Recently, I took my camper van - Honu - on an extended road trip (about 5000 miles). I have traveled quite a bit internationally but traveling like a sea turtle with my home on my back and seeing much of my own country for the first time is the BEST traveling experience I’ve ever had. I love being on the open road and the unparalleled freedom it offers. I told a friend that traveling around the US on back country roads (I avoid interstates as much as possible) is like watching a wide screen movie through my windshield! And I relish not having to adhere to any strict schedules or reservations, being able to explore at my own pace and savoring each moment. Unlike staying in a hotel, I can choose to boondock in a natural environment, enjoying starry nights and fresh air, or I can stay in a campground with amenities but sleeping in my own bed and preparing meals in my own galley. For me, it’s becoming the ONLY way to travel and I will be forever grateful that I had this last road trip with my beloved Abba.

On this trip, I drove to Petosky, Michigan - a beautiful coastal town on Lake Michigan - to meet up with fellow Airstream Atlas owners. For me, it was an excellent opportunity to meet in person some of the wonderful folks who had offered me support and encouragement online when I decided to adopt the RV travel lifestyle. When I left Michigan, I traveled along the coast of Lake Michigan (stunning views!) and then dove down into America’s heartland. I drove as much of Route 66 as I could on my way to Albuquerque, New Mexico for the International Balloon Fiesta. I was lucky enough that I could also visit one of my soul sisters, Barbara, and her wonderful husband, Norm, who had both relocated to New Mexico a few years earlier.  I then returned home, taking a more southern route through America’s heartland in order to visit my high school friend, Perry, in Mississippi.

Traveling Route 66 is the ultimate road trip adventure, blending the freedom of the open road with the nostalgic charm of America’s “Mother Road.” Spanning over 2,400 miles from Chicago, Illinois, to Santa Monica, California; this legendary highway offers a rich tapestry of history, culture, and natural beauty. Experiencing it in a camper van added a sense of intimacy and spontaneity, allowing me to fully immerse myself in the journey. Although, I can certainly see the advantages of traveling the route in a fawn beige Corvette Stingray convertible like Martin Milner drove in the 1963 TV series, Route 66 or on a Harley Davidson motorcycle like many of the fellow travelers I met on the road!

And what a journey it was! Route 66 is more than just a highway; it’s a living museum of mid-20th-century Americana. Originally established in 1926, it became a symbol of freedom and opportunity, especially during the Great Depression and post-war era. Today, the route is dotted with vintage diners, neon-lit motels, quirky roadside attractions, and small towns that seem frozen in time. From the Gateway Arch in St. Louis to the towering Cadillac Ranch in Texas, each stop offers a glimpse into America’s past.

I loved so much of the kitschy journey through the heart of America but what really enthralled me were the murals. The Mother Road is not only famous for its roadside diners, classic motels, and nostalgic attractions but also for its vibrant murals. 

These larger-than-life works of art transform small-town streets into open-air galleries, celebrating the rich history, culture, and spirit of the highway. As I traveled along Route 66, the murals I saw provided both a visual feast but also a deeper connection to the stories and communities that define this legendary route.

The murals reflect the unique identity of the town or region it inhabits. In Pontiac, Illinois, the murals were a celebration of the town’s deep connection to Route 66. The Route 66 Hall of Fame and Museum is flanked by colorful murals that depict classic cars, vintage gas pumps, and joyful road trippers from a bygone era. These artworks pay tribute to the town’s status as a cultural hub of the route.

Further west, in Tucumcari, New Mexico, the murals tell stories of the town’s heritage, blending images of Native American culture, cowboy lore, and the beauty of the Southwest.

The murals along the Mother Road often evoke the freedom and adventure of the open road. In Amarillo, Texas, the colorful murals echoed the grandeur of the Texas Panhandle, showcasing wide-open plains, iconic Route 66 shields, and the region’s unique charms. They reminded travelers of the romance of road trips—where every stop brings a new story and a new piece of art to admire.

Many murals along Route 66 also serve as living monuments to the highway’s storied past. They capture the golden age of the road, when it was bustling with travelers, gas stations, and family-owned diners. They often depict classic cars, neon signs, and vintage imagery that harken back to the 1930s through the 1960s.

These murals are not just decorative; they are historical records. They remind visitors of the route’s importance as a pathway for migrants during the Dust Bowl era and as a symbol of opportunity and adventure during America’s post-war boom. 

I stopped and photographed many of the renovated motels, gasoline stations, and quirky architecture of the this bygone American era but the murals became my obsession. For one thing, the historic Route 66 parallels and, at times, merges into a new federal highway system. Many of the small towns that dotted along Route 66 have now either grown into thriving urban centers or collapsed into ghost towns. Either way, finding the original buildings displaying the murals of route 66 can be like a scavenger hunt. 

So I often found myself either alone on a dusty country road and not sure exactly where I was or fighting urban traffic snarls, all in search of an elusive wall mural that I knew existed from my readings. I missed more murals than I actually found plus I did not travel the whole route of the Mother Road to its final destination in Santa Monica, California. What that means is that I need to make another road trip, sometime in the near future - before I die and before these murals crumble to dust!

The murals of Route 66 are much more than roadside art—they are windows into the soul of America’s most famous highway. They tell stories of resilience, innovation, and cultural diversity while celebrating the romance of the open road. As travelers wind their way along Route 66, these murals provide not only visual beauty but also a sense of connection to the people and places that make this route an enduring symbol of freedom and adventure. I can’t wait to begin the new journey!

So, the video of the day has to be :)