Old Route 66 - Kingman Arizona

March 22- 27/2015  Weather Sunny.  Sunny.  Sunny.   What a winter!  High from 73 to 80 and low 47 to 53.  From Pahrump, Nevada we took the route through Las Vegas and Boulder City then south on hwy 93 to Kingman, Arizona.  Odd trivia???  Elevation of Kingman 3333.33 above sea level.

plaque on Powerhouse shows elevation 3333.33 above sea level

The ride from Boulder City to Kingman is a good 4 lane highway with some elevation changes but nothing too drastic.   The scenery is beautiful crossing over the Colorado River and along the rocky ledges of high desert ranges.  The desert is coming alive - beaver tail cacti, desert gold, california poppies, ocitilla, and more.  It amazes you in the spring.

Kingman is known for it's high quality Turquoise

Our destination for a few days is Kingman KOA.  This area of United States has some of the longest stretches of old Route 66 still in existence and once was a big mining area.  Kingman houses the Mohave Museum of History and Arts and Powerhouse Visitor Center. 

Andy Devine - also mentioned in Jimmy Buffet's song Pencil thin mustache

These two buildings showcase area history and development with interest to Route 66 and Andy Devine(local boy turned movie star - better known as Roy Rogers sidekick).

Before Billy's time, Survey crews in 1850's used Camels

In the 1850's Beale surveyed a wagon trail along the 35th parallel that later became much of route 66.  His manned crew used the Camel Corps. with Hi Jolly (we saw his monument in Quartzite).  This was especially interesting to Billy since he retired from that profession.  Never had a Camel !!! Ok, I am picking on him:)

replica of Mid Westerner loaded with all their life belongings headed West in the 30's

Sadly protrayed is the navigation of Mid Westerners during the 1930's Dustbowl Drought.  We were reminded of the plight of over 200,000 people during the drought and depression seeking a better life in the far West.  Most of what they went looking for did not happen as only about 18,000 stayed in California; the rest returned back to the Mid West a few years later.   The museum uses John Steinbeck's classic novel "The Grapes of Wrath" to showcase the heartbreaking pictures of the journey along the dirt route 66 .

photo of family on route 66 in the 30's Dustbowl era

the make shift camps would be made to move along by authorities

On a happier note there are also exhibits of the rockin' 1950's which the Mother Road is famous for.  Everyone remembers the Happy Days show with the Fonz. 

diners and drive in's nostagia

Route 66 The Mother Road

Feb 18/15 Weather beautiful sunny day high of 80, night 56

Billy and Rosey and our iron horse on Route 66

All bikers (motorcycle) have on their bucket list to ride Route 66.... All the way across L. A. to Chicago.  The Mother Road.

Actually the original road has been replaced in many places by the Interstate highway.  But in places there are still many miles of the original road.  It happens that a good old 50 mile section is here in Arizona from Topock to Kingman.

Route 66 is a small highway and a little rough in spots, of course it should be it has been here a while!

It travels through the heart of Black Mountains and down to the banks of the Colorado River.   The drive meanders southwest through rugged desert landscape and two Wilderness areas.  Mile 0 starts in Topock and mile 50 ends in Kingman.  Expect to take a good part of your day to ride it both ways as there are many 25 mile per hour areas along the mountains with hairpin turns.

Main Street in Oatman

The road is not very wide since cars were not big in those days, and it is a bit rough in spots.  You will pass through the old mining town of Oatman where the tourists stop to watch a staged gunfight on Main Street and feed the burros.  Also be on the lookout for the actual wild burros that do roam the countryside - they are left over from the mining era.

The Burro's love me - look he's bumping me!!!

In Kingman you can pick up your shirt at the Harley shop.  It just wouldn't be complete to make the Mother Road ride without lunch at a 50's diner too!

Mr. D's Diner

Then back on the Harley and reverse the ride.  
One great thing is it never looks the same going the opposite direction.  We truly enjoyed this national back country scenic byway and the history it brings back to you during the day.

Route 66 winds its way through the Black Mountains