“Long Way Home” June 24, 2009
Posted by Ron Warnick in Music.add a comment
By Norah Jones, live in Austin, Texas.
“10 Miles to Go on a 9 Mile Road” June 21, 2009
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By the eccentric but always interesting Jim White.
Notes from the road, San Fran edition June 19, 2009
Posted by Ron Warnick in Events, Motels, People, Road trips.1 comment so far
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 iPod, but I sure wish Apple had made its “copy and paste” update available two weeks ago instead of when I’m on the road, away from my home computer. Oh, well … It’s been fun regardless (check my Twitter account for regular updates).
On to the news:
– Tommy and Glenda Pike passed along the sad news that Phillip Shelden, 83, longtime owner of the historic Shelden’s Market in Devil’s Elbow, Mo., died a few days ago. Also, Oletha Prather Gunther, 84, the former owner of the Rock Fountain Court of Springfield, Mo., died recently. The motel is on the National Register of Historic Places.
– The folks at VintageRoadside.com, which pay tribute to defunct roadside businesses with their line of T-shirts and other apparel, were featured in the Travel section of the Los Angeles Times. I can’t post the link, but if go to latimes.com, you should be able to find it.
– Ken Selby, the 73-year-old founder of the Mazzio’s restaurant chain, braved heat, narrow shoulders and chiggers to walk about 100 miles from Oklahoma City to the original eatery on 11th Street in Tulsa, according to a local TV station.
– If you’re in Tulsa this weekend, the city plays host to the Volvo Kicks on 66 event this weekend. Again, I can’t post a link, but a Google search should get you there.
“8 Miles a Gallon” June 18, 2009
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By Scott Miller. Fortunately, my ride does a lot better than that.
Big Catsup Bottle gets face-lift June 15, 2009
Posted by Ron Warnick in Attractions.add a comment
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 widely believed, but a local group that is footing the repainting bill.
Brooks had a factory in Collinsville for many years. The Catsup Bottle isn’t on Route 66, but is frequently visited by Mother Road travelers anyway.
“East St. Louis Blues” June 15, 2009
Posted by Ron Warnick in Music, Towns.3 comments
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 Sain.
Notes from the road June 14, 2009
Posted by Ron Warnick in Books, People, Road trips, Web sites.add a comment
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 considering a $10 fee assessed on foreign travelers. A nonprofit group would promote tourism to the U.S., which has been down since the terrorism attacks of 2001. The bill number is S.1023.
– Author Karen Colson has written a book, “Murder on Route 66,” which takes place partly at The Red Garter in Williams, Ariz., according to the Rawlins Daily Times in Wyoming.
– Longtime Illinois roadie Jeff Meyer is out of the hospital after recently encountering serious health problems. He felt good enough to post a sunny message on his Facebook account over the weekend.
– Author Tim Steil and photographer Jim Luning are out on Route 66 now to revisit some of the people and places from their “Route 66″ book but to video some new material as well. Updates will be found at luningphoto.blogspot.com.