Sponsored by: Atlas Medstaff
The Gypsy Nurse Crew is taking Route 66 this Fall on our way to #TravCon14. We’ll DETOUR off Route 66 just long enough to hit Las Vegas for Conference and 5 days/nights of fun! Join us for The Gypsy Nurse Route 66 Detour to #TravCon14 !!
Follow along with us on Facebook and Twitter or better yet; join in at one of our stops along the way. You’re also welcome to meet up anywhere along the route and follow US to Las Vegas! We’ll be joined by Crystal Austin, Recruiter from Atlas Medstaff. We’ll be tweeting, facebooking and meeting face to face along the way.
A HUGE “Thank You” goes out to our Sponsor: Atlas Medstaff for helping to make this event happen!
Check out the Meet & Greets below and make plans to attend. In conjunction with our event sponsors, we’ll have goodies and give-aways all along our route! Find us along the way and get yours!
Route 66 Detour Itinerary
September 15, 2014 – September 25, 2014
September 15, 2014
Chicago, IL – Meet & Greet
Sponsored by: Atlas Medstaff
WE ARE PICKING UP OUR RIDE AND GETTING READY TO HEAD OUT ON ROUTE 66 FROM CHICAGO. JOIN US FOR A FUN GYPSY NURSE SEND-OFF!
11:30AM – 3:00pm Atlas Sponsored Meet & Greet
10:30AM Grant Park/Millennium Park *Photo op.
10:45AM -12:00pm Breakfast Au Bon Pain
200 West Adams St #3, Chicago IL (We’ll likely be walking here from Grant Park – Aprox 20 min walk) You are welcome to meet us here.
12:30PM Route 66 Sign at Adams St – *Photo op
Adams Street at Michigan Avenue
1:00PM – 3:00pm Explore Downtown
September 16, 2014
Wilmington IL to St Louis, MO
4:00PM – 4:30pm Our Lady of the Highways shrine – Sponsored M&G with Photo OP (Raymond, IL)
We’ll be making a short stop at Our Lady of the Highways Shrine in Raymond IL to pay homage and ask for blessings for the remainder of our trip.
“Located along Historic Route 66 in the panhandle of Montgomery County, Illinois, the Shrine of Our Lady of the Highways has watched over travelers along the Mother Road and Interstate 55 since the late 1950’s. While much of the pavement of Route 66 has been returned to the fields of rural Central Illinois, the Shrine remains as a testament to the weary traveler and Mother Mary’s guidance and protection over the highway and her travelers.” http://www.ourladyofthehighways.com
6:30pm – 8:00pm Ted Drewes’ Frozen Custard – Dinner Sponsored M&G (St Louis)
Join us after our first full day on the road at one of the Route 66 Iconic stops Ted Drewes’ Frozen Custard. Known best for it’s mouth-watering sweets and toppings it’s still a popular stop for both roadies and locals, just like it was in the heyday of Route 66.
Time and traffic permitting; our route for the day will include the following:
Gemini Giant Statue – S East St, Wilmington, IL 60481
Polk-a-Dot Drive In – 222 N Front St, Braidwood, IL 60408 (815) 458-3377
Dixie Truckers Home – 598 Main St, McLean, IL 61754
Our Lady of the Highways shrine – 22353 W Frontage Rd, Raymond, IL 62560
Brooks Catsup Bottle Water Tower –800 S Morrison Ave, Collinsville, IL 62234
Chain of Rocks Bridge – old Alton road, Granite City, Illinois
Ted Drewes’ Frozen Custard – 6726 Chippewa St, St. Louis, MO 63109 (314) 481-2652
September 17, 2014
Sullivan MO to Chelsea, OK
9:00am – 11:00am Meramec Caverns – Sponsored M&G (Sullivan, MO)
Opened commercially in 1935, Meramec Caverns is pretty much a required pilgrimage than a side trip for anyone traveling Route 66. We couldn’t miss it. We’ll see if we can find the sign proclaiming ‘Jess James Hideout’ and Loot Rock.
The tour takes one hour and twenty minutes to complete. It is a walking tour covering 1 1/4 mile round-trip. Abbreviated tours (45 minutes in length) are available for groups upon request. Admission to the cavern tour is $20.00 per adult, $10.00 for children 5-11, children 4 and under are free.
1:00pm – 2:00pm Route 66 Diner – Sponsored Lunch M&G (St.Robert, MO)
Although it’s not an iconic stop, we’ll take a step back in time to the 1950’s when hot rods were on the roads and the local diner was the place to stop for a meal. Bring your change and pop a coin into the jukebox and join us for lunch.
5:30PM – 7:00pm Ed Galloway’s Totem Pole Park – Sponsored Dinner Picnic/Cookout M&G (Chelsea, OK)
“Ed Galloway’s Totem Pole Park is the oldest and largest example of a folk art environment in Oklahoma; its construction lasting from 1937 to 1961. Totem Pole Park contains the original, highly decorated creations of Galloway, one of Oklahoma’s premier folk artists and significant in the “visionary art” movement.” http://www.nps.gov/nr/travel/route66/galloways_totem_pole_park_foyil.html
Ed Galloway is quoted to have said, “All my life, I did the best I knew. I built these things by the side of the road to be a friend to you.” We’ll share Ed’s vision as we cook-out at the park and enjoy the roadside art.
Time and traffic permitting; our route for the day will include the following:
Meramec Caverns –1135 State Highway W, Sullivan, MO 63080
Route 66 Diner – 126 St. Robert Blvd, St. Robert, MO 65584 – (573) 336-8989
Picnic at Totem Pole Park/ Ed Galloway’s Totem Pole Park – 21300 E Highway 28A, Chelsea, OK 74016 (918) 283-8035
The Blue Whale – 2680 Oklahoma 66, Catoosa, OK 74015
September 18, 2014
Shamrock to Amarillo TX
3:30pm – 4:30pm Cadillac Ranch M&G (W. Amarillo, TX)
No Route 66 trip through Texas is complete without a stop at the Cadillac Ranch! We’ll plan an hour of fun ‘spray painting’ as we leave our Gypsy marks on the iconic landmark! Spray paint and snacks will be on hand!
5:00 pm– 7:00pm – The Big Texan Steak Ranch – Diner M&G (Amarillo TX)
Opened in 1960 and known for serving road weary and hungry travelers for many years, we’ll be sure to get some great photo’s next to the towering cowboy sign here at the Big Texan. If you want, you can try the 72oz Steak Challenge. If you can consume it in 60 minutes, it’s free! If not, I’m sure we’ll all walk away with our appetites satisfied.
Time and traffic permitting; our route for the day will include the following:
U-Drop Inn Cafe- 216 E 12th St, Shamrock, TX 79079
Leaning Tower of Britten – Groom, Texas
Cadillac Ranch – west of Amarillo on Route 66. Near the Hope Rd Potter County, TX. Intersection (spray paint)
The Big Texan Steak Ranch – 7701 Interstate E 40, Amarillo, TX 79118 (806) 372-6000
September 19, 2014
Albuquerque – Meet & Greet
Sponsored by: Atlas Medstaff
1:00PM – 2:00pm 66 Diner – ATLAS Sponsored Lunch M&G (Albuquerque NM)
With a traditional 50’s feel and a full soda fountain, this Route 66 iconic diner will be a step back in time. Check out one of their popular milkshakes which include the ‘Elvis’ or the ‘Pink Cadilac”
2:00pm – 3:00pm Explore ‘Old Town’ Albuquerque and seek out the Madonna of the Trail.
We’ll take an hour to stretch our road weary legs in Old Town where you can find quiet hidden patios, winding brick paths, gardens and balconies all waiting to be discovered!
3:00 – ? Painted Desert/Petrified Forest
*Painted desert/Petrified Forest National Park – off I-40 Driving Photo Ops! Hop on/Hop off photo stops all along the way…keep your camera’s ready!
Time and traffic permitting; our route for the day will include the following:
66 Diner – 1405 Central Ave NE, Albuquerque, NM 87106 (505) 247-1421
Old Town Albuquerque
Painted desert/Petrified Forest National Park – off I-40
September 20, 2014
Winslow, AZ to Oatman, AZ
8:30am – 9:00am Winslow AZ *Photo Op
Just like the Eagles’ song “Take it Easy” wi’ll be standing on the ‘corner in Winslow, Arizona” *Photo OP
9:30am – 10:00am Meteor Crater *Photo Op
We’ll make a quick stop at Meteor Crater where we will visit the world’s best preserved meteorite impact site for a Photo op.
12:30pm – 1:30pm RoadKill Cafe– Lunch Meet & Greet (Seligman, AZ)
The Roadkill Café’ is famous for it’s charbroiled burgers but for the more adventurous you can also try out the Splatter Platter, Swirl of Squirrel, Big Bagged Stag or Highway Hash! Just ordering here sounds like an adventure.
4:00Ppm – 4:30pm Jackass Junction – Photo Op & feed the Jackass’s
Oatman was once a bustling gold mining town that mined over $13 million in gold (1920’s dollars). In 1941 the mines were shut down and the prospectors hit the road, leaving their burros behind – hence the wild burro population. But don’t feel bad for them- they are still thriving more than seventy years later! We’ll take a little time away from the road and explore the many places in town with kitchy names like “Fast Fannies”.
Time and traffic permitting; our route for the day will include the following:
Winslow, AZ – N Kinsley Ave, Winslow, AZ 86047
Meteor Crater – Winslow, AZ
RoadKill Cafe – 502 Arizona 66 Scenic, Seligman, AZ 86337 (928) 422-3554
Jackass Junction – 219 Main St, Oatman, AZ 86433
-> -> -> DETOUR TO #TravCon14 September 21-24, 2014
We have 5 fun-filled days and nights planned in Las Vegas. Please REGISTER for the 7th Annual Travelers Conference. The Gypsy Nurse will be holding a FREE Luncheon and a FREE Welcome Reception for the attendees of the Travelers Conference. Space is limited at these events and you MUST REGISTER in order to attend. And don’t forget to use our discount at the Flamingo to Book Your Room! Join our Facebook group to follow along with all the upcoming events!
September 25, 2014
End of Route 66 – Meet & Greet
Sponsored by: Atlas Medstaff
WE MAY HAVE REACHED THE END OF THE ROAD, BUT WE’RE NOT FINISHED YET! HELP US CELEBRATE THE CULMINATION OF THIS EXCITING TRIP BY JOINING US IN SANTA MONICA!
12:00PM Roy’s Diner – Lunch Meeet & Greet (Amboy, CA)
Roy’s is located in Amboy, California. The town of Amboy itself is in the Mojave desert. The site of Roy’s has become an icon for a lonely desert gas stop due to the multiple appearances of Roy’s in movies.
1:00PM Amboy Shoe Tree – Photo Op
We’ll make a quick stop here and toss a pair or two of shoes to add to the collection.The shoe tree provides just about the only natural shade to be found along this section of historic Route 66 as it cuts across the Mojave Desert.
7:00PM Santa Monica Pier – End Route 66 Detour Photo Op
We’ve finally reached the End of the Rloute!!
7:30pm – 9:30pm Ye Olde King’s – Atlas Sponsored M & G
After we take our “End of Road” pictures, we’ll head to Ye Olde King’s Pub for a celebratory dinner and drinks! From its humble beginnings over 35 years ago, Ye Olde King’s Head has developed a reputation as one of the finest, most recognizable British Pubs in the World. Located only steps from the beach and 3rd Street Promenade in Santa Monica.
Time and traffic permitting; our route for the day will include the following:
Roy’s Diner – 87520 National Trails Hwy, Amboy, CA 92304 (760) 733-1066
Amboy Shoe Tree
Santa Monica Pier – Santa Monica, California
Ye Olde King’s Head – 132 Sana Monica Blvd (310) 394-8765
**PLEASE NOTE: All times/dates and Locations are currently tentative and subject to change. If you plan to meet us along the way; feel free to email or Facebook message us to find out our exact location/ETA at any given location/stop.