Third Barney’s Beanery opens next month

Barney's Beanery, an old roadhouse on Route 66 in West Hollywood, Calif., is opening its third location in Pasadena. It also will be on Route 66, on Colorado Boulevard. Barney's other location is in Santa Monica, also on 66. Burbank Weekly has the details: Barney’s Beanery Pasadena will be a near replica of the original … Continue reading Third Barney’s Beanery opens next month

What’s going to happen with Pixar and Disney?

The stock price of Pixar Animation Studios has been volatile in recent days, fueled by rumors that Pixar soon will have a new distribution deal with Disney. The deal will expire after the release of the Route 66-themed movie, "Cars," on June 6. A few observations: The L.A. Times reported Wednesday that negotiations have focused … Continue reading What’s going to happen with Pixar and Disney?

Yep … byways are a big deal

If anyone has any remaining doubts that the new scenic byway status for Route 66 in Illinois attracts considerable attention, this British travel insurance Web site ought to dispel them. For more information about the program, go to the byways Web site here.

Double whammy for the Elbow Inn

The Elbow Inn, the venerable old barbecue-and-bar in Devils Elbow, Mo., that's a favorite hangout of locals, Fort Leonard Wood soldiers, bikers and Route 66ers, suffered a double dose of bad luck during the holiday weekend. Not only did a burglar force open a door, reports the Waynesville Daily Guide, but the investigation revealed liquor-license … Continue reading Double whammy for the Elbow Inn

Let the eagle soar

This time of year, it's a good time to watch bald eagles near the Mississippi River, especially from the excellent vantage point of the Old Chain of Rocks Bridge that carried Route 66 for decades. Explore St. Louis, a tourism blog, has the details.

More Corvette kicks

Another writer has decided to road-test the new Corvette Z06 on Route 66, this time one for the Orlando Sentinal. The writer, Bill Baker, found only one flaw with the car, but it was a significant one -- lack of lumbar support. His back ached so much that he had to buy a trucker's pillow … Continue reading More Corvette kicks

Party in a silver bullet

To heck with limousines. Inspired by a trip on Route 66, a Scottish couple have tricked out a vintage Airstream trailer, called Little Vegas, so it can be rented out for birthday parties, festivals and weddings. It contains a bar, jukebox, casino tables and leather sofas. The price? A cool 500 British pounds a night, … Continue reading Party in a silver bullet

Two more walkers attempt Route 66

We'd reported some weeks ago about Rick and Jane McKinney's announcement to walk much of Route 66. They stated their goal for their "Walk to Reclaim America" on their Web site: It's time to reclaim America's Freedoms, Families, and Faith. It's time to stand up and tell the truth about this country's history of faith. … Continue reading Two more walkers attempt Route 66

Oklahoma restaurants told to butt out

Oklahoma restaurants face a fast-approaching deadline of March 1 to either go smoke-free or install complex ventilation systems away from non-smokers. The Sapulpa Herald reports that several area Route 66 restaurants, including the former Rivett's Route 66 Cafe and Freddie's Barbecue and Steak House, will be affected. Ed "Tex" Slyman of Freddie's added a ventilated … Continue reading Oklahoma restaurants told to butt out

Motoring west … on the interstate, Part 2

Nick Clooney's second part of his story for the Cincinnati Post of driving west on Route 66 ... er, I-40, is online. Again, there's not much of interest except for his conversation with a tourism worker in Needles, Calif. Nick even managed to miss seeing any of the wildfires plaguing Oklahoma.