The Illinois Department of Transportation announced several federal grants that will go toward tourism, including Route 66 sites. According to the Belleville News-Democrat, $395,000 will be used to erect "experience hubs" and signs for Route 66 from East St. Louis to Chicago. Also, in New Mexico, the state will receive $365,000 in federal funds to … Continue reading Federal grants awarded for Route 66 tourism
Car show will help restore The Mill
The Railsplitter Antique Auto Club, along with the Route 66 Heritage Foundation of Logan County, is holding a classic car show from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday at The Mill in Lincoln, Ill. -- a former Route 66 restaurant that's undergoing restoration. According to the Lincoln Courier: Registration is open to everyone and the … Continue reading Car show will help restore The Mill
Only in America
Only in a place like America would you have a cowboy-themed restaurant that serves Italian gourmet ice cream. In this case, it's taking place on Route 66 in Amarillo. It's called Cowboy Gelato, on the historic Sixth Street district. According to the restaurant's Web site: Cowboy Gelato will bring a new form of excitement to … Continue reading Only in America
Photographer’s journey gets attention
For nearly three weeks, I've been following Sandi Wheaton's blog about her photographic trip down Route 66 at PictureRoute66.com (her post about her colorful time at the Elbow Inn in Devil's Elbow, Mo., was particularly memorable). It looks like the local media in Oklahoma City caught up with her in a big way this week. … Continue reading Photographer’s journey gets attention
Baxter Springs trades cowtown heritage for Route 66
The town of Baxter Springs, Kan., is holding a downtown Route 66 Fall Festival on Saturday night. According to the Joplin Globe, the festival is going to be a sort of dress rehearsal for the 2010 Mother Road Marathon. What I didn't know, however, is that Baxter Springs is phasing out its longtime Cowtown Days … Continue reading Baxter Springs trades cowtown heritage for Route 66
Blue highways turning green
Time magazine takes a look at the idea of having "green" highways in America -- historic roads that would cater to electric vehicles, cyclists and even runners. The article mentions the Mother Road in a paragraph: If other, more famous heritage routes are any indication, a green-corridor network just might work. Route 66, the classic … Continue reading Blue highways turning green
Hello from England
Here's a swinging big-band version of Bobby Troup's "Route 66" by the group with the great name: Back to Basie Orchestra. Jacqui Hicks does the singing.
The end and the beginning
I found this item in the Bloomington (Ill.) Pantagraph in the How Time Flies section: 25 years ago Oct. 8, 1984: Route 66 is now officially gone. A six mile stretch of Interstate 40 replaced the last of the "Mother Road" near Wilcox, Arizona. I-55 replaced Route 66 in Illinois. Along the Chicago-Los Angeles route, … Continue reading The end and the beginning
Take a ride on “Route 66” computer game
Big Fish Games has released a "Route 66" game that you can download and play on your PC. Here's the summary: Travel down the world famous Route 66 with ‘Mad’ Madeleine Mayflower, as she takes a much needed vacation from motorcycle racing. Explore hilarious and well-known tourist attractions as you travel all over the country … Continue reading Take a ride on “Route 66” computer game
Albuquerque mayor loses re-election
It appears incumbent Albuquerque Mayor Martin Chavez has lost his bid for an unprecedented fourth term on Tuesday night in a close race against Rep. Richard Berry. I don't get too wound up about local election campaigns, and confess to knowing little about the mayoral candidates' platforms. But I confess to a tinge of sadness … Continue reading Albuquerque mayor loses re-election