Notes from the road, San Fran edition

I'm writing this from a coffeehouse in San Francisco during my vacation, a few blocks from our overnight digs at the marvelous Ocean Park Motel (and the Pacific Coast Highway) and a few miles from the western terminus of the Lincoln Highway. We're heading back east tomorrow. Still doing the best I can with an … Continue reading Notes from the road, San Fran edition

Big Catsup Bottle gets face-lift

The giant Brooks Catsup Bottle of Collinsville, Ill., actually a water tower painted to resemble a ketchup bottle, is being repainted starting today. The same contractor from nearby O'Fallon, Ill., that painted the tower 14 years ago has been hired for the job again. The Catsup Bottle is not owned by the city, as is … Continue reading Big Catsup Bottle gets face-lift

“East St. Louis Blues”

Here's an interesting slide show of the Route 66 town of East St. Louis, Ill. It captures the city's decay and glimpses of its long-ago glory fairly well. Music is by Eddie Fisher & The Next 100 Years, from an album recorded in St. Louis in 1971 and produced by St. Louis music legend Oliver … Continue reading “East St. Louis Blues”

Notes from the road

My computer is still not connecting to the Internet, but my iPod is working like a champ. So here are a few news items I've tracked down while on the Mother Road (without links, alas). Also, I'll be posting regularly at Twitter.com/route66news. -- The Route 66 Corridor Preservation Program reports that the U.S. Senate is … Continue reading Notes from the road

Bluegrassin’ around

Here are the Red Desert Ramblers playing a bluegrass-influenced version of Bobby Troup's "Route 66." It's not often that you see a hammered dulcimer in a band.

Notes from the road

I'm on the road, and time is short and the computer isn't connecting to the Net well. But here are a few items worth noting: Here's a fascinating story about Springfield Underground in Springfield, Mo., which has 3 million square feet of underground storage under Route 66. Link Here's a story about the Route 66 … Continue reading Notes from the road