Edward Is Everywhere

  Sage Motel As I was driving in to Needles and on my way to my hotel, I saw the Sage Motel.  That looks like a Route 66 era motel I better take a picture. A few minutes later I realized that this is on historic Rt-66, which makes sense. It is no longer a hotel, but it is still in use. 1624 W Broadway St, Needles, CA. ( Learn more ) Needles is a town of around five thousand people in California right across the Colorado River from Arizona. Needles was founded by the Atchison, Topeka and Sata Fe railway. The railroad, now part of the BNSF Railway, is still a major employer in the city.  If you are traveling the path of Route 66, this will be the first city you come to in California.    Route 66 car wash Miranda's Car Wash is just two blocks away from the Sage Motel. This do it yourself car wash has a Route 66 mural on the side.  Looking at google streetview tells me it has been closed for about 10 years. and the mural went up sometime between 2009 and 2011....

The motel, cafe, and gas station in Amboy, California. The gas station is still operational  April 5, 2026. Just to be clear,  I didn't actually drive from Needles California to Amboy on Rt 66.  That was my plan but it didn't work out.  Actually, that wasn't even my plan.  My plan was to drive on Interstate 40 to Amboy then take Rt 66 back to Needles.  Since I spent the night in Needles I just think of that as the starting point.  The most direct way to Amboy is to take Interstate 40 to Kelbaker Road, Go south on Kelbaker to Rt 66 and hang a right.  So that's what I did.     Route 66 closed east of Kelbaker Rd The first thing I noticed was at Kelbaker and Rt-66, the 66 was closed to the left!  Fortunately Amboy is on the right and it was open that way.  Or, at least, mostly open.  There are three bridges that are being constructed on the road and you have to detour around them by driving on a marked gravel road throug...