Route 66 by Starlight

The Milky Way over Route 66, Mojave Trails National Monument

The full arc of the Milky Way shimmers in the midnight sky above historic Route 66 in California's Mojave Desert as seen between Amboy and Chambless. Though its night skies are not nearly as well known as those of Joshua Tree 70 miles to the south, this stretch of old 66 in Mojave Trails National Monument is home to some of the best stargazing sites in California. Efforts are underway to recognize the monument as an International Dark Sky Sanctuary, the highest designation issued by the International Dark-Sky Association.

Panorama of the Milky Way over Route 66, Mojave Trails National Monument

The full arc of the Milky Way shimmers in the midnight sky above historic Route 66 in California's Mojave Desert as seen between Amboy and Chambless. Though its night skies are not nearly as well known as those of Joshua Tree 70 miles to the south, this stretch of old 66 in Mojave Trails National Monument is home to some of the best stargazing sites in California. Efforts are underway to recognize the monument as an International Dark Sky Sanctuary, the highest designation issued by the International Dark-Sky Association.

Galactic Rest Stop

A private inholding within Mojave Trails National Monument, the Road Runner's Retreat was an oasis in the desert on Route 66 in the days before cars had air conditioning. Many of those travelers would cross the desert at night to avoid the scorching daytime heat, treating them to mesmerizing night skies. The restaurant and service station are long closed, but the site is being cleaned up to preserve the structures and signage, and the stars still shine bright above it thanks to the protected desert all around.

Vermonica 2020

Traffic blazes past as Jupiter and Saturn shine above Sheila Klein's "Vermonica". A portmanteau of "Vermont" and "Santa Monica" (the boulevards near which it was originally located), "Vermonica" is Sheila Klein's homage to the diverse streetlamps that have called Los Angeles home over the years. Originally installed at a nearby shopping center, this latest iteration installed in 2020 is more clearly visible from Santa Monica Boulevard, which carried historic Route 66 from 1936-64.

Vermonica 2020

Vermonica 2020

Vermonica 2020

Vermonica 2020

Vermonica 2020

The bright core of the Milky Way creates the illusion of an eruption of stars above Amboy Crater, an dormant cinder cone volcano that last erupted about 10,000 years ago.

Iconic Roy's Cafe Motel Sign, Comet NEOWISE

Comet NEOWISE, visible as a small smudge at right center, passes overhead in the night sky above the iconic Roy's Motel and Cafe in Amboy, California on its once-in-seven-millennia flyby of the inner solar system.

Milky Way and Oatman Highway, Route 66 in Arizona

The silvery arc of the Milky Way shimmers overhead as traffic winds over the curves of historic Route 66 in Arizona's Black Mountains between Kingman and Oatman. The streak of traffic on Interstate 40 is visible in the distance as Jupiter and Saturn rise above the far mountains.

Milky Way and Oatman Highway, Route 66 in Arizona

The silvery arc of the Milky Way shimmers overhead as traffic winds over the curves of historic Route 66 in Arizona's Black Mountains between Kingman and Oatman. The streak of traffic on Interstate 40 is visible in the distance as Jupiter and Saturn rise above the far mountains.

Milky Way and Oatman Highway, Route 66 in Arizona

The silvery arc of the Milky Way shimmers overhead as traffic winds over the curves of historic Route 66 in Arizona's Black Mountains between Kingman and Oatman. The streak of traffic on Interstate 40 is visible in the distance as Jupiter and Saturn rise above the far mountains.

Union Pacific Big Boy 4014, Moonrise at Yermo (black and white version)

Union Pacific Big Boy 4014, Moonrise at Yermo

Union Pacific Big Boy 4014, Moonrise at Yermo

Union Pacific Big Boy 4014, Moonrise at Yermo

The Big Boy cools its wheels at Yermo after a hard day's work pulling the Rail Giants excursion alongside Route 66 through Cajon Pass. As the moon rises the UP Steam crew inspect and ready the locomotive for the next day's return trip to Colton.

Union Pacific Big Boy 4014, Moonrise at Yermo

The Big Boy cools its wheels at Yermo after a hard day's work pulling the Rail Giants excursion alongside Route 66 through Cajon Pass. As the moon rises the UP Steam crew inspect and ready the locomotive for the next day's return trip to Colton.

Union Pacific Big Boy 4014, Moonrise at Yermo (black and white version)

The Big Boy cools its wheels at Yermo after a hard day's work pulling the Rail Giants excursion alongside Route 66 through Cajon Pass. As the moon rises the UP Steam crew inspect and ready the locomotive for the next day's return trip to Colton.

Milky Way Panorama, Mojave Trails National Monument