Coming Home-- Part 3: To Galax and the Crooked Road (Music)

Aftersating the need for 'cue, back on I-40.  Took US-421 over to US-52 to Mt. Airy and got off on NC-89 and headed into Virginia with intentions of going to Galax, Virginia.  I'd never heard of the town before, but everytime through this area, I tune into 98.1 FM, playing classic country which broadcasts from there.  They play a lot of the old ones you never get to hear as well as a lot of them that I have never heard of before.

Plus, I found out that Galax is a major center for what they call Crooked Road Music, real Americana stuff and that it is a major stop along the Crooked Road Trail through southwestern Virginia.

As it turned out, getting there was a whole lot of fun.  NC-89 turns into Va-89 and is one of the great drives I've ever driven.  It is also called Skyline Highway, a well-deserved name.  It was up and down, around-and-around, a veritable roller coaster.  Great views around every bend.

Galax is seven miles from the Blue Ridge Parkway.  Another great drive nearby is US-52 from the West Virginia line to Wytheville.

Unfortunately, it was raining when I got to Galax so I wasn't inclined to get out of the car, especially since I didn't see anything connected with Crooked Road Music.  And, I'll say this, there are sure a lot of stoplights.  I did drive by the Rex Theater which has Crooked Road/bluegrass shows Tuesdays, but this was Monday.

I saw a sign for Merle Fest honoring Doc Watson, quite the music hero in these parts which was held in Wilkesboro, NC, the last weekend in April.  Gas in Galax was $3.44, so filled up.

I'll Sure have to Go Back to Galax, Perhaps on a Crooked Road Tour Sometime.  --RoadDog

Coming Home-- Part 2: Got My 'Cue

I was one of the first people into Hursey's Barbecue April 1st.

In 1945, Sylvester Hursey took his father's method of cooking pork and added a secret sauce and began selling his bbq out of his home, but soon outgrew it.  He got his first place in Gibsonville, NC.

In 1949 he started the North Carolina BBQ Wholesale Company and started selling at his Graham (where I was) and Burlington.  They use the pork shoulder of the pig only, reputedly the best part. 

I'd heard the bbq was great, but also try the chicken so I ordered the combination plate which came with cole slaw, hush puppies and fries., for $7.95.  The chicken was broasted, something you can't get in too many NC places.  And, the bbq was some of the best I ever tasted.  As good as it was, I still poured on huge amounts of the sauce which made it even better.

The whole time I was there, they kept playing Sirius/XM 80s-90s country and real good stuff too.

I'll be Back.  --RoadDog

NC Bound Spring 2013: Coming Home-- Part 1-- Getting My 'Cue.

APRIL 1, 2013

Left Goldsboro, NC, at 8:55 AM with 18,208 in odometer.  Gas in Goldsboro between $3.57 and $3.60.  Driving US-70.

Readout for mpg reading 30.6.

Caught both lights in Princeton, located less than a quarter mile apart.  Made my day.

On I-40 and passed Jones Sausage Road which must have a story about the name.  Sixty-five miles to Raleigh-Durham Airport.

Passed Hillsborough Exit.  Hillsborough is where Confederate General Hardee's son, Willie, was buried after being mortally wounded at the Battle of Bentonville, just hours after the 18-year-old joined the Army.

Gas in Burlington, NC, at $3.53.  I was looking to eat lunch at Hursey's BBQ, a place I've heard a lot about for its great NC 'cue.  And, Ive seen signs advertising it all these years of driving I-40.  I got off one exit too early and had to stop at a gas station to find out where it was.  I was given good direction, even ones that direction-challenged old me could remember.  Usually, after on direction, I'm lost.

A lot of guys won't stop for directions because of pride.  I am a firm believer in stopping for them as I hate driving around when I don't know where I'm going.  I don't like to, though, because I can't remember what they say unless I write it down and there are usually other things the clerk needs to be doing.

Well, That's My Story, Anyway.  --RoadDog

Pepperoni Roll Pitched as Official WV State Food

From the March 20, 2013, Metro News W.V. by Jeff Jenkins.

A resolution has been introduced into the West Virginia House of delegates to make the pepperoni roll the state's official food.

It was first introduced by Italian immigrants in north central West Virginia as a filling food that coal miners could take to work.

Fairmont is generally regarded as the home of the pepperoni roll.

Personally, I'd like to have every state have a state food.  I'll have to try a pepperoni roll next time through the state.

After All, If You Can Have a State Insect.  --RoadDog

Rain and Some Sort of a Gas Gouge On the Way Home

Not a great day to drive Route 66 as it rained 230 miles back home.  Still, even a bad weather day on the Mother Road....   I always hate the big trucks on this sort of day because of all the spray they put off.

But, the big story was WHAT-UP GAS.  It was all over the place with prices.  Gas in Springfield, Illinois, when we arrived Friday was $3.58 and had gotten down to $3.54 yesterday.  This morning, we'd been gouged to an astounding $3.80!!!!  That is a 26 cent increase in a minute!!

The stations on the way to Charlie Parker's were all at $3.80.  Driving out of town, we saw $3.54 and $3.80 prices at stations.  Sure glad we had gotten gas Sunday for $3.55.

Gas in Pontiac was $3.70 (and had been $3.44 when we filled up on the way down Saturday.  Gas in Morris was $3.56.  In Yorkville it was $4.16 and $3.60.

Of course, Illinois Highway 47 from Sugar Grove to Woodstock is about the most expensive gas in Illinois, other than in Chicago and suburbs.  We could only expect it to get more expensive and it sure did.

At US-30--  $4.05
Sugar Grove--  $4.03
Elburn--   $4
BP station at 47 and 38 in Elburn (almost always the most expensive on 47)--  $4.12
$3.96
Huntley--  $4.16
Woodstock--  $4.16

You can always tell how close you are to Chicago by gas prices.  The higher, the closer.

Wonder What This Latest Gouge Was All About?  We'll Probably Never Know. Big Oil keeps Stuff Like That Secret, Along With Their Quarterly Profits. --RoadDog

We Got Our Charlie's Yesterday

After checking out of the TraveLodge in Springfield, Illinois, yesterday, we drove over to Charlie Parker's, off Wabash Avenue on North Street.  We had wanted to eat there yesterday, but ended up for repairs at the Chevy dealer.  So today's the day or we'd have to wait awhile to get our Charlie fix.

I figured that at 9:45, we would have missed the breakfast rush and be there before the lunch rush.  They are only open until 2 PM everyday.  Not so, however.  We got the last table in the place.  There was a long table of high school students (wonder why they weren't in school?)  It was quite unseasonably cool outside and rainy, but even so, every single boy had on shorts, most also wearing hoodies.  Dressing up to MTV code, you know.

Despite the crowd, service was quick and the food came right away.  I had to order my breakfast horseshoe and picked sausage to go with the toast, eggs, cheese sauce, gravy and American fries.  Liz got her usual chicken-fried steak breakfast.  Mine was $7 and hers $8.  We both brought a lot home and I just finished mine this morning.

Like they say there, "Eat It and Beat It."  We did.  And began our drive along Route 66 back home.

Done Been Charlie Parkered.  --RoadDog

Mile After Magnificent Mile: Illinois

Illinois' Tourism Bureau has "Mile After Magnificent Mile" as its logo.  And, it's true, there sure is a lot to see in Illinois and there is a lot of area to cover as well.  Right now, we are in one of the biggest tourist areas with all that Lincoln stuff as well as seat of the government for the state.  That would be Springfield.

Yesterday, after we had gotten our food, reading material and table at Springfield's Cozy Dog on Sixth Street, the old  Route 66 exiting the town, even when the bypass was built, we saw a tour bus pull into the parking lot and lots of people getting out.  We were sure glad that we had gotten in earlier.

I didn't see anyone wearing any Route 66 stuff, which you often see at the Cozy Dog, but they were all wearing the same sweatshirts and jerseys, so I had to ask.

It turned out that they were a group of people who manned the various state welcome centers along the interstates and they were on a five-day tour of Illinois tourist attractions.  As long as they are pushing the state, it never hurts to have them familiar with it.  Then they can make suggestions.

They were  mighty impressed with the Cozy Dogs, which are made right when you order them, unlike corn dos at your local state and county fairs which have been sitting out for quite awhile.  I imagine the Cozy Dog will get mentioned often at those welcome centers.

Good Idea.  --RoadDog

Done Been "Cozy"-ed, Not "Charlie"-d

APRIL 21ST

Back at the room and recoverng from a Cozy Dog attack of some magnitude.  More on that later.

Today was supposed to be a breakfast at Charlie Parker's and later dinner at the Cozy Dog here in Springfield, Illinois. 

The breakfast was either to be a chicken-fried steak and eggs or breakfast horseshoe.  However, last night, the check engine light came on in the '03 and I sure don't like to mess with that.  Thought it might be from the gas we put in yesterday as occasionally we have problems with the gas cap, but a 10-15 mile drive takes care of it.  We did that today, but no luck.

Took it into Friendly Chevrolet southwest of town and they found it was something to do with the faulty evaporative purge solenoid.  Whatever that is.  Part $41, Labor $152.

We ended up there for a little over two hours which would not give us enough time between breakfast and dinner at the two places, so we decided to skip Charlie's.

Drove over to Cozy Dog.  Their family basket of 4 Cozy Dogs and large fries is still $9.45.  This is way more than enough to fill up two people and I still don't know if I like the fries or dogs better.  I still apply a liberal amount of mustard and plenty of raw onions which to me is still the proper way to eat them.  I did see one woman putting catsup/kethchup on hers.  Yuck!!

Enjoyed reading the state Route 66 magazines as usual.  New Mexico and Missouri have probably the best two of all of them.  Since I belong to the Missouri Route 66 Association, and get their magazines, we were anxious to get copies of New Mexico.  I particularly enjoyed the article on Albuquerque's Bobby Box, a deejay at their oldies stations who has been doing that job all over the country since the 1960s.

Then, there was this tour bus that  pulled in.  More on that my next post.

Now, I Am Too  Full to Do Much Other Than Take a Nap.  --RoadDog

Deja Vu Here in Springfield

Friday night, we were at the Lake Springfield Tavern in Springfield, Illinois, and they had the news on.  One of the suspects from the Boston Marathon bombings had been cornered in a boat in a person's backyard in Watertown, Massachusetts.

It was a standoff, but then we heard that the suspect had been captured, setting off some cheers and "great jobs" around the bar.

We were also in Springfield back when we found out that bin Laden had been killed.  This time we were at the Curve Inn.  There was a whole lot of cheering and toasting at that point.

So it would appear that good things happen to bad guys when we're here.

Like Yogi Said.  --RoadDog

Route 66 Cruising Today

Shortly we'll be on the road to Springfield, Illinois, for a Sons of Confederate Veterans meeting.  Planning on taking the old "cruise car," the '03 Malibu, which is the one we took the whole length of Route 66 back when we retired in 2006.  It has been "retired" to local running around these days, replaced by the '11 Malibu.  One thing nice about this car is that it has a cassette player, so we'll be able to listen to some of those.

We'll pick up Route 66 104 miles from home in Dwight, Illinois, and then will drive the Mother Road to Springfield, bypassing Bloomington-Normal as there is very little to see there.

If early enough, thinking of eating at the Palms in Atlanta, if not, we'll be "forced" to have a couple, three Cozy Dogs in Springfield.

On the Road Again.  --RoadDog

Libertyville High School in Illinois

Landmarks, Illinois Most Endangered 2009.

Libertyville Township High School at 416 W. Park Avenue.  Built in 1917.

Neo-classical style and the very first high school built in central Lake County.  Marlon Brando attended school here.  When the new high school was built in 1954, it became a freshman center and placed on the NRHP in 2008.

The school district wants to demolish it to increase its athletic field parking.

Don't.  --RoadDog

Ten Hidden American Gems-- Part 2

6.  Blackwater Falls State Park, West Virginia--  2,456 acres.

7.  Damascis, Virginia--  On Appalachian Trail--  Six of 7 trails converge at Mojoes Trailside Coffee House.

8.  Katy Trail, Missouri--  The largest rails-to-trails conversion in America.  Covers 240 miles from Clinton in the west to Machens in the east and mostly fairly flat.

9.  Ohiopyle State Park, Pennsylvania--  Four waterfalls, 79 miles of trails (11 for horseback)--  20,000 acres.

10.  Beaufort, NC--  Pirates, Colonial America and pronunciation.

Let's Get Going.  --RoadDog

Ten Hidden American Gems-- Part 1

From the April 10, 2013 Yahoo! Travel--  Budget Travel.

1.  Valley of Fire State Park, Nevada--  Hour drive northeast of Las Vegas, 42,000 acres.

2.  Ludington State Park, Michigan-- Between Lake Michigan and Humber Lake, 5,300 acres.

3.  Hammondsport, New York--  Restored seaplanes, wine and birdhouses made of scrap wood.  In Finger Lakes area.

4.  Cache River State Natural Area--  30 miles from the Kentucky border, true southern scenery, 15,000 acres.

5.  Weaverville, California--  Old gold mining town.

Places I've Never Heard Of Before.  --RoadDog

Rock Road Bridge Lincoln Highway Memorial

From the April 11, 2013 Mansfield (Ohio) News Journal

A monument is to be erected in Ontario, Ohio, this summer to commemorate the Lincoln Highway and the bridge at West 4th Street and Mabee Road.

They hope to have it completed by June, in time for the Lincoln Highway Centennial Motor Tour which will be coming through.  The memorial features arches and about half of the stones which were saved when the 150-year-old bridge was demolished.

It was one of the oldest, if not THE oldest, rock bridges in Ohio, built in 1863 by the Atlantic and Great Western Railroad as a one lane structure.

The town figures it will honor two forms of transportation, the railroad and car.

Saving the Old Stuff.  --RoadDog

New Lincoln Highway Signs in El Cerrito, California

January 25, 2013, El Cerrito (Cal.) Patch by Dixie Jordan.

The city and the El Cerrito Historical Society held a ceremony at 1 PM and unveiled a new Lincoln Highway sign at 10192 San Pablo Avenue.  The historical  society purchased four signs to be placed on San Pablo Avenue, the original Lincoln Highway.

After the Carquinez Bridge opened in 1927, the Lincoln Highway was moved from the Crockett.  San Pablo later became a part of US-40.

Always Good to Have Signage.  --RoadDog

Lincoln Highway's Centennial Getting a Lot of Publicity

And, glad to see it.

I see that Nebraska has issued a 64 page guide to the Lincoln Highway Centennial featuring sites in the state.  The main celebration takes place in Kearney, Nebraska and will be followed by the annual Lincoln Highway Association conference.

Two different motor convoys are leaving the two termini of the road in San Francisco and New York City.  I plan to join the eastern one in Illinois and drive with them to Kearney.

In addition, a month from now, the Illinois Lincoln Highway is having its first-ever (as far as I know) motor tour from Fulton to Indiana, with an overnight stay in Dekalb.  I'm planning on being on that trip as well.

A Great Time on the Old Lincoln.  --RoadDog

Let's Move Dekalb's Corn Fest Back Downtown

From the Feb. 8, 2013, Dekalb (Ill) Chronicle "Leaders seek permission to close Lincoln Highway for Corn Fest" by David Thomas.

The Dekalb City Council is considering a petition to the state to close downtown Dekalb along the Lincoln Highway between First and Fourth streets from 3  PM August 29 to 9 PM September 1st.

The annual Corn Fest had been held there  for many years  until road work caused it to be moved to the local airport several years where it has been ever since.  We used to go to Corn Fest a lot, but haven't been since they moved it.  Having it downtown just seems right.  All those old buildings and, of course, Lincoln Highway and all that corn.

That Just Seemed Right.  Hope It Goes Back.  --RoadDog

NC Bound Spring 2014: Charlie and the Stats

I looked up the song "See the Big Man Cry" and saw that it was by Chalie Louvin, one of the Louvin Brothers, who were popular country singers back in the 1960s.  Listened to it on You Tube, and it was the same song.  I had never heard of it before.

Charlie Louvin was a member of the Grand Ole Opry who died in 2011.  The song went to #7 on the country charts in 1965, way before I listened to any sort of country music.  He was elected to the Country Music Hall of Fame in 2005.

I forgot to mention a couple of interesting North Carolina signs:  Hanging Rock State Park and Outlaw Drive.  Must be stories there.

Reception of 98.3 FM continued until east of Greensboro.

Continued seeing those brilliant white Bradford pear trees blooming.

When I arrived in Goldsboro, the odometer read 18,104 (17,072 when I left).  I had driven 1,039 miles the last two days and 530 today.  My gas mileage per gallon had risen from26.2 to32.0.  Funny how driving on interstates and a little under the speed limit can do that.

Good to Finally Be There.  --RoadDog

NC Bound Spring 2013: March 20th-- I Finally Get There

The folks at the Virginia Welcome Center knew of the classic country station I like to listen to n the area, 98.1 FM, WBRF.  You can actually pick it up at the Va.-W.Va line and keep it all the way to nearing Greensboro.  That's a lot of great classic country from the 50s to 80s.

I especially enjoyed "See the Big Man Cry" but didn't catch the performer and John Anderson's "Seminole Wind."

Entering NC after that eight mile decline off the mountain with the grand vista views (even Pilot Mountain way off yonder) but the worrisome runaway truck lanes up the side of the mountain.  Enjoyed seeing daffodils blooming all over the place once in NC.

They do a great job on landscaping around interchanges.  Even starting to see Bradford pear trees blooming.  Stopped in Mt. Airy.  Snappy Lunch was closed, but Golden Corral substituted admirably.  I especially like their Carolina bbq which you don't find in too many Corrals.

Took US-421 by Winston-Salem to where it joined I-40 and then east, definitely expecting the worst that road has to offer in traffic, especially around the Durham-Raleigh area.  Surprisingly, since it was definitely in rush hour time, it wasn't bad and only a couple brief slowdowns.

Goldsboro At Last.  --RoadDog

North Carolina's Averasboro Historic Byway

From the pamphlet.

Always happy to see states arranging any sort of a drive.  That is pure nirvana to roadies.

And this one is just 23 miles, but a bit of time if you stop to look at the bridge sites, skirmishes, churches and plantations along the way.  It runs from Fayetteville to Exit 71 on the interstate.  Plus, Averasboro was the name of a Civil War battle near the end of the war, plus there are two skirmish sites.

The byway runs parallel and near to I-95 most of the way, so it easy off, easy on.  Much of it is on US-301. 

Other related Trails and Byways:

Averasboro Battlefield Scenic Byway
North Carolina Civil War Trails
Cumberland County Cultural Heritage Trails
North Carolina Bicycle Route 5

Like I Said, On the Road Again.  --RoadDog

NC Bound Spring 2013: March 20th-- The Rock Slide

Driving through the mountains, I have seen the occasional big rock by the side of the road and even, on occasion, the aftermath of a rock slide, but I had never seen a rock slide right after it happened.  But today, I saw my first one.

About MM 4 in West Virginia. on I-77,  I rounded a bend and saw a lot of flashing emergency lights.  Getting closer, I saw a lot of big rocks and earth on the northbound lanes.  Unfortunately, at 65 mph, I didn't get a real good look.  I hate gapers, but this time I might have been one myself had I had more time for it to sink in.

Traffic was backed up northbound for the next 4 miles.  Of course, right at the Va.-W. Va. line, there is a rather long tunnel.  Northbound was backed up to within a few hundred yards of the tunnel.  Once through it, the backup continued on the Virginia side for another four miles, or until I got off at the Virginia welcome center.

According to the people at the desk, it had just occurred an hour before I came by.  I hadn't seen wrecked cars or trucks while passing it, so luckily, there were no injuries or deaths.  I picked up brochures for Galax, Virginia and the Crooked Road Tour as well as a bunch of Civil War ones.

I later saw a video of the slide happening and emergency vehicles were at the scene, so they must have been expecting it.  Traffic was detoured at W. Va. Exit 1 to US-460 and rejoined I-77 at Exit 0.  It took place about 10 AM.

Glad I Wasn't Northbound.  --RoadDog

A 1930s North Carolina Tourist Camp Ad-- Part 2

Dry, On Well Drained Plateau.  No Mosquitoes, No Malaria
FINE HEALTH RECORD SINCE 1864

Beautiful Surroundings, Tennis Courts, Gymnasium

Camping 50 CENTS EACH CAR

If Unfinished Room Desired, 50 Cents Extra Each Room
Large Furnished Rooms, Clean Comfortable Beds

$1.25 for One Person.  $1.00 Each for Two Persons

Come Rest a Day, A Week, A Month

Preston Lewis Gray, Bingham, Mebane, NC

Looks Like I Might Have a Place to Stay Next Time Through on I-40.  --RoadDog

A 1930s North Carolina Tourist Camp Ad-- Part 1

From the Encyclopedia of North Carolina.

Lind of interesting to read about what was considered to be top drawer as far as overnight accommodations in the 1930s.   From a period broadside:

TOURISTS!
A CORDIAL WELCOME AWAITS YOU AT
BINGHAM CAMP
THE TOURISTS HOME
ON HIGHWAY, MIDWAY BETWEEN GREENSBORO AND DURHAM.

Entrance 1/4 mile east of the Town of Mebane

Electric Lights, Shower Baths, Toilets
Lavatories, Rest Room, Tables and Benches.

SHADE, FINE WATER, SHELTER, QUIET AND SAFETY

More to Come.  --RoadDog

NC Bound Spring 2013: March 20th-- Through the Capital City

Now cruising through West Virginia and very pleased with finding better gas prices.  Tuned into Rock 107.3 for some good music.  Liked the welcome sign to the capital city "Welcome to Hip, Historic, Almost Heaven, Charleston W. Va".  Of course, always a highlight, that gold Capitol dome.

Once past downtown, we're running along the Kanawha River.  Always like the Moose Lodge right on that river.

Tuned into 95.3 FM, Charleston's Oldies Station and caught Creedence's "Fortunate Son."  CCR=Great Road Music. 

Once south of Charleston on I-77, you're on the West Virginia Turnpike which also has their own EZ Pass set up.  Wouldn't it be nice if all tollways in the U.S. would cooperate on one big Tollway E-Z Pass so you could use the transponder everywhere?  I guess that would, however, cut into the double profits they now charge non "Club" members.

Charging $3.72 on the turnpike, still cheaper than most of Ohio.

I'll Get to NC Eventually.  --RoadDog

OKC's Beverly's Pancake Corner-- Chicken in the Rough

From their website.

Located at 2115 Northeast Expressway (I believe might be on Route 66).

Opened in 1921 and the original of the eventual eight Beverly's Pancake Corners in Oklahoma City.

Their website says they still serve the original Chicken in the Rough.

Next time through OKC on 66, I'll have to check this place out.

Got That Hankering for Some Chicken, Rough-Style.  --RoadDog

The Death of My First Crush, Annette Funicello

Earlier today I was listening to WXRT broadcasting from a bar in Wrigleyville, Chicago, for the home opener of the Cubs (they don't do that, however, for Chicago's major league baseball team).  Then switched over to 94.7 The Surf, broadcasting out of North Myrtle Beach, South Carolina with all that Beach, Boogie and Blues.

Ted Bell made an announcement that saddened me a lot.  So much that I felt it necessary to write about it here instead of my Down Da Road Blog where it will also be posted tomorrow.  But, Annette Funicello died from her fight with MS at the age 70.

She was the main reason I watched the Mickey Mouse Club.  How I wanted to be Mr. Annette Funicello.  She was the prettiest thing I'd ever seen.  I had my first crush on her.

Then, I liked her music and loved her movies, especially the bikini ones.

I May Never Watch Mickey Mouse Again.  --RoadDog

NC Bound Spring 2013: March 20th-- Cruising Southeast on US-33 and a West Virginia Shocker

Now heading southeast on US-33, I went through part of the Wayne National Forest and saw its headquarters and museum.  After awhile, the road began running alongside the Hocking River.

As I said earlier, the road is now four lane most of the way and only goes through one town, Nelsonville.  I now plan to take this road a lot and one day will look for the Old 33 as I now like driving that sort of road.

US-33 bypasses Athens, Ohio, home of the University of Ohio (one of NIU's Mid American Conference opponents).  What a view of the town the bypass affords across the river and sitting up on a hill with parkways running along the water.

It is a wide two lane road to the West Virginia line and across a magnificent old bridge, you know, the ones that actually look like a bridge.  Then, a short drive to I-77 by Ripley.


A WEST VIRGINIA SHOCKER

I always fill up with gas in Ohio or Virginia before driving across West Virginia because it is always almost as expensive as the Chicago area.  Gas in Ohio was mostly $3.80 to $3.90.  I was expecting the worst in the Mountaineer State.

Was I ever shocked to see gas at $3.70, even on the Turnpike.

I Can Always Live With Less Expensive Gas.  --RoadDog

Back to "Chicken in the Rough"

From the website.

The corporate offices for the company is at 16640 Beverly Avenue in Tinley Park, Illinois, but for the most part, the company, one of the earliest fast food franchise operations has almost been lost to history, with just three locations remaining that serve it.

Beverly and Rubye (Ruby?) Osborne were down on their luck and had decided to leave Depression-era Oklahoma and try their luck out in California (sort of "The Grapes of Wrath").  And, of course, going from Oklahoma to California in 1936 most-likely meant Route 66.

They hit a bump and Rubye dropped her piece and, after picking it up, said, "This is really eating chicken in the rough."  Beverly, always the schemer and risk-taker, was struck by an idea.  Most people ate chicken with forks and knives.  Why not chicken you can eat with your fingers?  After all, fingers were around a long time before forks.

He turned around and went back to Oklahoma where he developed and patented a special griddle for frying chicken and seasoning it.  he had to sell Rubye's wedding ring for start up money

He also started franchising it and by 1950 was grossing about $2 million and had 250 franchised outlets.

Got Me Hungry for Some Chicken.  Michigan Here I Come (see March 18th entry)..  --HungryDog
.

500-Year Old Bar Ordered to Paint Original Spanish Armada Wood

From the April 6, 2013, Yahoo! News by Eric Pfeiffer.

Part of Plymouth, England's Minerva Inn is made of wood from sunken ships from the Spanish Armada in 1588 as well as the fact it has been in business for 500 years.  You'd think it would get some respect.

However, the city says the structure is a fire hazard and the wood needs to be painted over with a flame resistant paint.  That would cover up thousands of hand-carved messages from service men and celebrities.

Bar manager Shelly Jones is fairly sure that Sir Francis Drake, the commander of the British fleet that defeated the Armada would like what is being forced on the bar, which, besides being rich in history, is also supposedly haunted.

No Paint.  --RoadDog

Andy Thinks Hotels Too Expensive-- A Problem With McDs

ANDY THINKS HOTELS TOO EXPENSIVE


And I can remember real cheap motel rooms back in the 1970s.  Now, if you find one under $50, at least one you're willing to stay in, that is really doing something.

Anyway, I was watching the Andy Griffith Show today and Andy and Barney went to Raleigh and checked into a fancy hotel.  Barney figured that with so rich folks in the place, there must be a lot of crime.  Andy had just checked in and turns to Barney and says, "You want to know crime?  This hotel is charging $7 a night."


A PROBLEM WITH McDS

I see that construction on the new McDonald's here on US-12 in Spring Grove, Illinois, is proceeding along very well.  This could cause a real big situation come the next time the chain starts selling their McRibs.

What Would Homer S. Do?  --  RoadDog

New York's Seneca Turnpike

I was writing about this famous road across New York in my Not So Forgotten Blog: War of 1812 yesterday in connection to its creation and history up until the war.  It was used a lot.

Some of you road folk might be interested in checking it out.

RoadDog

NC Bound Spring 2013: March 20th-- Heading for the Warmth (Well, So I Thought)

My miles per gallon had gone from 26.2 when I left home yesterday to 31.1.  That interstate driving, no-stopping, will do that.

Once on US-33, it was four lane divided and much of the way limited access.  There was even a Hocking Rest Area.  You don't see many rest areas on the US highways.

Popped the new Luke Bryan CD into the player and cruised along listening to all sorts of songs about the beach, sand and spring break.  Guess it was only a matter of time before someone came out with a song about that this time of the year.

All along the way, I was thinking about how much I was going to enjoy that North Carolina warmth in 500 miles, but was I ever in for a disappointment as it turned out.

Passed something called Old Man's Curve.  Were they talking about me?  Of course, if I was going to where the spring breakers were, I'd definitely be the "Old Man."

In Logan, I saw a Mill Stone BBQ.  Got me to thinking about Wilber's BBQ tomorrow in Goldsboro.  Well, salivating, actually.

Still Not There.  --RoadDog

NC Bound Spring 2013: March 20th-- Green, Green Grass and a New 33

MARCH 20TH

Perhaps I will actually get to North Carolina on one of these blog entries.  For the fast trip there and back, see my Down Da Road I Go Blog.  This blog goes into just a "bit" more detail.

Checked out of the motel and headed south on the road to reach US-33 which was only about eight miles.  Then headed southeast to West Virginia.  I started noticing green grass.  Always a great sign that spring is here.  Trees still bare, though.

This new US-33 was a lot different from the last time we took it back in the 1970s.  Back then it was an extremely twisting, uphill and downhill, go-through-every little town, hit every stoplight, get-behind every slow-moving vehicle or piece of farm machinery, kind of road.  We HATED it and swore we'd never-ever drive it again. And, until this year, we hadn't.  For hurry-up-and-get-there folks like us, this was sure misery.
 
But, things change.  We got hooked on 66 and then all the other "Back Roads."  Now driving that 1970s road would be a destination, not something to avoid.

But, now, US-33, is almost like an interstate most of the way, even the two-lane portions.

Bits of 66: Gas Station-- Billboard and Sign Museum-- Bridge Out

1.  GAS STATION--  From 2-2-13 York (Cal) Daily Record--  The old gas station in Rancho Cucamonga, on the northwest corner of Foothill Boulevard (Rt 66) opened in the 1910s and operated until the 1970s.  A group hopes to restore it and turn it into a must-see stop.

Good luck to them.


2.  BILLBOARD AND SIGN MUSEUM-- From the Oklahoman "Route 66 enthusiasts want a billboard and sign museum in Oklahoma" by Robert Monday.  Want  porcelain and neon signs in Bethany, Oklahoma.  The proposed downtown building is over a hundred years old.  Kathy Anderson wants it to be a destination.

Another great idea and especially with all the towns with the abandoned stores downtown after Route 66 was abandoned.


3.  BRIDGE OUT--  From the 3-25-13 Oklahoman--  The former Route 66 bridge in Sapulpa, Ok., the Rock Creek Bridge, is closed to traffic because of truss damage.  Built in 1921.  Sad to hear this.

Always Good to See Preservation and New Uses.  --RoadDog

Southern Dozen: Twelve of the South's Greatest Motorcycle Rides

From the American Road Magazine.  These tours all start from Johnson City, Tennessee:

The Snake Ride 
Top of the Roan--  106 miles
Places of the Past--  33 miles
8th Wonder of the World-- William Jennings Bryan National Bridge-- 
Music to Your Ears--  44 miles

Spelunker Tour--  30 miles
Long Dam Ride--  138 miles
Vinegar Pie--  134 miles
Mountain Ribbons--  151 miles
East Tennessee History Tour--  31 miles
Howling Wolves, Stars and History--  57 miles
Two Rivers, One Mountain, and Ten Million Trout Eggs--  78 miles

Only, I'd Do It in a Car.  --RoadDog

Home Again

Put it in the books as my Spring Break (well, not really) two-plus-week trip to North Carolina and back is over after over 2100 miles, two nights on the road, one rock-slide, one traffic disaster miss, a whole bunch of great eating, gas from $3.54 to $3.80 a gallon and sidetrip with some striking mountain driving.

And that was just driving there and back.

Love the road, but always great to get home.  I will continue to write about the trip there tomorrow.

RoadDog

Drinking Wine Spo-De-O-Doh on Illinois' Lincoln Highway

From the March 20, 2013, Journey Illinois Lincoln Highway "Wineries along the Illinois Lincoln Highway."

Perhaps we can stop for some sampling and buying next month on the first-ever Illinois Lincoln Highway Motor Tour as well as those folks heading for the 100th anniversary celebration of the Lincoln Highway at the end of June in Kearney, Nebraska.  A large group is heading west from New York City.

These wineries are either right on the road or nearby.

ACQUAVIVA--  Maple Park (Route 38 and Meredith Road)
FOX VALLEY WINERY--  Oswego
GALENA CELLARS--  Geneva  (There is also one in historical Galena, Illinois.)
HAILEY'S WINERY--  Byron
PRAIRIE STATE WINERY--  Genoa

These are also listed on the Northern Illinois Wine Trails site.

Let's Get to Grape-Stompin'.  --RoadDog

Illinois Route 66's Red Carpet Corridor Celebration

Red Carpet Corridor Fest to promote Illinois' Route 66 from Joliet to Towanda (One of the best stretches of the old road in my opinion.)  Towanda is just north of Bloomington Normal whose lack of involvement is indicative of those two cities' neglect of their 66 heritage.

This year's celebration takes place from May 4-5 and we are seriously considering going on it.  We've been on one other one and had a great time.

The celebration is the brainchild of Pontiac's Betty Estes who organized it and ran the first one back in 2006.  I was fortunate enough to meet her and her husband Dal on several occasions.  He was a major mover in the city's War Museum.

Every town along the stretch of 66 has things going on.  Check out the website.

Illinois, One Great Stretch of the Mother Road.  --RoadDog