Retracing My Grandfather’s Route 66 Road Trip: A Journey Through Time and Lens
My grandfather (middle) and Army buddies at their barracks in Korea
Seventy years ago, my grandfather packed up his car and with his cousin, LaVone, the 2 set off on a road trip to California from Wisconsin. Both men recently back from the Koren war, traveled the legendary Route 66 with a Kodak camera in hand. Along the way, my grandfather captured moments of small-town America, roadside diners, neon-lit motels, and the endless stretch of highway disappearing into the horizon. His old colored photos, now faded but still rich with history, were always a source as I began to explore my grandfather’s life.
As a photographer, I’ve always been drawn to nostalgia, to the idea of capturing the passage of time in a single frame. So when I set out on my own Route 66 road trip in October 2024, I brought along my grandfather’s camera, determined to retrace his steps and recreate the images he had taken all those years ago.
Hitting the Mother Road
Driving along Route 66 is like stepping into a living time capsule. While parts of the route have been replaced by modern highways, much of it still exists, winding through small towns, forgotten gas stations, and classic roadside attractions. Using my grandfather’s photographs as a guide and Google Images for reference, I retraced his steps to find the exact locations where he once stood, camera in hand.
One of the most striking stops was the Twin Arrows Trading Post Ruins in Coconino County, Arizona. The name itself—Twin Arrows—felt ironic, as only one arrow remains standing in 2024, just as it had in 1954 when my grandfather passed through. Once a beacon for travelers along I-40, its towering arrows drew in weary drivers, offering a place to stretch their legs and refuel. Now, standing in decay, it serves as both a reminder of a bygone era and a reflection of a more complex history—a site built on land taken from Indigenous communities, now left abandoned like so many other roadside relics.
Twin Arrows Trading Post
A Journey in Reflection
While the landscapes and buildings have changed over the decades, the essence of the road felt the same—a path of adventure, freedom, and discovery. My grandfather, like so many before him, had taken this journey to explore the world beyond his everyday life, and I found myself doing the same.
I often thought about him as I lined up my shots, wondering what he would think of my photography. I like to believe he would have loved it—especially knowing I was carrying his camera, the same one he used on his journey. His road trip not only took him across the Main Street of America but also through Sedona, Arizona, a town that has changed significantly over the years.
As I traveled these roads, camera in hand, I felt an undeniable connection—not just to the past, but to the man who helped shape my love of photography.
The Power of Photography and Nostalgia
Photography has always been more than just pictures—it’s about preserving moments, honoring the past, and connecting generations. Holding my grandfather’s camera in my hands, standing where he once stood, I realized how much photography allows us to travel through time.
As I developed my own photos, placing them side by side with his, I saw not just the changes in the world but the continuity of experience—the same wanderlust, the same appreciation for the journey, the same love for capturing the beauty in everyday life.
Sedona - then & now
A Road That Never Ends
Route 66 is more than just a highway; it’s a bridge between generations. For me, this road trip wasn’t just about seeing the sights—it was about reliving a piece of my grandfather’s history, carrying his legacy forward, and finding my own place in the story of the open road.
And just like him, I’ll keep taking photos, preserving memories for the next generation to discover. Because some roads never really end—they just keep leading us home.
📸✨ Have you ever retraced a loved one's journey? Share your stories in the comments! #Route66 #PhotographyJourney #NostalgiaCaptured
