The Washington Missourian newspaper recently sat down with Les Turilli Sr., owner of Meramec Caverns in Stanton, Missouri, who talked about its troubles in 2016 and the cave's storied history. Meramec Caverns, which has been open to the public since 1933, doesn't sit on Route 66. Instead, it's about three miles from the Mother Road. … Continue reading A chat with Meramec Caverns owner Les Turilli
Category: People
Radiator Springs cast will make an appearance in “Cars 3”
Disney-Pixar this week confirmed what long had been rumored -- the original "Cars" cast from the fictional Route 66 town of Radiator Springs will make an appearance in the upcoming "Cars 3" film this summer. "Cars 3" is introducing a bunch of new characters who are trying to get Lightning McQueen back on the racetrack … Continue reading Radiator Springs cast will make an appearance in “Cars 3”
Woman stole $313,000 in Petrified Forest National Park entrance fees
A former worker at the Petrified Forest National Park in eastern Arizona was sentenced to a year in prison and ordered to pay back the $313,000 in entrance fees she stole. Sharon Baldwin, 47, of Sanders, Arizona, also must undergo three years of supervised release, according to a report in the Arizona Republic. She had … Continue reading Woman stole $313,000 in Petrified Forest National Park entrance fees
Son of tony restaurant owner charged in shooting at Eat-Rite Diner
The son of one of the most acclaimed restaurants in St. Louis -- even the country -- was charged with shooting a man during a dispute in the parking lot of one of the city's most blue-collar restaurants, the Eat-Rite Diner. James Bommarito, 51, is accused of shooting and lightly wounding Anthony Bertoglio, 30, in the … Continue reading Son of tony restaurant owner charged in shooting at Eat-Rite Diner
Smashing Pumpkins frontman takes Route 66 again
Billy Corgan, best-known as the singer and songwriter for the 1990s band Smashing Pumpkins, recently meandered across America, including parts of Route 66 in Arizona and California. There's no real point to the video, except Corgan does like the old Mother Road. https://youtu.be/bkfBFh4Uu_s Corgan also traveled Route 66 about a year ago from Missouri to at … Continue reading Smashing Pumpkins frontman takes Route 66 again
Deep background on the Wigwam Motel in Holbrook
The Arizona Republic newspaper recently published several articles about the Wigwam Motel in Holbrook, Arizona, and revealed details about the Route 66 landmark even longtime roadies may not know. It's worth reading the articles in full, starting here. But a few things stood out, plus a couple of observations from me: --- The motel closed … Continue reading Deep background on the Wigwam Motel in Holbrook
Motel Safari in Tucumcari is up for sale
The owners of the historic and nicely restored Motel Safari in Tucumcari, New Mexico, announced they have put the Route 66 property up for sale. Co-owner Richard Talley put the word out with a message on the Route 66 World website Wednesday: “As we open for the 2017 season and approach our 10th year since … Continue reading Motel Safari in Tucumcari is up for sale
A look back at the Rock Cafe, Pop Hicks restaurants
Anthony Reichardt recently uploaded a couple of more videos from his videotaped road trips on Route 66 in a 1959 Cadillac during the 1990s. The first is from the Rock Cafe in Stroud, Oklahoma, in 1994 and 1995. https://youtu.be/zhaj-mo_g5M The first segment of the video shows a couple of neon signs along Route 66 that … Continue reading A look back at the Rock Cafe, Pop Hicks restaurants
An interview with Jim Conkle
Those who ever have spent any time with longtime Route 66 aficionado Jim Conkle will recognize many of the things he says about the Mother Road in this interview. The 25-minute interview was done by host Joan Rudder-Ward on the "Silver Sage" program, a weekly 30-minute cable-television show geared towards the age-50-and-older crowd. It's a … Continue reading An interview with Jim Conkle
Founder of Billy Ray’s Catfish & BBQ restaurant dies
Billy Ray Cooper, founder and owner of Billy Ray's Catfish & BBQ along Route 66 in southwest Tulsa, died Monday, reported the Tulsa World. He was 65. The restaurant's Facebook page posted this message Tuesday: It is with heavy hearts we share the news that our founder, friend, and beloved family member Billy Ray Cooper fulfilled … Continue reading Founder of Billy Ray’s Catfish & BBQ restaurant dies