President to designate Mojave Trails National Monument today

President Barack Obama today will name three national monuments in the California desert, including the Mojave Trails National Monument that includes Route 66 from Needles to Ludlow. According to the Associated Press, Obama will announce it today, but multiple news media outlets reported the president's imminent actions just before midnight Central time Thursday. The designation, where the president will invoke the 1906 … Continue reading President to designate Mojave Trails National Monument today

2016 will be make-or-break for Route 66 State Park bridge

With the Route 66 State Park bridge near Eureka, Missouri, facing an early 2017 deadline, the Great Rivers Greenway is raising funds in an effort save the bridge from demolition and even restore it. The $325,000 earmarked by the Missouri Department of Transportation for demolition in 2017 instead would be rolled into a restoration plan and the bridge deeded to the … Continue reading 2016 will be make-or-break for Route 66 State Park bridge

Cool Springs Camp needs a caretaker

The caretaker at Cool Springs Camp on Route 66 between Kingman and Oatman, Arizona, is retiring soon, and the owner is looking for someone to replace him. Owner Ned Leuchtner said he's looking for someone to run the gift shop, deal with vendors and possibly "ramp up" sales on Cool Springs Camp's website. The current … Continue reading Cool Springs Camp needs a caretaker

Feds urge grant for Albuquerque Rapid Transit plan

The Federal Transit Administration on Tuesday urged approval of a $69 million federal grant to convert the center of nine miles of Albuquerque's Central Avenue (aka Route 66) into a bus system called Albuquerque Rapid Transit. The Albuquerque Journal and other media outlets confirmed the FTA's recommendation, which was expected since Mayor Richard Berry championed the … Continue reading Feds urge grant for Albuquerque Rapid Transit plan

Route 66 in 6.6 minutes

Here's a well-edited time-lapse video of a fellow who traveled Route 66 -- including a side trip to Las Vegas -- in a 1955 Chevrolet Bel Air during the wintertime. https://youtu.be/t_iYL0LDTrQ My favorite time-lapse travel video is this one from 2011. It's a 12,225-mile journey across various points across America, including hundreds of miles of Route … Continue reading Route 66 in 6.6 minutes

The saint of ANEW Living

Nearly a year ago, we reported about ANEW Living, which was converting a run-down Route 66 motel in Flagstaff, Arizona, into temporary, affordable rental housing to those who are homeless. The former 66 Motel offers single rooms or studios for $600 to $800 a month, with a $10-a-month fee for Internet. More about ANEW's mission: ANEW Living … Continue reading The saint of ANEW Living

Mojave Blues

Filmmaker Harun Mehmedinovic a few days ago uploaded this stunning time-lapse video of storms and the nighttime skies over Route 66 in California's Mojave Desert. If you watch this on a personal computer, I advise you watch it in full-screen mode to get the full effect. MOJAVE BLUES from Harun Mehmedinovic on Vimeo. More about Mehmedinovic's … Continue reading Mojave Blues

Sky View Drive-In has new owners

The Paul family owned the Sky View Drive-In Theatre along Route 66 in Litchfield, Illinois, for the last 30 years. By early March, another family in Litchfield also will own the theater. The Sky View is under contract to be bought by two husband-and-wife teams -- Nick and Mindy Pastrovich, plus Mike and Debbie Pastrovich. Mike and Debbie … Continue reading Sky View Drive-In has new owners

Galena Viaduct wins grants to finish restoration

The Galena Viaduct, also known as the Front Street Bridge, north of Galena, Kansas, recently received almost $400,000 in grants to finish its restoration. The bridge recently received a federal $193,836 Community Development Block Grant and a $193,837 match from Cherokee County. Cherokee County commissioner Pat Collins said the money will be used to refurbish the … Continue reading Galena Viaduct wins grants to finish restoration

The ghosts of Tom Joad

Below the new and idyllic Route 66 Roadside Park in Springfield, Missouri, a campground for the homeless has sprung up in recent months. KYTV in Springfield talked to Heather Cooper, one of the homeless there: "I have post traumatic stress disorder with traumatic nightmares. I've got stage one bipolar, stage one manic depressive illness, which is … Continue reading The ghosts of Tom Joad