Even though video can never quite do it justice, this 360-degree clip from the summit of La Bajada Hill gives you an inkling of what this primitive alignment of Route 66 is like. For a more Route 66-oriented viewpoint, go here. The road on La Bajada was Route 66 from 1926 to 1932. It contains … Continue reading The summit of La Bajada Hill
Category: Highways
Historic Highways blog launched
The Historic Highways blog has been online only about a week, but I like it a lot already. Dave Eames of Kansas City, formerly of Tulsa, collects roadside memorabilia, including from Route 66. He seems to favor stuff from the '40s, '50s and '60s, which isn't a bad thing. The image above is from a … Continue reading Historic Highways blog launched
New “Cars” video game being produced
Author and Route 66 expert Michael Wallis, who portrayed the Sheriff of Radiator Springs in the hit Disney-Pixar movie "Cars," provided some interesting news to me this week via e-mail: This week I spent several hours in studio recording a brand new CARS video game featuring the Sheriff, Mater, Lightning and many of the other … Continue reading New “Cars” video game being produced
Odds and ends
It's a slow news day, so I'm going to clear my plate of some items that are a bit more peripheral to Route 66, if no less interesting. "You Think Your Roads Are Bad" Department: Tim Steil sent me this link about the The Most Dangerous Roads in the World. Included are Bolivia's "Road of … Continue reading Odds and ends
Old Chain of Rocks Bridge closes parking lot
In a column by the St. Louis Post-Dispatch's Matthew Hathaway, we learn that Trailnet, which runs the Old Chain of Rocks Bridge that connects a pedestrian/biking trail from north St. Louis to Madison, Ill., is closing a parking lot on the Missouri side of the river indefinitely because of vandalism to vehicles there. In an … Continue reading Old Chain of Rocks Bridge closes parking lot
Route 66 makes Readers’ Choice Awards
Southern Living magazine cited the Mother Road during its annual Readers' Choice Awards: The Blue Ridge Parkway, in Asheville, N.C., the Natchez Trace Parkway in Tupelo, Miss., and the portions of Route 66 that run through Missouri, Oklahoma and Texas were named best scenic routes by readers, while editors picked The Bluegrass in Lexington, Ky. … Continue reading Route 66 makes Readers’ Choice Awards
A preview of Michael Wallis’ Lincoln Highway book
Road warrior and author Brian Butko dropped me a note Friday, telling me that he has received a cover image of Michael Wallis' upcoming book, "The Lincoln Highway: From Times Square to the Golden Gate." The cover is shown below: There's no set release date for the book, except it'll be out this summer. It's … Continue reading A preview of Michael Wallis’ Lincoln Highway book
Group seeks to promote Illinois 4, aka Route 66
The Springfield (Ill.) Journal-Register reports that a Macoupin County group is hoping to promote Illinois Highway 4 as a tourism destination. It's sort of mentioned in passing, but Illinois 4 was a Route 66 alignment from Springfield to Staunton from 1926 to 1930. In the article, Henry's Rabbit Ranch in Staunton receives prominent mention, as … Continue reading Group seeks to promote Illinois 4, aka Route 66
Another winter storm
It's not even officially winter, and another major winter storm is hitting Route 66's midsection. On Tuesday night, the National Weather Service had issued winter storm warnings in the upper two-thirds of New Mexico and all of the Texas Panhandle. The Albuquerque Journal reported that Interstate 40 from the Duke City to Gallup was closed … Continue reading Another winter storm
Missouri town is getting a huge interchange
The Joplin (Mo.) Globe reports that the nearby Route 66 town of Carterville, Mo., is getting a new Highway 249 interchange that helps connect to Highway 171, U.S. 400, U.S. 71 and Interstate 44. Locals predict it will give Carterville's economy a big shot in the arm. Larry Tamminem, a longtime resident and owner of … Continue reading Missouri town is getting a huge interchange