Photo Essay: As Seen From the Road
Wide-open vistas and small towns. Those are some of the popular imagery around Route 66. And there's definitely no shortage of either when you embark on a road trip down this iconic throughway. But there are also the random and quirky sites. A giant sky-blue whale created as an anniversary present. The leaning water tower of Groom, Texas. Free-range donkeys in Arizona. Put all preconceptions aside because Route 66 has a way of exceeding (and defying) expectations.
photo by: David Kafer
Towering at an impressive 167 feet, this whimsical water tower in Illinois is roadside Americana at its finest. Thanks to efforts from the Catsup Bottle Preservation Group, it was saved from demolition in 1995.
photo by: David Kafer
In the early 1970’s, Tulsa zoologist Hugh Davis decided to surprise his wife with an anniversary gift. Her love of collectible whale figurines served as inspiration to Mr. Davis for the hand-built, 80-foot-long Blue Whale of Catoosa in Oklahoma.
photo by: David Kafer
This massive concrete-and-rebar structure is an ideal spot for campy photos. Travelers are also welcome to climb inside or fish off its tail.
photo by: David Kafer
When the Britten Water Tower was first purchased at an auction, it was intended to be the town of Groom, Texas' actual water tower—only it wasn’t up to code. Ralph Britten, an entrepreneurial local resident, made the tower lean to attract more business.
photo by: David Kafer
Bottle Tree Ranch in California encapsulates the idiosyncratic nature of Route 66, with elements of Americana, kitsch, and quirkiness. Folk artist Elmer Long used found objects such as animal skulls, glass bottles, retro toys, and broken rifles to create the roadside art installation.
photo by: David Kafer
Positioned 1,139 miles west of Los Angeles and 1,139 miles east of Chicago, Adrian, Texas, is home to the bullseye of the Mother Road.
photo by: David Kafer
Arizona's arched Old Trails Bridge, located above the Colorado River in Topock, is considered an innovative piece of American engineering history. During its heyday, the steel structure was the longest arched bridge in America.
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photo by: David Kafer
With a population of around 3,000, the sprawling community of Villa Ridge, Missouri, features a post office that has been operating since 1889, classic service stations, and dilapidated landmarks.
Travel: 4 Paul Bunyan Statues Built to Amaze
These kitsch reminders of American folklore hero Paul Bunyan exist throughout the United States, not just on Route 66.
photo by: David Kafer
Litchfield is home to the last operating Route 66 drive-in in Illinois. It opened in the spring of 1950 and has been open seasonally ever since.
photo by: David Kafer
Standing at a whopping 19 feet, Paul Bunyan in Illinois is just one of Route 66’s legendary Muffler Man Statues.
photo by: David Kafer
Illinois' Railsplitter Covered Wagon is recognized by the Guinness Book of World Records as the largest covered wagon in the world. A statue of President Lincoln reading a law book is perched in the 24-foot-tall wagon.
photo by: David Kafer
Constructed in the late 1940s as Canyon Padre Trading Post, the Arizona store later changed its name to Twin Arrows before closing. The two iconic arrows were restored in 2009, and they tower above the desert landscape at 25 feet high.
photo by: David Kafer
Flagstaff, Arizona, is filled with Route 66 attractions, icons, murals, and history. For outdoorsy travelers, there are also beautiful forests, state parks, and national monuments.
photo by: David Kafer
In the late 1800s, miners brought burros to Oatman, Arizona, for labor. When they were longer needed, the miners set them free. The “wild” burros that now roam the town in search for food are descendants of the original small donkeys.
photo by: David Kafer
On average, there are 280 sunny days per year in Albuquerque. But when thunder clouds do roll through, the enormous western sky conjures up fantastical imagery.
