Finding Route 66—One Frame at a Time
We are relatively new at blogging, and wanted to feature a guest blog by our friend, Jay Farrell—photographer and author of Route 66 Roadscapes—a 224 page coffee table book featuring the stories and rich color photographs of the classic neon and forgotten ruins along Historic Route 66:
When I first set out on Route 66, I didn’t know where the road would take me—literally or creatively. It started as an exploratory journey with my trusty Leica camera and tripod—a blank slate. No itinerary. No agenda. Just a desire to discover what life looked like along the old road.
I was drawn to the glow of old neon signs, the rusting gas pumps, the locally-owned cafes and motels, the forgotten cars and trucks tucked along the roadside—but just as much, I was drawn to the people. The true characters who live and work along Route 66, who welcome strangers with stories and preserve the spirit of the iconic road.
Over the course of several trips between 2022 and 2024, I visited all the different parts of the route—sometimes returning to the same spot under a different sky or to chase the perfect night shot. Slowly, the miles added up, and so did the images. I didn’t just document what I saw—I started to feel what this road still means to so many.
Route 66 Roadscapes was born from those miles, those moments. It’s a visual tribute to the road, and to places like Earl’s Motor Court that give it soul—places that are still standing not because they’re stuck in time—but because they’re part of something timeless. This carefully curated collection of photos also showcases the forlorn beauty of the forgotten treasures left behind.
