The historic Rock Creek Bridge, which has been closed to traffic since March 2013, may reopen to lighter vehicles sometime next month, according to a city official in nearby Sapulpa, Oklahoma. Suzanne Shirey, president of the Sapulpa Area Chamber of Commerce, revealed the plans for the 1921 bridge during an email a few days ago: We … Continue reading Rock Creek Bridge may reopen in next month
Couple buys and renames Royal Inn in Tucumcari
A couple from Dallas has purchased the Royal Inn motel along Route 66 in Tucumcari, New Mexico, and plans to restore its retro decor, reported the Quay County Sun newspaper, based in Tucumcari. The new owners are David and Amanda Brener, who renamed the motel the Roadrunner Lodge. They hope to have it reopened by July … Continue reading Couple buys and renames Royal Inn in Tucumcari
Car crashes into Webb City theater
A vehicle accidentally struck and damaged the box office of the Route 66 Movie Theater in downtown Webb City, Missouri, last weekend, according to a report in the Joplin Globe. The newspaper said the driver hit the vehicle's accelerator instead of the brake pedal. No one was injured, and the theater was able to continue … Continue reading Car crashes into Webb City theater
The little-known POW graves of Oklahoma
Not many people know this, but about 70 prisoners-of-war are buried just off Route 66 in Fort Reno west of El Reno, Oklahoma. They are Germans and Italians captured during World War II and brought to the Sooner State until the war was over. Heidi Brandes of the Reuters news service has some of the … Continue reading The little-known POW graves of Oklahoma
What’s left of Ted’s Bull Pen
The dude who created this video, Adam the Woo, is adamantly irreverent. However, this is his fascinating closer look at an abandoned Route 66 truck stop, Ted's Bull Pen, in Ash Fork, Arizona. https://youtu.be/VCcXrhdTD1A An Internet link indicates Ted's was open as recently as 1998. And I found this document from 2012 that indicated Pilot … Continue reading What’s left of Ted’s Bull Pen
DVD review: “Exploring Route 66: The Mother Road”
David Bowyer's new DVD documentary, "Exploring Route 66: The Mother Road," doesn't explore the entire length of Route 66 -- hence the subtitle "Volume 1" that hints of future editions. But it proves to be a worthwhile addition to a roadie's video library, especially for those who love the desert Southwest. "Exploring Route 66" takes … Continue reading DVD review: “Exploring Route 66: The Mother Road”
A chat with Rich Dinkela
KC Keefer, the guy behind the ongoing Genuine Route 66 Life video series, produced a new clip about "Roamin' Rich" Dinkela. The interview occurred at the closed MacArthur Bridge in St. Louis. https://youtu.be/6nKAsjC2kJg For a seven-minute clip, it nicely encompasses Dinkela's approach and his many activities on the Mother Road. You can follow Dinkela at … Continue reading A chat with Rich Dinkela
Illinois Route 66 Museum marks 10th anniversary Saturday
It's hard to believe, but the Illinois Route 66 Hall of Fame and Museum in Pontiac already is marking its 10th anniversary Saturday. According to a news release from Pontiac Tourism: To commemorate this milestone, the museum will hold a special open house on that day from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. There will be … Continue reading Illinois Route 66 Museum marks 10th anniversary Saturday
Bel-Aire Motel owner now wants to sell
The owner of the historic Bel-Aire Motel in Springfield, Illinois, wants to sell his troubled property for $750,000, plus more than $114,000 in fines he owes to the city for code violations, reported the Springfield State Journal-Register. Florida-based Gopal Motwani, who's owned the motel for nearly 30 years, says health problems and the latest round … Continue reading Bel-Aire Motel owner now wants to sell
Skateboarding photographer takes a trip on Route 66
Matt Alberts, a skateboarder with a 19th-century camera, takes a trip on Route 66 with a few pals and a 1973 Airstream trailer. They find abandoned swimming pools -- including one I recognize as being at Two Guns, Arizona -- and drainage ditches to do their work. They also produced this short film (warning: the … Continue reading Skateboarding photographer takes a trip on Route 66