--- The bad news in Oklahoma is that the state's turnpike authority will raise toll-road prices an average of 16 percent. The good news is that this probably means more traffic on old Route 66 in the Sooner State. --- On Monday we briefly visited with Dawn Welch, owner of the Rock Cafe in Stroud, … Continue reading Notes from the road
Category: Books
Route 66 guidebook in the works
Tucked into this story from the Carthage (Mo.) Press about a Jasper County board meeting was this: In other business, Gerry “Ringo” Meyer, Shawnee, Kan., spoke with the commissioners about the county buying advertising space and getting involved in a travelogue his company was putting together about Route 66. He described “Keeping You on the … Continue reading Route 66 guidebook in the works
Portrait of a Route 66 advocate
The Kingman (Ariz.) Daily Miner has a good story about Route 66 aficionado Jim Hinckley and his efforts to kick-start more Route 66 tourism in Kingman -- efforts which seem to be finally bearing fruit. The Kingman Route 66 Association recently reformed, and Kingman's historic downtown is being revitalized. He's been doing his part by … Continue reading Portrait of a Route 66 advocate
Chicken-fried bacon
In this warm review by Columbus Alive of Roadhouse 66 Bar & Grille in Worthington, Ohio, this excerpt caught my eye: If you're snacking with your nightcap, an appetizer menu is served until 11:30 p.m. This means you can get a pint of beer with Betty Boop's Tickle Pickles - battered and fried dill wedges … Continue reading Chicken-fried bacon
Ken Burns plans TV series on Dust Bowl
Ken Burns, the acclaimed producer of documentaries who is most famous for his "The Civil War" series, is planning a new film about the Dust Bowl of the 1930s, according to a news release by OETA. Here's Burns' message to OETA and all readers: I'm asking Oklahomans to help me with a new public television … Continue reading Ken Burns plans TV series on Dust Bowl
Return to the road
Ten years ago, Tim Steil and Jim Luning traveled and shot photos for their "Route 66" book. This month, they decided to return to Route 66 to see how the road has changed and meet with aficionados of the old highway. The Luning-Steil blog is here. Today, Luning started posting his Route 66 videos of … Continue reading Return to the road
Notes from the road
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 … Continue reading Notes from the road
Book review: “Driving Like Crazy”
P.J. O'Rourke seems to be in a somewhat dour mood these days. The famed gonzo journalist is feeling the creeping effects of age, blames auto executives, unions and politicians alike for the current free-fall of American cars, and saves his biggest ire to the "Fun Suckers" that are ruining everything he loves. Yet O'Rourke's 14th … Continue reading Book review: “Driving Like Crazy”
Book review: “Lincoln Highway Companion”
A number of guidebooks about the Lincoln Highway, an important predecessor to historic Route 66, exist for several states that the road traverses. However, Brian Butko's "Lincoln Highway Companion" (Stackpole Books, 192 pages, $26.95 retail) is the first book of which I'm aware that tries to compile all of the coast-to-coast road's unique motels, restaurants, … Continue reading Book review: “Lincoln Highway Companion”
A treat for you Ohioans
It isn't on Route 66, but this establishment will suffice for folks in the state of Ohio who want to sample the Mother Road within their home state. The Roadhouse 66 Bar & Grille in Westerville, Ohio, a suburb of Columbus, opened a few days ago. It features live music and "quirky road food from … Continue reading A treat for you Ohioans