Tulsa soon will beef up section of East 11th Street

The City of Tulsa has awarded a contract to build decorative streetscaping and a wayfinding sign on 11th Street between 89th East Avenue and Garnett Road area. Construction should begin by March 1, according to city planner Dennis Whitaker. Whitaker says the project should take about 120 days, which means a completion time of late … Continue reading Tulsa soon will beef up section of East 11th Street

New Mexico tries to boost tourism

I'd probably love New Mexico even if Route 66 hadn't passed through it. But this story today from the Wall Street Journal surprised me: Overnight tourist trips in New Mexico have dropped by nearly 10% in the past three years, and spending on everything from souvenir magnets to turquoise jewelry fell by hundreds of millions … Continue reading New Mexico tries to boost tourism

The story behind 66-to-Cali

Owner Dan Rice explains the genesis of his 66-to-Cali shop on the Santa Monica Pier and his mission. https://youtu.be/qhl5tAAbIlw The clip was produced by CanadaOne.com, a business channel on the Internet.  

Tulsa councilor will form task force about Route 66

New Tulsa city councilor Blake Ewing is creating a task force to better embrace business and tourism opportunities along Route 66 in town, the Tulsa World reported today. "There's Route 66 travel maps that bypass Tulsa," he said with frustration. "Motorists hop on Interstate 44 at Catoosa to cut through the city and then reconnect … Continue reading Tulsa councilor will form task force about Route 66

Needles developing a tour for its murals

The Route 66 town of Needles, Calif., is developing a tour of new murals that have been painted on buildings, reported the Needles Desert Star. The Needles Economic Development Corporation is developing the pathway for walkers, cyclists, and motorists. The newspaper said: At the end of last year, the group was working on developing a walk, … Continue reading Needles developing a tour for its murals

Pontiac tourism rises 40 percent in 2011

A few months ago, Pontiac Tourism director Ellie Alexander reported that tourism in Pontiac, Ill., was trending at a 30 percent higher level than in 2010. Note I said "trending." I was skeptical the numbers would remain at that lofty level, especially when the off-season was looming. It turns out Alexander was either being modest … Continue reading Pontiac tourism rises 40 percent in 2011

The end and the beginning

As the final hours of 2011 wind down, let's take a look at the two symbolic end points of Route 66. The first is Buckingham Fountain in Grant Park in Chicago: https://vimeo.com/11493912 The second is the Santa Monica Pier in Santa Monica: https://vimeo.com/10918229 Either could be the beginning or end of Route 66, depending on … Continue reading The end and the beginning

Woody Guthrie Archives will move to Tulsa

The Woody Guthrie Archives, based in New York, will move to his home state of Oklahoma and the Route 66 city of Tulsa by 2013, according a story late Tuesday by the New York Times. The Tulsa-based George Kaiser Family Foundation bought the musician's archives from the Guthrie family for about $3 million and will … Continue reading Woody Guthrie Archives will move to Tulsa

Test flight with Luigi’s Flying Tires

Testing continues on the rides that will be offered at Cars Land of Disney California Adventure. A few days ago, the latest test was on the Luigi's Flying Tires. According to the Disney Parks Blog: The vehicles have been made to look like oversized Fettuccini brand tires – the same tires Luigi proudly displays in … Continue reading Test flight with Luigi’s Flying Tires

Tests begin for Mater ride at Cars Land

Testing has started for the Mater's Junkyard Jamboree ride at Cars Land at Disney California Adventure. This is where baby tractors twirl and swing around, pulling trailers behind them. Riders sit in those trailers. https://youtu.be/-FcVu_QUub4 According to the Disney Parks Blog:  When completed, the tractors will appear to be dancing to songs that Mater is singing – … Continue reading Tests begin for Mater ride at Cars Land