The Joplin (Mo.) Globe has a good story about the eventful weekend recently for 4 Women on the Route of Galena, Kan. The business had a devil of a time hauling around Tow Tater, the tow truck that become the inspiration to Tow Mater in the movie "Cars," to and from the Route 66 Festival … Continue reading A weekend ‘adventure’ for 4 Women on the Route
Threatening weather dampens bridge birthday party
Attendance at Trailnet's annual birthday party for St. Louis' Old Chain of Rocks Bridge (it turned 79) a week ago Sunday was down from the usual because of the threat of stormy weather, reported the Granite City (Ill.) Press-Record. It also rained during part of the events that morning, and flooding from a swollen Mississippi … Continue reading Threatening weather dampens bridge birthday party
Writer readies for budget travel
Amy Graff has filed her first post on The Mommy Files about her family of four that soon will travel Route 66 on $250 a day. It was announced a few weeks ago that Graff's blog entries about the Mother Road would be appearing on Best Western's site, but it hasn't shown up yet. Graff … Continue reading Writer readies for budget travel
Old sounding new
Change the key and slow the tempo, and Bobby Troup's "Route 66" sounds like a new song. This version is performed by Steve Binetti.
A drive through the desert
Timothy O'Grady of The Observer in London writes about his driving journey through the American Southwest, much of it on Route 66. Among the places featured in the story is the Route 66 Motel in Barstow, Calif., and the Monte Vista Hotel in Flagstaff, Ariz.
Mother Roadrunner
I've seen roadrunners in Oklahoma, where I live, but only as a blur as they zip by at incredible speed. This videographer got good footage of two of them, on old Route 66 between Oatman, Ariz., and Kingman: I got my camera to take a video, and when I tried to slowly approach the bird … Continue reading Mother Roadrunner
Notes from the road
There seems to be some activity at the long-abandoned old Route 66 town of Spencer, Mo. We heard from Gary Turner up the road at Gay Parita that someone has bought the town's handful of buildings and plans to revive it with a gift shop and maybe other things. When we drove by on Sunday … Continue reading Notes from the road
Montana, R.I.P.
Word came today that Montana, the beloved mascot of Rich Henry's Rabbit Ranch on Route 66 in Staunton, Ill., died overnight, likely from natural causes. Montana some months ago underwent abdominal surgery and was nearly seven years old, which is the upper limit of the typical life span of rabbits. Montana even had her own … Continue reading Montana, R.I.P.
Baby steps for national Route 66 alliance
During last week's Route 66 Summit at Litchfield, Ill., a steering committee was formed to establish a national Route 66 alliance. One of the organizers at the meeting is optimistic the group will be operating by 2009. The organization would be similar to the old U.S. Highway 66 Association, which operated until 1976, and the … Continue reading Baby steps for national Route 66 alliance
Fodor’s “Essential USA” a disappointment
On Wednesday, I received a copy of Fodor's "Essential USA" (688 pages, $21.95), which is subtitled "Spectacular Cities, Natural Wonders and Great American Road Trips." I requested the book from Fodor's because of this description: The book includes classic road trip itineraries like Route 66 and the Pacific Coast Highway, where to stay and eat … Continue reading Fodor’s “Essential USA” a disappointment