Photos of Some Route 66 Neon

Route 66 stretches through the Western U.S. from Chicago to the Pacific Ocean, and it was known as "America's Main Street" for decades. Although travelers use the main U.S. highway system much more often, Route 66 offers an alternate way to get off the beaten track and discover some of American history in person. Along this main street in Williams, Arizona, I took advantage of the fading light and the neon signs to try out taking some photos without the flash and with only the existing light. For those who have not tried urban night photography, it can be a lot of fun. The only prerequisite is a basic understanding of manual aperture and shutter speed controls. 

Driving Route 66 takes the traveler through a segment of Northern Arizona that includes Williams, Flagstaff, Sedona, and Jerome just to name a few towns with their own unique personalities. They all provide a welcome change from suburban areas that all seem the same. Arizona has preserved stretches of Route 66 more than any other state. This highway is not a straight shot as with the modern highways, but it was not originally designed with this in mind. It might wind through long segments of desert and mountainous terrain, but the experience is worth taking the extra time. One of the most fun stops in Williams in along the main drag to browse through several shops selling any type of Route 66 campy tourist souvenirs. It is also one of those towns where people still actually stop and talk to one another on the street, a welcome change for those of us used to the big cities.