The Road to Oatman - Route 66

Refered to as the "Mohave Rattlesnake" by the locals, this just may be the best alignment of old Route 66. Admittedly, I have not traversed the route in it's entirety, but it just can't get any better than this. This freshly paved and striped section of asphalt wends it's way through 222 curves over a distance of 10 miles - within the rugged Black Mountains. 



The layout - and occasional extremely tight hairpin - of this road was so impressive that at one point I'd dismounted and scrambled up the craggy hillside in pursuit of some elevation in order to capture a fuller perspective.










The "Mighty ST" carved and clawed it's way up to Sitgreaves Pass at approximately 3,500 feet above sea level. A pause here was taken - as it affords a distant view of Arizona, Nevada, and California simultaneously. Supposedly, this is the highest point along Route 66.

From this location (Sitgreaves Pass) another special place came into view. Sacred place would be more appropriate. Just as your about to exit a 180-degree descending curve, there is a large gravel pull-off along the shoulder of the road. It leads up to a knoll overlooking the mountainous terrain. You can make this out in the picture below.



"Crash and Burn, all the Stars Explode Tonight"

Littered along this hillside are many memorials to deceased, but not forgotten, loved ones. Their cremains scattered freely amongst this wild western land. Their souls now uninhibited.



As you stand isolated on this rocky knoll, looking out over the vastness of the mountainous desert, in complete silence other than a warm fluttering breeze that rattles your clothing and whispers into your ear - an eerie reverence quickly overwhelms your deepest being.