In October of 2010, I set out from Chicago on my own personal journey to drive the entire length of Route 66. Using Jerry McLanahan’s excellent “EZ Guide, “ I tried to keep my wheels on as much of the old 66 pavement as possible. Stopping for only photographs, gas, food, and sleep, I made it to the Santa Monica Pier in six full days of driving.

As some of you may know, Kodak stopped making Kodachrome film back in 2009. I purchased 50 rolls of Kodachrome 64 with the express purpose of shooting my final 35mm film “assignment” on that iconic film stock. What a perfect subject was the Mother Road; shooting the iconic Kodachrome film at some of Route 66’s most iconic locations!

I found myself wondering; how many millions of photographs along Route 66 had been made on Kodachrome film over the years? Generations of families taking to the highway for that dream vacation, loading up the kids, the camera, and the car and heading west.

Although Kodachrome is no longer with us, Route 66 still endures. This year marks the 85th anniversary of Route 66, and I get the sense that there is a revival of sorts underway. Some of the Road’s major attractions are undergoing significant renovations. Through the tireless work of the various State Route 66 organizations, there is a renewed emphasis on preservation of what remains of the road itself, its bridges, attractions, and its path across America.

So get out there and take your own personal Route 66 journey.

Like the famous Bobby Troupe song says, “Get Your Kicks on Route 66!”