The Desert Dispatch reports that San Bernardino County in California is seeking a federal grant to restore old bridges on the National Old Trails Road -- an early alignment of Route 66. The county applied for a $52 million stimulus grant to replace 130 bridges that were built between 1929 and 1931 on the old … Continue reading County seeks grant to restore wooden Route 66 bridges
Long trip for little cars
The 2010 Route 66 Microcar Rally departed from Santa Monica Pier a few days ago. Here's a video as the group of tiny-car enthusiasts makes its way through the Los Angeles metro area: I noted that one of the itty-bitty cars bore a strong resemblance to Luigi in the movie "Cars." Some of these cars … Continue reading Long trip for little cars
A blast from the past from England
Here's a 1975 version of Bobby Troup's cruising classic by the Count Bishops, a highly regarded R&B band from the U.K. I approve.
A mile for every casualty
This is very peripheral to Route 66, but it's too moving to not share. Mike Ehredt of Driggs, Idaho, is running east across the United States. He's an ultramarathoner, cyclist, and an Army veteran. He's running solo, and he has no sponsor. He's dedicating each mile to each soldier who has died in the Iraq … Continue reading A mile for every casualty
Oatman gets kicks from its burros
Chris Epting of AOL News has a dynamite headline that accompanies his story about the Route 66 town of Oatman, Ariz. -- "Oatman: A Town That Rose from its Asses." Although the town boasts re-enacted gunfights, keeps an Old West flavor, and preserved the hotel where Carole Lombard and Clark Gable honeymooned in 1939, Epting … Continue reading Oatman gets kicks from its burros
Scenes from the Okie Twist-Off
We decided to go to Oklahoma City on Saturday to see the fourth annual Okie Twist-Off car and music festival. The event, which brings in rat-rod and rockabilly fans, also served as a fond farewell to its host, 66 Bowl, which has been sold and soon will be converted into an India grocery store. Organizers … Continue reading Scenes from the Okie Twist-Off
A checkoff for the Mother Road?
Tucked into this business column by Tim Landis of the Springfield State Journal-Register is this fascinating little item: * ROUTE 66 now has its own Illinois income-tax checkoff. The checkoff for promotion and preservation of the historic route is among four signed into law last week by Gov. Pat Quinn. The others are for Habitat … Continue reading A checkoff for the Mother Road?
Filmmakers plan documentary on Benld’s Coliseum
Former schoolteachers Jim Marcacci and Bruce Logsdon have started planning a documentary about the history of the colorful Coliseum music venue in Benld, Ill., according to the Springfield State Journal-Register. The Coliseum, which sits on an early alignment of Route 66 and predates the road, now exists as a sprawling antiques mall. But vestiges of … Continue reading Filmmakers plan documentary on Benld’s Coliseum
An obscure alignment of Route 66 in Flagstaff
The Arizona Daily Sun today posted an article about the Mike's Pike street in Flagstaff, Ariz. -- a neighborhood which can boast itself of carrying an original alignment of the Mother Road. The Sun reports: It goes largely unnoticed by the thousands of motorists traveling along Milton Road, yet its history is hardly without lore. … Continue reading An obscure alignment of Route 66 in Flagstaff
El Vado finally safeguarded by city of Albuquerque
The city of Albuquerque finally has gained ownership of the historic El Vado Motel along Route 66, and city officials are exploring ideas on what to do with it now, reports the Albuquerque Journal. Among the ideas are converting the property to a Route 66 neon museum, an artists' colony space, or even as a … Continue reading El Vado finally safeguarded by city of Albuquerque