Bus hits Route 66 column in Albuquerque

A wayward vehicle apparently caused a city bus to veer out of control and strike a decorative Route 66 column Friday at Central Avenue (aka Route 66) and Unser Boulevard on Albuquerque's west side, reported the Albuquerque Journal. “This bus was driving southbound on Unser,” said Officer Simon Drobik, spokesman for APD. “From what witnesses … Continue reading Bus hits Route 66 column in Albuquerque

Fog fills the Grand Canyon

A few weeks ago, an unusual phenomenon occurred in the Grand Canyon National Park in Arizona. Temperature inversion caused the canyon to fill with fog -- no small feat, given the canyon's massive size and depth. The folks at Vox created an informative video explaining the phenomenon and compiled a few images from that day, … Continue reading Fog fills the Grand Canyon

Widow of Bill Shea dies

Helen Shea, the widow of Shea's Route 66 Museum owner Bill Shea Sr., died Monday at a hospice in Springfield, Illinois, according to an obituary from Butler Funeral Homes. She was 96. A Springfield native, she worked at Sangamo Electric and helped run Shea's gas-station museum in Springfield. Bill Shea converted a Marathon station on Route 66 into a museum … Continue reading Widow of Bill Shea dies

The top 10 icons of Route 66 are …

The readers have spoken. We now know the top 10 icons of Route 66. About a month ago, we launched an online poll via PollDaddy.com to find out from readers what they considered to be Route 66's top 10 icons. The criteria were the icon must be a specific place on or near Route 66 and be … Continue reading The top 10 icons of Route 66 are …

Will Rogers Museum will promote Route 66 in 2015

The Will Rogers Memorial Museum in Claremore, Oklahoma, will include the promotion of Route 66, aka the Will Rogers Memorial Highway, during a series of changes for the upcoming year, according to a news release published in the Tulsa World. The museums, which also includes the Rogers' Birthplace Ranch in Oologah, Oklahoma, also are planning: … Continue reading Will Rogers Museum will promote Route 66 in 2015

Effort to save the Gasconade Bridge goes beyond the rally

Last week, "Roamin' Rich" Dinkela organized a rally at the foot of Route 66's Gasconade River Bridge near Hazelgreen, Missouri, that was closed Dec. 18 by the state because of deterioration. The rally was designed to urge the Missouri Department of Transportation to repair, not replace, the 90-year-old bridge. Dinkela's efforts continued beyond the rally. … Continue reading Effort to save the Gasconade Bridge goes beyond the rally

Yacovelli’s restaurant near St. Louis is closing

Yacovelli's Restaurant and Catering, one of St. Louis' oldest eateries, is closing its doors for good on New Year's Day, according to various media reports. Employees and owners of the restaurant held a "Last Dance, Last Chance" party on Friday. The restaurant will be open on Tuesday and Wednesday, and will have a last hurrah … Continue reading Yacovelli’s restaurant near St. Louis is closing

Rocky Drake dies

Longtime roadies who traveled the Texas Panhandle may remember Rocky Drake, who died suddenly at age 58 on Friday. Drake was the husband of former Oldham County Chamber of Commerce director Linda Drake, who were based in Vega, Texas, for years. Linda, who survives, was heavily involved in promoting in Route 66, and she and Rocky often showed … Continue reading Rocky Drake dies

Soul food restaurant opens across from Victorville museum

If you've visited the California Route 66 Museum in Victorville and are feeling hungry, you don't need to go far for a meal. Renee Allen's Mac & Cheese and More opened last month at 16838 D Street, across the street from the museum. The restaurant also has a location in nearby Apple Valley, California. According to … Continue reading Soul food restaurant opens across from Victorville museum

Spy agency’s rocket launch had a Route 66 reference

The rocket launch of a device by the National Reconnaissance Office in 2011 came with a mission patch that included a prominent Route 66 reference. Here's the patch: According to the NRO, the device was launched aboard an Orbital Sciences Corporation Minotaur I rocket from Vandenberg Air Force Base in California on Feb. 6, 2011. The launch was called NROL-66. … Continue reading Spy agency’s rocket launch had a Route 66 reference