The evolution of roadside lodging August 2, 2010
Posted by Ron Warnick in Motels.1 comment so far
Delbert Trew, a Route 66 advocate and rancher in the Texas Panhandle, wrote an article today in the Amarillo Globe-News about how we’ve progressed as a nation in the overnight lodging industry.
An excerpt:
Stalls in sheds were first partitioned off with wagon canvas allowing just enough space to undress and lie on a single straw-tick mattress that rattled every time you moved. Strangers often slept together in larger beds, each with a pistol in his hand for protection. [...]
Of course, saloons were always built first. To save on building costs, second and third stories were added providing small rooms for rent. Though many were clean and comfortable, most were just barely livable with dirty bedding, small space and the ever-present bedbugs and lice. Most legs of beds rested in small saucers filled with coal oil to keep the bugs from crawling upward.
The whole thing is worth reading.
Members of the Route 66 yahoogroup had a recent discussion about Wi-Fi in Route 66 motels. Even from just three years ago, it’s amazing how quickly even the smallest mom-and-pops are offering free wireless Internet. In fact, I’m hard-pressed to think of anyplace that doesn’t have it. They’re out there, but disappearing fast.
Another view of the passenger side August 2, 2010
Posted by Ron Warnick in Photographs, Road trips.add a comment
We’ve reported about Jason Paul Bennett and his Passenger Side project before. Here’s a new slide show that he posted a few days ago. You’ll see some wonderful photography from the Mother Road here.
66 Bowl will get a big twist-off August 1, 2010
Posted by Ron Warnick in Businesses, Events, Music, Signs, Sports, Vehicles.add a comment
The 66 Bowl in Oklahoma City will be sold to an India grocer in a matter of days. To give the historic bowling alley a proper farewell party, it will host the annual Okie Twist-Off hot rod and music festival next weekend.
According to the Daily Oklahoman:
The annual event has drawn some of the largest crowds in the bowling alley’s history. But now is no time to look back, said John Manson, organizer of the bowl’s last event.
“While there is no one involved in the Twist-Off who wants to see the bowl go away, this is not going to be a weekend for sad faces,” Manson said. “We’ll pack in as much fun as possible for the last weekend.”
The bowling alley is under contract to be sold to Spices of India food market. 66 Bowl owner Jim Haynes said the last day for bowling will be Aug. 21. The food store, now in the Portland Plaza shopping center at NW 39 and Portland Avenue, is expected to move in after Labor Day. [...]
There will be three stages, two indoors and one on a flatbed trailer outside, to provide music and entertainment. [...]
“There is nothing that feels more appropriate than having a car show at 66 Bowl on old Route 66,” Manson said. “66 Bowl has kept crowds from bowlers to rockers coming over the years, and you don’t find that too often at any place,” Manson said. “It will be missed.” [...]
Manson said the Okie Twist-Off is looking for a new venue to host the 2011 festival.
In the meantime, there’s no word on what will happen to the 66 Bowl’s distinctive neon sign after the sale goes through.
Night life August 1, 2010
Posted by Ron Warnick in Music, Television.add a comment
A lot (if any) of this time-lapse footage doesn’t take place on Route 66.
However, the instrumental by Nelson Riddle & His Orchestra comes directly from the “Route 66″ television show of the early 1960s. And the music goes remarkably well with the nighttime pulse of the city.