Sunday, November 2, 2008

True Americana along Route 66

By Penelope SanMateo

Route 66 in Texas offers the Baby Boom generation or the Silent Generation the opportunity to take a trip back in time. Here you will enjoy the days of the past as you visit the panhandle of Texas and see what the people of the 30's, 40's, 50's and 60's saw when they traveled across the country before the Interstate Highway system. Meeting the people along the way will make your trip extra special.

The Silent Generation members were born between 1927 and 1945 and many were shaped in their thoughts and actions by the Great Depression, WWII, and the Cold War. They have worked hard all their lives to be able to live the good life and the trip along old Route 66 may be one they just shouldn't miss.

The Baby Boom generation was born between 1946 and 1964 when the primary influences were the civil rights movement, the Vietnam War and the assassinations of the 1960's of Dr. King and President Kennedy. This generation tends to be achievement-oriented and willing to give up personal time for get ahead. This generation should take the time to travel the roads of the great United States and enjoy seeing the array of small towns, large cities and meet the people that make up this great nation.

Leave Illinois on your family vacation and take route 66 to Missouri, Kansas, Oklahoma, Texas, New Mexico, Arizona and then California. This trip of the heartland will give you a fabulous view of the people and cultures that make this country so great.

You will either begin your trip in the Chicago area and then end in Los Angeles. It gives you the opportunity to see such places as the Arch in St. Louis, the smaller towns along the way and the middle sized towns such as Springfield and the wonderful people of Missouri. Kansas will take you to Galena, Riverton and Baxter Springs with all the history of these communities and all there is to see. Tulsa is a great place to stop off and take a tour of this beautiful city. The hospitality will certainly leave a warm place in your heart. Here the people are so nice they actually stop to let a car enter the stream of traffic from a parking lot!

Leaving Oklahoma for Texas you will get into the city of Amarillo. You will be able to learn about the history of the settlement of the panhandle of Texas. Crossing New Mexico will give you the opportunity to visit such cities as Albuquerque and see some of the fabulous museums in this city. You can learn about the Native American influence in the region including their fabulous artwork on display at the museums. Leaving New Mexico you will enter Arizona and then on to your final destination of California. - 15432

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