Route 66: Day Four

Old Route 66 tourist attractions in Seligman, Arizona. The Valle Vista country club, established in 1972, was also big draw for many of the wealthy residents. But the financial crisis has left some of these residents unable to pay for their own houses Photograph: David Levene

Many older people on old Route 66, Arizona, had their retirement funds in the New York stock exchange and have seen a large chunk of it wiped out Photograph: David Levene

Motel sign on old Route 66, Seligman, Arizona Photograph: David Levene

The World's Longest Map of US Route 66, just off the I-40, Arizona. Seventy years ago the road was besieged by the destitute struggling west on the last leg of their journey to California Photograph: David Levene

Route 66 near Oatman, Arizona. Some of the people who came to the area were attracted by the uninterrupted, isolated beauty of the desert area. Now the financial crisis has left wealthy people unable to pay their mortgages Photograph: David Levene

Abandoned car wrecks near the ruins of the American Meteorite Museum and Observatory in Arizona. Houses, too, lie abandoned after they were seized by the banks or money for construction ran out Photograph: David Levene

A donkey stands near a sign for tour bus parking in Oatman, Arizona Photograph: David Levene

Harley Davidson bikers in Oatman, Arizona Photograph: David Levene

An old Fordson tractor from the 1920s in Oatman, Arizona, perhaps a legacy of the Depression era when desperate people tried to escape mass unemployment in the north Photograph: David Levene

A white donkey outside the Post Office in Oatman, Arizona. Many of the wealthier residents are concerned, not only about money, but about plans for a huge factory – and the possibility that their way of life is threatened. There is concern that the president plans to brush aside the right for citizens to bear arms Photograph: David Levene

Trucks parked outside Olive Oatman's Ice cream saloon in Oatman, Arizona. Many people have been working two jobs because they can no longer pay the mortgage Photograph: David Levene

An old rusting body outside Old Trails antiques, Oatman, Arizona Photograph: David Levene

The road near Oatman, Arizona Photograph: David Levene

Hairpin bends on Route 66 near Oatman, Arizona. People from all over the area are objecting to plans for biofuels company Sun West to build a solar plant. Some say this will spoil their views Photograph: David Levene

Abandoned buses and trucks near to Route 66 near Oatman, Arizona Photograph: David Levene

Out of nearly 900 properties at Valle Vista, more than 100 have been seized by the banks, abandoned along with the mortgages or are only half built after the money ran out for construction Photograph: David Levene

For the wealthy life has been good living near the Valle Vista country club on Route 66 near Kingman, Arizona. But their peace is threatened by plans to build a huge solar plant nearby Photograph: David Levene/David Levene

Mail box at Valle Vista Country Club on Route 66 near Kingman, Arizona Photograph: David Levene