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Route 66
 
The American myth is a myth of movement and freedom. Many Americans define home as if it were not an actual place. They ramble1 about from one area into another always in search of a home.
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Route 66 is a measure of the American spirit and a reflection of recent history.

 

The "Main Street of America", as Route 66 has often been called, ran over 3600 kilometers from Chicago to Los Angeles. It cut through 8 states in the heartland of America. Route 66 was the first paved 2 highway which was made from a patchwork3 of existing Indian and pionier trails. The early roadbuilders always took the easiest possible way through mountains and desserts.

 

In the years of 1920 it became fairly driveable. In these times it was a favorite vacation route. In 1934 a dust storm blew through the nation‘s breadbasket and destroyed it. Affluent tourists were replaced by destitude farmers who were forced into homeless exile on the "Mother Road". These poor people were heading to California to find better work and to have a better life. Years after a famous song and TV series helped to solidify the reputation of the road. In the 50‘s and 60‘s Route 66 was more crowded than it had ever been. The last Route 66 signs were taken down in Chicago in 1977. On that momentous day there were damn few tears for a bygone era.

 

Today most of Route 66 has been replaced by modern fourlane interstate highways. There are only some pieces left where you can see the old Route. The best and largest selection is in north – western Arizona just south of Grand Canyon Nationalpark. In the almost forgotten little towns along the way there is a lot of nostalgia left: faded billboards, junkyards with ancient automobiles and rotting wooden facades. Fans of the highway have got together and formed associations. They preserve the "mom and pops" that were prevalent along the old road. Or they creat exhibitions where you can see old maps, postcards and street signs, careful encased in glass. Fans also organize rallies and other special events.

Because people used to drive so recklessly the road was also called "Bloody 66".

Nowadays many tourists take a journey by recreational vehicles down the road. They visit nice sites and like to expierence the meaning of the old road.

 

The cities between Chicago and Los Angeles:

 

Chicago – St.Louis – Oklahoma City – Amarillo – Alberquerque – Flagstaff – Los Angeles



  1 - to ramble about - umherwandern
  2 - to pave - pflastern
  3 - patchwork - Flickwerk