Rt 66 Road Trip

[Andy Earthman]

I'm heading West to Arizona and thought I might try some of Rt 66 from OK City Westward. Does anyone have any tips on free camping spots along the way? I have read a few websites about some sites and road changes but thought I'd ask if anyone in the group has experience.

Thanks

[BAMA & Pachyderm Posse]

Andy we stayed at K-mart this summer in Tucumcari N.M. it is on old 66 closes at 10 pm ck with the manager . there was about six other campers there . Good quiet place close to food and whatever els you might need . and yes it is free , when you get to AZ williams is a very good spot to stop a free gunfite in the afternoon and lots to see, we camped at canyon gateway rv park , not free but the best price about 1/2 the price of koa . no frills but close to town good view ... exit 163 ,500 ft north grand canyon blvd, dead ends into park phone (888)-635-0329.

[Bigfoot Mike]

Andy,

We’ve stayed at several truck stops along I-40 with good success. Also, we have stayed at a couple of Passport America RV parks at half price. You are in the peak season for the snow birds, as you probably know. Good luck.

[BAMA & Pachyderm Posse]

Andy if you are going by way of I- 40 through arkansas I have a shop you can boondock at ,water hookup ,bogger lite overhead, call me on my cell phone 479-414-7153 we are on exit 5 on I-40 just 5 miles fron the ark - okla border yes its free

[John Lawrence]

There's a real good stretch of the original Rt. 66 between Flagstaff and Kingman. It's a two-lane road with no services, but no big-rigs doing 90, either. This time of year be sure to have snow chains with you, especially around Flagstaff. Mucho frio y bueno suerte!

[Dan Quinn]

walmarts welcome you just check with manager some cities are now imposeing overnit parking except in campgrounds thanks to koa...

[Kurt & Ann K.]

Andy,
If you get as far west as Victorville, CA., they have a neat Rt.66 museum. The Mojave Narrows Regional Park is also in Victorville. Over Father's Day week-end the Huckleberry Finn Jubilee is held there. An entire week-end of Bluegrass/Country Western music. I'm just guessing, but probably 300-400 RV's plus tents.
Check www.huckfinn.com
The GOOD LORD willing, and the creek don't rise, we'll be there Maybe we'll some fellow FGRV'ers there. Last year another Casita was in attendance, but we were never able to find them "home". Not too surprising with all the events taking place, plus 24 hour jam sessions. This is truly a family event which has been held for 30 years.
Join us if time permits. If it sounds interesting, I promise you won't be disappointed
Kurt & Ann K.

[Andy Earthman]

I'm gonna roll on out in the AM, 14th. It's to far away in the future for the Blue Grass fest. I do love a good music festival tho. In the part of Virginia that I've been hanging around they have floydfest. I think next year will be 4th. Great fun, just off the Blue Ridge Parkway. For whatever reason I missed it.

http://www.floydfest.com/2006/ this year will be the 6th.

Anyway,
Peace

Andy,
If you get as far west as Victorville, CA., they have a neat Rt.66 museum. The Mojave Narrows Regional Park is also in Victorville. Over Father's Day week-end the Huckleberry Finn Jubilee is held there. An entire week-end of Bluegrass/Country Western music. I'm just guessing, but probably 300-400 RV's plus tents.
Check www.huckfinn.com
The GOOD LORD willing, and the creek don't rise, we'll be there Maybe we'll some fellow FGRV'ers there. Last year another Casita was in attendance, but we were never able to find them "home". Not too surprising with all the events taking place, plus 24 hour jam sessions. This is truly a family event which has been held for 30 years.
Join us if time permits. If it sounds interesting, I promise you won't be disappointed
Kurt & Ann K.

[Andy Earthman]

I made it to OKC this morning for what will be the real beginning of my trip on Rt66. Spent last night at a rest area outside of town, no hassles, no worries. I spent Sat night between Nashville and Memphis at a flying -j again, no problems.

I went downtown Memphis to the Peabody Hotel to see the Ducks. If you don't know about the Peabody Ducks...Google them. Fun story and history about the ducks.

My own fun story. As I was waiting for the evening Duck march, my Dad called out of the blue. I told him I was in Memphis at the Peabody Hotel. Next thing, he asks me if I saw the ducks.

People know the Peabody Ducks. Now I do too.

next stop,,,,rt66 where I'll be getting my kicks.
A.

[Gina D.]

Mr. Peabody!.. oh ... wait.

Andy, when do you think you will be on the "San Bernardino" end of the route? Give us a call like last time, we'll see if we can make it happen!

[Andy Earthman]

I'm not sure if I'll make it that far this time. I'm headed to Phx from Flagstaff to visit my Mom for a wk or so.

I stayed at a great free park with plug-in for power, no water, in Elk City, OK. It only a few miles from South of I40 on 6 on right side of road.. It has 5 RV pads with power to all. And its free,,, yup, that's right FREE. Nice little lake as well. No shower or water but it does have a vault toilet.

Made my way along Rt 66 as much as I could. I even took a 19 mile unpaved Rt. I'll post more with pictures later. I found a free wifi spot in Albuquerque and thought I'd post for the group. It got really cold last night by the way.

A.

Mr. Peabody!.. oh ... wait.

Andy, when do you think you will be on the "San Bernardino" end of the route? Give us a call like last time, we'll see if we can make it happen!

[Kurt & Ann K.]

Andy,
Thanks for keeping us informed about your travels! Vicarious travelling sure beats no travelling.
Knowledge about any other music festivals would be greatly appreciated.
If details work out, and gas prices permit, we hope to do some extensive exploring around our great country starting this summer. We've only about a dozen must-see friends and relatives, but there are many tourist attractions we'd like to visit and Vermont/Maine to see the fall colors would be wonderful. We aren't sure yet whether we'll make a series of shorter trips, or make one or two several months long excursions.
The freedom to explore without finite time constraints will be a new experience for us.
Gina's running commentary on her trip over the Christmas holidays and your internet travelogue are managing to help keep our excitement alive.

Thanks again,
Kurt & Ann K.

[Andy Earthman]

I spent the night out side of Albuquerque at the Rt 66 Casino and travel stop and man was it cold last night I think it got down to single digits. Spent a good bit of the day looking at the New Mexico landscape. It is so cool out here, I love it. Took the tour of the Acoma Pueblo today as well. I recommend it to anyone passing that way. People been out there since 1151. That's along time,huh?


Again I'll post tons of pictures when I get to Phx and have some time.

Peace to all
A.

[Andy Earthman]

Well I made it to Phx Friday at 9pm. 3,340 mile later. I had a great time with no problems for the most part. I had some truck trouble as I was getting closer to Arizona. I decided around Flagstaff that I had to get things looked at and fixed. I also decided to wait till I got to Kingman for a lower labor rate. I found Rt66 Auto repair on Rt66 in Kingman gave me a $50 per hr rate. That's pretty darn good FYI. and they didn't try any funny business. I needed U-Joints and he rotated my tires for free. I could have done it my self if I had a place to work on it, but I didn't and it had to be done. They let me park the camper next to the shop and said I could stay in it as well as plug in. I did park it and plugged in but got a hotel room for the shower, cable, TV and small break form the camper. I got a room in Amarello as well. both rooms $24 taxes included. Cheap fleabag hotels. The one in Amarello was on the hooker strip FYI, not for the family. The one in Kingman was on the road to Bull Head City and was very noisy, my worst nights sleep on the trip,,,, long hot showers made up for it a little.

I'm going to post many pictures in order from East to West as I took them. i did take 1387 photos, I'm sure I'll delete most as not web worthy.


I'll start with the Peabody Ducks. As you might recall I saw the Ducks in Memphis, Tn on my way from Virginia to Oklahoma City to start the Rt66 rd trip.

http://www.peabodyhotelgroup.com/pages/ducks

the link above has the history of the ducks

the link in my signature will take you to my yahoo photo album.

Please enjoy, ask questions if you like.

Peace.
A.

[Andy Earthman]

I posted a few more photos to the album.

Link is here. http://pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/eastman_camps/my_photos

Album names begin with Rt66. Not in the best order, but I'm working on it.

Peace.

[Andy Earthman]

Posted more pictures today. No descriptions yet. Petrified Forest National Park is todays subject. No in any order altough I did drive from North to South. So the pictures would be from lower number to higher number. I did stop at every pull-over/sceinic overlook. Didnt want to miss anything...

enjoy.

At the southern end of the park are 2 gift shops. Both offer free camping with hookup. I think you have to buy $20 woth of stuff. But I'm sure most could find enough stuff to spent $20 with out to much junk. You know, buy some food and a hat.

Peace, enjoy
A.

http://pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/eastman_camps/my_photos

[Gina D.]

You can always use more food.. and another hat!

I will take a look.. it's almost a day trip for me.

Thanks! Keep us posted still!

[Gina D.]

Andy..

why are you staying in motels that would make a Buzzard gag when you have that nice clean Uhaul to use?

[Andy Earthman]

I stayed at the fleabags for the shower mostly. But I was able to plug in at one and charge the batt using the rooms power instead of my generator and gas. The cable TV was kinda nice and a more comfy bed was also a bonus. I did go from the 14th to the 27th on the road, 13days and 2 showers.....aaaahhh just like home...not.
A.

Andy..

why are you staying in motels that would make a Buzzard gag when you have that nice clean Uhaul to use?

[Donald Stahl]

Andy,
If you are going to or through Needles this time of year, you can stop at those freebie places no problem. If however, you are going there in the summer, be advised that Needles is very hot. When we passed that way last year, we were glad to have hook ups to run the AC. Had it going all night too. Oh, it does cool down at night, from 110 in the day to 100 at night. I think they named it Needles because the temp needles just go up and off the scale. The high country of Arizona is good temps in the summer - Meteor Crater and the Petrified Forest will be fairly comfortable. Meteor Crater you might want to see, near Williams. Stay cool ! Don