The couple that recently purchased the long-closed Launching Pad Drive-In in Wilmington, Illinois, said they likely would partly reopen the Route 66 restaurant in May, with a full reopening sometime in 2019. The restaurant is most famous for its one-of-a-kind 30-foot-tall Gemini Giant fiberglass statue. Holly Barker and Tully Garrett, who bought the Launching Pad … Continue reading Launching Pad Drive-In may partially reopen in May
Category: People
A brief chat with Michael Wallis
The folks at #Unscripted recently posted this interview of author Michael Wallis that covers quite a bit of ground in just eight minutes. The interview was conducted in the lobby of the historic Campbell Hotel in Tulsa, along Route 66. In the video, Wallis explains: What motivated him to write his eventual best-selling "Route 66: … Continue reading A brief chat with Michael Wallis
Grandson of Cyrus “Father of Route 66” Avery dies at 85
Cyrus Stevens Avery II, grandson of Cyrus "Father of Route 66" Avery and a supporter in the ongoing quest to build the Route 66 Experience museum complex in Tulsa, died Tuesday. He was 85. Ken Busby, executive director and CEO for the Route 66 Alliance in Tulsa, posted this message on Facebook on Wednesday: We … Continue reading Grandson of Cyrus “Father of Route 66” Avery dies at 85
New neon sign, lizard statue goes up in Kingman
Route 66 author and tour guide Jim Hinckley recently sent a long list of additions in Kingman, Arizona -- including a new neon sign along Route 66 and a statue of a big lizard. Based on those two things, it's safe to say Kingman no longer is a sleepy Route 66 town. Hinckley wrote: Improvements … Continue reading New neon sign, lizard statue goes up in Kingman
Gasconade River Bridge Guardians set plan for coming months
The Route 66 Gasconade River Bridge Guardians met Sunday in Leasburg, Missouri, to set a plan for the coming months, including fundraising to pay for an engineering assessment of the historic structure's condition and an estimate of repair costs to keep it safe for bicycle and light traffic. The Guardians gathered only a few days … Continue reading Gasconade River Bridge Guardians set plan for coming months
Angel Delgadillo approaches 40th anniversary of his Route 66 guardian role
The Arizona Republic -- which is the state's largest newspaper -- recently published a lengthy feature about Angel Delgadillo, now known as the Guardian Angel of Route 66. Delgadillo, 90, is approaching the 40th anniversary of a date that caused him great sorrow. That date also laid the foundation for great joy. The date is … Continue reading Angel Delgadillo approaches 40th anniversary of his Route 66 guardian role
Website of panoramic Route 66 images is updated
About a decade ago, David Schaubert embarked on long Route 66 trips and used his hobby of panoramic photography to document many places along the Mother Road. Those photos were posted on his website, 6t6kix.com. In recent days, Schaubert updated the format of the images so they could be accessible to view to almost everyone … Continue reading Website of panoramic Route 66 images is updated
Workin’ Bridges withdraws from Gasconade River Bridge preservation effort
The Workin' Bridges nonprofit organization this week withdrew from its efforts to raise money to preserve the closed Gasconade River Bridge near Hazelgreen, Missouri, after several Route 66 enthusiasts questioned the group's plans and its transparency. Julie Bowers, executive director of the Iowa-based Workin' Bridges, said in a phone interview Thursday she was "bullied" online … Continue reading Workin’ Bridges withdraws from Gasconade River Bridge preservation effort
Conway restaurant becomes a shelter from the storm
You may have heard about the horrific chain-reaction wrecks along Interstate 44 in Missouri caused by icy roads. The accidents killed at least two people, and part of the interstate was closed overnight until all the vehicles could be cleared The Rocking Chair Restaurant along Route 66 in Conway, Missouri, served as a shelter to … Continue reading Conway restaurant becomes a shelter from the storm
Technical difficulties delay Mad Mike Hughes’ rocket launch near Amboy
Technical problems apparently prevented a scheduled rocket launch Saturday afternoon near Amboy, California, by adventurer and flat-Earth advocate "Mad" Mike Hughes. People at the scene speculated Hughes might try to launch himself sometime during today's Super Bowl, but Hughes in a video shot by a bystander seemed noncommittal until he could look at the rocket … Continue reading Technical difficulties delay Mad Mike Hughes’ rocket launch near Amboy