Michael Wallis and Michael S. Williamson's new book, "The Lincoln Highway" (320 pages, $39.95), earns the highest praise I can think of: It made me want to jump in the car and see that 3,400-mile historic road for myself. The book, subtitled "Coast to Coast from Times Square to the Golden Gate," likely will spur … Continue reading Book review: “The Lincoln Highway”
Properties for sale update
People come surfing to Route 66 News quite often, looking for a business or property to buy on Route 66. However, finding the post with the listings on it is a bit of a challenge. It's not as visible as I would have liked. So, in recent days, a new page called "For Sale," as … Continue reading Properties for sale update
Book about Cajon Pass published
John Hockaday says he's no writer. He says he's just a rancher who became fascinated by Cajon Pass, which passes through his property in Southern California. "I'm just an old construction worker who likes history," he told the San Bernardino County Sun. He must like history a lot. He and his wife began compiling old … Continue reading Book about Cajon Pass published
Weigh in about Route 66
A person from VirtualTourist.com asks this question on a BostonNow.com community forum blog under the title "Route 66: Overrated or Underappreciated?": Q: I’m going to be in the U.S. for five weeks, and I’m trying to figure out whether I should do Route 66 as I head east? The response provides both pros and cons … Continue reading Weigh in about Route 66
Catsup Bottle party goes on
This is short notice, but I received word Thursday that boosters of the Official World's Largest Catsup Bottle in Collinsville, Ill., are holding a picnic after 11 a.m. Sunday, literally under the water tower that resembles a ketchup bottle. The event comes after the recent cancellation of the Catsup Bottle Summerfest because of infighting between … Continue reading Catsup Bottle party goes on
Illinois bridge being restored
John and Lenore Weiss are at it again. The two Illinois Route 66 preservationists are restoring the original appearance of the Division Street Bridge in Pontiac, which carried the original Illinois Highway 4 and the first alignment of Route 66 in the state during the 1920s, according to the Pontiac Daily Leader. Their work on … Continue reading Illinois bridge being restored
Over easy
In this entertaining report from the Mohave Daily News, we learned that an apparent ringer entered the annual Sidewalk Egg Fry in Oatman, Ariz., on the Fourth of July. Bob Blumer, host of an upcoming Food Network show "Glutton for Punishment," won first place in both cooking device and showmanship. He used a frying pan … Continue reading Over easy
Mixed emotions
This news item from the San Gabriel Valley Tribune in Southern California brought on a lot of mixed feelings for me: GLENDORA - Best Western International has expanded its presence in Southern California with a new location in Glendora. With roughly 4,200 hotels companywide, the world's largest hotel chain provides 400,000 travelers with lodging annually … Continue reading Mixed emotions
“Colors of the Mother Road”
Route 66 State Park near Eureka, Mo., is hosting a photo exhibit titled, "Colors of the Mother Road," by Sally Bobbitt Simpson on July 14, with a reception from 2 to 4 p.m. that day in the visitors center. According to the news release: Simpson's fascination with Route 66 began four years ago while photographing … Continue reading “Colors of the Mother Road”
Searching Oklahoma City for Vietnamese food
Matt Gross, aka The Frugal Traveler, of the New York Times' travel section ventured to Oklahoma City to dine on ... Vietnamese food. That sounds like an odd combination, but Gross points out that 20,000 Vietnamese live in OKC. His excursion found a few Route 66 spots, including the Hospitality Inn (listed in the Route … Continue reading Searching Oklahoma City for Vietnamese food