Cross-Country Vacation 2023

Day 44 - Today's plan is to drive 400 miles in 7 hours. After a nice standard breakfast at the Best Western in Barstow, CA we headed towards Flagstaff on Needles Freeway (I-40). We soon turned off the highway at Newberry Springs to fill up with gas, then follow Historic Rte 66 to Ludlow, California. We stopped at the Ludlow Cafe and were the only customers. We enjoyed listening to stories of all the famous people that have stopped by over the years. (Click on any photo to enlarge) From here we followed Rte 66 to Amboy, CA. Mohave Desert view from Rte 66 Rte 66 The drive to Amboy Crater National Natural Landmark was interesting with evidence of lava fields as we approached. We stopped here with an intention of hiking to the crater. This was another special place that deserves its own page . To see more  https://travelingvtjs.blogspot.com/p/amboy-crater-natural-national-landmark.html We wanted to stay on Rte 66 but there was road closed signs so we had to t...

Day 50 - Today's plan is to drive 355 miles in 8 hours. Somewhere in Missouri I drove to a nearby Panera Bread to get breakfast while Julie was getting ready. Unfortunately, they were closed due to staff shortage. (Click on any photo to enlarge) We started out taking a zig-zag route through Kansas City, both in Kansas and Missouri (avoiding highways), eventually heading out of town. Again, Julie and Tripadvisor found a great place to eat at Ginger Sue's in Liberty, Missouri. I was tempted to order the Carrot Cake Pancakes, but ordered the Breakfast Burrito instead. Next we had fun taking country roads through Missouri. We searched out Plymouth and Ludlow, Missouri (population 111) on our quest to visit Ludlow's across the country. On to Hannibal, MO where we visited the Mark Twain Museum .  We learned a lot about Samuel Clemens and bought some classic novels. Hannibal, MO and Mark Twain's Museum and Childhood Home were such interesti...