On Tuesday, Tully Garrett and Holly Barker officially bought the long-closed Launching Pad Drive-In in Wilmington, Illinois, and its iconic Gemini Giant fiberglass statue. On Friday, the couple will be introduced as the Route 66 restaurant's new owners during a news conference at 9:30 a.m. at the Route 66 Miles of Possibility event in Joliet, … Continue reading Miles of Possibility news conference to introduce Launching Pad Drive-In’s new owners
Category: Attractions
New Route 66 mural goes up in Lexington
With the help of a local teenager, the Route 66 town of Lexington, Illinois, boasts a new mural that pays tribute to the Mother Road. Karen Wingo, owner of the Thrift Avenue store at Main Street and Route 66 in Lexington, told the Galva News how the project landed area high-school student Ana Cappis as … Continue reading New Route 66 mural goes up in Lexington
A closer look at Uranus, Missouri
Louie Keen, fresh off his successful bid to make the Guinness Book of World Records, recently was featured in the St. Louis Post-Dispatch because of the success and growth of his Uranus Fudge Factory complex off Route 66 near St. Robert, Missouri. The whole story is worth reading, but a few highlights stand out: --- … Continue reading A closer look at Uranus, Missouri
Launching Pad Drive-In lands new owners
The Launching Pad Drive-In in Wilmington, Illinois -- best-known for its Gemini Giant fiberglass giant on a corner of the property -- has new owners who plan to reopen the Route 66 landmark in the late spring. The Free Press Newspapers reported Tully Garrett and Holly Barker will take possession Oct. 16 of the property, … Continue reading Launching Pad Drive-In lands new owners
Filmmaker is crowdfunding a portion of his Blue Whale movie
Tulsa-based filmmaker Jonathan Rossetti wants to make a coming-of-age independent film set at the iconic Blue Whale of Catoosa, Oklahoma, and he has set up a crowdfunding campaign to hire a casting director. Rossetti launched up his campaign this month on Seed and Spark. He hopes to raise about $10,000 within two weeks. He … Continue reading Filmmaker is crowdfunding a portion of his Blue Whale movie
Book review: “100 Things to Do on Route 66 Before You Die”
Traveling Route 66 has ended up on many people's so-called "bucket list," or "things you ought to do before you kick the bucket." Prolific author Jim Hinckley created a bucket list for Route 66 itself in his newest book, "100 Things to Do on Route 66 Before You Die" (160 pages, soft cover, photos, Reedy … Continue reading Book review: “100 Things to Do on Route 66 Before You Die”
A running holiday on Route 66
Salomon TV recently uploaded this well-produced video of ultra-marathon runner Max King taking what he described as a "running holiday" on Route 66 in California, Arizona and New Mexico. Salomon TV describes itself as providing "the best outdoor content, directly to you. Get inspired and see the stories of our athletes and friends around the world. … Continue reading A running holiday on Route 66
Is Route 66 immune from the international travel slump?
Fewer international travelers came to the United States during the first quarter of 2017. But two Route 66 landmarks that keep visitor records reported stable or higher numbers for the year to date over the previous year. U.S. Department of Commerce data show a decrease of 4.2 percent of international visitors during the first three … Continue reading Is Route 66 immune from the international travel slump?
Interior Secretary recommends no changes to Mojave Trails National Monument
Ryan Zinke, the U.S. Secretary of the Interior, recommended shrinking six national monuments after a review ordered by President Donald Trump. But the Mojave Trails National Monument wasn't one of them, nor did Zinke recommend any other changes to the Southern California site in his memo. The Zinke's report to the president wasn't supposed to … Continue reading Interior Secretary recommends no changes to Mojave Trails National Monument
Long-closed Mitchell Caverns slated to reopen in November
Mitchell Caverns, a Mojave Desert site off Route 66 that has been closed since 2011 because of varying infrastructure problems, will reopen Nov. 3 on a limited schedule. An official with California State Parks announced the reopening Friday, reported the Press-Enterprise. It will open at 8 a.m. Friday through Sunday and on holidays until the … Continue reading Long-closed Mitchell Caverns slated to reopen in November