The much-ballyhooed Grand Canyon Skywalk opened to the public Wednesday. Lines were long, and more than 700 people strolled on the Skywalk in the first two hours. Here's a report by KVOA-TV in Tuscon, Ariz., including video. Here's a report from the Arizona Republic. Here's a recent CNN video about the pros and cons of … Continue reading Grand Canyon Skywalk opens
Category: Attractions
Grand Canyon Skywalk opens tomorrow
The Grand Canyon Skywalk opens to the public at 10 a.m. local time tomorrow, reports KVBC-TV in Las Vegas. The story also has plenty of other details if you want to go there. Reservations are recommended. Chris Kahn of the Associated Press took a tentative but ultimately rewarding stroll on the Skywalk during a media … Continue reading Grand Canyon Skywalk opens tomorrow
Restoration of Needles hotel begins
The long-closed El Garces Hotel in Needles, Calif., built in 1908 and one of the last surviving railroad Harvey Houses, recently held a groundbreaking ceremony for its rehabilitation, reported the Mohave Daily News. According to the article: Plans call for El Garces to include a state of California Needles Visitor Center, an inter-modal transit center, … Continue reading Restoration of Needles hotel begins
Southwest Missouri tourism site launched
The site, which features Route 66 prominently, is here. According to the Springfield News-Leader: The alliance is a marketing organization that aims to create positive economic growth in the region through cooperative tourism promotion and development. Its members include convention and visitors bureaus in Springfield, Carthage and Joplin as well as several chambers of commerce … Continue reading Southwest Missouri tourism site launched
Lawmaker wants to protect old police building
The Pontiac (Ill.) Daily Leader reports that state Sen. Dan Rutherford, R-Chenoa, has introduced a bill that would protect the long-closed Illinois State Police District 6 headquarters on Route 66 in Pontiac. Senate Bill 768 would transfer ownership of the unique gun-shaped building to Livingston County for $10. The building recently had been declared state … Continue reading Lawmaker wants to protect old police building
Pared-down theme park proposed
Developers for a proposed theme park outside of Williams, Ariz., brought out a leaner, revised plan during the City Council meeting on Thursday night, reports the Arizona Daily Sun. [I]t appears the land on which the project will be built has been secured and financing from private investors -- to the tune of $250 million … Continue reading Pared-down theme park proposed
Canyon views
This is basically a slide show with classical music in the background (it sounds familiar, but I can't place the composer). But the images aren't ordinary. Oh my. This is why many people love the Southwest. The YouTube poster described this clip as such: From Nevada Red Rock Canyon to Zion, Bryce, North Rim, Glen, … Continue reading Canyon views
Old Chain of Rocks Bridge to provide paid parking
A few months ago, the Old Chain of Rocks Bridge that connects old Route 66 from Madison, Ill., to north St. Louis closed its parking lot on the Missouri side because of vandalism and burglaries. Trailnet, the nonprofit group that runs the bridge as a walking and bicycling trail, has announced that the Missouri-side parking … Continue reading Old Chain of Rocks Bridge to provide paid parking
Atlanta’s Downey Building update
The good folks of Atlanta, Ill., have been working to renovate the historic Downey Building in downtown, which is part of old Route 66. The Bloomington Pantagraph reports that a circa-1938 Palms Grill Cafe will be part of the complex and a local history museum. Around 6:30 p.m. April 24, the replica Palms Grill Café … Continue reading Atlanta’s Downey Building update
Sunset at John’s Modern Cabins
Redforkhippie has composed a thoughtful photo essay about the deteriorating ruins of John's Modern Cabins along old Route 66 west of Rolla, Mo.