America’s Historic Route 66—the Mother Road—has become a drive of legend. Join us to see what keeps travelers coming back. Since the early 1920s, when word first spread of a highway that would run from Chicago to Los Angeles, Route 66 has defined the American dream—symbolizing the country's sense of freedom, ingenuity, and continuous transformation. Join us as we drive the "Mother Road" from start to finish, exploring everything from outsider art to indigenous history. Episode 1: The Mother Road We start our journey in Chicago, Illinois and unravel how the Mother Road came to be, hitting up a number of classic Route 66 roadside attractions along the way: Lou Mitchell’s, The Route 66 Hall of Fame, The Route 66 Experience, and Springfield, Illinois’ International Route 66 Mother Road Festival. Episode 2: The Giants of Route 66 Among the many roadside attractions you’ll find on your Route 66 journey, the “Muffler Men” or “Giants” of the Route are among the most beloved. With “3D Advertising,” Route 66’s iconic sentinels sold everything from tires to hot dogs. We explore a number of famous Giants in Illinois, including those at the American Giants Museum. Episode 3: Quirk & Kitsch on 66 Quirky roadside attractions add a whimsical twist to any road trip, and Route 66 has a treasure trove of them. In Illinois, we explore an old prison built by its prisoners, a classic road side drive-in serving up corn dogs (that aren’t really corn dogs), and load up on souvenirs at an antiques mall. Episode 4: It's Electric We cross from Illinois into Missouri, where we discover the charm of the Show-Me State. For the next 300 miles, we cross Missouri from east to west, learning just how this state gave Route 66 the nickname “the Electric Highway.” Episode 5: Arts & Craftsmen of the Route Route 66 has inspired countless songs, provided an audience for artworks large and small, and spun a number of tales over the years. We spend some time appreciating these—in some cases, very unusual—creative endeavors as we drive through Kansas, Oklahoma and Texas. Episode 6: New Mexico’s Retribution Road Crossing into New Mexico, we drive the original alignment of Route 66 up to Sante Fe and then down to Albuquerque. The original alignment was changed in 1937 and became known as The Retribution Road. Why? Join us to find out! Episode 7: Cultural Crossroads in New Mexico New Mexico is home to 23 indigenous tribes, and relics of the Old West dot the landscape. We dig into the state's rich cultural heritage as we make our way west from Albuquerque. Episode 8: Arizona & The Whimsical West In Arizona, we uncover the truth behind the mysterious black and yellow jackrabbit signs, drive through the Jurassic past, and even get inspired by a big green tiki head. If your motto is “for the plot!” you're sure to love the Copper State. Episode 9: Stay to Play Accommodations are an important part of any road trip, and Route 66 has some of the most iconic stays in America. From retro campers to palatial hotels, if you’re looking for memorable getaways on your epic American adventure, we've got you covered. Episode 10: Relics of the Wild West Bandits, cowboys, and lawlessness were romanticized in post-Civil War America, enticing many to venture to the Wild West. At the center of this expanse was Arizona Territory, known for its ruthlessness but also its sense of freedom, opportunity, and discovery. Episode 11: The Nature of Route 66 Mother Nature, while not the central hero of the Mother Road's story, has always been a supporting character. Admittedly, we’re going to be somewhat liberal in how we define “influenced by nature” but, hey, it’s Route 66, baby. And we’re truckin’ along through California on our last few hundred miles. Episode 12: Old West Meets Old Hollywood Throughout our journey on Historic Route 66, you may have noticed another mode of transportation running parallel to us—yep, that’s right, the railroad. The symbolism is hard to miss: two modes of transportation running side-by-side, one representing the past and one representing the future. Driving through California, we see where the Old West meets Old Hollywood; the intersection of the former Western Frontier and a Glamorous Free Future. Episode 13: The End of the Route This is it gang. The end of the road. The final stretch. We're nearing the end of our adventures on Historic Route 66, but there’s still more to explore as we roll into our final destination. Come along as we make a pit stop in Rancho Cucamonga and get our game on in Pasadena before exploring our final destination: Los Angeles!
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