Route 66 Centennial Caravan brings international visitors through Texas Panhandle

LEFORS, Texas (KVII) — Route 66 enthusiasts from across the United States and around the world are traveling through the Texas Panhandle this week as part of a three-day, two-night caravan celebrating the highway’s centennial.

The Old Route 66 Association of Texas organized the event, which includes about 130 people and 70 vehicles traveling the historic Mother Road from Texola, Oklahoma, to Glenrio, Texas.

Participants said the trip offers a chance to see classic roadside attractions, wide-open landscapes and the communities that helped define Route 66.

“Lots of big American cars, all the cars, you know, the funny things, the big statues and what have you, and the big wide-open spaces that we haven’t got at home,” said Chris Jeffs, who is visiting from New Zealand.

Monika and Rolf Finkbeiner of Germany said they brought their motorhome to experience the historic route.

“We like to drive on Route 66 because we enjoy it so much,” they said. “We don’t have one in Germany. We only have great interstates in Germany.”

Gary Daggett, president of the Route 66 Association of Texas, said the caravan will continue annually after returning from a 15-year hiatus.

“We’ll still do this every year,” Daggett said. “Next year, we’re talking about doing one day in Oklahoma and one day in Texas. It’s become so popular and gotten so big, it will continue.”

The Texas Route 66 Hall of Fame also returned this year after a 15-year break. Among the three inductees is the late Dr. T. Lindsay Baker.

Baker died in a crash involving a vintage 1930 Ford Model A Woody station wagon. Robert and Sally Brown Mawhinney of Kingman, Arizona, said they are donating a painting of the vehicle to a Route 66 museum during the caravan.

The group is scheduled to spend Friday night in Amarillo before continuing west to visit Route 66 landmarks, including Cadillac Ranch.

“One of the places we want to stop at is the Cadillac cars where they are sticking in the ground so you can paint on them,” said David Winsky of Boston. “I’ve got my buddy’s M&M Autobody T-shirt. He doesn’t know it, but we’re going to throw it on one of the cars and snap a picture.”

The caravan is scheduled to conclude Saturday in Glenrio.

The Texas Route 66 Hall of Fame induction banquet is set for 5-7 p.m. Saturday in Oldham County.

Route 66 Centennial Caravan brings international visitors through Texas Panhandle (KVII)