Watching the bridge

KOTV in Tulsa posted an interesting story about the so-called Twin Bridges on Route 66 near Catoosa, Okla., and how the Route 66 community worldwide is watching closely to what happens to one of the dilapidated spans. But first, there is a glaring error in the story. The Oklahoma Department of Transportation wants to replace … Continue reading Watching the bridge

Ultramarathoner takes a big challenge

Ultramarathoner John Radich is running down Route 66 for a Scientology-based charity, according to a story in the Redlands (Calif.) Daily Facts. Radich is taking the path of Route 66 from Santa Monica to Chicago, then heading east to the ocean in Atlantic City, N.J. If he's got the energy, he'll also run to New … Continue reading Ultramarathoner takes a big challenge

Notes from the road

Roadies who've explored Route 66 in Clinton, Okla., may remember the 15-foot-tall fiberglass American Indian mascot, aka Muffler Man, who graced the front of David Howe Motors for years. The Howe Indian disappeared after a recent ownership change. But we're pleased to report the mascot has turned up at Indian Trading Post and Art near … Continue reading Notes from the road

Longtime owner of White Fence Farm restaurant dies

Bob Hastert, the longtime owner of White Fence Farm restaurant just off Route 66 in Romeoville, Ill., died at age 73 on Wednesday, according to the Bolingbrook Sun. For much of his life, Hastert run the business that often served hundreds of customers its famous fried chicken at any one time on the weekends. In … Continue reading Longtime owner of White Fence Farm restaurant dies

Mojave preserve bill sent to Senate committee

A proposal by Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) that would create a national monument of 940,000 acres along the Route 66 corridor in California's Mojave Desert is being examined by a U.S. Senate panel, according to the Desert Dispatch of Barstow. According to the newspaper: The California Desert Protection Act of 2010 went before the Energy … Continue reading Mojave preserve bill sent to Senate committee

The story of the 11th Street Bridge

In less than two minutes, this video by the Journal-Record explains the history and significance of the 11th Street Bridge in Tulsa, now known as the Cyrus Avery Route 66 Memorial Bridge:

CNG GTO update

The Daily Oklahoman filed a story today about Mark McConville and his 1966 GTO that's been outfitted to run on compressed natural gas. McConville's Drive to Inspire on Route 66 began last weekend from Santa Monica, Calif., in an effort to boost CNG as an alternative to gasoline and the infrastructure it will need. That's … Continue reading CNG GTO update

Man seeks donations for Route 66 Mojave project

Kevin Wong, a photographer based in Joshua Tree, Calif., seeks to create a book about Route 66 in California's Mojave Desert, and is asking for donations to help get the project off the ground. Wong also runs a guided tour company called Mojave Desert Excursions. According to the project website: I am creating a book … Continue reading Man seeks donations for Route 66 Mojave project

Flagstaff fire is under control

After a number of tense days, the massive Schultz wildfire north of Flagstaff, Ariz., is finally contained. R. Sean Evans, an archivist at the Cline Library at Northern Arizona University in town, sent this e-mail on Thursday: The containment now is complete, and the total acreage burned is somewhere north of 15,000 acres (or 23 … Continue reading Flagstaff fire is under control

A pit stop for foreign travelers

The Santa Barbara (Calif.) Independent posted a story about the Bagdad Cafe along Route 66 in Newberry Springs, Calif. I knew that the little restaurant has become a big draw from foreign travelers, but this is astounding: “We had 13 tour buses here one day last week and five buses yesterday,” owner Andree (She’s also … Continue reading A pit stop for foreign travelers