Steve and Melinda Hamstra of Zeeland, Mich., and other motorcyclists cruised Route 66 to raise funds for a cancer charity during the couple’s 30th wedding anniversary, reported the Holland (Mich.) Sentinel.
The 10-day journey in September from Chicago to Santa Monica raised $19,000 for the American Cancer Society.
The Hamstras had some interesting things to say about the Mother Road:
“Small towns are really the core of America. You get to see how people live, how they earn a living, where they worship, how history has touched them,” said Steve. […]
The group averaged about 50 mph for most of the trip.
“We were slowing down to experience things,” said Steve. “The journey is the destination.” […]
There was one passage in the mountains between Kingman and Oatman in Arizona, where the route took them through Sitgreaves Pass on a narrow, switchback road with no guardrails.
“Melinda was absolutely scared that day,” said Steve. “We had to stop in Oatman for a while so she could recover.” […]
Later that same day, they crossed the Mojave Desert in 106-degree temperatures.
“It was like riding in front of a hair dryer,” said Steve.
The Hamstras blogged about their adventures here.