News From Along Route 66, January 2017: A Mill, a Song and a Commercial

JANUARY 18--  The Mill in Lincoln, Illinois, is set to reopen as a museum in April.  I'm looking forward to going inside it.  We've seen it often from the outside.

JANUARY 23--  Bob Seger released a tribute song to the late Glenn Frey called "Glenn Song."  A video accompanies it and shows both the long-haired and short-haired Glenn.  That guy was some sort of entertainer.

JANUARY 28--  Route 66 made the Super Bowl commercials in an appearance for Mercedes Benz, featuring "Born to be Wild" and Peter Fonda.  These tough bikers get blocked into their bar in this commercial by the Coen brothers.  As Peter drives off, he flashes the peace sign and drives by a Route 66 sign.

--RoadDog

PCB 2017: Got Beads? Sure Did

I got my fill of Cajun, zydeco and Louisiana music Saturday at Jo-El Sonnier's show and enjoyed a muffeletta sandwich as we'll.  Mighty good eating and music.

Then Aaron Tippin got on stage, now with a white beard to go with his big mustache.  That guy has a whole lot of energy and was all over the stage singing his hits.  And, he put together a kid's bike while singing one of his songs.  He did this back when I saw his show at the Kenosha County (Wis.) Fair and said he has now put together over a thousand at his shows.  He then turns it over to Toys for Tots.

Next, we had the Mardi Gras parade that went by the motel we are staying at and we made quite the haul in beads.  Last, we had another fireworks show over the City Pier.

Bead Me.  RoadDog

PCB 2017: Mardi Gras Today

February 25th, Saturday.

Well, actually, it kicked off yesterday with a kid's parade, concert and fireworks down at Pier Park.  We had a very nice view of the fireworks display from our motel.

In just a little bit, I will be walking over to Pier Park for concerts by Cajun singer Jo-El Sonnier and one of my favorite country singers, Aaron Tippin and then back to the motel for the parade which passes right by us and then another fireworks show on the City Pier.

Getting My Mardi Gras On.  --RoadDog

News From Along Route 66, January 2017: Negro Motorist Green Book, Willem Bor, McDonald's

JANUARY 17--  The Route 66 Alliance is working on a Negro Motorist Green Book website project.  Long overdue.

JANUARY 19--  Route 66 artist Willem Bor dies in the Netherlands.  This man could really recreate those great long-gone Route 66 icons.

JANUARY 20--  "The Founder" movie released about McDonald's founder Ray Kroc.  There was a lot about the McDonald brothers who started it and gave Ray the idea in San Bernardino, California, on Route 66.  I wish someone would rebuild the original one on the site.

--RoadDog

PCB 2017: We've Had Our Rain, But Hopefully Gone Now: Time to Mardi Gras

Thursday February 23rd.

Sitting out at a picnic table right nor.  Temps in the 70s but overcast and windy.  Listening to some Cajun music as the hotels are having a Mardi Gras party this afternoon with food and a dj/karaoke guy.

It started raining Tuesday afternoon and pretty much went through until about noon yesterday/  Ot's all gone and right now we have sun, a light breeze and probably a 77 degree temperature.  I can live with that.

But, one big reason for coming to Florida in the winter is to get away from the cold and snow of Chocago.  But, i hear the temps in Chicago have been on the 60s since this past weekend.  Kind of defeats the purpose, you know.

Well, its been in the 70s here.

Sittin' here looking at the Gulf of Mexico about 200 feet away.

Getting My Beach On.  --RoadDog

Making a Scene in North Carolina-- Part 2

DUPONT STATE FOREST--  The Hunger Games, The Last of the Mohicans

DURHAM ATHLETIC PARK--  Bull Durham  with Susan Sarandon and Tim Robbins.

CHIMNEY ROCK--  The Last of the Mohicans

WILMINGTON--  Blue Velvet, "Dawson's Creek" (TV), "Sleepy Hollow" TV, We're the Millers and "One Tree Hill" ."

BILTMORE ESTATE--  "Hannibal" TV, Richie Rich, Patch Adams, Forrest Gump, My Fellow Americans and Mr. Destiny.

Lights, Camera, Action.  --RoadDog

PCB 2017: "We're Leaving Next Sunday, Better Start Packing Now

Sunday, February 19th.

I just had to chuckle.  A couple from St. Louis just checked into their room a few doors down from us.

Then, they started moving their stuff in for their one week stay.  They came down the slope once, twice, three times, four times, five times and a bunch more.  And, I thought we traveled heavy with Liz.  Guess I won't be thinking that anymore.

Just now, the guy, probably in his 60s, walked by and I overheard him talking to himself and saying, "We're leaving next Sunday, guess I'd better start packing now."

Temperature is 79 degrees with sun shining brightly.

Couldn't help but chuckle.

At the Beach.  --RoadDog

PCB 2017: Got Beads? We Made It to St. Andrews Mardi Gras

Yesterday, we were expecting to be unable to see the Mardi Gras parade in St. Andrews (a part of Panama City now), but the extremely heavy traffic made it at one point to be unlikely, but we actually found a parking spot by a church near the beginning of the parade and got to see it after all.

Even though we weren't actively trying to get beads, we still managed to accumulate more than a few strands, some of which hit me in the face or head.  You have to be on constant lookout as the various Krewe floats come by.

Afterwards, we went to a  real dive bar, Joe's Corner, near the bridge for their world famous wings and then to Christo's on the east end of Panama City and lastly to Donovan's Reef across from the motel.

Bead My Face.  --RoadDog

PCB 2017: Mardi Gras Parade Today in St. Andrews, Florida

Shortly, we will be heading over to Panama City, Florida, for their 20th annual Mardi Gras parade and celebration.

Beads Anybody?  RoadDog

Making a Scene in N.C.-- Part 1

From the March 2014, Our State Magazine.

The issue was devoted to movies and North Carolina.  Here is a partial list of some of the sites in the state where movie scenes were shot:

RODANTHE--  Nights in Rodanthe with Richard Gere and Diane Lane.

LAKE LURE--  Dirty Dancing with Patrick Swayze and Jennifer Gray

CHARLOTTE MOTOR SPEEDWAY--  Speedway, Stroker Ace, Days of Thunder and Talladega Nights.

CHEOAH DAM--  The Fugitive with Harrison Ford and Tommy Lee Jones

SOUTHPORT--    Safe Haven, Under the Dome, I kNow What You Did Last Summer, Crimes of the Heart

--RoadDog

Looking Back to 1941: DeKalb-Sycamore Super Highway Finished

From the November 23, 2016, MidWeek (DeKalb County, Illinois) "Looking Back."

1941, 75 Years Ago.

"The big two-city jubilee over the completion of the super-highway between Sycamore and DeKalb came to its culmination yesterday afternoon with the public luncheon at the Fargo Hotel in the county seat (Sycamore) at which the capacity of the spacious dining room was taxed by attendance."

That New Road a Real Big Deal.  --RoadDog

Looking Back to 1916: Fire Station Sport

From the November  23, 2016, MidWeek "Looking Back."

1916, 100 Years Ago.

"The fire station boys are having a little sport these days.  They have an old automobile out in back of the station and are trying to rig up a car that will do ten or better, but whether they will succeed or not, remains to be seen.

"The engine goes one way as easily as another, and in order that the radiator will hold water they filled it to the brim."

An "Old Car" Back in the Early Days.  --RoadDog

9th Anniversary of the NIU Shootings

Nine years ago, five students at Northern Illinois University were murdered in their classroom by a deranged maniac.  Another 17 were wounded.

A big shock to the country and especially Liz and myself as we graduated from there in 1973.

Not Forgetting.

N.C. January 2017-- Part 6: It's a Peanut Thing, You Wouldn't Understand

JANUARY 13, 2017

Of course, it is absolutely necessary for me to stop every time I enter Virginia (after passing through that long tunnel) at the southbound Virginia Welcome Center to use the facilities and, more importantly, to get my sample of Virginia peanuts.  Those are the best peanuts, and I come from a state that has pretty good peanuts as well, North Carolina.

Sadly, it is just a real small little cup of them, but wow, what a taste!

I have often asked them to start selling the nuts there, but they say that state law does not allow for anything to be sold at Virginia Welcome Centers.  Too bad as I would sure buy me some of those goobers.

Love Those Peanuts.  --RoadDog

N.C. January 2017-- Part 5: Cruising in the Dark and Some Fog in W. Va.

JANUARY 13, 2017, FRIDAY

I don't know, traveling on Friday, January 13th, perhaps not a lucky thing.

Had biscuits and gravy in the lobby, much better than you usually get at Super 8.  The clerk said they get a whole lot of repeat guests because of the cleanliness and price of the rooms.

Left at 6:15 and it was still dark outside for the 30 miles on I-70 to I-77 at Cambridge.  I left early as I was going to pick up my nephew Andy at Raleigh-Durham Airport.  Still somewhat dark until half way to Marietta, Ohio, on the Ohio River.

At least the pavement was dry, but I did pass quite a few snow plow trucks parked along the sides of the I-77.

Clear drive to Charleston, West Virginia, but after that it was drizzle off and on as well as heavy fog (at times I couldn't see more than 300-400 feet in front of me).  Paid my three $2 tolls to use the West Virginia Turnpike.

--RoadDog

Top Ten Facts-- "Groundhog Day" Movie-- Part 3: Now a Military Slang Term

7.  The Punxsutawney Groundhog Club claims that their Phil os 130 years old (verage life span for a groundhog is seven years).  According to them, the reason for Phil's longevity is due to the good loving of his partner Phyllis and a generous supply of groundhog stew.

8.  There is a recipe for groundhog stew.

9.  In Iraq,  "Groundhog Day" has become American military slang for any day during a tour of duty.

10.  Disney made a movie comedy called "Monday Monday" where a kid has to relive his first day in high school day after day until he gets it right.

Copy Cat?  --RoadDog

Top Ten Facts-- "Groundhog Day" Movie-- Part 2: Seer of Seers

4.  When Director Ramis would tell Bill Murray about upcoming scenes, Murray would interrupt him and say, "Just tell me -- good Phil or bad Phil?"

5.  The Tip-Top Cafe was a set created for the movie.  There is no Tip-Top Cafe in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania.

6.  The real groundhog's name is "Punxsutawney Phil, Seer of Seers, Sage of Sages, Pronosticator of Prognosticators and Weather Prophet Extraordinary.  This is the name given him by the "Punxsutawney Groundhog Club" back in 1887.

"Don't Drive Mad."  --RoadDog

Top Ten Facts About the Movie "Groundhog Day"-- Part 1: Phil Tom Hanks

From the January 31, 2008, Movie Moron "Top 10 Facts--  Groundhog Day."

1.  The original script had Bill Murray repeating the same day for 10,000 years, keeping track by reading a new page in a book each day.  In the actual movie, it is estimated that he spent around ten years in Punxsutawney.

2.  Tom Hanks was the first choice for the lead role, but Harold Ramis thought he was "too nice" for the part.  Tori Amos was considered for the role played by Andie MacDowell.

3.  The movie's screenwriter got the idea of the repeating days while reading about immortals in "Interview With the Vampire."

Do You Have Deja Vu?  --RoadDog

Looking Back to 1916: Working the Roads in DeKalb County, Illinois

From the November 23, 2016, MidWeek (DeKalb County, Illinois) "Looking Back."

1916, 100 Years Ago.

"Monsday was a big day at Carlton (Illinois).  Some forty teams and forty shovelers gathered there for the big job of unloading fifteen carloads of gravel and placing same on the road.  The Northwestern railroad gave the gravel to be placed on the road running east from Carlton as far as the new concrete road.

"This gives a good road the entire distance from Waterman to Carlton.

The farmers will now have less difficulty getting their products to a convenient railroad.  The work was almost entirely donated by public spirited people.

Imagine Railroads Helping Roadbuilding.  Kind of Backfired.  --RoadDog

The Historic Bankhead Highway

From the September 6, 2016,  Sr=tar-Telegram (Texas)  "Bankhead: 100th anniversary celebration of transcontinental road nears."  By Lance Winter.

This highway came about because of the Bankhead Bill introduced by Senator John H. Bankhead of Alabama.

The road was not to be the nation's first all-weather one connecting the east and west coasts.  That road was the Lincoln Highway.  But the Lincoln couldn't be used year-round because of the western mountains made it impassable.

The Bankhead Highway too the route across the southern part of the country.

Mush remains of the Bankhead Highway, but it often goes by other names.  However, the towns of Aledo, Willow Park and Weatherford still call it the Bankhead Highway on their street signs.  US-80, US-67 and Texas Highway 1 have replaced the olf Bankhead.

--RoadDog

Made It to Groundhog Day in Woodstock, Illinois-- Part 3: On to the Library

FEBRUARY 2, THURSDAY

After finishing the meal, I drove over to the library where they had a room set up with all sorts of scrapbooks and collections of items dealing with the making of the movie.  This was the first time I had done this over a Groundhog Days Festival.

They had location shots used for sites in the film, including an area where they were originally thinking about having Gobler's Knob, before deciding to have it in the square. I looked through a lot of scrap books and found that they even had menus with prices made up for the Tip Top cafe.

A woman there talked with me.  She was part owner of the building where the Tip-Top Cafe was in the film.  She also owned the building next door which was an embroidery shop.  She said that one day Bill Murray came in and ordered two really large throws which her shop made.

--RoadDog

Looking Back to 1941: The Governor To Attend Dedication of DeKalb-Sycamore Road

From the November 16, 2016, MidWeek "Looking Back."

1941, 75 Years Ago.

"For the second time in the past few months Governor Dwight H. Green will be a guest in DeKalb.  The governor, accompanied by other state officials, to come here tomorrow morning to take part in the dedication of the DeKalb-Sycamore section of State Route 23."

--RoadDog

Looking Back to 1916: Working Conditions of Road Crews

From the November 16, 2016, MidWeek (DeKalb County, Illinois) "Looking Back."

1916, 100 Years Ago.

"The paving men employed on the state aid road work out south of town, we are informed, did not strike on being unable to get their pay, but decided to pass up the job on account of the conditions that prevailed.

"The sleeping quarters were such that the workers could not stand it, and they decided to take a chance on getting other work to do that would be some better.  Naturally when the men quit the contractor had to wire to Chicago for more men and thus held up their pay for a day or two until matters could be straightened out."

--RoadDog

Made It To Groundhog Day in Woodstock, Illinois-- Part 2: Stuffing My Face At the Tip-Top Cafe

FEBRUARY 2, 2017

Even neater, this year marks the 25th anniversary of the filming of "Groundhog Day" which was released in 1993.  So, the crew and cast were in town about this time.

After the movie, I walked across the street to Taqueria La Placitia, a Mexican restaurant now, but in 1992, the empty store was turned into "Punxsutawney's" Tip-Top Cafe.  This site played quite a major role in the movie and was where Phil started falling in love with Rita.

That scene where he was stuffing his mouth with breakfast pastries, chugging coffee from the carafe and smoking has to be one of the funniest scenes in the movie.

As I said, it is now a Mexican restaurant where I have eaten several times over the last few years.  I always try to eat in the exact spot where the table they were sitting at is located and was able to do so today.  This is a big connection of mine with the movie.  Instead of breakfast items, though, I was stuffing my mouth with a Mexican steak torta.

--RoadDog

News From Along Route 66, January 2017: From Fires to Burros to Bridges

These are from the Route 66 News site. They have just about one thing on the old road every day along with pictures and much more information.  I just do the ones of particular interest to me, especially anything about Illinois, where I live.

JANUARY 3--  There was damage to the Parkview Pub in Bloomington, Illinois, but they hope to be reopened by the summer.  The fire took place in October and was so bad, they had to demolish what was left.  They will rebuild.  It is on the 1930-1940 Route 66 alignment and was open since 1928.  It was reportedly the oldest restaurant still located on the same spot.

JANUARY 4--  Illinois Route 66 motorcycle license plates have gone on sale.

JANUARY 5--  There is the question of what should be done with Oatman's burros.  There are just too many.  Hopefully, though, they will retain their presence.  That is something real different.

JANUARY 5--  The fate of the Gasconade Bridge near Lebanon, Missouri, was the dominant topic in a meeting.

Let's hope  they choose to save it on its site.

--Save a Horse, Ride a Burro.  RoadDog

--

Going Back to 1968-- Part 4: "I Heard It Through the Grapevine"

FIRE--  Crazy World of Arthur Brown
LIVING IN THE U.S.A.--  Steve Miller Band
GOIN' BACK--  Byrds     Hey, that's what we're doing.

I HEARD IT THROUGH THE GRAPEVINE--  Marvin Gaye
REMEMBER A DAY--  Pink Floyd
SAVOY TRUFFLE--  Beatles

FIVE TO ONE--  Doors
DAVID WATTS--  Kinks
WHITE ROOM--  Cream

I GOT THE FEELIN'--  James Brown
HUSH--  Deep Purple
LOVE STORY--  Randy Newman

JOURNEY TO THE CENTER OF YOUR MIND--  Amboy Dukes   You know, that group with Ted Nugent.
BEND ME, SHAPE ME--  American Breed
TIGHTEN UP--   Archie Bell & the Drells

CROWN OF CREATION--  Jefferson Airplane
MAGIC CARPET RIDE--  Steppenwolf   This one received a whole lot of play on the jukebox in the Senior Lounge at Palatine High School.  Always reminds me of it when I hear it.

Name That Tune (from the above):  "I Like to Dream, Yes, Yes, Right Between the Sound Machine."  --RoadDog


"Magic Carpet Ride"  Hey, I'm back at Senior Lounge.

Going Back to 1968-- Part 3: "Street Fighting Man"

In 1968, I was a junior and senior at Palatine High School in Palatine, Illinois.  Also, I was sports editor of the Cutlass, the school newspaper.  That fall,  I "gave" myself the job of covering our Pirates football team.  The two previous years we had only won a couple games, but in my senior year, we went 7-2 and messed up a lot of other schools' homecomings along the way by winning.  They had chosen us to play for homecoming so they could win.  They didn't.

CHEST FEVER--  Band
I AIN'T SUPERSTITIOUS--  Jeff Beck
STREET FIGHTING MAN---  Rolling Stones

CLOUD NINE--  Temptations
MAGIC BUS--  Who
I PUT A SPELL ON YOU--  Creedence Clearwater Revival

GROOVIN' IS EASY--  Electric Flag
I THANK YOU--  Sam and Dave
CRY LIKE A BABY--  Box Tops

Name That Tune (from the above): "Childhood Part of My Life, It Wasn't Very Pretty."  --RoadDog


"Cloud Nine"

Going Back to 1968-- Part 2: "Dance to the Music"

SHINE ON BRIGHTLY--  Procul Harum
FEELIN' ALRIGHT--  Traffic
DO IT AGAIN--  Beach Boys

DANCE TO THE MUSIC--  Sly & the Family Stone
GOING UP THE COUNTRY--  Canned Heat
SWEET BLINDNESS--  Laura Nyro

SPACE ODDITY--  David Bowie
GREEN TAMBOURINE--  Lemon Pipers
BORN UNDER A BAD SIGN--  Albert King

IN MY OWN DREAM--  Paul Butterfield Blues Band
I GOT A LINE ON YOU--  Spirit
ON THE WAY HOME--  Buffalo Springfield

Name That Tune (from the above):  "Ground Control to Major Tom."  --RoadDog


"Space Oddity"

Groundhog Day Festivities Continue in Woodstock

Tonight, there will be the Groundhog Day Dinner Dance at the Moose Lodge in Woodstock, just off the Square.  This is where the dance/bachelor auction took place.

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 4

**  From 10 to 4, there will be bowling at Wayne's Lanes, where the bowling alley, glass half empty, getting in the car scenes were shot.

**  Jim May, a famous local storyteller will have his Groundhog Tales at the bank just off the Square at 10 a.m..

**  The movie "Groundhog Day" will be shown at the Woodstock Theatre, where the "Bronco Billy" scene was filmed.

**  Non to 1:15  Chili Cookoff at the Moose Lodge.

**  Site manager for the Movie Bob Hudgins will lead a walking tour of various places around the Square that were in the movie.

**  Afterwards, he will have a discussion.

**  Bags Tournament at Outman's Red Iton Tavern.

There will be more things taking place on Sunday.

Come On Down.  --RoadDog

Going Back to 1968-- Part 1: "Back in the USSR"

On January 21st, 2017, as I was driving back home from North Carolina, I got far enough into the Chicagoland area that, while looking for a new radio station to listen to, I came up with one of my favorites, WXRT, 93.1 FM and caught the last three songs of Wendy Rice's Saturday Morning Flashback which went to that great high school year (Palatine High School) for me, 1968.

I looked up the playlist and it was so good, I decided to list them all.

WATERLOO SUNSET--  Kinks
BABY COME BACK--  Equals
BACH IN THE USSR--  Beatles

ITCHYCOO PARK--  Small Faces
LEGEND OF A MIND--  Moody Blues
(SITTIN' ON) THE DOCK OF THE BAY--  Otis Redding

ALL ALONG THE WATCHTOWER--  Jimi Hendrix
MONTERREY--  Animals
SSE SAW--  Aretha Franklin

Name That Tune (from above songs):  "(What Did You Do There?)  I Got High."  --RoadDog



"Itchycoo Park"

Not to Forget, AMC "Groundhog Day" Marathon today.

You have until midnight to watch the "Groundhog Day" movie on AMC.

--RoadDog

Made It To Groundhog Day in Woodstock, Illinois-- Part 1

February 2, 2017, Thursday.

Well, I didn't make it for Woodstock Willie's prognostication as I decided I didn't want to stand around in the cold, and it was a biting cold today.

I understand that both Punxsutawney Phil and Woodstock Willie saw their shadows so that means we will have six more weeks of winter.  Oh well.

Corky Siegel did play at the gazebo, featured in the dancing scene and crowd scenes in the movie.  There was also a polka band.

Woodstock Willie, a real groundhog, did not cooperate and urinated all over the mayor of Woodstock and master of ceremonies.  So, it was a matter of six more weeks and a mighty relief I guess.

I saw the movie "Groundhog Day" on the big screen at the Woodstock Theatre in the Harold Ramis Auditorium.  With free tickets and today actually being Groundhog Day, it was a full house.  And, you could tell that many of the people had seen the movie on more than one previous occasion.

There was lots of laughing, mouthing the words and huge cheers whenever the theater was shown.  The theater was shown when they first arrived in "Punxsutawney" and in the Bronco Billy/French maid scenes.  Nothing like seeing it on the big screen.

--RoadDog

Well, It's Groundhog Day...Again-- Part 2; To Prognosticate or Not

In a few minutes I might be heading out the door for Woodstock, about 18 miles away, where Woodstock Willie will be making his prognostication at 7:07 a.m..

Chicago musician Corky Siegel (Siegel-Schwall Band) is scheduled to play before Willie gets pulled out.  In the past, there has also been a polka-oompah band.

But, it is 11 degrees right now and supposed to drop some more with a bit of a wind.  I am not sure that I want to go stand out in it.  So I might not go for the prognostication.

Afterwards, the Moose Lodge in Woodstock (where the dance/auction was held in the movie) is hosting a breakfast, but I am thinking of breakfast at Papa G's on the Square (which was considered for the Tip-Top Cafe at one time before it ended up at another place across the Square).

That, of course, if I go for the prognostication.

Bob Hudgins, who was largely responsible for the movie being filmed in Woodstock, will lead a walk to movie filming sites at 9 a.m..  Then at 10 a.m., there will be a showing of the movie itself at the Woodstock Theatre in the Harold Ramis Theater.  That is free.  Harold Ramis was the director and co-wrote the story.

If, I don't go for the prognostication, I will go for the movie and afterwards eat at the Mexican restaurant which is where  the Tip-Top Cafe was in the movie.  I always try to sit in the nook where they sat.

Make Me a Movie Star.  --RoadDog

Well, It's Groundhog Day...Again-- Part 1: Woodstock Willie

That's right.  Happens every February 2nd,when we get an animal, in this case a groundhog, get pulled out of his/her burrow and unhappily report as to whether they saw their shadow or not.  Not the high point in my day if I were one of the little fellers.

Of course, there is the most famous one, Punxsutawney Phil, out in Pennsylvania.  But, I do my figuring on one who is much closer to home here in Spring Grove, Illinois, and that would be Woodstock Willie.  He does his thing out on the famous Woodstock Square.

The question is, will there be six more weeks of winter or not and that all depends upon whether or not the groundhog sees his shadow.  No shadow and it will be a short winter, shadow and we go the bitter six weeks.

Woodstock, Illinois, and that square are famous for being in that 1993 film "Groundhog Day" starring Cub fan Bill Murray.

Ever since the movie, Woodstock has had a several-day-long celebration and this year is no different.

Not Again!!  --RoadDog

N.C. January 2017-- Part 4: Through to Zanesville, Ohio

January 12, 2017.

Clear run on I-70 to Columbus.  Stopped in Englewood, Ohio, at mm 29, for my usual Skyline Chili fix.  I am getting to be a regular at  this place.  Still strange there is no road construction there like it was for many years.  I was beginning it was going to be a forever project.

I had no problem driving through Columbus either.  Of course, it was late in the rush hour.

Drove to Zanesville, Ohio, and stopped at the Super 8 Motel west of town where I have stayed many times.

--RoadDog

N.C. January 2017-- Part 3: Gas and Indianapolis Rush Hour

JANUARY 12, 2017

Listened to the usual Illinois radio stations while cruising.  That would be METV-FM (oldies) until Bob Stroud's Ten at Ten (1973) began on WDRV, then WJEZ in Pontiac (classic oldies) and WGCY in Gibson City (beautiful music).  Then I found a classic country station out of Champaign.  I like a variety when traveling.

The temperature never got above 32 degrees until I got to I-74, near Champaign, Illinois.  Nicest thing about that was that there was no longer all that slop from melting ice the trucks were putting onto the windshield.

Gas at the usual Crawfordsville, Indiana, stop was $2.25, but I did see it at $1.96 at one place east on Indianapolis.  Usually gas stood at around $2.20 most of the trip.

Leaving home as late as I did, plus losing the hour going into the Eastern Time Zone meant I would be hitting the Indianapolis rush hour right at its peak, but, I went right through.  there was heavy traffic, but now stopping.  As a matter of fact, I found that if I went the 50-55 speed limit, I'd get run over.

--RoadDog

News From Along Route 66, December 2016: Sprague Super Service and Blue Swallow Motel

These are taken from the Route 66 News site, your first stop for any and all info about the old road that you might want.  It has much more information and pictures/videos.  I just write about the entries I am particularly  interested in and have some thing to say.

DECEMBER 28--  The Sprague Super Service station in Normal, Illinois, is set to reopen in April 2017, partly as a Route 66 Visitors Center and a gift shop.  The city spent $600,000 to buy it from Terri Ryburn, who bought it ten years ago but was unable to do much with it.

It was built in 1931 on Route 66 by William Sprague.

It is a beautiful old station and very unique in architecture.  Terri Ryburn will run the gift shop and live upstairs for $120 a year.

I have been upset about Bloomington-Normal's lack of interest in its Route 66 heritage ever since we got into the road back in 2002, but it would appear at long last, these two cities are doing something about it.

DECEMBER 29--  Videos taken with Lillian Redman at the Blue swallow Motel in Tucumcari, New Mexico, taken by Anthony Reichardt in the mid 1990s.

We have stayed there, but considerably after Mrs. Redman's time.  One of those Route 66ers I sure wish we could have met.  At one time, when I saw that the old motel was for sale for around $150,000, i even considered buying it, but figured it would be too much work in my retirement years.

Maybe It's About Time We Quit Taking the Interstate Around Bloomington-Normal and Start Going Through It.  --RoadDog