It's time for the Route 66 community to talk to congressmen about eventually designating the Mother Road as a National Historic Trail, under the auspices of the National Park Service. Of the eight states where the old highway traverses, six have attained Byways or All-American Road status for Route 66. A seventh -- California -- … Continue reading Let’s make Route 66 a National Historic Trail
Bill would eliminate National Scenic Byways program
A transportation bill proposed by U.S. House committee chairman would eliminate the National Scenic Byways program, according to an email from an official with the Route 66 Association of New Mexico. Rep. John Mica (R-Fla.), chairman of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, introduced legislation Tuesday that would repeal the byways program, according to an email … Continue reading Bill would eliminate National Scenic Byways program
Arizona Route 66 restaurant destroyed by fire; owner killed
A natural gas explosion is believed to have started an explosion and fire that destroyed Linda's Cafe & Deli in Golden Shores, Ariz., and killed its owner last Thursday, reported the Mojave Daily News. The body of the restaurant's owner, Ronald Lee Hansen, 58, of nearby Topock, Ariz., was discovered by firefighters as they tried … Continue reading Arizona Route 66 restaurant destroyed by fire; owner killed
Admiral Twin rising again
Those who doubted whether the Admiral Twin Drive-In theater in Tulsa would rise again after a devastating fire in September 2010, take a look at this: That's a big concrete structure at the bottom, where the new concession stand and bathrooms will be. The steel skeleton of the big double screen is rising from that. … Continue reading Admiral Twin rising again
“Yamashita Tomohisa Route 66,” Episode 5
Here’s the fifth installment of Japanese television’s “Yamashita Tomohisa Route 66,” which chronicles a singer and actor’s trip down the Mother Road last fall. He goes from Oklahoma City to Amarillo, Texas. I'm glad he got to see wild turkeys in western Oklahoma. And he didn't attempt the Big Texan 72-ounce steak challenge, but close. https://vimeo.com/35942955 Looking … Continue reading “Yamashita Tomohisa Route 66,” Episode 5
Driving the Mother Road the hard way
In 2004, Brian McKay decided to re-create the Okies' exodus from the Dust Bowl by driving his 1930 Nash automobile on Route 66. The key difference was that McKay didn't start in Oklahoma -- he started at Route 66's eastern starting point in Chicago. He was determined to accomplish the 2,400-mile journey without any modern … Continue reading Driving the Mother Road the hard way
Off to the bed races
The Mojave Daily News posted a humorous account of the annual Oatman Great Bed Races in Oatman, Ariz., on Saturday. It's not so much a competition as a fun-filled farce. To wit: In accordance to contest rules, teams must first push one teammate in a bed the length of the course, park the team’s bed … Continue reading Off to the bed races
“Route 66: Return to the Road”
Here's something I haven't seen in a few years ... the first few minutes of "Route 66: Return to the Road with Martin Milner." Someone posted this segment on Vimeo in recent days; you'll have to click on the screen shot to see the clip: The 1998 film, which was more than 2 1/2 hours … Continue reading “Route 66: Return to the Road”
The Sooner State’s best BBQ
I'm sticking my neck out, but I'm going to say it anyway -- Burn Co. BBQ in Tulsa serves the best barbecue I've had in Oklahoma. I've visited great places in the Sooner State, including Van's Pig Stand in Shawnee and The Boundary on 66 near Luther. But I've eaten three times at Burn Co. … Continue reading The Sooner State’s best BBQ
Another ride on Oatman Road
Here's the best-quality video I've seen yet of two motorcycling buddies driving on Oatman Road, aka Route 66, in western Arizona's Black Mountains. These guys were going at speeds that would make me uncomfortable; don't try it yourself. https://youtu.be/rTllX-iCj1I The clip shows the capabilities of the GoPro Hero 2, a high-definition video camera that's finding … Continue reading Another ride on Oatman Road