Ken Vetrovec, 59, of Racine County, Wis., died Monday in a motorcycle crash near Ely, Nev., while heading home after completing a Route 66 trip from Chicago to Los Angeles, reported the Journal Times of Racine. Vetrovec was headed toward home when he was involved in the crash that took his life. He was riding … Continue reading Route 66 traveler dies in accident
Month: July 2009
“Coyotes”
This is cowboy singer Don Edwards, performing his song "Coyotes." The tune gained considerable attention when it was used in the Werner Herzog film "Grizzly Man." I found "Coyotes" to be an appropriate soundtrack to the desert Southwest of Route 66 country.
State budget woes may doom some rest stops
At least one cash-strapped state in which Route 66 traverses is considering shutting down its rest stops along the interstate highways, according to the Wall Street Journal. According to the article, Arizona is considering shutting down at least some of its rest stops as a cost-cutting move. An interesting excerpt: One hurdle for defenders of … Continue reading State budget woes may doom some rest stops
Bob Moore steps down from Route 66 Magazine
I got this e-mail this afternoon from Bob Moore, the longtime executive editor of Route 66 Magazine: As of the first of July I will no longer be affliated with Route 66 Magazine. Health issues and the opportunity to further my broadcast career have made this change necessary. It has been a great 16 years and … Continue reading Bob Moore steps down from Route 66 Magazine
Ken Burns plans TV series on Dust Bowl
Ken Burns, the acclaimed producer of documentaries who is most famous for his "The Civil War" series, is planning a new film about the Dust Bowl of the 1930s, according to a news release by OETA. Here's Burns' message to OETA and all readers: I'm asking Oklahomans to help me with a new public television … Continue reading Ken Burns plans TV series on Dust Bowl
Open house set for Baxter Springs museum
The Baxter Springs Heritage Center and Museum in Baxter Springs, Kan., recently completed a $500,000 expansion, and will be hosting a daylong open house Saturday, reports the Joplin (Mo.) Globe. The open house starts at 9:30 a.m., with a ceremonial ribbon-cutting at 2 p.m. About 7,600 square feet have been added to the museum, putting … Continue reading Open house set for Baxter Springs museum
Tattoo Man’s other story
Rita Thurman Barnes, a columnist for the Bartlesville (Okla.) Examiner-Enterprise, wrote a good story about Bartlesville resident Ron "Tattoo Man" Jones, who sports dozens of tattoos of Route 66 landmarks on his body. Most people who meet Jones already know about his tattoos. And many see the 1956 Chevrolet car that he frequently drives. But … Continue reading Tattoo Man’s other story
Scenes from the Rendezvous
Here is a slide show of the many great rides seen at the annual Route 66 Rendezvous in San Bernardino, Calif. Rockabilly music is by Three Bad Jacks. This year's Rendezvous, the 20th, will be Sept. 17-20.
Let’s celebrate The Mill’s 80th year
The Mill, a former restaurant on Route 66 in Lincoln, Ill., will mark its 80th anniversary on July 25 with several events, reports the Springfield Journal-Register. Route 66 Heritage Foundation of Logan County is hosting the festivities that day, beginning at noon. Music and food will be served beginning at 1 p.m., with an informal … Continue reading Let’s celebrate The Mill’s 80th year
New restaurant in an old package
Roadies traveling in the Cuba, Mo., area have a new dining option, but it's housed in a historic building on the Mother Road. Road House 66, on Highway UU off Interstate 44, recently opened in the former Wagon Wheel Restaurant -- a fixture on Route 66 since 1954, according to a newspaper article by the … Continue reading New restaurant in an old package