Ottawa County in northeast Oklahoma is seeking more than $450,000 in federal Transportation Alternatives Program money to fix the "Sidewalk Highway" of original Route 66 south of Miami. According to an article in the Miami News-Record: If awarded, the money would be used to repair a one-mile segment in a project that would extend for three years to … Continue reading County seeks grant for Sidewalk Highway
Month: March 2016
City council approves Albuquerque Rapid Transit 7-2
The Albuquerque City Council voted 7-2 Monday night to approve the mayor's $120 million bus-transit plan that will bring big changes to Central Avenue, aka Route 66. The vote came after a "noisy" four-hour debate, reported the Albuquerque Journal. Supporters of the project were in the minority at city hall. Councilors Dan Lewis and Klarissa Pena … Continue reading City council approves Albuquerque Rapid Transit 7-2
“Route 66” with the Time Jumpers
Here's something special. Ray Benson, frontman for the western-swing outfit Asleep At the Wheel, sings "Route 66" with the Time Jumpers during a recent gig in Nashville. https://youtu.be/Bdm23K7xYls In case you didn't know, the Time Jumpers is a group of Nashville studio musicians who started playing classic country, swing, jazz and pop songs together nearly 20 … Continue reading “Route 66” with the Time Jumpers
Winslow’s tourism season began early with Glenn Frey’s death
Apparently The Eagles' loss was Winslow's gain. When Glenn Frey died in January, it wasn't surprising Winslow, Arizona, and its Standin' on a Corner Park saw a sudden influx of tourists wanting to pay tribute to the founder of the massively popular country-rock band. Standin' on a Corner Park pays tribute to The Eagles' first hit, "Take … Continue reading Winslow’s tourism season began early with Glenn Frey’s death
Midpoint Cafe helps replace child’s lost teddy bear
The owner of the Midpoint Cafe in Adrian, Texas, helped a British couple replace their child's rare Route 66 teddy bear after it became lost during on a plane earlier this month. The mother, Riane Martin of St. Helens, England, posted a message March 5 on Facebook: Bit of a long shot but does anyone work … Continue reading Midpoint Cafe helps replace child’s lost teddy bear
A Route 66 railroad crossing in 360 degrees
Zac Crosby posted a 20-second clip of something I never before had seen on YouTube -- video in which you can swivel the view 360 degrees as it is running. https://youtu.be/Wwe7gAx9YO0 Cameras such as this have existed for almost 60 years, but the equipment obviously has gotten considerably less bulky and complicated over time, thanks to digitization. Such … Continue reading A Route 66 railroad crossing in 360 degrees
Grand Canyon Caverns adds new cave tours
Grand Canyon Caverns near Peach Springs, Arizona, added a fifth tour to its offerings this month after new caves were found and excavated in recent years. Grand Canyon Caverns owner John McEnulty told the Grand Canyon News the new offering is called the Wild Tour: Once opened, cavers found the cave was a pristine environment with … Continue reading Grand Canyon Caverns adds new cave tours
Coleman Theatre vandalized
Workers at the historic Coleman Theatre in Miami, Oklahoma, on Wednesday found broken windows in the Route 66 landmark because of someone shooting a BB gun. KOAM-TV reported: Coleman Theatre Managing Director Shannon Duhon says the vandalism is a disgrace to a historic building that has been the crown jewel of Miami for nearly ninety years. … Continue reading Coleman Theatre vandalized
Land purchase allows a bigger Big Texan Steak Ranch
The purchase of 14 acres on the east side of Amarillo, Texas, will allow the building of a bigger Big Texan Steak Ranch that may open by November 2017. The purchase brings the total acreage owned the Big Texan west of the current restaurant site to about 150. The Amarillo Globe-News reported: Owners plan to use the space … Continue reading Land purchase allows a bigger Big Texan Steak Ranch
Book review: “Route 66 Crossings”
Because so many Route 66 books have entered the marketplace over the past three decades or so, one initially wonders why Jim Ross' new volume about historic bridges on the Mother Road hasn't been done before. But as one dives deep into "Route 66 Crossings" (hardback, 200 pages, color photographs, University of Oklahoma Press, $29.95), becomes clear why … Continue reading Book review: “Route 66 Crossings”