The Route Back to Route 66

We had sworn not to ever travel the short cut again, but when we learned that it was 80 miles shorter, we reconsidered. Also, after the ups and downs of the highway to San Diego, we had more confidence in the staying power of the Coach. Climbing out of the valley of Phoenix takes you through an amazing tour of changing biomes. From desert floor to saguaros to pine trees to high desert, moderate climate to snow to dry wind-swept high terraces, all in just a few hours, the variety of landscapes in Arizona continues to impress us. Then it is on to the old Route 66 with all its decrepit signs and abandoned tourist traps. New Mexico greets us with its muddy red buttes and mesas. Georgia O'Keefe country.