06/07/2023
Here is a great photo of a man filling his desert water bag from a hose provided by a gas station as his family waits. This is not on Route 66. We have never been able to find a photo of someone filling a water bag on Route 66. The photo is, also, interesting in that the two boys and the dog actually have to ride in the open trunk with the mother, baby, and father in the front seat. The desert water bag was hung from a bumper, would cool the water as the car traveled, and would be used most of the time for overheated engines/radiators in these cars and for human consumption if it was needed. Although this family was from Montana they are photographed on a vacation on Route 30 but they do not say where they are for this photo.
This photo was taken on Route 30 in 1948 by Allan Grant. The LIFE Picture Collection.
