Mojave Memories on Historic Route 66

Dawn Departure from Barstow

Clear skies and a hint of creosote set the tone as the caravan topped off in Barstow, California. It was day two of The Drive Home VII: Route 66 – A Centennial of Adventure, and spirits were high. Instead of rushing the interstate, the group sought the rhythm of the old two-lane Mother Road. The pace felt right for a journey built on heritage and community.

Before long, the line of classics and modern machines rolled east toward Amboy. Moreover, the iconic sign of Roy’s Motel and Café soon pierced the horizon like a promise from another era. The desert around us was wide, bright, and remarkably calm. Yet the stop ahead would prove anything but quiet.

Roy’s Motel and the Spirit of Amboy

Roy’s remains an oasis in transition, a cultural landmark with no rooms or meals for now. Nevertheless, its pull is unmistakable for travelers who chase the romance of Route 66. Upon arrival, a handful of fans waved us in. Meanwhile, two single-engine aircraft from Montana taxied on the small strip behind the buildings. After a quick chat about road legs and flight plans, both pilots took off in formation. Coincidentally, one was also bound for the Detroit Auto Show as a vendor.

Inside the compound, facility manager Kenneth Large shared his hopes to reopen the café and cabins. However, a water law from the 2000s prevents serving trucked-in potable water to the public. Because of that, reopening has been slow. Still, Ken remains optimistic that a workaround will allow a historic cabin to welcome guests later this year.

Alongside the stories, the cars kept arriving. Consequently, the muscle contingent grew with a GTO, a Camaro, and the Siebers’ 1966 Pontiac LeMans. And with the sun climbing, a 1969 Mercury Cougar dropped its top and settled into cruise mode.

Detour to Oatman and Its Wild Hosts

Just east of Amboy, construction closed a stretch of historic pavement. Therefore, the caravan briefly shifted to Interstate 40, then exited toward Oatman, Arizona. The old mining town has reinvented itself as an arts enclave with a playful twist. Almost instantly, wild burros claimed the streets and the spotlight. They nuzzled visitors, posed with cameras, and even gathered around a modern supercar for a better look.

In Oatman, more friends joined the run. Notably, Eric and Coral Sieber from Lake Havasu City rolled in with their 1966 LeMans, adding to the growing pack of period iron. Meanwhile, conversations drifted from engine builds to family road memories. As always on Route 66, strangers became neighbors in a hurry.

Soon, it was time to climb. The group pointed their noses toward the mountains and the most challenging segment of the day.

Over Sitgreaves Pass and Back in Time

The Oatman Highway over Sitgreaves Pass winds through hairpins and cutbacks with commanding views. Because trailers over 40 feet are discouraged, concentration mattered as much as horsepower. Even so, the road rewarded patience with one dramatic vista after another. And our chase-truck driver, Kurt, handled the grade and curves with steady confidence.

On the far side of the pass sits Cool Springs Station, a restored stop with movie-magic echoes. Many believe it helped inspire Radiator Springs in Pixar’s Cars. There, the line of classics grew again when Rob Arends of Apache Junction, Arizona, joined in his red 1967 Plymouth Barracuda. Furthermore, a mid-century Chrysler 300F drew admiring glances, its proportions and details reminding everyone why design still matters.