happened to stop for gas near a section of the old Route 66, at a highway I-40 truck stop, Russel's Travel Center,  http://www.russellsttc.com/.  I noticed a sign which says quite a bit about the owner's sense of humour...

We were pleasantly surprised to find a wonderful collection of classic cars and other vintage paraphernalia in this truck stop museum.  As you will see the cars are in pristine shape!

 There was even a little something for Harley fans...

This road stop took a little longer than we had anticipated...but we did get our kicks on (or near) Route 66!