The Hillsboro (Ill.) Journal-News has the remarkable story of two Air Force bombers that crash-landed in a field near Route 66 near Litchfield, Ill., on Feb. 15, 1945. The story was related by Terry Birkenkamp and Marge (Birkenkamp) Allen, who saw it all as children at the time. The bombers were supposed to be delivered … Continue reading A crash-landing near Route 66
Getting there
Construction on the new home of the historic Meadow Gold sign on Route 66 in Tulsa is progressing nicely. According to a release from the city, the support pavilion and metal truss system are scheduled to be completed by the end of the month. Re-erection of the Meadow Gold sign's restored neon letters will begin … Continue reading Getting there
New Mexico float in Rose Parade wins award
The state of New Mexico's float -- featuring Wile E. Coyote chasing after Road Runner on old Route 66 -- won the Bob Hope Humor Award at the 2009 Rose Parade on Thursday in Pasadena, Calif. You can see the artist's rendering of the float by Fiesta Parade Floats of Pasadena, which was contracted by … Continue reading New Mexico float in Rose Parade wins award
Swing set
I guess this proves that anything can be named after Route 66 these days. From the Amarillo Globe-News: About two dozen protesters organized by Repent Amarillo spent New Year's Eve carrying signs, singing and praying outside a business in downtown Amarillo that they claim is a swinger's club. A party organizer with the Route 66 … Continue reading Swing set
“Long May You Run”
With the new year, Neil Young's performance of this song in 1993 will serve as a message of good wishes to roadies everywhere. Young's longtime steel guitar player, Brian Keith, is on dobro. Sharp-eyed folks might see on guitar Nils Lofgren, a member of Bruce Springsteen's E Street Band and a good solo act in … Continue reading “Long May You Run”
Dining in Albuquerque
The Examiner.com provides a decent overview of the wide diversity of cuisines seen in Albuquerque restaurants. The range is this -- New Mexican/Mexican, Native American, Asian, Barbecue, Brazilian and Just Plain Fun. The Route 66 Diner fills the latter. The article also says there is a "smattering" of Persian, French, and Greek. So if you … Continue reading Dining in Albuquerque
Last call coming at the Riviera
Chicago Sun-Times columnist and longtime roadie Dave Hoekstra paid a visit to The Riviera restaurant and roadhouse bar on Route 66 in Gardner, Ill., before it closes after New Year's Day. Longtime owners Bob and Peggy Kraft, both in their 80s, want to retire and haven't yet found a buyer for the property. Go read … Continue reading Last call coming at the Riviera
Motorcycle museum vandalized
Route 66 Vintage Iron, based in downtown Miami, Okla., was vandalized early Saturday when someone tossed a sledgehammer through one of the museum's front plate glass windows, reported the Miami News Record. Nothing was stolen, but two of the vintage motorcycles were damaged by the flying glass. A surveillance video is being checked by police. … Continue reading Motorcycle museum vandalized
Route 66 kiosk coming to Tucumcari
KFDA-TV in Amarillo, Texas, is reporting that the Route 66 town of Tucumcari, N.M., will install a Route 66 interpretive exhibit at the Tucumcari Convention Center. The kiosk will having photos and information about the Mother Road's history in Tucumcari. Also, a DVD about Route 66 will be available for visitors. The kiosk will be … Continue reading Route 66 kiosk coming to Tucumcari
Yet another reason to watch the Rose Parade
The Pasadena (Calif.) Star-News has a list of all the entries for the annual Rose Parade, set for New Year's Day. Here's one float that will interest roadies: NEW MEXICO: "Hats off to New Mexico - Beep Beep!" Zooming down the roadway of old Route 66, cartoon character Wile E Coyote, strapped atop an ACME … Continue reading Yet another reason to watch the Rose Parade