Apr 29, 2015 3:46 PM
GorillaBiscuits
570972
11850
89
idcyoupick
Can confirm the whale in Oklahoma. It looks so sad, like it's been untouched for years.
vohnkar
Death by interstate
azazyel
Crap the neighborhood I grew up in has changed as much as this has.
ferretfiend
Am I to believe I can no longer get my kicks on route 66?
TheGhostofLouReed
The rock cliff in the last photo should've worn a brassiere all these years.
octanic
Why I think about Fallout when I see those photos?
automall99
Just like the movie Cars
ThePowerOf42
Now i just really want to go see CARS again http://www.thaimokit.com/photo/Poster/Movie/SP-WT150-bi-Cars-Pixar.jpg
J0hnPrest0n
is.. is the US falling apart? I'mean from what I see around here... jeez
heycooldog
Get your kicks elsewhere.
everyonehastakenthegoodusernames
Don't get your kicks on Route 66. Maybe try Route 67.
giveittomestraightlikeapearcidermadefrom100percentpears
I don't know if this is depressing or not... If nothing had changed, that would be just as depressing, to me at least.
uglyshirts
Jesus, this is heartbreaking. We're too young of a country to have completely lost our history so quickly.
DangerDaneDK
And it's a darned shame
SumYungHo
Why does everything look better in old photos
BenjaminIsOK
Upvoted for the content. Gave my phone a thumbs up for the username.
hardytardigrade
Oh, nice!
TheRicM
monkeymuffins
Aw, now my username feels inadequate... : (
nomihs
More please! Please. Thanks
DrWhoodles
http://imgur.com/p8GG04W
Allerielle
More please. I enjoyed this.
IOwnAFoodTruck
Definitely more, these are wonderful!
HeyMcFlyYouBojo
I too, want more. These were amazing.
papermakinmofo
Is it safe to say the golden years of the USA are gone?
Zordicron
Also, working USA has to work too fucking much to be able to take a week to just drive down that road and vacation.
LemonFanta
4 day work weeks would be just as, if not more productive. Happier, healthier workforce, and more creativity toward efficiency.
dp487
#4 Hey, that's Lincoln, Ill.! I worked there right after college. The Tropics sign has since been taken down and belongs to the city.
Scsam
I thought it was! Searched for "Lincoln" to find your comment. I grew up there.
Oh cool, small world. I spent a lot of time in Lincoln; miss First Wok and the Alley-Bi like crazy.
mtech117
These photos terrify me. A reminder time consumes us all eventually
Experiotick
Very nice content but the houses in the #3 are very different when you take a closer look.
The ground around it has eroded.
Vinible723
Windows are different, awning is different, and that vent underneath the point is lower in the retro image. Unless the house got a facelift.
ri59
That's what I thought too. I don't think it's the same house.
The ground has eroded and revealed the upper section of foundation. It's the same house.
RepliesLikeANovel
Haaaay. I live by the whale! !!
baals
i do too!
Irishbastard7
I hate that Catoosa won't fix it up.
ButteryButtsButterflyCups
is it still safe to swim in that water?
Yea no. Not at all
MistahPudding
Last time i was there it was just infested with water moccasins. I easily saw 6 or 7 different snakes in an hour of being there.
asskickersmurf
it looks nicer now then it did back then.
wherearetheavos
*than. Sorry.
Yomamma
The tables have turned!
"Fuck"
monadi
What city is that in? I'd like to go. Maybe pet some water moccasins...they sound cute.
geriatricsanatore
Catoosa
Right outside of tulsa Oklahoma. Catoosa
poubledenetration
This really makes me want to make a movement to restore route 66
bananatoast
There already is.
I-40 is the new Route 66
sabin86
I like it, wish the transitions we're a bit slower.
ihavequestions
And aligned
iwanttobealurkerbutcant
And that you could pause them
justsomechickyo
Agreed....
madamjiggy
Like two still pictures. Maybe side by side
yazmanian6
Potentially dumb question, but how did this happen? In steel cities like Youngstown/Pittsburgh, it makes sense, but 2k miles of road?
GeorgeRocheleau
Much of it was replaced by Interstate 40. In many places it got chopped up by the interstate, so you find little dead end stubs of it.
bwk2421
Interstate system. The bigger and faster roads bypassed all of these small towns.
Thanks! I knew it was replaced, but I didn't piece the rest together.
butteredtoast789
"Cars" got it right.... I grew up in southern AZ; we had an aluminum diner and classic car shows in the local park
SomethingSomethingTraLaLa
It's my dream to drive Route 66, as depressing at some of this would be...
StartedMakingTrouble
Not getting my kicks anymore.
jazzmatazz
I did. So many "diners" said they didn't serve breakfast past 12pm. Blasphemy
DeStock
I've done it before, it's worth the trip despite the closure of so many historic places.
notapolarbearbutthebear
I did it with 3 friends in '11, we spent a month going fra Chicago to LA. It's beautiful and you can still see and meet a lot of good people
LunacyTheory
DO IT! I retired from the Marines in Cali and drove Route 66 all the way to St. Louis before heading south. BEST. EXPERIENCE. EVER.
RedWineAndSkyrim
If you do this, Be sure to stop at the Silver Moon Cafe in New Mexico. They have the best hamburgers I've ever tasted :D
Rockageddon
Modern ruins are still pretty cool.
gnilmit
DO IT!! It was one of the most amazing road trips I've ever taken, and we only did the Arizona stretch. Totally worth it!
kowalibear
This is prob going to be unpopular, but I'd rather skip it and take the 70 so I can hit up Utah parks. That's some beauty.
Mobilesuitpilot
I've considered the same. Rent a nice car in Chicago and drive to LA.
NS0229
driving route 66 and pony express is the best way to experience american history
LilSebastian
Hey, I actually live by where it starts in Illinois.
eeeb
I've done it! Well some, you really have to stop & go through the petrified national forest. It's mind blowing
TheiSuck5
I drove cross country with my family (spent a few hours on it), it was neat, but desolate.
Lobananaforscale
I rode it it's still amazing what you get to see.
beckaw92386
Me too! Let's go!
thelizzie
It's fun. I went from Tulsa to California and it was a blast. Lots of tiny little ghost towns, old buildings....I did it in my 1962 Buick
AbeFromanSausageKingOfChicago
I moved from NY to CA and did it. So worth it. Challenging too; before GPS and had to map out sections where it breaks off into interstate
DoubleAgentJewNazi
I live off Route 66! I'll be your bed and breakfast for a day!
HaveAGoodDave
I did it this summer!
Vronnyka
Same here. I also want to take a couple months off to drive Route 50 from start to finish.
sl33p
I used to live closet o a section of it in Southern California. Even that area was a bit barren..
ONPBigLuv
I drove the whole of it, Chicago to LA. Do it. Even the run down parts have a beauty to it.
baconandeggsbreakfastforamerica
I've always wanted to do this. Road trip! I also need a hiking buddy for the Appalachian trail.
NickMaida
I've done it too. It does get depressing in spots, but it's worth the drive. Even if it's broken, if's fun tracking down spots of the road.
iWantToBecomeAcrazyCatLady
mine too! On a Harley and the wind blowing!
B1GP7
Me and my family drove the whole way from Chicago too la, still a hell of a trip and lots of stuff to see.. Have a picture of that whale C:
rondon101
right there with ya
TheNorseFox
I'm Scottish and drove Houston to Vegas and back in a soft top Mustang in November. Best thing I've ever done.
mccarseat
Peter Egan wrote a very good story about his attempt to do just that. Good read...and anything else he has written is pretty awesome too.
Aaaargh
Also Pixar's "Cars" ....
justbeingmiley
The thought that I might, one day, be able to write half as well as Peter Egan was one of the reasons why I went to school for Journalism.
His writing is the direct reason why I've purchased some of the vehicles I either have owned or still own.
TheWocketInYourPocket
What car was that?
GiraffesAndCrystalMeth
i live and work off of route 66.. some parts are amazing; some parts really scary.
rattlebone10
Mine too.
jcdiris
justpointingouttheobvious
If that's your dream, what's stopping you?
Money and time at the moment.
Man, if it's your dream make it happen. I bet if you really put your mind to it you could figure out how to do it.
I mean, we're a military family not allowed to travel except on leave and we move a lot so...one day XD
My dream is sleeping with Olivia Wilde. Your's seems so much more possible to achieve.
UncleB0b
Also my dream, hire some 60's American Muscle and cruise down that shit. One day.
jahupa
I've done it. And I thought it was quite boring. But then again I hate desert landscapes. So don't let that crush your dream/s.
Isuckatbeingagirl
Same here, it's cool for an hour, then, holy shit, boredom
RavenEatsPixels
You should do it! I just got back from driving route 66 last week and it was amazing! You have to stay at the wigwam hotel too.
spacecadetout
Me and my bestsie are doing this in July! I'm so excited :)
MrChurch
There's a bridge that never got fixed near Chicago. You'll get stuck in countryside, il.
Jamespfitz
One of the most memorable experiences of my life, Chicago to LA, 3,000 miles all the way.
NorwegianVikingPower
me and my father did as much of route 66 as possible on harley davidsons, with a couple of stops in vegas and grand canyon
missladymondegreen
it's a trip! i'll never forget the section we drove. i encourage you to go!
LlamaLlamaQuack
Had it not been for this post, I wouldn't know what I'd be missing. Quite depressing, but still hope to someday make the drive.
TeslaCoil00
Very little of it remains unbroken, but there are some great stretches still. I drove some and loved it.
Punnilingus
It runs through my town and man is the road in shitty condition, I hate driving on it.
That sucks. I drove it through Arizona, where it was still maintained and a lot of the old stuff stores and such were still about.
Well I'm in Arizona, but it's not very maintained, it's really cracked and top speed is like 35 or you risk hitting gnarly potholes too fast
I did see a bit like that, then it broke off and we came back around and it was I supposed more how it used to be?
ashipthatshipsshippingships
Question: it seems like there's a Route 66 everywhere. Where exactly did it go? Is it nation-wide?
It used to be nationwide. It's not anymore, but there are still some cool stretches of it out there.
Bendoger
It ran from Chicago to Santa Monica, CA
There is a song that lists a lot of the towns of went through.
dogsaredogs
I don't get why some people want to do this. I mean, I respect it, I just don't get it.
I guess there's just something about nostalgia for a by-gone time and I'm a huge history buff.
irellusLeader
Adventure, history, helps grasp humanity and see what the world looks like after time passes and humans leave. It's also a social thing
WhompingWillough
It is both depressing and lovely. You'll find quite a bit to marvel at between cries.
t0rit0s
This is depressing.
oneoldman
THIS IS INTERSTATES!
notme222
Slightly sad, but not bad in the grand scheme. If we want more efficient travel than small roads, this obsolescence has to happen.
ThatGuyWithAnEye
I'm sad that I never got to see it back then
GarrettStopMotion
just drive backwords
YouGottaBeFresh
Be glad you get to see it now
FirefighterCaboose
As a man from Michigan, I feel the same way about Detroit :/
17bohtal
Fellow Michigander.... same.
SirScarface69
More depressing would be to take these pictures from the future and go back to the past and show people there what is going to happen. (1/2)
They wouldn't believe you but eventually as time unfolds they realize that your prophetic pictures were right all along (2/2)
WhatRaySay
Ok yeah, that's definitely more depressing...
kirdneh
And there's a picture of a graveyard with everyone in the towns' death dates and causes of death, and they are powerless to resist fate...
Woah, thats deep man...
Some very powerful and telling visuals. The balance between nostalgia and progress... this is the definition of a bittersweet post.
But, really we did give up the joys of car-vacations for convienence and fuel economy, via the I-# system.
tomtomson
Stinks I can't make that type of trip again, I get motion sickness even behind the wheel.
Imghurrr
I think we mostly gave it up in favor of cheaper and faster air travel.. but many still do road trips
Yes, but they generally go city to city using the interstates. Rt travel is slower, the attractions roadside. We don't stop on highways now.
When I was younger we drove to norther Idaho from Arizona along the pacific coast. It was incredibly fun, and I recommend it to anyone.
spiderpig2007
why is it depressing? it's dynamic. it's like cells dividing. it's cool: O --> O. --> O... --> Ooo..... --> Oooooo --> OoooooO --> O.......O
BeardedHusband
Mito...chondria..?
DoctorWhoWhatWhenWhereWhyHow
Fallout developers should be taking notes.
aspiringgoodenoughist
Yeah I can't believe how shitty it used to look!
J0joTheIdiotCircusBoy
This really brought me down
zt2211
Maybe in the future everyone will have so much money that people will rebuild it just for kicks.
endymn
When I drove from east coast to California my dad loved rt66, but it just made me feel so sad. So many failed businesses and dead towns.
treesn
As hell.
tuxedobob
I'm not sure. I think it's safe to let nature win a couple.
TheAlmightyImgurSpellingNazi
But they got a McDonalds. You're right, that just makes it worse...
JamesDigby
I dunno. It's just change. Change is neither good nor bad. The universe is change. Life is what you make of that change.
brumbievan
There are other sections of Route 66 that still looks great
OneZebraInAHerdOfWildebeests
Am I the only one who enjoys when nature tasks over?
VodkaReindeer
But now it has Mickey D's
EchoOfSnac
It reminds me of the abandoned sections of the old Alaska Highway in Canada that you can find next to the modern, shortened version.
spacemountain
As a mobile user, I scrolled too quickly and didn't notice they were changing...so confused until I read your comment.
remed
I'm almost always depressed
dissentery
There's not as big a difference in these pictures as some areas, actually.
delightfulanny
We can drive across America without seeing any of it
numbat
What happened along Route 66 for it to no longer be in use?
AwesomeMixVol7
It sooo is. Augh.
Ineedabetteradult
Eh, it's progress. We made a faster way to cross the country than route 66.
hotblueice
And we have some sweet walmarts now
PartyMagician
And there are plenty new gas stations and motels along the new roads.
amishcannoli
And affordable air travel?
jdlsharkman
"B-b-but... Those don't match my nostalgia." -Baby Boomers
Sauroctonus
They'll become part of new people's nostalgia.
LURKERwhhhuuut
Lawl
charliesheen420
It's progress at a cost though. Think of all the people that were hurt financially when 66 became disused.
True but all progress has a cost. Imagine how many people benefited financially by having a quicker route. Many > Few
A shorter route doesn't just benefit people traveling. Truckers/transportation is cheaper due to gas which means lower costs on purchases
DenimBeard
All progress comes at a cost. Are you sad for the makers of adding machines too?
Of course not, they soon became the makers of computers. I'm sad for the many mom and pop gas stations and motels along the way.
shinurd
I don't understand why you're being downvoted. You can be sad for people while also being happy for progress and those who profited.
whateversomethingdifferentiguessfkit
Think of all the people who gained financially by faster/more efficient travel
shovethis
'We have developed speed, but we have shut ourselves in..'
fleXbad
+1 for The Great Dictator
Hanakimi
This upvote brought to you by Chaplin.
exlongtimelurker
Radiator springs?
NeighborOfSparda
More like Gaydiator Springs
bringmeduhbitches
Its Mater? As in Tuh-Mater?
Theengineofafilm
But without the tuh.
aim2score
the world's best backwards driver
GrandHunterMan
And secret agent.
selfiegang
Radiator springs was based on Baxter Springs, KS
hexdota
Radiation Stinks?
chrooted
Gotta make sure they're nice and tight and don't forget to check your blinker fluid
TheFlyingHellfish
This isn't Main Street anymore.
MisterValyrianStealYourGirl
That's EXACTLY what was in my head, while watching.
outdoorswithjess
The cutest little town in Carburetor County!
unapologetic05
Love that movie because of the history inserted and the landscapes in the background!
rvriveter
Williams Arizona. Neat place to visit, lots of Route 66 themed stuff there.
dontlookatmeever
I think I've heard of that place before. Speed trap haven?
Agreed, it's a cool place.
WhimsicalCalamari
Peach Springs IRL.
abeagle
Actually they based it off my hometown Holbrook AZ. Maily the cozy cones and the "here it is" sign, which is technically in Jackrabbit.
Ah. I was just basing it on the location they showed Radiator Springs to be on the map.
Maybe I'll do a bit on my hometown on here sometime. It has quite a bit of history, even if it's tiny as shit.
I love Route 66 stuff so I think that would be really cool.
Korpseio
IDC what people say about Cars, I fucking loved that movie to bits! The second one however.....
luvicvis
It's fun too! (but ok, not as good as the first)
UptownFunkgotmeLockedOutOfHeavenwitha24kMagicGrenade
of concern on their face. IDK why but that is one of my favorite movie experiences. Seeing everyone so immersed & worried about an 2
inanimate object. In a kids movie no less, gives me a soft spot in my heart for this film. I could've done without the whiny lead though.
That last scene where Chick trips the old car on his last race, the /entire/ theatre went silent. Nearly everyone had a genuine look. 1
AuntieMeat
My great-grandma lived in the city where the inspiration for Ramone's still stands to this day: - U-Drop Inn
For clarity, it's in Shamrock, Texas. They also had an old soda bar inside of a pharmacy that we'd roller skate to as kids, but that closed.
PinkJellyBeanToes
How can I have nostalgia for a time I wasn't alive in places I've never been?
urmomsaysthat
who says you weren't?
IAmTheBadW01f
http://poorlydrawnlines.com/comic/good-times/
I feel ya!
foxjcon
Romanticism
plantrobot
you're human
I think it's the innate desire to experience life from before you existed. You're so used to life as it is now, the past is a fantasy.
Reflixez88
the good old days, when nostalgia was good
uitSCHOT
you put it in words!!
sheshazelnuts
http://artofthefamiliar.files.wordpress.com/2013/10/photo-1-png1.jpeg
I love it. Thank you.
actuallyjustluke
Because we've all seen a lot of movies.
graehall
Because you're male and white? :P
Because, as a human, you want to have new experiences. You experienced almost all the world have to offer. (this is why we like fantasy btw)
SCSOMLN
You'd enjoy Midnight in Paris
KMackIt
Yay! I was going to mention this movie
troasface
Fernweh
PutThatDown
http://youtu.be/wH6ZCIRjI14
sidfromtoystory
i'm just guessing here, but maybe it's a yearning for what could've been? what your life could have been like? idk
VincentVolaju
Sehnsucht is a German word that perfectly describes that feeling.
Wow. It's perfect on its own, even more so because I'm actually trying to learn German right now. Thanks for letting me know!
ophirwaasdorp
Sehnsucht is a German song that is perfect. (Rammstein!)
crumpuppet
hell yeah
KiwiDinosuar
Yessss!!!
mt77932
Reincarnation.
supersquashman
Blackd0nuts
I want to favorite this
[deleted]
Thank's!
appaismyspiritanimal
I know it's just a graphic, but that map shows the pyramid of Chichén-Itzá in South America when it's actually in Mexico.
killerqueennx
It also shows the Eiffel Tower in Poland and the Statue of Liberty somewhere along the Mississippi
PhoenixQueenAzula
I didn't realize mexico was on that map
What language is that?
German, like so many specifically applicable words.
phistrong
Like schadenfreude. I love that word.
IthinkItsMe
What's the difference between that and wanderlust?
DarkTowerRose
That whale is in Catoosa OK and I can confirm it is a great place to get hepatitis.
BacteriaFacts
I had no idea people actually swam in that place.
Thisisahugemistake
Okie chiming in.
LilCrackCrumbs
At first I thought "what's with the attitude" then I realized you were just abbreviating Oklahoma
mcbriddle93
From what my grandma tells me, it was a nice swimming hole. Now it just smells like shit. Still kinda cool to check out.
eljohno1
Blue whale!
I can see #1 from where I'm sitting right now. It's in Tulsa right next to where i work. Wouldn't pay 25 to stay the night.
Trustmeimblack
Take a pic from your window
itsybitsyspider
Thought I remember seeing that on a drive once. Don't remember where I was going.
It's on the way from Claremore to Catoosa if you don't want to pay the toll.
regularcaleb
i'm from claremore!
26 here me either.
I'm 21 and I remember swimming in it as a kid
afreshcoatofpaint
It was refurbished by a grant from Hampton Inns. But they don't allow swimming anymore.
apiringLEO
I'm pretty sure its been quite awhile since people were aloud to swim there. Kids would drown trying to swim under .
angelaxlansbury
Okie here. That whale creeps me out. But all closed or abandoned water/theme parks always have.
LoganTroxell
Or bit by a water moccasin.
tinym0nster
The water is naaaaaasty now.
fonebone77
It looks like most pond water that I've ever seen.
cakeladyinok
waiting for the fellow okies to chime in.
KibaRanger
#neverforget the time the big-ass nightmare whale of Catoosa brought all us Okies together on the internet.
latebloomeruser
Chiming in, over.
Howdy
Live in Oklahoma right on Route 66 where it begins in the state
VooVeers
I grew up in Tulsa and drove by the whale every other weekend when I'd go visit my dad. He always told me it was full of snakes.
cmarks
Okie waving over here
Waving back
LeslieElaine
Here! Yes, it's mostly depressing, but the drive through Tulsa isn't bad
PrincessAmalthea
Hi! Not in OK anymore but always show love for my oklahomies
yoginioftruth
Ditto
Well you're always welcome back
I try to visit every year, my mom and best friends are still there. Sometimes I miss it.
RokosBasilisk
Ok, I'll bite. I'm in Pryor. I've driven by that whale a bunch.
ready for rocklahoma?
I live two miles from where they hold that. I always leave town that week because of all the people.
i don't blame you there.
fuckweaselry
*chimes*
Myello! Grew up in Inola and even worked at the hard rock like 5 min from the bug blue whale.
NoirePanda
Yes! First Inolian i've seen on reddit!
Well hi!
Hi ho there neighbor
MechanoBlast
Chime
Yes who's there?
O
O who?
idcyoupick
Can confirm the whale in Oklahoma. It looks so sad, like it's been untouched for years.
vohnkar
Death by interstate
azazyel
Crap the neighborhood I grew up in has changed as much as this has.
ferretfiend
Am I to believe I can no longer get my kicks on route 66?
TheGhostofLouReed
The rock cliff in the last photo should've worn a brassiere all these years.
octanic
Why I think about Fallout when I see those photos?
automall99
Just like the movie Cars
ThePowerOf42
Now i just really want to go see CARS again http://www.thaimokit.com/photo/Poster/Movie/SP-WT150-bi-Cars-Pixar.jpg
J0hnPrest0n
is.. is the US falling apart? I'mean from what I see around here... jeez
heycooldog
Get your kicks elsewhere.
everyonehastakenthegoodusernames
Don't get your kicks on Route 66. Maybe try Route 67.
giveittomestraightlikeapearcidermadefrom100percentpears
I don't know if this is depressing or not... If nothing had changed, that would be just as depressing, to me at least.
uglyshirts
Jesus, this is heartbreaking. We're too young of a country to have completely lost our history so quickly.
DangerDaneDK
And it's a darned shame
SumYungHo
Why does everything look better in old photos
BenjaminIsOK
Upvoted for the content. Gave my phone a thumbs up for the username.
hardytardigrade
Oh, nice!
TheRicM
monkeymuffins
Aw, now my username feels inadequate... : (
nomihs
More please! Please. Thanks
DrWhoodles
http://imgur.com/p8GG04W
Allerielle
More please. I enjoyed this.
IOwnAFoodTruck
Definitely more, these are wonderful!
HeyMcFlyYouBojo
I too, want more. These were amazing.
papermakinmofo
Is it safe to say the golden years of the USA are gone?
Zordicron
Also, working USA has to work too fucking much to be able to take a week to just drive down that road and vacation.
LemonFanta
4 day work weeks would be just as, if not more productive. Happier, healthier workforce, and more creativity toward efficiency.
dp487
#4 Hey, that's Lincoln, Ill.! I worked there right after college. The Tropics sign has since been taken down and belongs to the city.
Scsam
I thought it was! Searched for "Lincoln" to find your comment. I grew up there.
dp487
Oh cool, small world. I spent a lot of time in Lincoln; miss First Wok and the Alley-Bi like crazy.
mtech117
These photos terrify me. A reminder time consumes us all eventually
Experiotick
Very nice content but the houses in the #3 are very different when you take a closer look.
LemonFanta
The ground around it has eroded.
Vinible723
Windows are different, awning is different, and that vent underneath the point is lower in the retro image. Unless the house got a facelift.
ri59
That's what I thought too. I don't think it's the same house.
LemonFanta
The ground has eroded and revealed the upper section of foundation. It's the same house.
RepliesLikeANovel
Haaaay. I live by the whale! !!
baals
i do too!
Irishbastard7
I hate that Catoosa won't fix it up.
ButteryButtsButterflyCups
is it still safe to swim in that water?
RepliesLikeANovel
Yea no. Not at all
MistahPudding
Last time i was there it was just infested with water moccasins. I easily saw 6 or 7 different snakes in an hour of being there.
asskickersmurf
it looks nicer now then it did back then.
wherearetheavos
*than. Sorry.
Yomamma
The tables have turned!
asskickersmurf
"Fuck"
monadi
What city is that in? I'd like to go. Maybe pet some water moccasins...they sound cute.
geriatricsanatore
Catoosa
RepliesLikeANovel
Right outside of tulsa Oklahoma. Catoosa
poubledenetration
This really makes me want to make a movement to restore route 66
bananatoast
There already is.
ri59
I-40 is the new Route 66
sabin86
I like it, wish the transitions we're a bit slower.
ihavequestions
And aligned
iwanttobealurkerbutcant
And that you could pause them
justsomechickyo
Agreed....
madamjiggy
Like two still pictures. Maybe side by side
yazmanian6
Potentially dumb question, but how did this happen? In steel cities like Youngstown/Pittsburgh, it makes sense, but 2k miles of road?
GeorgeRocheleau
Much of it was replaced by Interstate 40. In many places it got chopped up by the interstate, so you find little dead end stubs of it.
bwk2421
Interstate system. The bigger and faster roads bypassed all of these small towns.
yazmanian6
Thanks! I knew it was replaced, but I didn't piece the rest together.
butteredtoast789
"Cars" got it right.... I grew up in southern AZ; we had an aluminum diner and classic car shows in the local park
SomethingSomethingTraLaLa
It's my dream to drive Route 66, as depressing at some of this would be...
StartedMakingTrouble
Not getting my kicks anymore.
jazzmatazz
I did. So many "diners" said they didn't serve breakfast past 12pm. Blasphemy
DeStock
I've done it before, it's worth the trip despite the closure of so many historic places.
notapolarbearbutthebear
I did it with 3 friends in '11, we spent a month going fra Chicago to LA. It's beautiful and you can still see and meet a lot of good people
LunacyTheory
DO IT! I retired from the Marines in Cali and drove Route 66 all the way to St. Louis before heading south. BEST. EXPERIENCE. EVER.
RedWineAndSkyrim
If you do this, Be sure to stop at the Silver Moon Cafe in New Mexico. They have the best hamburgers I've ever tasted :D
Rockageddon
Modern ruins are still pretty cool.
gnilmit
DO IT!! It was one of the most amazing road trips I've ever taken, and we only did the Arizona stretch. Totally worth it!
kowalibear
This is prob going to be unpopular, but I'd rather skip it and take the 70 so I can hit up Utah parks. That's some beauty.
Mobilesuitpilot
I've considered the same. Rent a nice car in Chicago and drive to LA.
NS0229
driving route 66 and pony express is the best way to experience american history
LilSebastian
Hey, I actually live by where it starts in Illinois.
eeeb
I've done it! Well some, you really have to stop & go through the petrified national forest. It's mind blowing
TheiSuck5
I drove cross country with my family (spent a few hours on it), it was neat, but desolate.
Lobananaforscale
I rode it it's still amazing what you get to see.
beckaw92386
Me too! Let's go!
thelizzie
It's fun. I went from Tulsa to California and it was a blast. Lots of tiny little ghost towns, old buildings....I did it in my 1962 Buick
AbeFromanSausageKingOfChicago
I moved from NY to CA and did it. So worth it. Challenging too; before GPS and had to map out sections where it breaks off into interstate
DoubleAgentJewNazi
I live off Route 66! I'll be your bed and breakfast for a day!
HaveAGoodDave
I did it this summer!
Vronnyka
Same here. I also want to take a couple months off to drive Route 50 from start to finish.
sl33p
I used to live closet o a section of it in Southern California. Even that area was a bit barren..
ONPBigLuv
I drove the whole of it, Chicago to LA. Do it. Even the run down parts have a beauty to it.
baconandeggsbreakfastforamerica
I've always wanted to do this. Road trip! I also need a hiking buddy for the Appalachian trail.
NickMaida
I've done it too. It does get depressing in spots, but it's worth the drive. Even if it's broken, if's fun tracking down spots of the road.
iWantToBecomeAcrazyCatLady
mine too! On a Harley and the wind blowing!
B1GP7
Me and my family drove the whole way from Chicago too la, still a hell of a trip and lots of stuff to see.. Have a picture of that whale C:
rondon101
right there with ya
TheNorseFox
I'm Scottish and drove Houston to Vegas and back in a soft top Mustang in November. Best thing I've ever done.
mccarseat
Peter Egan wrote a very good story about his attempt to do just that. Good read...and anything else he has written is pretty awesome too.
Aaaargh
Also Pixar's "Cars" ....
justbeingmiley
The thought that I might, one day, be able to write half as well as Peter Egan was one of the reasons why I went to school for Journalism.
mccarseat
His writing is the direct reason why I've purchased some of the vehicles I either have owned or still own.
TheWocketInYourPocket
What car was that?
GiraffesAndCrystalMeth
i live and work off of route 66.. some parts are amazing; some parts really scary.
rattlebone10
Mine too.
jcdiris
Mine too.
justpointingouttheobvious
If that's your dream, what's stopping you?
SomethingSomethingTraLaLa
Money and time at the moment.
justpointingouttheobvious
Man, if it's your dream make it happen. I bet if you really put your mind to it you could figure out how to do it.
SomethingSomethingTraLaLa
I mean, we're a military family not allowed to travel except on leave and we move a lot so...one day XD
justpointingouttheobvious
My dream is sleeping with Olivia Wilde. Your's seems so much more possible to achieve.
UncleB0b
Also my dream, hire some 60's American Muscle and cruise down that shit. One day.
jahupa
I've done it. And I thought it was quite boring. But then again I hate desert landscapes. So don't let that crush your dream/s.
Isuckatbeingagirl
Same here, it's cool for an hour, then, holy shit, boredom
RavenEatsPixels
You should do it! I just got back from driving route 66 last week and it was amazing! You have to stay at the wigwam hotel too.
spacecadetout
Me and my bestsie are doing this in July! I'm so excited :)
MrChurch
There's a bridge that never got fixed near Chicago. You'll get stuck in countryside, il.
Jamespfitz
One of the most memorable experiences of my life, Chicago to LA, 3,000 miles all the way.
NorwegianVikingPower
me and my father did as much of route 66 as possible on harley davidsons, with a couple of stops in vegas and grand canyon
missladymondegreen
it's a trip! i'll never forget the section we drove. i encourage you to go!
thelizzie
It's fun. I went from Tulsa to California and it was a blast. Lots of tiny little ghost towns, old buildings....I did it in my 1962 Buick
LlamaLlamaQuack
Had it not been for this post, I wouldn't know what I'd be missing. Quite depressing, but still hope to someday make the drive.
TeslaCoil00
Very little of it remains unbroken, but there are some great stretches still. I drove some and loved it.
Punnilingus
It runs through my town and man is the road in shitty condition, I hate driving on it.
TeslaCoil00
That sucks. I drove it through Arizona, where it was still maintained and a lot of the old stuff stores and such were still about.
Punnilingus
Well I'm in Arizona, but it's not very maintained, it's really cracked and top speed is like 35 or you risk hitting gnarly potholes too fast
TeslaCoil00
I did see a bit like that, then it broke off and we came back around and it was I supposed more how it used to be?
ashipthatshipsshippingships
Question: it seems like there's a Route 66 everywhere. Where exactly did it go? Is it nation-wide?
TeslaCoil00
It used to be nationwide. It's not anymore, but there are still some cool stretches of it out there.
Bendoger
It ran from Chicago to Santa Monica, CA
geriatricsanatore
There is a song that lists a lot of the towns of went through.
dogsaredogs
I don't get why some people want to do this. I mean, I respect it, I just don't get it.
SomethingSomethingTraLaLa
I guess there's just something about nostalgia for a by-gone time and I'm a huge history buff.
irellusLeader
Adventure, history, helps grasp humanity and see what the world looks like after time passes and humans leave. It's also a social thing
WhompingWillough
It is both depressing and lovely. You'll find quite a bit to marvel at between cries.
t0rit0s
This is depressing.
oneoldman
THIS IS INTERSTATES!
notme222
Slightly sad, but not bad in the grand scheme. If we want more efficient travel than small roads, this obsolescence has to happen.
ThatGuyWithAnEye
I'm sad that I never got to see it back then
GarrettStopMotion
just drive backwords
YouGottaBeFresh
Be glad you get to see it now
FirefighterCaboose
As a man from Michigan, I feel the same way about Detroit :/
17bohtal
Fellow Michigander.... same.
SirScarface69
More depressing would be to take these pictures from the future and go back to the past and show people there what is going to happen. (1/2)
SirScarface69
They wouldn't believe you but eventually as time unfolds they realize that your prophetic pictures were right all along (2/2)
WhatRaySay
Ok yeah, that's definitely more depressing...
kirdneh
And there's a picture of a graveyard with everyone in the towns' death dates and causes of death, and they are powerless to resist fate...
SirScarface69
Woah, thats deep man...
WhatRaySay
Some very powerful and telling visuals. The balance between nostalgia and progress... this is the definition of a bittersweet post.
oneoldman
But, really we did give up the joys of car-vacations for convienence and fuel economy, via the I-# system.
tomtomson
Stinks I can't make that type of trip again, I get motion sickness even behind the wheel.
Imghurrr
I think we mostly gave it up in favor of cheaper and faster air travel.. but many still do road trips
oneoldman
Yes, but they generally go city to city using the interstates. Rt travel is slower, the attractions roadside. We don't stop on highways now.
tomtomson
When I was younger we drove to norther Idaho from Arizona along the pacific coast. It was incredibly fun, and I recommend it to anyone.
spiderpig2007
why is it depressing? it's dynamic. it's like cells dividing. it's cool: O --> O. --> O... --> Ooo..... --> Oooooo --> OoooooO --> O.......O
BeardedHusband
Mito...chondria..?
DoctorWhoWhatWhenWhereWhyHow
Fallout developers should be taking notes.
aspiringgoodenoughist
Yeah I can't believe how shitty it used to look!
J0joTheIdiotCircusBoy
This really brought me down
zt2211
Maybe in the future everyone will have so much money that people will rebuild it just for kicks.
endymn
When I drove from east coast to California my dad loved rt66, but it just made me feel so sad. So many failed businesses and dead towns.
treesn
As hell.
tuxedobob
I'm not sure. I think it's safe to let nature win a couple.
TheAlmightyImgurSpellingNazi
But they got a McDonalds. You're right, that just makes it worse...
JamesDigby
I dunno. It's just change. Change is neither good nor bad. The universe is change. Life is what you make of that change.
brumbievan
There are other sections of Route 66 that still looks great
OneZebraInAHerdOfWildebeests
Am I the only one who enjoys when nature tasks over?
VodkaReindeer
But now it has Mickey D's
EchoOfSnac
It reminds me of the abandoned sections of the old Alaska Highway in Canada that you can find next to the modern, shortened version.
spacemountain
As a mobile user, I scrolled too quickly and didn't notice they were changing...so confused until I read your comment.
remed
I'm almost always depressed
dissentery
There's not as big a difference in these pictures as some areas, actually.
delightfulanny
We can drive across America without seeing any of it
numbat
What happened along Route 66 for it to no longer be in use?
AwesomeMixVol7
It sooo is. Augh.
Ineedabetteradult
Eh, it's progress. We made a faster way to cross the country than route 66.
hotblueice
And we have some sweet walmarts now
PartyMagician
And there are plenty new gas stations and motels along the new roads.
amishcannoli
And affordable air travel?
jdlsharkman
"B-b-but... Those don't match my nostalgia." -Baby Boomers
Sauroctonus
They'll become part of new people's nostalgia.
LURKERwhhhuuut
Lawl
charliesheen420
It's progress at a cost though. Think of all the people that were hurt financially when 66 became disused.
Ineedabetteradult
True but all progress has a cost. Imagine how many people benefited financially by having a quicker route. Many > Few
Ineedabetteradult
A shorter route doesn't just benefit people traveling. Truckers/transportation is cheaper due to gas which means lower costs on purchases
DenimBeard
All progress comes at a cost. Are you sad for the makers of adding machines too?
charliesheen420
Of course not, they soon became the makers of computers. I'm sad for the many mom and pop gas stations and motels along the way.
shinurd
I don't understand why you're being downvoted. You can be sad for people while also being happy for progress and those who profited.
whateversomethingdifferentiguessfkit
Think of all the people who gained financially by faster/more efficient travel
shovethis
'We have developed speed, but we have shut ourselves in..'
fleXbad
+1 for The Great Dictator
Hanakimi
This upvote brought to you by Chaplin.
exlongtimelurker
Radiator springs?
NeighborOfSparda
More like Gaydiator Springs
bringmeduhbitches
Its Mater? As in Tuh-Mater?
Theengineofafilm
But without the tuh.
aim2score
the world's best backwards driver
GrandHunterMan
And secret agent.
selfiegang
Radiator springs was based on Baxter Springs, KS
hexdota
Radiation Stinks?
chrooted
Gotta make sure they're nice and tight and don't forget to check your blinker fluid
TheFlyingHellfish
This isn't Main Street anymore.
MisterValyrianStealYourGirl
That's EXACTLY what was in my head, while watching.
outdoorswithjess
The cutest little town in Carburetor County!
unapologetic05
Love that movie because of the history inserted and the landscapes in the background!
rvriveter
Williams Arizona. Neat place to visit, lots of Route 66 themed stuff there.
dontlookatmeever
I think I've heard of that place before. Speed trap haven?
bananatoast
Agreed, it's a cool place.
WhimsicalCalamari
Peach Springs IRL.
abeagle
Actually they based it off my hometown Holbrook AZ. Maily the cozy cones and the "here it is" sign, which is technically in Jackrabbit.
abeagle
Actually they based it off my hometown Holbrook AZ. Maily the cozy cones and the "here it is" sign, which is technically in Jackrabbit.
WhimsicalCalamari
Ah. I was just basing it on the location they showed Radiator Springs to be on the map.
abeagle
Maybe I'll do a bit on my hometown on here sometime. It has quite a bit of history, even if it's tiny as shit.
WhimsicalCalamari
I love Route 66 stuff so I think that would be really cool.
Korpseio
IDC what people say about Cars, I fucking loved that movie to bits! The second one however.....
luvicvis
It's fun too! (but ok, not as good as the first)
UptownFunkgotmeLockedOutOfHeavenwitha24kMagicGrenade
of concern on their face. IDK why but that is one of my favorite movie experiences. Seeing everyone so immersed & worried about an 2
UptownFunkgotmeLockedOutOfHeavenwitha24kMagicGrenade
inanimate object. In a kids movie no less, gives me a soft spot in my heart for this film. I could've done without the whiny lead though.
UptownFunkgotmeLockedOutOfHeavenwitha24kMagicGrenade
That last scene where Chick trips the old car on his last race, the /entire/ theatre went silent. Nearly everyone had a genuine look. 1
AuntieMeat
My great-grandma lived in the city where the inspiration for Ramone's still stands to this day:
- U-Drop Inn
AuntieMeat
For clarity, it's in Shamrock, Texas. They also had an old soda bar inside of a pharmacy that we'd roller skate to as kids, but that closed.
PinkJellyBeanToes
How can I have nostalgia for a time I wasn't alive in places I've never been?
urmomsaysthat
who says you weren't?
IAmTheBadW01f
http://poorlydrawnlines.com/comic/good-times/
ThatGuyWithAnEye
I feel ya!
foxjcon
Romanticism
plantrobot
you're human
Vinible723
I think it's the innate desire to experience life from before you existed. You're so used to life as it is now, the past is a fantasy.
Reflixez88
the good old days, when nostalgia was good
uitSCHOT
you put it in words!!
sheshazelnuts
http://artofthefamiliar.files.wordpress.com/2013/10/photo-1-png1.jpeg
PinkJellyBeanToes
I love it. Thank you.
actuallyjustluke
Because we've all seen a lot of movies.
graehall
Because you're male and white? :P
luvicvis
Because, as a human, you want to have new experiences. You experienced almost all the world have to offer. (this is why we like fantasy btw)
SCSOMLN
You'd enjoy Midnight in Paris
KMackIt
Yay! I was going to mention this movie
troasface
Fernweh
PutThatDown
http://youtu.be/wH6ZCIRjI14
sidfromtoystory
i'm just guessing here, but maybe it's a yearning for what could've been? what your life could have been like? idk
VincentVolaju
Sehnsucht is a German word that perfectly describes that feeling.
PinkJellyBeanToes
Wow. It's perfect on its own, even more so because I'm actually trying to learn German right now. Thanks for letting me know!
ophirwaasdorp
Sehnsucht is a German song that is perfect. (Rammstein!)
crumpuppet
hell yeah
KiwiDinosuar
Yessss!!!
mt77932
Reincarnation.
supersquashman
Blackd0nuts
I want to favorite this
[deleted]
[deleted]
Blackd0nuts
Thank's!
appaismyspiritanimal
I know it's just a graphic, but that map shows the pyramid of Chichén-Itzá in South America when it's actually in Mexico.
killerqueennx
It also shows the Eiffel Tower in Poland and the Statue of Liberty somewhere along the Mississippi
PhoenixQueenAzula
I didn't realize mexico was on that map
spacemountain
What language is that?
supersquashman
German, like so many specifically applicable words.
phistrong
Like schadenfreude. I love that word.
IthinkItsMe
What's the difference between that and wanderlust?
DarkTowerRose
That whale is in Catoosa OK and I can confirm it is a great place to get hepatitis.
BacteriaFacts
I had no idea people actually swam in that place.
Thisisahugemistake
Okie chiming in.
LilCrackCrumbs
At first I thought "what's with the attitude" then I realized you were just abbreviating Oklahoma
mcbriddle93
From what my grandma tells me, it was a nice swimming hole. Now it just smells like shit. Still kinda cool to check out.
eljohno1
Blue whale!
MistahPudding
I can see #1 from where I'm sitting right now. It's in Tulsa right next to where i work. Wouldn't pay 25 to stay the night.
Trustmeimblack
Take a pic from your window
itsybitsyspider
Thought I remember seeing that on a drive once. Don't remember where I was going.
DarkTowerRose
It's on the way from Claremore to Catoosa if you don't want to pay the toll.
regularcaleb
i'm from claremore!
[deleted]
[deleted]
BacteriaFacts
26 here me either.
MistahPudding
I'm 21 and I remember swimming in it as a kid
afreshcoatofpaint
It was refurbished by a grant from Hampton Inns. But they don't allow swimming anymore.
apiringLEO
I'm pretty sure its been quite awhile since people were aloud to swim there. Kids would drown trying to swim under .
angelaxlansbury
Okie here. That whale creeps me out. But all closed or abandoned water/theme parks always have.
LoganTroxell
Or bit by a water moccasin.
tinym0nster
The water is naaaaaasty now.
fonebone77
It looks like most pond water that I've ever seen.
cakeladyinok
waiting for the fellow okies to chime in.
KibaRanger
#neverforget the time the big-ass nightmare whale of Catoosa brought all us Okies together on the internet.
latebloomeruser
Chiming in, over.
cakeladyinok
Howdy
geriatricsanatore
Live in Oklahoma right on Route 66 where it begins in the state
VooVeers
I grew up in Tulsa and drove by the whale every other weekend when I'd go visit my dad. He always told me it was full of snakes.
cmarks
Okie waving over here
cakeladyinok
Waving back
LeslieElaine
Here! Yes, it's mostly depressing, but the drive through Tulsa isn't bad
PrincessAmalthea
Hi! Not in OK anymore but always show love for my oklahomies
yoginioftruth
Ditto
cakeladyinok
Well you're always welcome back
PrincessAmalthea
I try to visit every year, my mom and best friends are still there. Sometimes I miss it.
RokosBasilisk
Ok, I'll bite. I'm in Pryor. I've driven by that whale a bunch.
cakeladyinok
ready for rocklahoma?
RokosBasilisk
I live two miles from where they hold that. I always leave town that week because of all the people.
cakeladyinok
i don't blame you there.
fuckweaselry
*chimes*
apiringLEO
Myello! Grew up in Inola and even worked at the hard rock like 5 min from the bug blue whale.
NoirePanda
Yes! First Inolian i've seen on reddit!
tinym0nster
Well hi!
cakeladyinok
Hi ho there neighbor
MechanoBlast
Chime
cakeladyinok
Yes who's there?
MechanoBlast
O
cakeladyinok
O who?