Route 66, Iraq historical sites named most threatened

As threatened as Route 66's historical sites are, it at least it has one thing in its favor: The country in which they are located is not at war. The World Monuments Fund today included Iraq archaeological sites and Route 66 on its 2008 watch list of 100 threatened sites around the globe. The group … Continue reading Route 66, Iraq historical sites named most threatened

Don’t worry about the roadkill

The Reuters wire service reports about the Roadkill Cafe on Route 66 in Seligman, Ariz. Just in case there's any confusion, the restaurant's motto of "you kill it, we grill it" and entrees such as "Rack of Raccoon," "Rigor Mortis Tortise" and "Long Gone Fawn" are done with tongue firmly planted in cheek. Like many … Continue reading Don’t worry about the roadkill

Book review: “Route 66 to Mojave”

There's one vital thing that Route 66 aficionados need to know about Marilyn Andersen Brown's family memoir, "Route 66 to Mojave" (iUniverse, 278 pages, $20.95). Very little of the book takes place on Route 66. Mojave is a town that's not even on the Mother Road, about 70 miles west of Barstow, Calif. The chapter … Continue reading Book review: “Route 66 to Mojave”

Does Galena have a future?

Last summer, the historic Green Parrot tavern along Route 66 in Galena, Kan., was damaged when a giant sinkhole opened up behind the property. The hole was caused by the collapse of one of the old underground lead mines that dot the city. Today, an article in the Lawrence (Kan.) Journal-World & News confirms what … Continue reading Does Galena have a future?

Route 66 Blowout coverage

Two local newspapers provided extensive coverage to the Route 66 Blowout in Sapulpa, Okla., last weekend. One was the Sapulpa Daily Herald, which has a story and photographs (the page was having problems loading earlier; please be patient). The other was the Tulsa World, which has a slideshow of photographs and audio from the event.

Illinois Route 66 Hall of Famers announced

The current summer issue of The 66 News, published by the Route 66 Association of Illinois, announces its 2007 inductees to the Illinois Route 66 Hall of Fame. They are: Joy Henderson, former owner of Archie's Standard Service in Pontiac (1956-63) and the Hilltop Cafe in Cayuga (1963-65). Henderson is now 74. (The Pontiac Leader … Continue reading Illinois Route 66 Hall of Famers announced

Needles hopes for more rail tourism

The Route 66 town of Needles, Calif., hopes that its future includes more railroad tourists after its historic Harvey House, El Garces, is restored by a team that refurbished another Harvey House in Winslow, Ariz., reports the Reuters wire service. A number of towns like Needles, which based much of its business on Route 66 … Continue reading Needles hopes for more rail tourism

Norwegian motorcycle tour highlights

Trond Moberg regularly guides motorcycle tours down Route 66 for his fellow Norwegians. Here is a 29-minute video of highlights of his 2003 tour.

McKinley Bridge set to reopen this fall

Route 66 travelers going through the St. Louis area received good news over the weekend: The long-closed McKinley Bridge is set to reopen to traffic on Sept. 25, according to the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. The bridge, built in 1910 to link St. Louis to Venice, Ill., was closed in 2001 when it became too dangerously … Continue reading McKinley Bridge set to reopen this fall

Driving Route 66 in a moped

Roland Gueffroy currently is driving Route 66 in an unorthodox way -- in a refurbished Swiss postal moped. According to his Web site: Why take a original Swiss postal moped on Route 66? I have been asked this question, albeit in various forms, many times. It’s to be expected that this kind of tour is … Continue reading Driving Route 66 in a moped