The first thing you notice is the cover. Beneath huge, Old West letters is a painting of a 1960s Chevrolet Impala pointed into a red-and-orange sunset, pulling into the parking lot of a restaurant with a neon sign featuring a giant cowboy and a fiberglass steer on the roof. Below that is a photo of … Continue reading Book review: “Story of the Free 72-oz. Steak”
Category: Attractions
Help bring back the sign
I received a news release from Illinois Route 66 roadie Lenore Weiss on Friday, but had too little time to do anything with it before my shift. Lo and behold, her news release was run later that day as a letter to the editor in the Coal City (Ill.) Courant. You can read it here. … Continue reading Help bring back the sign
Roadside oddities
AutoWeek compiled a good list weird attractions along America's highways. A few of them are on Route 66, including Cadillac Ranch, Bug Ranch, two Wigwam Motels (although AutoWeek mentions only one), World's Largest Catsup Bottle, and the Leaning Tower of Texas near Groom. (AutoWeek ought to send Roadside America a thank-you card for undoubtedly helping … Continue reading Roadside oddities
New Oklahoma Route 66 guide is a gem
A few weeks ago, a little birdie told me that the Oklahoma Tourism and Recreation Department had just published a new Route 66 guide and that folks at the agency were really pleased with it. I received it in the mail a few days ago. The little birdie was right. "Oklahoma Route 66 -- The … Continue reading New Oklahoma Route 66 guide is a gem
Notes from the road
Emily and I recently updated a couple of sections of for an upcoming revised edition of the Route 66 Dining and Lodging Guide, which published by National Historic Route 66 Federation. One thing that I noticed is that wireless Internet is fast becoming the norm even with the most basic mom-and-pop motels. As little as … Continue reading Notes from the road
A weekend ‘adventure’ for 4 Women on the Route
The Joplin (Mo.) Globe has a good story about the eventful weekend recently for 4 Women on the Route of Galena, Kan. The business had a devil of a time hauling around Tow Tater, the tow truck that become the inspiration to Tow Mater in the movie "Cars," to and from the Route 66 Festival … Continue reading A weekend ‘adventure’ for 4 Women on the Route
Threatening weather dampens bridge birthday party
Attendance at Trailnet's annual birthday party for St. Louis' Old Chain of Rocks Bridge (it turned 79) a week ago Sunday was down from the usual because of the threat of stormy weather, reported the Granite City (Ill.) Press-Record. It also rained during part of the events that morning, and flooding from a swollen Mississippi … Continue reading Threatening weather dampens bridge birthday party
Notes from the road
There seems to be some activity at the long-abandoned old Route 66 town of Spencer, Mo. We heard from Gary Turner up the road at Gay Parita that someone has bought the town's handful of buildings and plans to revive it with a gift shop and maybe other things. When we drove by on Sunday … Continue reading Notes from the road
Montana, R.I.P.
Word came today that Montana, the beloved mascot of Rich Henry's Rabbit Ranch on Route 66 in Staunton, Ill., died overnight, likely from natural causes. Montana some months ago underwent abdominal surgery and was nearly seven years old, which is the upper limit of the typical life span of rabbits. Montana even had her own … Continue reading Montana, R.I.P.
A visit to Gay Parita
We travel the old alignment of Route 66 in west of Springfield, Mo., at least once a year. That stretch of the Mother Road is a joy to drive, but many of the old gas stations have fallen into ruin. But just a mile or so west of the spot where Missouri Highway 96 forks … Continue reading A visit to Gay Parita