I thought I would ask you a question this morning. Can you believe America’s Mother Road #Router66 is turning 100 years old? Yes, I said 100 years and that’s a whole century of families packing their cars, stopping at roadside diners, discovering little towns, and making memories along the way.
Here is a #teachingmoment to share with your family. Route 66 was established on November 11, 1926, and here we are in 2026, celebrating a highway that has become part of American history. And you know what, buttercup? I can’t think of a better birthday present than getting in the car and exploring some of those places for ourselves.
I don’t know about you but when I think about Route 66, I don’t just picture an old highway. I think about families, grandparents, children, roadside gas stations, and all those little places that have stories to tell. My grandfather owned a gas station, so I’ve always felt a connection to those old roadside businesses. I can imagine the conversations that happened when travelers stopped for gasoline, directions, or something to drink.
But there’s another reason this adventure means so much to me. Route 66 has been a bucket-list dream shared across three generations of our family, including my late daughter Suzanne and my Aunt Sussane. For my family some dreams stay with us, even when life changes and the people you wanted to share them with are no longer beside you.
That’s why I want to stop putting off the things we’ve talked about doing someday. I want to get out there, take photographs, visit the museums, meet people, and make new memories while remembering the ones who helped inspire the journey. Because Charlie turns 19 this year and before we know it he will be leaving to have his own family.
I would like to invite you to join us as we’re beginning our Route 66 centennial adventure in Weatherford, Oklahoma, with plans to explore nearby Clinton and Hydro as well. For my family Weatherford caught our attention because there is so much more to discover than I originally realized.
I’m looking forward to learning about aviation and space exploration at the Stafford Air & Space Museum, stepping into the past at the Heartland of America Museum, and discovering the area’s Route 66 landmarks. There’s also that wonderful Route 66 astronaut that I can’t wait to show David and Charlie.
And you know we’re not planning a family outing without talking about food. We’re looking at breakfast at Jerry’s 66 Diner and dinner at Lucille’s Roadhouse. We’re also interested in the history of Lucille’s famous roadside service station near Hydro which will be fun to see.
Over in Clinton, the Oklahoma Route 66 Museum is another stop on our wish list. These are places we’re researching and planning to visit. Once we’ve been there, we’ll share our own photographs, experiences, and reviews. Read our featured destination: Our
This year, our GreatfulMoments.com Christmas Gift Guide Wishlist isn’t just about toys, clothes, gadgets, and things you can wrap. We’re also featuring experiences families can enjoy together. What about giving your children a Route 66 adventure for Christmas?
You could make a homemade travel certificate, put together a little road-trip basket, or plan a day out while the children are on holiday break. If you’re a homeschooling family, you could turn the adventure into a history lesson, geography lesson, or transportation study.
Even families whose children attend traditional schools can enjoy learning outside the classroom during Thanksgiving, Christmas, or spring break. And don’t forget Grandma and Grandpa! Sometimes having several generations in the car makes the journey even more special.
We’re planning our first adventure from the Fort Worth and North Richland Hills, Texas, area. One of the things I want to show our readers is that you don’t always have to plan an expensive weeklong vacation to make family memories. Some destinations can become day trips, while others might deserve an overnight stay.
We’ll share what we learn about driving, attractions, admission prices, restaurants, places to rest, and opportunities to save money. And because every family is different, we’ll look for ideas that work for younger children, teenagers, parents, and grandparents.
This is where we’ll keep adding links to our Route 66 articles as they’re published. Weatherford, Oklahoma is our first featured destination, with museums, downtown attractions, family dining, and homeschool field-trip opportunities. Coming soon: Our Weatherford destination guide and individual attraction features.
Clinton, Oklahoma- We’re looking forward to discovering the Oklahoma Route 66 Museum and learning more about the history of the Mother Road. Coming soon: Our Clinton museum feature. Hydro, Oklahoma- We’ll explore the story of Lucille’s historic service station and the people who helped make Route 66 unforgettable. Coming soon: Our Lucille’s historic service station feature.
As we explore more communities, we’ll add new towns and their stories right here. We may discover museums, family-owned restaurants, historic gas stations, gift shops, murals, roadside attractions, and businesses that have been serving travelers for generations. Every new destination will become another chapter in our Route 66 birthday celebration.
If there’s one thing I hope families take away from this series, it’s that we shouldn’t always wait until someday. Take the trip when you can. Invite Grandma. Ask Grandpa to tell you about the cars he remembers. Let the children help read the map. Take photographs, even if you don’t feel like being in them. Put the phones down for a little while and talk to one another.
And if your family has a bucket-list dream, maybe this is the year to start making it happen. Happy 100th Birthday, Route 66! Here’s to the people who traveled before us, the small towns keeping their history alive, and all the memories still waiting to be made.
Disclosure: This series includes destinations and businesses we’re researching for potential family visits. Any hosted experiences, gifted products, or affiliate relationships will be disclosed where applicable.
Grateful. Thankful. Blessed.
GreatfulMoments.com — Christmas Gift Guide Wishlist 2026: Helping Santa Load the Sleigh
Thank you,
Glenda, Charlie and David Cates
