In 66 Dreams: Life Lessons from the Mother Road by Lisa Creech Saleh, readers will find an engaging account of a family trip along the historic Route 66 highway. Lisa, her husband, Mounir, and their teenage son, Jaden, take a trip from Amarillo, Texas, to Chicago, Illinois, by way of Route 66. On this inspiring and nostalgic journey, they visit many attractions, historical places, and museums, like the Cadillac Ranch in Amarillo, the Route 66 Car Museum in Springfield, the Gateway Arch in St. Louis, Missouri, and the Bob Waldmire Road Yacht in Pontiac, Illinois. Lisa revives the history of the "Mother Road," referring to The Grapes of Wrath by the great John Steinbeck, and brings fun facts about the vehicles that inspired the beloved characters from the movie Cars. For Lisa, this family vacation became much more than just a road trip. This is a real treat for fans of travel books with a historical overview and a philosophical twist.

As a fascinating, detailed travel guide, 66 Dreams covers every aspect of the trip from Amarillo to Chicago. The vivid photos of the attractions visited by Lisa Creech Saleh and her family during their journey complement this compelling book. Lisa even suggests hotels and motels to stay at and restaurants to enjoy the special treats, like Ted Drewes Frozen Custard in St. Louis. Being a huge fan of Cars, I was delighted to learn so much interesting information about their real-life prototypes. The author compares the trip to a journey through life and draws many remarkable conclusions from the lessons the Mother Road has taught her. Lisa's profound reflections on the past, present, and future in the context of Route 66 will motivate readers to learn more about this iconic highway or even make their unforgettable journey along the "Main Street of America." I appreciated Lisa's humorous writing style and the very well-researched historical background of Route 66 and its significant landmarks.

In 66 Dreams: Life Lessons from the Mother Road, Lisa Creech Saleh, her husband, Mounir, and their son, Jaden, traveled part of the iconic Route 66 from Amarillo, Texas, to Chicago, Illinois. Realizing that a full-length trip lasting well over a week was impractical for her family, she opted for a shorter time on the road, reducing their driving time to five days. It was much easier to convince her husband and teenage son to cover only half the route. They discovered spray-painted cars and enjoyed the colorful atmosphere, delicious dining, informative tours, and historical landmarks. The family experienced moments of entertainment, awe, hilarity, and suspense as they completed their journey. The author provided pictures, an itinerary, and a list of lessons she learned during the short trip.

With hundreds of miles to travel, Lisa Creech Saleh and her family made stops so that her son could relate to the Disney movie Cars, narrowly avoided potentially nefarious gang members, and picked up a “hitchhiker”. I was in shock during a suspenseful part of the story that involved a drive-by and a little unnerved by the uncertain times while parked in front of private residences. If you’re planning a trip on Route 66, Saleh’s book will provide the detailed information you’ll need, ranging from the best places to eat to where to find pain relievers in Chicago at three o’clock in the morning. For readers who want to learn about the best-known stops along Route 66 between Amarillo and Chicago, and for individuals who enjoy well-documented travel books, 66 Dreams is a great choice.