Mother Road Monument edges closer to reality September 22, 2009
Posted by Ron Warnick in Businesses, Preservation.add a comment
About a week ago, an article hinted that the proposed Mother Road National Monument in California’s Mojave Desert was looking more likely.
On Tuesday, the Press-Enterprise reports that the monument appeared to be “gaining momentum.”
Part of the reason was because a proposed solar-power plant in the desert had been scrapped and another said it would put most of its plants outside the monument area. Another reason is because the proposed monument area has become smaller, thus giving the solar-power companies less of a reason to encroach on park land.
I think the talk about the “pristine” environment of the Mojave is overblown, particularly since a prominent former U.S. highway and a major rail line slice right through the area. But the fact a compromise will be reached — and that much-needed alternate energy sources will still be developed — is a good thing.
UPDATE: The Investor’s Business Daily has an interesting editorial about this issue. Some choice excerpts:
You can always find someone with a passionate argument about building something large and visible on empty land. Often those arguments prevail, not because they make sense but because those who make them have a law or a powerful politician on their side. This is a bicoastal problem, as the aspiring wind farmers of Nantucket Sound will tell you. [...]
America needs more energy from all feasible sources. Without it, we face a very different, far more limited standard of living in our future. The argument that “they can always build it somewhere else” is running thin, because that “somewhere else” is likely to be someone else’s pet cause.
It’s a gas, gas, gas September 22, 2009
Posted by Ron Warnick in Road trips, Vehicles.1 comment so far
Mark McConville and Keith Barfield want to drive a cherry-looking 1966 Pontiac GTO down the length of Route 66 sometime next year.
But the GTO won’t be powered by gasoline. They will attempt the trip entirely with compressed natural gas, or CNG, and reportedly will be the first vehicle to do so on the Mother Road. Their Web site, Route66goatgas.com, will document the quest.
From the group’s Web page:
We are a couple of knuckleheads looking to have a blast and hopefully awaken true Americans to reclaim the fun that was lost through our dependence on foreign oil. We believe that American produced Compressed Natural Gas is an immediate bridge to future alternative fuels that we can enjoy today and simultaneously support America’s economy. We believe this trip can lift the spirit and raise the collective consciousness of the citizens of America and remind us of our wonderful heritage of muscle cars, Route 66, adventure, sightseeing, vacationing and tire smoking fun. We collaborate with mechanics, CNG producers, CNG providers, ecologist, Clean Cities initiatives, hot rod enthusiasts, auto afficianados, adventurers, and friends to facilitate mutual support, recognition, and the exchanging of ideas to reclaim our American heritage of fun times with fun cars. We work to encourage a thriving network of individuals who want to see the greatness of the “ROAD TRIP” returned without the guilt of sending our fuel money out of America. We facilitate classes, lectures, appearances, and exhibits in an effort to reclaim the fun for all citizens of America. Our website strives to unleash the creativity and American innovation potential of every follower to help us make this happen!
It’s not going to be easy, because of the lack of CNG infrastructure across the country. As a map on the home page shows, there aren’t any fill-up spots in Amarillo, Texas, or Flagstaff, Ariz. And going all the way from St. Louis to Miami, Okla., seems awfully far, too.
The goal is to finish the trip by July 4, 2010, in Los Angeles.
If you have a CNG filling station or would like to help in other ways, go here.
Route 66 Rendezvous attendance rises September 21, 2009
Posted by Ron Warnick in Events, Vehicles.1 comment so far
Attendance at the annual Route 66 Rendezvous in San Bernardino, Calif., rose significantly over the previous year, reported the San Bernardino County Sun.
The bureau states the Rendezvous usually brings about 500,000 downtown during its four-day span, and this year that figure was met and then some, officials say.
“It is an increase from last year. I know there was well over 500,000 people there,” Blanco said. [...]
During last year’s Rendezvous, only about a handful of the hotel’s 40 rooms were occupied, he said.
Anup Desai, the owner of America’s Best Value Inn and Suites, at 395 N. H St., just a few blocks from the Rendezvous’ hub around Court Street, said room occupancy was way up this year. [...]
The Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott, at 1041 E. Harriman Place, about a 15 minute drive from the Rendezvous, experienced a 7 to 10 percent increase in occupancy when compared to a typical weekend, said John Mathews, the hotel’s assistant general manager. Mathews did not have numbers from last year’s Rendezvous weekend for comparison.
Numbers were down last year, which was attributed to the downtown of the California economy. The Rendezvous’ strong showing may indicate the economy is turning around.
Here are a few videos from the event:
— A flame-throwing Mustang:
— A school bus that’s a monster truck:
— Here’s a contest for the loudest vehicle in the open headers division:
— A slide show of muscle cars, to George Thorogood’s “Bad to the Bone”:
Manhattan Transfer, circa 1981 September 21, 2009
Posted by Ron Warnick in Music, Television.1 comment so far
Here’s the Manhattan Transfer, performing one of its best-known songs, during an episode of “Fridays” on ABC-TV in 1981. And, yes, that’s late comedian Marty Feldman doing the introduction.
Just another Nob Hill Night September 21, 2009
Posted by Ron Warnick in Businesses, Events, Towns.add a comment
The Nob Hill area of Albuquerque is going to hold a street-fair event on the first Thursday of every month, called “Nob Hill Nights,” according to a news release.
The first event will be held Thursday, October 1, 2009 from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m., and will feature turning Central Avenue — Historic Route 66 – between Dartmouth Drive and Carlisle Avenue into a pedestrian mall featuring more than 20 of Albuquerque’s performing arts acts including the nationally recognized and acclaimed Keshet Dance Company.
The events are free to the public and will feature performance stages and roving performing artists. [...]
Many Nob Hill businesses have agreed to extend their operating hours and popular Nob Hill eateries have planned special entertainment and menus in support of the event. The first event is being held the Thursday prior to Albuquerque’s nationally popular Balloon Fiesta giving visitors an opportunity to experience another side of Albuquerque.
So if you’re in the Duke City on one of those Thursdays, it sounds like a good incentive to stick around and check out the sights in that neighborhood. Not that you need much incentive anyway — Nob Hill is one of the most interesting shopping and dining areas along the Route 66 corridor.
Scenes from the Berwyn car show September 20, 2009
Posted by Ron Warnick in Events, Vehicles.add a comment
Here is a slide show from this weekend’s Berwyn Route 66 Car Show in Berwyn, Ill.
“Life is a Highway” voted top road song September 20, 2009
Posted by Ron Warnick in Movies, Music.2 comments
The Econo Lodge motel chain held a contest for the top-road song this summer, with 20,000 people casting their votes.
This was No. 1.
Yep. Tom Cochrane‘s 1991 hit beat ‘em all.
The fact Rascal Flatts had a big hit with its version as well — and it was attached to a certain hit movie — probably helped. There was little difference between the two, except there was no harmonica and Picher, Okla., native Joe Don Rooney’s guitar was cranked up more.
Here’s the Top 10:
- “Life is a Highway”
- “On the Road Again”
- “Born to Be Wild”
- “Take Me Home Country Roads”
- “Take It Easy”
- “Wanted Dead or Alive”
- “Ramblin’ Man”
- “(Get Your Kicks On) Route 66″
- “I’ve Been Everywhere”
- “Runnin’ Down a Dream”
(Via El Paso Times)
Road Bug September 19, 2009
Posted by Ron Warnick in Vehicles.add a comment
Check out what this fellow in Italy did with a classic Volkwagen Beetle:
In an e-mail, he said that he wasn’t quite finished with the Beetle, and his dream is to drive that car on the real Route 66 one day.
Rendezvous Report September 19, 2009
Posted by Ron Warnick in Events, Food, Vehicles, Weather.add a comment
Here is some coverage from the Route 66 Rendezvous this weekend in San Bernardino, Calif.
— A lucky reporter at the Redlands Daily Facts tried the fare at the barbecue booths at the festival.
— The Contra Costa Times takes a closer look at the alternative-fuel vehicles and other “green” practices at the event.
— Get out the sunblock — it’s going to be hot the rest of the weekend in San Bern.
And here’s a very good video from Neon Night, where many vehicles are decked in neon lighting, including one car with a neon Route 66 shield on its roof.
More Rhythms of the Road September 18, 2009
Posted by Ron Warnick in Music, Road trips, Television.1 comment so far
Brian Greene of Greene HD Productions has posted the seventh episode of “Rhythms of the Road,” a musical revue that was filmed along Route 66. Stops in this episode included the U-Drop Inn in Shamrock, Texas, and the Mediocre Music Makers of Erick, Okla.
Greene says he’s posting this episode to get more feedback. He said this would probably be the last episode on the Internet until after the Cannes world television market later this fall.