Features Gearing up for Getting down. . . Down to AZ that is.

LOL

 

I highly recommend getting off the I40 out of Albuquerque as soon as possible and dropping down through Malpais and into Quemado as Teach'm suggests on your outbound trip. The I40 is heavy with semis going 80 mph and the quality of the road is hit or miss. You're going to get tossed around quite a bit in that T until you can get off of it.

If you go this route, you'll hit Springerville Az about 13 miles in from the AZ-NM border. Just as you're heading out of town toward Show Low, there's a BBQ joint called "The Gateway" which is excellent. (formerly Avery's)

In Show Low there's Cattleman's Restaurant and Licanos, and both are pretty good and right on Deuce of Clubs, the main drag through town.

From Show Low into Phoenix you've got two possible routes - both are going to be under construction.

The 260 from Show Low to Payson is undergoing major work for drainage and road aprons. We were through there about a week ago and the wait was about an hour. This route's max altitude is about 7500' and it can get a bit chilly in an open car in October (but it could be a balmy 75F - who knows, it's Arizona) In Payson, we like the La Sierra Mexican restaurant.

The other route to Phoenix from Show Low takes you through the Apache reservation, into the Salt River Canyon then to Globe/Miami/Superior. They are building a bridge near Superior and they run single file traffic from 9am to about 2pm most weekdays. We like Irene's or El Ranchito in Globe, and Guayo's El Rey in Miami. Dick's Chicken in Miami is also a possibility if it is a weekday.

I'm in Show Low and have a lift, welders, heated garage and tools if you're having mechanical issues near me. PM me if you'd like my phone number

Check AZ traffic by googling 'az511' on your phone before you choose a route.

 

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Between Quemado and Springerville there are patches of potholes you won't believe! Beware!

 

We were there late June, and you're right, the road is a little rough in places.

Same thing on the I-40, but didn't have to dodge semis at 80mph!

We've been through there at times where you don't see another car for 10 minutes. Even longer if you're down by Pie Town. Just did a circle tour of NM, and frankly a big part of its appeal is how many people are not there. Nice.

 

thanks for all the tips guys! (especially the food ones, yummy)

Luckily the T doesn't waver around semis, due to it being on the heavy side, but I'd much rather stick to two lanes.

I also started messing about on some top pieces today, I'll see if I can update my build thread this weekend.

 

Granted, I had the agreed upon services of an upholsterer at my place of employment at the time...but the week of the roundup it was looking like rain and I was driving this thing down no matter what. So a little bit of electrical conduit and square tubing later, I had this thing wrapped in vinyl and it did the trick.

 

Don't forget about Booger Red's to eat in Springerville/Eager

 

Our route back to OKC/Norman area one summer, from the Westcoast of So Cal...

Hello,

Prior any cross country road trips, my wife and I chalked off a stepping stone for our travels. Going back to OKC from So Cal. It was a direction we had not taken, to go so far inland and across state lines. We normally drove up or down the Westcoast from Canada to Baja, Mexico. But this time, we had plans to see the “old Homestead,” in OKC and nearby Norman, OK. Much family history from my wife’s side comes from that area of the USA. So, we took off for the 11 hour drive to Albuquerque as our first big stop for a couple of days.

It was starting to get a little warm along the coastline areas, so we thought it was time to drive all the way back to see what it was like when my wife's family drove out to Pacoima in the 50s, and back to OKC in the middle of the 50s. Finally, the one final road trip back West to Buena Park area near Knott's Berry Farm (when the actually sold berries) to become a So Cal local to this day.

The drive from Barstow on Highway 40 was almost non-descript as the scenery was all dry desert scrub. There were some patches of green, but the majority was a static wall of brown outside of all windows. After a couple of days wandering around Albuquerque, we headed Southeast to Roswell. No, we were not mystery space invaders folks. Roswell was packed full of weirdo stuff, but our goal was to photograph the Military School there.

My wife’s dad went to school there and got trained in aircraft mechanics and design. The school looked nice. The town of Roswell, a flashback to the 50s and the streets/buildings all look wind blown and old, with a ton of space invaders stuff all over the place. The newest buildings looked to be a McDonalds. Ha!

Jnaki

The rest of the journey to the destination of OKC was still dry, hot and desert climate and scenery. For one miniscule moment, we actually drove in Texas on the way to OKC. Not much to look at and we would not want to live there… as the saying goes.

Now, OKC was an exploration road trip all over the city trying to find the schools, old family shops, family houses for generations and history. It was a flashback for my wife and we discovered a lot of fun places from her family history. After a few days, we headed up to St. Louis, but that is another earlier Summer driving story… YRMV

 

Get a map for the route 66 that runs along I-40, many tourist attractions to see. I have made the trip from northern Wisconsin to Apache Junction Az. 12x, 6 going, late September, 6 returning, late April, 30 hours driving time 2000 miles, 3 motel nights. We did this in a nice SUV, I'm now 76 and admire your ambition/youth, I will follow your adventure. Hwy 54 is a good route, coming down from Payson into the flats will be good. There are more Semi rigs on I-40 than cars and in late September the weather is still Hot so be prepared, The suggested Hwy 60 route is an interesting Southern route to the valley, I-35/I-40/Hwy 54 have plenty of gas stops, food choice's and motels, We stayed in LaQuinta's, pet friendly, very nice and reasonable $ IMO. Good Luck, Have Fun. Side note, we enjoyed being snowbirds, enjoyed the Az. winter weather, but we did not want to make the drive anymore at our age, the wife will not fly so we sold our Az. snowbird nest, have not enjoyed winter for 6 years, we'll see how that turns out.

 

I use to be one of the 80MPH semi's and yes I would stay off I40 when you can. Have a great trip and I will be following. After 28 years I am semi retired!

 

O Joey....you DA MAN...
I'm not going to the ROC this year but opting for RPM Nationals....in the Cabriolet of course
I am leaving on the 17th of September and back on the 24th approx so I should be around for your adventure, my life schedule is firmly cast in Jello
I am at exit 178 on I-40 or at Zuzax on Old US 66 You are welcome here and could put you up in the motor coach if need be.... I have a service rig that will cover the state...if you know that, you won't need it....many things to see here and I have the only known US 66 FAP marker close to me on the 'real alignment'. Rt 66 crosses Rt 66 in Albuquerque also...
A meal at Rt 66 Diner is on me...I'll just have a malt
I run US 54 out of Tuc City (tucumcari) to Guymon, than across the pan handle to Bartlesville
Bozo's car museum is in Santa Rosa...he has Hot Rods and customs
Russel's travel center in Endee (I think they are a TA now), has a free car museum and Rt 66 travel memorabilia plus it is a good rest/fuel stop
I just did Kingman and back on I-40 last week....the highway surface is worse in AZ and the truck traffic is heavy.
I traveled early morning when the traffic is lighter and weather is cooler...
I looked at choo choos in Williams...there is the Snow Cap Cafe as well as the Road Kill in Seligman with a stretch of old US 66 that you can take Seligman, Peach Springs, Kingman.
I'll PM, DM...AM/FM you my contact info

 

Looks like there inserts in those collectors

 

I tried that once and it took forever for the shoulder strap tan lines to fade.

 

Bump, it’s looking like he’s gone radio silent.

 

He had a baby give him a minute lol

 

Tim, I thought his wife had the baby. But, congrats to Joey either way.

 

I don’t like to ask to many questions lmao. But there is a new child in their family.

 

So, this something that happened before he left?

 

Lol @Tim is right, I just got back today from the hospital, we added another girl to our posse.

@dart4forte This is a trip (as stated in the first post) that will take place in the first couple weeks of October.
I wanted to post here a little early so I could get some pointers and some contacts so I had help if needed on the long road to AZ.

 

Congratulations on the new addition. Exciting times!

 

Long road?? 1300 or so! Just a hop, skip, and a jump for a REAL traveler.

Ben

 

Don't be a tough guy, wear long sleeve shirts and keep the back of your neck covered.

 

Congratulations there Dad.....

 

Im tracking now. Had to go back and re-read your post. Will be cool/cold time to drive especially in the mountains. End of September is the Duct Tape Drags in Tucson. Lots of other events going on during that time frame. Sometime in October Chip organizes a cruise to Tortilla Flats. Group starts out at his place and picks up participants along the way. Looked to be about 25-30 cars last year.

 

haha I've done enough miles in it to KNOW thats alot of miles.

I've already got the seat fixed up a bit (webbing and a little more front bolster) and the top is underway (hopefully I have enough time!)

 

Alright, back to the top, we are almost ready to leave, for those who don't follow my other thread, I've had my whole car blown apart to service the transmission a couple times, and just last night I bolted on the wheels I'll use for the trip.

It currently looks like we will be leaving on the morning of the 5th, and then getting to phoenix sometime on the evening of the 6th if all goes well.

 

1300 miles in two days, I’ll say a prayer for ya. Glad you got the top on that’s gonna take a LOT of road wear off you on a long drive

 

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Check the temps. We are having a late summer. Looks like the next three weeks with the last week of October back to the 90s. It was 109 today at the Duct Tape Drags, 110 tomorrow.