As opposed to our travel woes on the way out, today's journey went without a hitch.  We left the motel about 5:20 and made it to Amarillo by about 8:30.  Plenty of time to fill the gas tank, drop the car, check in, and get to the gate.  Amarillo has a very small but very nice little airport.  No hassles.

Both flights were on time; we had enough time at DFW to get lunch and for me to recharge my headphones, so that I could finish watching a movie on the plane (Red Swallow, this time--maybe I was influenced by the Blue Swallow.  It was also a good movie, so that's two on this trip; both on planes!)  Landed on time in Richmond, collected bags and car, and got home by about 7:30. End of a very memorable trip!

To sum up:

Total miles driven: 3036 (that's a lot, even for us!)

Miles driven on Route 66: 1374

National Parks Sites visited: 9

Passport stamps collected: 22

Geocaches found: 28.  I didn't mention geocaching much, but I looked only for geocaches at places where we were already stopped, and gathered up this many.  I was very surprised. It turns out, for one thing, that park staff in NPS sites in California put out geocaches.  This is not true in any other NPS sites I've ever been to.  Racked up quite a few that way.

Worst Route 66 site:  Cadillac Ranch

Best Route 66 site:  Hard to choose--maybe Giant Rabbit and Giant Orange and Mel's Diner

Best Motel:  Wigwam in San Bernardino and Blue Swallow

Best Meal: Nomads Global Lounge

Best Mexican Food:  Lunch in El Cafecito in Grants, NM.  We picked it in desperation because nothing else was open and we were in a hurry, but we scored big!

Animals seen but not photographed (hence not included in blogs):  Coyote, Osprey, Desert Kangaroo Rat

Worst traffic:  Duh.

Tentative plan:  Do the rest (Chicago to Amarillo) for our 35th anniversary in 2023.  Stay tuned.