CHICAGO (WLS) -- ABC7 Chicago's Ryan Chiaverini is taking a road trip from pier to pier to celebrate 100 years of the historic Route 66.
Follow along here for live updates on his trip from Navy Pier to Santa Monica.
The road trip is sponsored by Hyundai.
Route 66 runs from Navy Pier in Chicago to Santa Monica Pier in California.
Ryan Chiaverini has been road tripping the historic Route 66, and has finally made his way to California.
He joined ABC7 live from Santa Monica Wednesday afternoon.
ABC7 Chicago's Ryan Chiaverini is going from pier to pier, celebrating 100 years of the famous Route 66.
Follow Ryan's Route 66 adventure in this live blog, and see more content on and ABC7 and Ryan's social media pages:
@abc7chicago
@ryanchiaverini
The road trip is sponsored by Hyundai.
Route 66 runs from Navy Pier in Chicago to Santa Monica Pier in California.
Ryan Chiaverini has been road tripping the historic Route 66, and has finally made his way to California.
He joined ABC7 live from Santa Monica Wednesday afternoon.
Continuing his journey along Route 66, Ryan Chiaverini made a stop in Winslow, Arizona, where he learned the story behind one of the most famous songs connected to the Mother Road.
Standin' on the Corner Park is one of the most visited and photographed attractions along historic Route 66. The park was inspired by the iconic lyric from the Eagles' 1972 hit "Take It Easy," "Well, I'm a-standin' on a corner in Winslow, Arizona."
Written by Jackson Browne and Glenn Frey, the song helped transform Winslow from a small railroad and Route 66 town into a destination recognized by music fans around the world.
The famous lyric has its roots in a real-life experience. While traveling through northern Arizona, Browne's car broke down in Flagstaff. As he waited near a local restaurant, he noticed a woman drive by in a truck and began writing lyrics inspired by the moment. Although the event happened in Flagstaff, Browne chose Winslow, Arizona for the song because it fit the melody and rhythm perfectly.
Standin' on the Corner Park celebrates that musical legacy and has become one of the most popular photo stops on Route 66, with visitors from around the world recreating the famous scene.
Ryan Chiaverini journeyed to Santa Fe on his way to Santa Monica.
While traveling Route 66, Chiaverini had the opportunity to explore the rich history of Santa Fe, New Mexico, and its connection to the iconic highway.
When Route 66 was established in 1926, it made a large northward loop from Santa Rosa to Santa Fe before turning south to Albuquerque. In 1937, the route was realigned to a more direct east-west path, shortening the journey across New Mexico by more than 100 miles. The new route was faster, straighter and better suited for long-distance travel.
The original alignment (often called the Santa Fe Loop) is considered one of the most historically significant sections of Route 66, passing through centuries-old landmarks and cultural treasures. During his visit, Chiaverini explored one of the city's most famous sites, Loretto Chapel.
Loretto Chapel is a historic former Roman Catholic church best known for its "Miraculous Staircase," a spiral staircase that has fascinated visitors for generations. While legend credits its construction to divine intervention, historians and engineers point to the remarkable skill of an unknown craftsman.
According to local tradition, the chapel's architect died before designing a staircase to the choir loft, and the building was too small for a conventional one. The Sisters of Loretto began a nine-day novena to St. Joseph, the patron saint of carpenters. On the final day, a mysterious stranger arrived with a donkey and a toolbox. He spent more than three months building the staircase before disappearing without accepting payment or revealing his identity. Many believed the staircase was a miracle.
Although Santa Fe is no longer part of the official Route 66 alignment, the city and landmarks like Loretto Chapel remain must-see destinations for anyone traveling the Mother Road.
ABC7 Chicago made a stop at the Blue Hole in Santa Rosa, New Mexico.
Just off historic Route 66 in Santa Rosa, New Mexico is one of the state's most surprising natural attractions, the Blue Whole.
The Blue Hole is a striking, bell-shaped artesian spring and popular swimming hole known for its crystal-clear blue water.
The Blue Hole maintains a water temperature of 61-62 degrees year-round and reaches depths of 80 feet. Fed by an underground cave system, the spring produces 3,000 gallons of water per minute, completely renewing itself every six hours. The crystal-clear water makes it one of the most popular diving spots in the U.S.
In the past, the Blue Hole was used by nomadic tribes and cowboys as a reliable water source in the area.
Ryan Chiaverini couldn't visit Santa Rosa without taking a dive himself.
