Critters may get a shock trying to cross the Mother Road

The state of New Mexico has installed electric fencing and a sort of cattle guard in the Tijeras Canyon area east of Albuquerque to prevent wild animals from crossing in front of motorists traveling on Interstate 40 and nearby old Route 66, reports the Santa Fe New Mexican. The 7-foot-high fence will deliver a mild … Continue reading Critters may get a shock trying to cross the Mother Road

Grumbles about Rendezvous changes don’t mean much

A story from the Inland Press-Enterprise this morning reports on the changes to the Route 66 Rendezvous cruise regulations and how they're getting "mixed reviews." But, looking closer at the complainers and the changes, there's not much of a controversy at all with the San Bernardino classic-car festival. There's one fellow who grumbled about the … Continue reading Grumbles about Rendezvous changes don’t mean much

Les Paul’s Route 66 accident changed pop music

Here's something I didn't know -- if it wasn't for a car accident on Route 66 near Davenport, Okla., in 1948, Les Paul might have never come up with the inventions that changed pop music. According to the Daily Oklahoman: The injuries he suffered nearly ended his career and put him flat on his back … Continue reading Les Paul’s Route 66 accident changed pop music

Grant awarded for Route 66 bike trail

The Route 66 town of Chenoa, Ill., was awarded a $300,000 grant to help convert an aging three-mile stretch of the Mother Road into a bicycle trail, the Bloomington Pantagraph reported. Officials hope the portion of Route 66 will become a part of the Route 66 Bike Trail, from Chicago to St. Louis. U.S. Sen. … Continue reading Grant awarded for Route 66 bike trail

Railsplitter Festival adds a Route 66 event

The 37th annual Abraham Lincoln National Railsplitting and Crafts Festival in Lincoln, Ill., this weekend focuses on ol' Honest Abe, but there is something also for Route 66ers, according to the Lincoln Courier: The Route 66 Heritage Foundation of Logan County will hold a "drive along" tour of Route 66 attractions in Logan County both … Continue reading Railsplitter Festival adds a Route 66 event

Route 66 Rendezvous starts today

The Route 66 Rendezvous in San Bernardino, Calif., begins today and continues through the weekend. You can go to the San Bernardino County Sun for plenty of coverage and videos about the big car event. One of the big changes is that the Rendezvous wraps up an hour earlier each night, at 9 p.m., to … Continue reading Route 66 Rendezvous starts today

Walldogs may paint murals in Pontiac

Diaz Sign Art of Pontiac, Ill., offered to have a group of artists paint murals on the sides of buildings in the Route 66 town, reported the Bloomington Pantagraph. The presentation was to inform them about the Walldogs, a group of artists invited and paid by a community to paint murals on various buildings. Several … Continue reading Walldogs may paint murals in Pontiac

Wrink’s reborn

KOLR/KSFX has a story about the recent reopening of Wrink's Market on Route 66 in Lebanon, Mo. Glen Wrinkle ran the store for more than 50 years until he died in 2005. Glen's son, Terry, reopened the store this summer. “And after I started up, all of dad's customers come in going ‘We want a … Continue reading Wrink’s reborn

Man drives 1935 Ford on Mother Road

The Quad City Times in northwest Illinois has the story about Paul O'Brien, who drove a 1935 Ford Tudor from Seal Beach, Calif., to his home area of Grand Mound, Iowa -- much of his trek on Route 66. It took him eight days to complete the trip. The Ford was prone to overheat, and … Continue reading Man drives 1935 Ford on Mother Road

Book review: “Traveling the Historic Three”

Here's something for roadies: A guidebook for traveling not one, not two, but three historic highways, all in a compact loop. Illinois Route 66 preservationists John and Lenore Weiss recently published the "Traveling the Historic Three" (self-published, 74 pages, $9.95), which is a guidebook to Route 66, the Lincoln Highway and the Dixie Highway in … Continue reading Book review: “Traveling the Historic Three”