12 books of Christmas: ‘Route 66 Backroads’

Whenever I crank up my 1912 Columbia Grafonola, my mother asks why I’d want to play that old windup phonograph when digital music is so much clearer. She’s right, but there’s just something authentic about hearing it on the original.

It’s the same principle with Route 66.

Sure, the interstate will get you there faster, but driving the Mother Road gets you closer to history. If you know someone who’s enchanted with the double six, “Route 66 Backroads,” by Jim Hinckley with photos by Kerrick James, Rick Bowers and Nora Mays Bowers, may be just the ticket (Voyageur Press, $24.99).

What’s different about this tome: It offers 50 side strips on the road from Chicago to L.A., detours that could bring you face to face with the neon/big fins/diners/motels feeling you’re looking for.

If only I hadn’t gotten rid of my ‘57 Chevy….

Click here for “12 books” posts.

— Catharine Hamm, Times Travel editor

Related story: A stop on Route 66: La Posada Hotel in Arizona is a train stop with a history lesson.

[Photo: Voyageur Press]

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This entry was posted on Sunday, December 21, 2008 at 6:00 am by Catharine Hamm and is filed under Arizona, Big Sur, California, California's Central Coast, Chicago, Fall, Family & Kids, Hotels, Los Angeles, Midwestern States, Monterey Peninsula, Morro Bay, National Parks, New Mexico, Northern California, Palm Springs, Paso Robles, Pismo Beach, San Luis Obispo, San Simeon & Hearst Castle, Santa Barbara, Spring, Summer, Weekend Getaways, Winter. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a comment, or trackback from your own site.