Go deep into Mitchell Caverns

One reason Route 66 is great is because you learn something new about it all the time. This time, I'm talking about Mitchell Caverns, which is off Route 66 in the Providence Mountains of Southern California's Mojave Desert. Inland Press-Enterprise columnist Mark Muckenfuss wrote about it today. The reason not a lot of people know … Continue reading Go deep into Mitchell Caverns

Two Route 66 segments in Oklahoma named to National Register

The Tank Farm Loop near Kellyville and a 1926 truss bridge near Chelsea, both on older alignments of Route 66 in Oklahoma, were added to the National Register of Historic Places, reports the Associated Press. Here's a picture of the Chelsea bridge, which goes over Pryor Creek, from the Oklahoma Highway Bridges site. Here are … Continue reading Two Route 66 segments in Oklahoma named to National Register

Route 66 blog roundup 9/30

Santa Monica Close-up contains photos from the final day of the Mercedes-Benz Club of America's Historic Route 66 Tour. About 100 participants started, and about 20 dropped out because of mechanical or medical reasons. Maya Reynolds tells the story of how Jackson Browne's "Take It Easy," which immortalizes a certain corner in Winslow, Ariz., came … Continue reading Route 66 blog roundup 9/30

Don’t outlaw your neon signs, Albuquerque

The City of Albuquerque, spurred by Mayor Marty Chavez, is considering a sign ordinance that's so financially onerous and controversial that I'm surprised it was proposed at all. In short, the ordinance would outlaw nearly all existing standalone signs and signs that are attached to buildings. This, of course, would include virtually all neon signs … Continue reading Don’t outlaw your neon signs, Albuquerque

Don’t try this at home, kids

The fellows at Carpix.net tested a 2007 Ford Shelby Mustang by flooring it for a 9.5-mile stretch of Route 66 from the the ruins of the Roadrunner restaurant to Roy's in Amboy, Calif. Reported average speed was 141 mph. See for yourself: I wouldn't have tried it. The Mother Road out in the Mojave Desert … Continue reading Don’t try this at home, kids

Not just standin’ around

Despite a fire nearly destroying the Standin' on a Corner mural in Winslow, Ariz., the Route 66 town will continue to have its Standin' on a Corner festival today and Saturday, reports the East Valley Tribune. The gala and mural are inspired by the Eagles' hit song, "Take It Easy," which contains these famed lyrics … Continue reading Not just standin’ around

A gaggle of ghost stories

Just in time for the Halloween season, Kathy Weiser's massive Legends of America site is touting its large collection of ghost stories and other unexplained phenomena along Route 66, according to a recent press release. The list includes the haunted Lemp Mansion in St. Louis, the haunted Oatman Hotel, and the notorious Spook Light. They're … Continue reading A gaggle of ghost stories

“Cars” DVD screen shots

UltimateDisney.com has posted a bunch of screen shots from the upcoming Disney-Pixar "Cars" DVD, including a scene from the "Mater and the Ghostlight" short (shown above). Check 'em out. The Ghostlight, incidentally, is based on the real-life Spooklight near Route 66 at the Missouri-Oklahoma-Kansas border. The street date for the DVD version of the hit … Continue reading “Cars” DVD screen shots

Popping up

Nearly five months after its groundbreaking ceremony, Pops -- an unusual gas station that will lure tourists with a 66-foot-tall soda bottle lit with LEDs out front, a collection of 12,000 soda bottles inside, and an elaborate, futuristic canopy cantilevered over the gas pumps -- is beginning to rise from the red Oklahoma dirt in … Continue reading Popping up

$1 million for Joplin-area tourism

The Joplin (Mo.) Globe reports that city budget plans include $1 million in spending to promote area tourism. Included is $63,000 for entryway beautification, which includes Route 66. Next year, the bureau is looking to construct a sign at the southwest corner of North Florida Avenue and Zora Street that has a Route 66 theme … Continue reading $1 million for Joplin-area tourism