You still love Route 66, the "Mother Road." Or, you're too young to actually have traveled that road...but you're lured by its lore. You love Southwestern scenery and marvel at natural wonders. Does this describe YOU? Then, it's time you plan an adventuresome road trip through fabled Route 66 terrain, traversed in these modern days by the Interstate 40 superhighway.

Try starting your roadtrip at Albuquerque, New Mexico's Route 66 Diner. Located on old Route 66 (AKA Central Avenue, these days), this cafe has installed a memorial to the Mother Road within its walls. As you enter the Route 66 Diner, you'll see photos, maps...and even old highway signs...from the famous road's heyday. When you get hungry, you can munch down on the diner's old-fashioned "Blue Plate Special" and order a super-thick malt. (For a REALLY old-time treat, you can even still get an Egg Cream or an ice cream soda at the Route 66 Diner!)

Next, take a drive down Albuquerque's Central Avenue. You'll pass dozens of motels and restaurants which were once spiffy-new, built for the motoring crowds who spent the night in this popular Route 66 "hub city." While many of these motels have "slid downhill," others stay well-painted and maintained for today's tourists wishing to re-live an "authentic" Route 66 experience.

While cruising down Central Avenue, you'll come to a brand-new attraction--the sparkling Albuquerque Aquarium. Stop in! You'll see high-quality exhibits of marine life from all cross-sections of the oceans, from shore creatures to deep-water specimens. Traveling with kids? They'll particularly enjoy the adorable seahorses, luminous jellyfish, and "scary" sharks!

Animal-lovers will also want to visit the Rio Grande Zoo, an excellent mid-sized zoo showcasing all the popular zoo animals that your family will want to see. For a barnyard experience, head to the Rio Grande Botanic Gardens. Besides displaying plants, the botanical gardens host a popular outdoor exhibit called Heritage Farm. You can see demonstrations of farming and craftwork from the "olden days," ride a horse-drawn wagon, or pet farm animals in a barnyard petting zoo.

Before leaving Albuquerque, make absolutely sure that the boutique-lovers in your family visit Old Town Albuquerque, where you can find unique, hand-crafted merchandise while exploring the nooks and courtyards of Albuquerque's original old adobes. Old Town Albuquerque is also a great place to dine, to relax in a Spanish-style plaza, or to take interesting photographs. On the other hand, make sure the theme park lovers in your group get to Cliff's Amusement Park for a dose of thrills. Cliff's hosts the state's largest roller coaster, the "New Mexico Rattler," and other scream-inducing attractions. For families with children, Cliffs also offers a good selection of family and "kiddie" rides, as well.

Time to get on the road again! Traveling along Interstate 40 westward, you'll soon reach Sky City, New Mexico. There, you may tour an ancient Native American pueblo...or try your luck at a modern Native American casino. Further down the road, you'll pass Grants and Gallup, then cross the state border into Arizona.

A major tourist sight--and natural wonder--lies just to the side of Interstate 40 at Arizona exit 311. That's where you'll find the Petrified Forest National Park. Its visitor's center, visible from the roadway, hosts interpretive exhibits explaining how an ancient forest fell, became steeped in a mineral bath...and literally turned to stone! You may purchase shined-up samples of petrified wood in the gift shop, or you may examine (but not take!) specimens in the raw by driving along the park's internal roadways.

Motoring westward, you'll find another natural wonder of a completely different kind. Between Winslow and Flagstaff, you'll reach Arizona's Meteor Crater. When you look at this giant crater, you won't believe that it's not really the Moon you're observing! The Meteor Crater's visitor's center hosts a movie and educational exhibits that interestingly explain this natural cataclysm which happened so very long ago.

You might wish to stop for a break at Flagstaff, New Mexico. Flagstaff's downtown area has been "cutesified" and turned into a hip 'n' happening restaurant and shopping district frequented by the local university crowd. Flagstaff also makes a good base for day-trips...either to the red rock paradise of Sedona, to the south; or to the volcanic and Native American wonders north of town at Wupatki and Sunset Crater Volcano National Monuments.

Ready to see the biggest natural wonder of 'em all? From Flagstaff (or from Williams, Arizona, further west on I-40) you can get to Grand Canyon National Park! You can gaze into its depths, take a hike, raft through the gorge on the Colorado River...or even fly overhead on a helicopter tour! Don't forget to check out the visitor's center, where you'll learn how the giant canyon was carved over eons by the Colorado's flowing stream. Also, the IMAX Theater, just outside the park, provides a visually stunning overview of the Grand Canyon and its history.

From Interstate 40 in western Arizona, you'll have a number of possiblities for continuing your road trip. Continue on I-40, and you'll head into California...towards the beaches and theme parks of Los Angeles. Or...head northwest on US Highway 93, and you'll soon reach the bright neon lights of Las Vegas. Or, still another alternative--head north from Flagstaff and view the many natural wonders of Utah, including Arches National Park, Zion National Park, and Bryce Canyon National park. What a delightful choice!