The Adventure Cycling Association -- which produced a fine map series on how to cycle on the Route 66 -- recently released some findings of a biennial survey. With some light editing, I decided to highlight data that's most relevant to the Mother Road. My comments are in italics. 1. Boom in “adventure” and touring … Continue reading Survey indicates how bicycle tourism may affect Route 66
Category: Businesses
Happy 90th birthday, Route 66!
Today -- which also happens to be Veterans Day -- marks the 90th birthday of the official existence of U.S. Highway 66, better known as Route 66. Nov. 11, 1926, was the day the American Association of State Highway Officials formally adopted the 2,448-mile path from Chicago to Los Angeles and number for U.S. Highway … Continue reading Happy 90th birthday, Route 66!
Boot Hill in Vega sold; its restaurant days are done
The closed Boot Hill Saloon and Grill in Vega, Texas, sold recently, but its new life won't be as a restaurant. Its now-former owner, Rory Schepisi, wrote in a Facebook post and video Nov. 1: Boot Hill Saloon And Grill is officially sold! Thanks for the memories. On to my next adventure. Texts to Schepisi went … Continue reading Boot Hill in Vega sold; its restaurant days are done
Whitehall Mercantile in Halltown will close in a few weeks
Whitehall Mercantile, a stop for many Route 66 in travelers in Halltown, Missouri, for more than 30 years, probably will close before the end of the year. Owner Jerry White, 83, told the Ozarks Alive blog there are two reasons he likely will shutter the antiques business a few years after his wife, Thelma, died: … Continue reading Whitehall Mercantile in Halltown will close in a few weeks
Hello from Seligman
It's good to see Joe Clark still busking in front of the Rusty Bolt store along Route 66 in Seligman, Arizona. A few videos of him performing are floating around the Internet. This spirited cover of Bobby Troup's most famous song was uploaded only a few days ago. joe clark route 66 seligman from Ben … Continue reading Hello from Seligman
Route 66 visitors center opening at Giganticus Headicus site
Grand Canyon Caverns is leasing a property in Antares, Arizona, best-known for Giganticus Headicus -- an Easter Island-type sculpture -- and opening a Route 66 visitors center there. According to a news release from the Grand Canyon Caverns owner John McEnulty, the site will become known as the Route 66 Antares Visitor Center. Scheduled for a … Continue reading Route 66 visitors center opening at Giganticus Headicus site
Neon returning to Grand Canyon Caverns
Grand Canyon Caverns near Peach Springs, Arizona, has commissioned an Oklahoma neon shop to fashion new neon signs for the longtime Route 66 attraction. Joel Rayburn of GlassBoy Studios in the Route 66 town of Arcadia, Oklahoma, is making the neon signs. From a news release: Classic Route 66 destinations do things right. Neon will … Continue reading Neon returning to Grand Canyon Caverns
Construction begins for Albuquerque Rapid Transit project
Construction began in earnest Monday on the controversial Albuquerque Rapid Transit project that will affect about nine miles Central Avenue (aka Route 66) for nearly a year. According to the Albuquerque Journal, crews began removing the concrete medians and their trees so two lanes eventually would be dedicated to city buses and their stations. The city … Continue reading Construction begins for Albuquerque Rapid Transit project
Highway plan concerns Catoosa officials, businesses
An Interstate 44 widening plan concerns officials in Catoosa, Oklahoma, because it may turn tourists away from the town and Route 66. The plan would close the exit to northbound Oklahoma Route 66 from westbound I-44. Instead, westbound drivers would have to exit at 193rd Street, do a U-turn on the Texas-style interchange, drive on eastbound … Continue reading Highway plan concerns Catoosa officials, businesses
Carthage compromise may aid Route 66 travelers
The city of Carthage, Missouri, and the Missouri Department of Transportation may have hammered out a compromise that will lead to a better bridge-project detour for Route 66 travelers and give maintenance to those old bridges on the detour. The Carthage Press reports the agreement that will be voted on by the city council Oct. 25: … Continue reading Carthage compromise may aid Route 66 travelers