The Nov. 10th Santa Monica(Ca) Daily Press reported that the Santa Monica Pier has always been considered the unofficial end of Route 66, but now it is the official terminus according to the Route 66 Alliance.
Tomorrow is the road's 83rd anniversary, having been commissioned on November 11, 1926. At 9 AM, there will be a procession of 66 vintage vehicles and motorbikes from Santa Monica Blvd. and Lincoln Avenues to the pier.
At one time, there was a marker at Santa Monica Blvd. and Lincoln Avenue that was thought to be a movie prop. However, it mysteriously disappeared about 50 years ago.
In 1952, the road was dedicated to the memory of Will Rogers and a plaque placed at the park overlooking the pier and the Pacific Coast Highway.
We ended our cross-country Route 66 trip in 2006 at the park overlooking the Pacific and saw a beautiful sunset before driving down to the pier, parking on it and thinking, "Wow, we made it."
At Trail's End. --RoadDog
Tuesday, November 10, 2009
Monday, November 9, 2009
Two More Illinois Lincoln Highway Gazebos
FULTON
The October 19th SaukValley.com reported that the Lincoln Highway gazebo in Fulton opened and is one of 16 such information centers built or planned in the state. Fulton is at the far west end of the state along the Mississippi River.
One of the four informational panels reflects Fulton's Lincoln Highway heritage. It is located on the corner of 3rd Street and 10th Avenue, twp blocks from the famous windmill and Windmill Cultural Center.
NEW LENNOX
The October 19th Lincoln Way Herald News reported that another gazebo had opened in front of Lincoln Way Central High School. It is similar to the one in Fulton and funded by the Illinois Lincoln Highway Coalition. There is also an original 1928 Boy Scout Lincoln Highway marker there as well.
Marking and Informing the Old Lincoln Highway. --RoadDog
However, they say there are 20 gazebos plnned.
The October 19th SaukValley.com reported that the Lincoln Highway gazebo in Fulton opened and is one of 16 such information centers built or planned in the state. Fulton is at the far west end of the state along the Mississippi River.
One of the four informational panels reflects Fulton's Lincoln Highway heritage. It is located on the corner of 3rd Street and 10th Avenue, twp blocks from the famous windmill and Windmill Cultural Center.
NEW LENNOX
The October 19th Lincoln Way Herald News reported that another gazebo had opened in front of Lincoln Way Central High School. It is similar to the one in Fulton and funded by the Illinois Lincoln Highway Coalition. There is also an original 1928 Boy Scout Lincoln Highway marker there as well.
Marking and Informing the Old Lincoln Highway. --RoadDog
However, they say there are 20 gazebos plnned.
Saturday, November 7, 2009
Bob Waldemire-- Part 5-- "The Johnny Appleseed of Route 66"
Continuing with the Tribune article.
Colon cancer is claiming him and he might have just a month to live. But he hopes to hang on until November 22nd when he has his final art show at the Cozy Dog in Springfield, Illinois. I would like to be there, but will be in North Carolina with family for Thanksgiving. However, I am hoping to see him this coming week.
His father, Ed Waldemire is said to have perfected the hot dog on a stick at the Cozy Dog after seeing it while stationed in Texas, but that is another story. Only, don't ever call it a "corn dog" around the Cozy. It is a Cozy Dog as you'll soon learn.
Bob said he knew about the cancer ten years ago, but chose to go ahead with his life and ignore it. I doubt that he ever had insurance of any sort living the lifestyle that he did. When Liz and I saw him at the Cozy Dog this last September, something about him just didn't appear to be normal. Others were thinking the same thing. About a month ago, we found out the reason, but didn't say anything about it until the article in the Springfield paper came out last week.
Of course, there was also him saying at the time that he wanted to do one more Route 66 thing and that was to travel the road and locate the final resting spots of all the people who have put their mark on Route 66 over the years.
Goodbye to Route 66's Johnny Appleseed. --RoadDog
Colon cancer is claiming him and he might have just a month to live. But he hopes to hang on until November 22nd when he has his final art show at the Cozy Dog in Springfield, Illinois. I would like to be there, but will be in North Carolina with family for Thanksgiving. However, I am hoping to see him this coming week.
His father, Ed Waldemire is said to have perfected the hot dog on a stick at the Cozy Dog after seeing it while stationed in Texas, but that is another story. Only, don't ever call it a "corn dog" around the Cozy. It is a Cozy Dog as you'll soon learn.
Bob said he knew about the cancer ten years ago, but chose to go ahead with his life and ignore it. I doubt that he ever had insurance of any sort living the lifestyle that he did. When Liz and I saw him at the Cozy Dog this last September, something about him just didn't appear to be normal. Others were thinking the same thing. About a month ago, we found out the reason, but didn't say anything about it until the article in the Springfield paper came out last week.
Of course, there was also him saying at the time that he wanted to do one more Route 66 thing and that was to travel the road and locate the final resting spots of all the people who have put their mark on Route 66 over the years.
Goodbye to Route 66's Johnny Appleseed. --RoadDog
Bob Waldemire-- Part 4-- "The Johnny Appleseed of Route 66"
From November 5th Chicago Tribune, which devoted most of a page to Bob, including one of him holding court in that crowded converted school bus he lives in.
Above the picture, a quote from Route 66 author Michael Wallis: "I always called him the Johnny Appleseed of Route 66-- his footprints, his fingerprints are all over the road." Michael sure has a way with words, but that pretty well sums up Bob Waldemire.
"End of the road for Route 66 artist: 'Last original hippie' spent his years on the famed highway; now he's ready to say goodbye." by Steve Schmadeke.
Bob Waldemire spent decades traveling up and down Route 66 in his VW bus and selling his intricate, India-ink artwork which was sometimes colorized. This is how I'll always remember him, selling that unique art. You know when you see a Bob Waldemire piece of art. It definitely requires the old cheaters to come out as, man, that stuff's small and information packed.
I'd often wanted to have him do a RoadDog logo for me in his style, but I guess it won't ever happen now. I wanted a mid-size dog running down the road. However, he would always say that I needed to have a picture of one before he could put his imprint on it.
I finally found one, but after looking at it, he said that he was sure he had seen it before. It turned out to be from a Shelly Graham photo of a dog running down the Ribbon Road in Oklahoma.
More to Come. --RoadDog
Above the picture, a quote from Route 66 author Michael Wallis: "I always called him the Johnny Appleseed of Route 66-- his footprints, his fingerprints are all over the road." Michael sure has a way with words, but that pretty well sums up Bob Waldemire.
"End of the road for Route 66 artist: 'Last original hippie' spent his years on the famed highway; now he's ready to say goodbye." by Steve Schmadeke.
Bob Waldemire spent decades traveling up and down Route 66 in his VW bus and selling his intricate, India-ink artwork which was sometimes colorized. This is how I'll always remember him, selling that unique art. You know when you see a Bob Waldemire piece of art. It definitely requires the old cheaters to come out as, man, that stuff's small and information packed.
I'd often wanted to have him do a RoadDog logo for me in his style, but I guess it won't ever happen now. I wanted a mid-size dog running down the road. However, he would always say that I needed to have a picture of one before he could put his imprint on it.
I finally found one, but after looking at it, he said that he was sure he had seen it before. It turned out to be from a Shelly Graham photo of a dog running down the Ribbon Road in Oklahoma.
More to Come. --RoadDog
Friday, November 6, 2009
Cherokee Hills Scenic Byway
The Oct. 13, 2008, Oklahoman reported that this 88-mile scenic byway through the Ozark Mountains in Adair, Cherokee, Delaware and Sequoyah counties in northeastern Oklahoma had become the state's 8th Scenic Byway.
It runs along US Highways 59 and 410 and State Highways 10, 51, 62, 82 and 110.
The Oklahoma Byways Program is a joint effort by the Cherokee Nation, ODOT and the University of Oklahoma. This new one shows the cultural, topographical, and historical features of this part of the state. (I know that I always thought there wasn't anything much to see in Oklahoma until I took my first drive through the state on Route 66 and this is one impressive state!)
Some of the locations along the Cherokee Hills Scenic Byway are the Tahlonteeske Cherokee Courthouse Museum, Murrell Home, Cherokee heritage Center and Cherokee Natural Prison.
It joins the Osage Nation Heritage Trail, Wichita Mountains Byway, Cimarron Heritage Trail, Mountain Pass Scenic Byway, Mountains Gateway Scenic Byway and the Talimena Scenic Drive which is also a National Scenic Byway.
Another Great Drive. --RoadDog
It runs along US Highways 59 and 410 and State Highways 10, 51, 62, 82 and 110.
The Oklahoma Byways Program is a joint effort by the Cherokee Nation, ODOT and the University of Oklahoma. This new one shows the cultural, topographical, and historical features of this part of the state. (I know that I always thought there wasn't anything much to see in Oklahoma until I took my first drive through the state on Route 66 and this is one impressive state!)
Some of the locations along the Cherokee Hills Scenic Byway are the Tahlonteeske Cherokee Courthouse Museum, Murrell Home, Cherokee heritage Center and Cherokee Natural Prison.
It joins the Osage Nation Heritage Trail, Wichita Mountains Byway, Cimarron Heritage Trail, Mountain Pass Scenic Byway, Mountains Gateway Scenic Byway and the Talimena Scenic Drive which is also a National Scenic Byway.
Another Great Drive. --RoadDog
Thursday, November 5, 2009
Handsome Harry and Lana Turner
Like I said, I'd never heard this story, so went to good old Wikipedia to get some background.
John Stompanato, Johnny's father and owner of the barbershop, lived from 1890 to 1952. His son Johnny was born in 1925 and died April 4, 1958.
Johnny was also called "Handsome Harry" and "Johnny Stomp" and was quite the ladies man, but was known as being possessive and jealous. He once even pointed a gun at Sean Connery on a movie set.
Lana Turner's daughter Cheryl hear an argument between them getting serious and stabbed Stompanato to death. The courts ruled it justifiable homicide. The Stompanato family later sued Turner for $7 million.
So, go to Cobb's, have a drink, eat some food, and get into some history.
Johnny Stompanato is interred at Woodstock's Oakland Cemetery.
Quite a Story, Definitely ET Worthy. --RoadDog
John Stompanato, Johnny's father and owner of the barbershop, lived from 1890 to 1952. His son Johnny was born in 1925 and died April 4, 1958.
Johnny was also called "Handsome Harry" and "Johnny Stomp" and was quite the ladies man, but was known as being possessive and jealous. He once even pointed a gun at Sean Connery on a movie set.
Lana Turner's daughter Cheryl hear an argument between them getting serious and stabbed Stompanato to death. The courts ruled it justifiable homicide. The Stompanato family later sued Turner for $7 million.
So, go to Cobb's, have a drink, eat some food, and get into some history.
Johnny Stompanato is interred at Woodstock's Oakland Cemetery.
Quite a Story, Definitely ET Worthy. --RoadDog
D. C. Cobbs in Woodstock, Il.
Interesting story about a a party place in Woodstock that we have visited a couple times, but I didn't know this bit of history about the place.
It is just off the square and owned by Daniel Hart who just completed a one-year renovation during which an original interior wall was uncovered. This was the site of the famous Stompanato's Barber Shop.
Fifty years ago, the son of owner John became involved with actress Lana Turner and was stabbed to death by the Turner's 14-year-old daughter Cheryl. I'd never heard this story before. The restaurant has several pictures of Johnny Stompanato.
The walls will be left as they are. Also, the original window openings were found and original 1940s newspapers will be placed in them.
From the November 4th Northwest Herald "Renovation uncovers Woodstock History" by Chris Freeman.
Sex and Sin in the Wood. --RoadDog
It is just off the square and owned by Daniel Hart who just completed a one-year renovation during which an original interior wall was uncovered. This was the site of the famous Stompanato's Barber Shop.
Fifty years ago, the son of owner John became involved with actress Lana Turner and was stabbed to death by the Turner's 14-year-old daughter Cheryl. I'd never heard this story before. The restaurant has several pictures of Johnny Stompanato.
The walls will be left as they are. Also, the original window openings were found and original 1940s newspapers will be placed in them.
From the November 4th Northwest Herald "Renovation uncovers Woodstock History" by Chris Freeman.
Sex and Sin in the Wood. --RoadDog
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