September 19, 2006: Leaving Las Vegas to get back to America’s Main Street, the group including Lynn and Jan James from the Austin Bantam Society in their 1930 American Austin, were able to drive over the Hoover Dam – what views! Back in Kingman, the merry (or is it hung-over) band picked up the Oatman Highway and made their way into Needles, CA via Cool Springs and Oatman. Oatman was a time warp and is an old gold-mining town, lined with donkeys and curiously named establishments such as “Fast Fanny’s”, “The Classy Ass” , Classy Coyote”, and “Jackass Junction”. On the way to Oatman the cars drove over the Sitgreaves Pass, stopping first at a little shop at Cool Springs, home to a tame roadrunner.
Arriving in Needles, CA for the night, the group enjoyed at dip in the motel pool followed by a night of ‘medicine’ and take away food. The Fiat Panda, driven by Ron and Pete form England finally caught up and joined in the merriment.
Thanks again and best wishes as you come to the "final countdown" on your trip.
I have been constantly amazed at how soon each day you update your report with an account of the day's activities....As I post this it is now just 10:00 PM Central Time !
Robert Paige
(AKA "A Route 66 Guru" :-)
Posted by: Robert Paige | September 19, 2006 at 11:09 PM
I totally agree with Robert Paige , these reports have been terrific!
Thanks very much for keeping us so well informed and with such super photos.
Good luck with your final day on Route 66. I bet you're already plotting your next adventure!
Love to Mum and Dad (Ken and Eileen).
P.S. Love the shirt you wore in Las Vegas Dad, as bright as the neon lights.
Posted by: Linda Hunt | September 21, 2006 at 06:09 AM
And I totally agree with Linda Hunt !
It's been like a "Virtual Tour", with so many of the old familiar places that we've seen on our Route 66 journeys, but ever so many more that we haven't.
P.S. We've always stayed on the concrete or asphalt sections of "Old Route 66" on our infrequent detours from the Interstates and I had not ventured on any of the dirt/gravel sections until the recent visit with the group.
Posted by: Robert Paige | September 21, 2006 at 12:15 PM
Ken & Eileen,
We have finished the Italian Job with no mechanical disasters and are pleased to see your progress on Route 66 and to "virtually" join you on the last few days of this epic voyage.
We hope that all goes well for the last bit.
Keep brewing the tea - it seems to keep the Austins well oiled!!
Posted by: Gill & Mike Davis | September 21, 2006 at 06:40 PM