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
Category: Attractions
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
Pontiac’s impressive tourism surge
Today's story in the Pontiac Daily Leader gave many details about a tourism summit Monday in the Route 66 town of Pontiac, Ill., and how local officials and businesses will handle travelers in the future. It'd been previously reported that Pontiac was seeing a 30 percent increase in tourists in 2011. But City Administrator Bob … Continue reading Pontiac’s impressive tourism surge
Footage from the Mother Road
Here's a new, 14-minute video by Ludwig Bispink, using a high-quality Panasonic camera. I like the way it was shot and edited. It contains no narration, just the images and crisp editing to show scenes from Route 66. Gary Turner at Gay Parita Station gets a generous segment about the 11 1/2-minute mark. https://youtu.be/98p3MJipHts This … Continue reading Footage from the Mother Road
History Channel may include Route 66 on program
A film crew from the History Channel filmed segments Friday along Route 66 in Southern California that may be included in a program titled "101 Objects That Changed the World," reported 66-to-Cali owner Dan Rice in Santa Monica. The crew spent time shooting near the "End of the Trail" Route 66 sign on the Santa … Continue reading History Channel may include Route 66 on program