Richard Talley of the Motel Safari in Tucumcari, N.M., says a lot has been happening in his town lately. Here's what he said by e-mail (with some minor editing): Here's a shot of the new AutoPros auto care center across the street from us on Route 66 (used to be Tucumcari Tire Co., closed for years). … Continue reading Notes from the road
Bob’s last ride
Dave Bakke at the Springfield (Ill.) State Journal-Register has the details about the burial Sunday of the cremains of Route 66 artist Bob Waldmire at the family plot near Rochester, Ill. The other half of his ashes are to be released along the Mother Road. True to Bob’s wishes, some of his ashes have been … Continue reading Bob’s last ride
What’s next for the Bird Creek Bridge?
A public meeting by the Oklahoma Department of Transportation on Tuesday evening left little doubt that the historic but deteriorating Bird Creek Bridge near Catoosa will be soon closed to traffic or dismantled entirely -- the latter of which would greatly alter that scenic "Three Bridges" vista on Route 66. However, after the meeting, an … Continue reading What’s next for the Bird Creek Bridge?
Volcano disrupts Europeans’ travel to 66
I was afraid that the eruption of the Icelandic volcano that sent ash over a wide swath of Europe and grounded flights would eventually make an impact on Route 66 tourism, and it has. Ellie Alexander, tourism director for the City of Pontiac, Ill., told me by e-mail that several European travelers had to cancel … Continue reading Volcano disrupts Europeans’ travel to 66
Book review: “Appetite for America”
The last of the Harvey Houses closed more than 40 years ago, and they barely register a blip in the current public consciousness. But author Stephen Fried makes a compelling case in "Appetite for America" (Bantam, 544 pages, $27) that Fred Harvey and his restaurants and resorts made an impact on tourism, dining and the hospitality … Continue reading Book review: “Appetite for America”
A talk with the Donut Man
A reporter from the Inland Valley Daily Bulletin sat down to chat with Jim Nakano, owner of the famed Donut Man stand on Route 66 in Glendora, Calif. In a region that really likes its doughnuts, the Donut Man stands out -- especially because of its strawberry doughnut. It's a split pastry piled generously with … Continue reading A talk with the Donut Man
High-stepping
Manu Cuadra, the Frenchman who aims to walk Route 66 from Chicago to Santa Monica on stilts, arrived in Pontiac, Ill., on Friday evening, according to the The Community News of Pontiac. Cuadra is hoping to cover about 40 to 60 miles per day. His entire trip is expected to take around two to two … Continue reading High-stepping
Sign project gets going again in Miami
A bunch of Route 66-related sign projects for Miami, Okla., are on the front burner again after an environmental review was completed and other agreements were signed two weeks ago, according to a report in the Joplin (Mo.) Globe. Here's what's slated: --- The reconstruction of a historic 40-foot wide “Miami, Oklahoma — The Gateway” … Continue reading Sign project gets going again in Miami
Walking under the Mother Road
While Emily and I were cruising an older alignment of Route 66 in Tulsa a few weekends ago, she noticed what appeared to be an entranceway to an underground pedestrian tunnel that goes under Admiral Place (aka 66) near Harvard Avenue. Sure enough, it was. It was locked at the time we checked it, but … Continue reading Walking under the Mother Road
Missouri association co-founder dies
Thelma White, a founding member of the Route 66 Association of Missouri and a longtime owner of Whitehall Mercantile in the Route 66 hamlet of Halltown, Mo., died at age 83 on Tuesday in a nursing home in nearby Springfield, according to an obituary in the Springfield News-Leader. White, an Indiana native, was a representative … Continue reading Missouri association co-founder dies