A slice of heaven

When traveling Route 66 through Missouri, we make it a point to stop at A Slice of Pie in Rolla. We don't think it's hyperbole to say this is among the best pie to be found, period. Rural Missouri magazine readers agree. Early editions of Jane and Michael Stern's Roadfood books agree. And locals certainly … Continue reading A slice of heaven

Now, THIS is restoration

These photos show why Illinois Route 66 preservationists John and Lenore Weiss won a prestigious Steinbeck Award a few years ago during the annual Route 66 awards dinner. This is a "before" shot of the long-neglected Art's Motel and Restaurant sign on Route 66 in Farmersville, Ill. This is a shot after the Illinois Route … Continue reading Now, THIS is restoration

Reuters correspondents finish Route 66 trip

Reuters correspondents James Kelleher and Nick Carey on Friday ended their Route 66 Revisited journey at Lou Mitchell's restaurant in Chicago, near the eastern terminus of the Mother Road. Kelleher wrote: We expected to see and experience many things and to meet some interesting people, as there is a lot of America in between the … Continue reading Reuters correspondents finish Route 66 trip

Catsup Bottle Summerfest canceled

A couple days ago, I received an e-mail from Mike Gassman, reporting that the annual World's Largest Catsup Bottle Summerfest in Collinsville, Ill., was abruptly canceled less than two months before its July 8 date. Gassman promises more "gory details" over the weekend, but this story from the Belleville News-Democrat clearly shows that bickering, power … Continue reading Catsup Bottle Summerfest canceled

Route 66 Trip Guide is out

The 2007-2008 edition of the ever-popular Oklahoma Route 66 Association Trip Guide is hitting the streets this week. Copies have been distributed at some state tourism centers, and over the course of the next few days, volunteers will be delivering copies to the association's member businesses across Oklahoma. The 72-page guide includes a full-color cover, … Continue reading Route 66 Trip Guide is out

Wayside Motel

Last weekend, on the way back to Tulsa from Illinois, I stayed overnight in the Wayside Motel at 7800 Watson Road (Route 66) in the St. Louis suburb of Marlborough, Mo. (map is here.) According to the late Skip Curtis' well-researched book, "The Missouri Route 66 Tour Book," the Wayside was built in 1940. It's … Continue reading Wayside Motel

Rebirth of old motels

This article from Travel + Leisure doesn't have any Route 66 content, but the stories about creative and driven owners who took over forlorn motels and turned them into unique attractions is required reading for anyone thinking about buying and rehabbing a vintage Route 66 motel. It's something that Bill Kinder at the Blue Swallow … Continue reading Rebirth of old motels

Route 66 Festival notes

The National Route 66 Festival is coming up in a few weeks in Clinton, Okla., on June 21-24, and here are a few items related to that event: -- The Oklahoma Route 66 Association is sponsoring a hands-on historic preservation project at the former Ray's Motel at 720 S. Eighth St. in Clinton from 11 … Continue reading Route 66 Festival notes

King and Krall

There's nice interplay between Natalie Cole and jazz singer/pianist Diana Krall during this version of "Route 66." In case you youngsters didn't know, Cole is the daughter of Nat King Cole, who popularized the Bobby Troup classic.

Rose Bowl back in the pink

As predicted here a few weeks ago,the Rose Bowl in Tulsa has been repainted back to some semblance of its original pink color, eschewing the red, white, blue and purple colors that it sported briefly before it closed, reports KOTV. Chris Whinery of Whinery Mortgage is the owner of the Rose Bowl, which was built … Continue reading Rose Bowl back in the pink