The end and the beginning

As the final hours of 2011 wind down, let's take a look at the two symbolic end points of Route 66. The first is Buckingham Fountain in Grant Park in Chicago: https://vimeo.com/11493912 The second is the Santa Monica Pier in Santa Monica: https://vimeo.com/10918229 Either could be the beginning or end of Route 66, depending on … Continue reading The end and the beginning

A tour of John’s Modern Cabins

This well-produced video gives you a tour and a history of the abandoned and fast-decaying John's Modern Cabins, located near Arlington, Mo., off old Route 66. https://youtu.be/wQBIbvEOdrM The video was produced by Texas-based Synergy Media. Most of the historical information about John's Modern Cabins was gathered by Emily and me a decade ago. The story … Continue reading A tour of John’s Modern Cabins

Manning’s Coffee sign being restored

The historic Manning's Coffee Store rooftop sign in the Highland Park neighborhood of Los Angeles is being restored, reported the Highland Park-Mount Washington Patch. Manning's Coffee went out of business in the 1960s, and the sign's neon lighting hasn't functioned for many years. Las Cazuelas restaurant now occupies the building. The area is part of the … Continue reading Manning’s Coffee sign being restored

A drive over the Lake Overholser Bridge

This YouTube poster drove his old Mustang over the recently restored Lake Overholser Bridge, which carries old Route 66 in Oklahoma City: https://youtu.be/j-EAXNUuaDo?t=3m1s The 1924 bridge was reopened to traffic in October after a $4 million repair project. NOTE: Skip ahead to the 3:00 mark to see the relevant footage. I tried to embed it … Continue reading A drive over the Lake Overholser Bridge

Cookin’ from Scratch will appear on Travel Channel show

The Cookin' from Scratch restaurant off Route 66 in Doolittle, Mo., will be featured in an episode of the Travel Channel's "Truck Stop Missouri," according to The Rolla Daily News. According to the newspaper: A segment on the Doolittle restaurant’s recent Route 66 Burger Challenge was filmed last week [...] and a followup session was … Continue reading Cookin’ from Scratch will appear on Travel Channel show

Woody Guthrie Archives will move to Tulsa

The Woody Guthrie Archives, based in New York, will move to his home state of Oklahoma and the Route 66 city of Tulsa by 2013, according a story late Tuesday by the New York Times. The Tulsa-based George Kaiser Family Foundation bought the musician's archives from the Guthrie family for about $3 million and will … Continue reading Woody Guthrie Archives will move to Tulsa

Clinton Route 66 museum will close for renovations

The Oklahoma Route 66 Museum in Clinton is set to close from January to at least mid-April for renovations, according to the museum's website. Pat Smith, the museum's director, said in a message on the website's home page that the museum will close its exhibits for renovations beginning Jan. 1, with the hope to reopen … Continue reading Clinton Route 66 museum will close for renovations

Test flight with Luigi’s Flying Tires

Testing continues on the rides that will be offered at Cars Land of Disney California Adventure. A few days ago, the latest test was on the Luigi's Flying Tires. According to the Disney Parks Blog: The vehicles have been made to look like oversized Fettuccini brand tires – the same tires Luigi proudly displays in … Continue reading Test flight with Luigi’s Flying Tires

A visit to Red Oak II

This video by Steve Crutchfield shows and explains the Red Oak II complex off old Route 66 near Carthage, Mo. https://youtu.be/2ILsBIB4mVQ For more, the Red Oak II official website is here.

Christmas Eve at the Wagon Wheel Motel

One year ago today, I woke up to this at the lovingly restored Wagon Wheel Motel in Cuba, Mo. https://youtu.be/1ukiW5B-whE Music is “Song of Assisi,” by Marc Gunn.