From the "Thumbs Up, Thumbs Down" column today in the Williams-Grand Canyon News in Williams, Ariz.: Thumbs down - Witnessed just last week - a tourist was asking a local store clerk for directions to westbound Historic Route 66 leading to Kingman. The store clerk was unable to provide the directions. Another one of our … Continue reading Thumbs down to poor tourism service
Month: April 2008
Young cats
Here are Moses and the Black Cats, a pop-rock group based on London, doing a tossed-off version of Bobby Troup's "Route 66." The lyrics are pretty mangled, but it's OK. The group's MySpace site has some good songs on it, by the way.
Soul singer Al Wilson dies
Soul singer Al Wilson, a longtime resident of the Route 66 town of San Bernardino, Calif., and a performer at its Route 66 Rendezvous, died Monday at an area hospital at age 68, reports the Inland Press-Enterprise. He also performed at the John Steinbeck Awards, a ceremony for Route 66's movers and shakers, in San … Continue reading Soul singer Al Wilson dies
La Posada chef will publish a cookbook
John Sharpe, chef and owner of the Turquoise Room restaurant housed in La Posada in Winslow, Ariz., announced Monday that he will be publishing a cookbook in October. According to the news release: The book will be available exclusively through the restaurant or on our website. This book will be more than a cookbook. The … Continue reading La Posada chef will publish a cookbook
Ambitious plans for Miami
This story from the Miami (Okla.) News-Record about the town's future tourism efforts caught my eye with this excerpt (boldface type is my emphasis): Oklahoma is already investing in international tourism as state tourism officials have partnered with the state of Kansas to commit a half-million dollars to target international travelers. Barger said the investment … Continue reading Ambitious plans for Miami
Thai-ing one on
Every so often, it startles me to see how far and wide that Route 66 is known throughout the planet. Here's more proof: A jazz combo from Thailand performs Bobby Troup's most famous song. Note: There's about a minute of chit-chat before the music starts.
Another Harley and Annabelle moment
Here's another new video of Harley and Annabelle Russell, aka the Mediocre Music Makers, doing their thing at their Sandhills Curiosity Shop in Erick, Okla.
Restoration of Macoupin County Courthouse sought
Sheriff Don Albrecht has a two-pronged plan for the the Macoupin County Courthouse in Carlinville, Ill. First, place it on the National Register of Historic Places. Second, use that designation to help get federal grants to restore the historic building, reports the Springfield Journal-Register. The sandstone exterior of the landmark, Albrecht says, needs refurbishing, but … Continue reading Restoration of Macoupin County Courthouse sought
Painted Desert guide
Here's another travel guide story to a big attraction on Route 66 -- the Petrified Forest National Park and Painted Desert, which are in the same complex in Arizona. This story, bristling with a lot of interesting facts, is by the Deseret News in Salt Lake City.
The end of the road
If you go from east to west on Route 66, you will reach the symbolic end of the Mother Road in Santa Monica, Calif. If you plan to stay there a few days after your journey, here's a good visitor's guide to the city by the Inland Press-Enterprise.