The Shamrock Court Motel in Sullivan, Missouri. It can be yours for $125,000. Lots of possibilities. Actually, now you're too late. Missouri's Roamin' Rich bought it.

Friday, June 30, 2017

Gettin' Ready for 4th of July


Yesterday we finally got the boat in the water and it is tied up to the pier over at Rick's channel in Fox Lake.  Today, if no rain, we are going out for a ride this afternoon and then to "Cuda's on Grasslake Road for $2 craft beers and then to the Grove in Spring Grove to sit out in the biergarten and listen to a band.  last stop, hopefully, will be the Legion.

Tomorrow, we will go to Twin Lakes, Wisconsin, for the parade and Bloody Marys at Main Street and then Donovan's.  During the afternoon, we will go to a party at John and Sherry's in Johnsburg and then to Sunnyside.

At night, it is to the Fox Lake Legion   We go on Nippersink Lake to watch the Chain of Lakes fireworks display.

Of course, U.S. flags will be up, including the Bennington '76 flag we bought back during the bicentennial.

To a Great Country.  --RoadDog





Thursday, June 29, 2017

News From Along 66, May 2017: Hail Damage in Carthage and Markers in Tulsa

MAY 29--  The Boots Court and Route 66 Drive-In theater in Carthage, Missouri both suffered significant damage to their neon signage in a recent hail storm.

MAY 30--  Tulsa will add 25 markers near Route 66 sites.  Love those markers.

--RoadDog

Wednesday, June 28, 2017

News From Route 66, May 2017: Neon Signs, "Cars 3", Elbow Inn and the Gemini

MAY 21--  University of New Mexico professors have saved hundreds of drawings of old neon signs.  Love those neon signs.  Sort of just says Route 66, you know.

MAY 22--  Songs that will be on the new movie "Cars 3" soundtrack were released and will include two by Brad Paisley and four covers.  Gary Clark, Jr. and Dan Auerbach of the Black Keys will also be on it.  Looks like I'll have to buy it.

MAY 25-- Elbow Inn in Devil's Elbow, Missouri, is to partially reopen on Friday, May 26.  Good news.

MAY 27--  Tourists are putting stickers on Wilmington's Gemini Giant  It is located at the old Launching Pad Restaurant which has been closed since 2013.  Not sure if this is a bad or good thing.

Where's My Sticker?  --RoadDog

Tuesday, June 27, 2017

N.C. January 2017-- Part 16: A Game of the Ages

SUNDAY, JANUARY 15

And, the Packers were really pounding on Dallas which was surprising as the Cowboys are considered to be one of the best two NFL teams, them and the New England Patriots.  I used to feel sorry for the Patriots before the Brady era as the first time they went to the Super Bowl, they got blown out by Da Bears back in Super Bowl XX.  The second time they went, the Packers beat them.  But, not no more as they say.

I am not a Dallas fan, going back to the days they were always beating Da Bears.  But, here were Da Pack whupping up in Dallas and lots of Packer fans here in North Carolina really, really enjoying themselves.   I wouldn't have had more fun had I been back in home area watching at a bar.

We had to leave before the game was over and went back to the motel past a lot of cops sitting alongside the road.  Watched the end of the game in my room and it was one of the best games ever.  Dallas came back and it went down to the very end with the Packers winning!!

We also watched most of the Chiefs-Steelers playoff game which was another close one.

Some Really Good Football Today.  --RoadDog


Monday, June 26, 2017

N.C. January 2017-- Part 15: Green Bay Packer Fans in Surf City, N.C.!!

SUNDAY, JANUARY 15

I took a walk over to the Missiles & More Museum in Topsail Beach, but it was closed (what isn't closed here in January?).  I found Bob and Andy eating at a deli place that was lucky.  Walked back to the Jolly Roger Pier and bought a Pender County newspaper and found out that the Home Port restaurant/Bar had moved to Hamstead on U.S. Highway 17.  This was the last bar in Topsail Beach and I had been planning on going to it while here, but found it was closed.

We went to Surf City to the Shuckin' Shack in Surf City to see the Green Packer and Dallas Cowboys playoff game.    I figured that since we were in the South there would be a lot of Cowboy fans.  I was wrong.  The place was packed with Packer fans, all wearing Green bay gear and cheering along.  It was like watching a Packer or Bears game back home.  One guy even had one of those giant cheesehead wedge hats.

Packer Me.  --RoadDog


Saturday, June 24, 2017

Good-Timin' It Here Last Weekend-- Part 2: Great Music, Boats, Bars, Band, Deluge, a Cubs Jersey and a Snow Shovel

JUNE 17, SATURDAY

Saturday Morning Flashback on WXRT was on 1968 for four hours.  Makes me smile.

It took me two tries, but I finally got the boat back in the driveway.  Mike, my mechanic, wasn't at his place when I first went to get the boat.  I did stop at a new place that recently opened on Grasslake Road called Bon Voyage and had a really good omelet.  For many years it was Skanda House, but had been closed for around four years.

Came home and then went back and successfully picked up the boat.  This is when Mike asked if I knew that I had a snow shovel  in the back of the boat.  Of course, Mike.  With how fast Chicago area weather can change, you just never  know.  Well, actually, I was using it to help prop up the mooring cover to keep water from accumulating during our really rainy May.

We went to Fox Lake's Lake Front Park off US-12 by Beer Can bridge to see the New Invaders play all that great 1960s music, especially the British Invasion (hence the name).  Great show and good crowd, but then the deluge came.  Fortunately we left as the first rain drops fell and were at the Legion across Nippersink Lake when it really started storming.  Had our cocktails and stayed dry.

JUNE 18, SUNDAY

Paul McCartney's 75th birthday, overshooting 64 by 11 years now.  Featured on both Bob Stroud's Rock and Roll Roots on WDRV and Terri Hemmert's Breakfast With the Beatles show on WXRT.  Then WDRV played all the Beatles songs from A to Z.

We went over to Hickory Lodge in McCullum Lake for their pizza and beer special, but their pizza oven was broken so settled for some other good food.  The Cubs game was on and watched it.  Shortly before we were going to leave, the bartender asked if we were going to be there at the end of the game.  We said no.

We then found out that if the Cubs win (and they were way ahead), anyone who was there by the fifth inning would be entered to win a Kris Bryant jersey,  Since there were only two others there at the time we decided to stick around.  With two tickets, we won.  But the jersey was too big for Liz and this White Sox fan "inherited it."

I sure heard about it from my Sox friends when we got over to Sunnyside.  But, I pointed out to them that I WAS wearing my Sox hat, to go along with that Cubs jersey.

Well, A Fun Weekend, Even With the Jersey.  --RoadDog



Friday, June 23, 2017

Good-Timin' It Here Last Weekend-- Part 1: Bar-Hoppin' 'N Fish Fryin'

Again, people often ask us why, if we are retired like we are, why we don't go on vacations often during the summer.  Well, we sure have a lot to do around here.

THURSDAY, JUNE 15

Took the boat key and plug over to Mike.  We always forget to put them in when we bring them in to summerize the boat.  It's a tradition.  And, no plug = boat sinks.  I bought flowers at Ace and Menard's in Antioch.

Did some yardwork and went to Half-Times to check out their newly opened addition (and enjoy the $1 pints).  Met a couple from where I used to deejay back in 1983, Neptune's Cove on Fox Lake  (I wrote about them in my Down Da Road I Go Blog last week.)

Closed up the day at Sunnyside.

FRIDAY, JUNE 16

More yardwork and we went to Lake Geneva, Wisconsin, a big tourist town about 20 miles away from us.  We had the delicious fish fry at Popeye's on Geneva Lake with that great (but semi-blocked during the summer by the outside umbrellas) view.

We then stopped at Donovan's Reef in Twin Lakes, Wis., for happy hour (all drinks half price) and then went to The Grove in Spring Grove, Illinois and ran into old friends, Bob and Tracy, and talked with them inside and went outside to watch the entertainer on an absolutely perfect night.

Eating and Drinking.  --RoadDog

Thursday, June 22, 2017

N.C. January 2017-- Part 14: We Finish the Condo and Missile Launch Pad

JANUARY 15, SUNDAY

Another colorful sunrise.  I even watched David Jeremiah on TV delivering his sermon, something that Mom watched religiously every Sunday morning before she went to Sunday School and church.

Drove over to the condo, but they were still asleep.  Bought a copy of one of my favorite newspapers, the Wilmington Star-News at the post office, the only place at Topsail beach you can buy it during the winter months.  Like I said, Topsail Beach is ultra dead during the winter.  (Almost like the time we spent an extra three days out on Put-In-Bay on South Bass Island in Lake Erie, you could go batty here in the winter.)

We went to the condo and finished clearing out everything and loaded the trailer which Julie and Ed were going to take stuff back to Savannah and they left.  We had quite a pile of junk sitting out by the road as well.

I went back to the motel and sat out on the patio which was the launching pad for the U.S. missile program which took place on Topsail Island after World War II.  Enjoyed the view  on a very pleasant day in January and read the paper which had quite a few pictures of the events out at Fort Fisher yesterday.  Boy, I sure wish I had been able to go.

--RoadDog

Wednesday, June 21, 2017

Always A Good Time On the Chain of Lakes-- Part 2: Big Party Thursdays

Thursdays are the real big day as far as weekly festivals around here.  The two closest towns, McHenry and Antioch, to us both have great times going on.

MCHENRY SUMMER CONCERT SERIES

This one is held at Veterans Park at the huge gazebo every Thursday from June to the end of September.  It starts with the City band during June then has a lot of great local and regional bands after that, including New Odyssey, (3 Guys, 30 Instruments in August).

IT'S THURSDAY  ANTIOCH

It started last weekend and goes to the middle of August and is held at the bandshell behind Main Street.

This one is probably our favorite one of all, but unfortunately it only goes to the middle of August instead of September.

It is too bad that these two festivals take place on the same night as we often have to make a choice.

Plus, this weekend, a nearby town of Wauconda is having there Waucondafest.  Most every town in the area has a festival during the course of the summer.

Good Times In The Area.  --RoadDog

Tuesday, June 20, 2017

News From 66, May, 2017: Cabooses, Books and Signs

MAY 18--  Want to stay in a caboose on your 66 drive?   You can stay in a Burlington Northern Railway 1954 caboose at the KOA Campground in Eureka, Missouri.  Also, there are cabooses at the Canyon Motel and RV Park in Williams, Arizona.

Stay in a teepee, stay in a caboose.

MAY 19--  Drew Knowles' 5th Edition of his "The Route 66 Adventure Handbook" has just come out.  A great book, Drew.

MAY 20--  They hope to have the Tropics neon sign up by the spring of 2018 in Lincoln, Illinois.  It will be in the parking lot of the new McDonald's which is on the site of the old Tropics restaurant.

Sounds like a good excuse for a 66 party.

That Is One Neat Old Sign.  --RoadDog

Monday, June 19, 2017

Always A Good Time In the Chain of Lakes Area, Especially Summertime-- Part 1

We have lots of weekly concerts in the area as well as a huge classic car show throughout the summertime.  There is just something great about being outside and listening to a band in the summer.

Here are some of the weekly events we have:

MONDAYS--  GREEN STREET CRUISE NIGHT in McHenry, Illinois.  Every Monday features a different vehicle.  Last Monday was Corvettes and today jeeps, trucks and motorcycles.  I am looking forward to July 10 with Ford Mustangs, July 31 with Camaros, August 21 with pony cars and September 25 with Pontiac.

TUESDAYS--  CRYSTAL LAKE CONCERT IN THE PARK

WEDNESDAYS

WOODSTOCK CITY BAND in the bandstand/gazebo in Woodstock Square.

LINDENHURST LIVE MUSIC IN THE PARK at the pavilion in Lindenhurst and the Lehman Mansion.

More Fun to Come.  --RoadDog

Saturday, June 17, 2017

"Cars 3" Released Yesterday and a Retro Night To See It

I am definitely looking forward to seeing it.  Here's hoping it is better than "Cars 2."  It was ok, but got too far away from Route 66.

When I heard way back when that there was going to be a movie about Route 66, I was really happy, but not when I discovered it was to be animated and, even worse, would feature cars instead of people.  However, after seeing it I became a big fan of animated movies.  They have come a long way since the old Disney ones.

I saw the first one three times and even twice for the second one.  I'll see the new one at least twice.  Once will be in a theater and the second time will be at our McHenry Outdoor theater.  Before seeing it at the outdoor theater i will go to our local Dog 'N Suds for Charburgers and some of that great root beer.

This Is What I Call a Real Retro Trip.  --RoadDog

News Along 66, May 2017: Murals, Tornadoes and Women on 66

MAY 16--  There are five new murals in Miami, Oklahoma and the public was invited to do some of the painting.  I was not real impressed with the murals that I saw.

MAY 17--  One person killed and much damage from a tornado in Elk City, Oklahoma.  It seems that tornadoes have a particular fondness for Route 66 towns.  Also snow and thunderstorms.

MAY 17--  Missouri State University in Springfield got a grant of $2,500 for its "Women on the Mother Road in Missouri.  This is collecting oral histories and a picture of Ramona of the Munger-Moss accompanied the article.

Love That Ramona.  --RoadDog

News From Along 66, May 2017: Red Carpet Corridor and Lebanon 66 Festival

MAY 6-7--  The 2017 Illinois Red Carpet Corridor Festival  The Alban family shot an hour-long video of their experiences during it.  They also had problems finding pins from each town as well.  Those pins were quite popular or they just didn't have enough for the big crowds collecting them.

I enjoyed watching this as we must have been close together when they were doing the festival.

MAY 14--  The Lebanon Route 66 Festival in Lebanon, Missouri, is set to return in June after a seven year break.  There will be a concert and gathering at that great old Munger-Moss Motel.

It is taking place this weekend, June 16-17.

Wish I was There.  --RoadDog

Thursday, June 15, 2017

N.C. January 2017-- Part 13: Moving-- Moving-- Eat

JANUARY 14, 2017, SATURDAY

We picked up a trailer at Holly Ridge to take stuff over to a consignment shop.  The beds and especially the sofas weren't much fun at all.  Thankfully, Mom's Liftavator sure came in handy.  It was an all-day affair.  By the time we finished, the upper and second level were almost completely cleared out.

Talked with the people buying the condo and we are getting close to closing on it.  that was a relief as I sure am happy to be saving the real estate fees.  They are friends of another couple who own a condo in the complex.

We went over to Shuckum Shack in Surf City.  Good food after a long and hard day's moving.  I had eaten there before and really like their shrimpburgers.  Think a slider piled high with fresh shrimp.  There were two of them and fries for $10 and I couldn't eat the second one I was so full.  Poor Andy had mighty poor pickings as he doesn't like anything fish or sea.

Shuckum Shack is a small chain along the Atlantic coast.

Back to the condo for a bit and then back to the Jolly Roger Motel for NFL games and conversation.

Beginning to See the End.  --RoadDog

News From Along 66, May 2017: The Shaffer Spring Goldfish Bowl

MAY 8--  A history of the Shaffer Spring Goldfish Bowl in Arizona.  Located between Kingman and Oatman, the bowl is fed by a natural spring.  During the WPA construction of the "Gold Road Section" from Gold Road Mine to Kingman there was a water shortage.

A man named Shaffer found water seeping out of the rocks.

Goldfish, snails and plants were kept in it to keep algae from growing.

The bowl has frozen over or dried up on occasion, but someone always restocked.

There are 31 steps up to it and no banisters.   You can find it after MM 31 heading to Oatman and those burros.

--RoadDog

Wednesday, June 14, 2017

Hey, It's Flag Day

Hope you have one or more United States flags flying today as it is June 14th.  This became a day to fly the flag by President Harry Truman signing a bill making it a day to observe.

The flag stands for the United States, the greatest country ever to be on earth.

So Proud and Happy To Be In the United States.  --RoadDog

N.C. January 2017-- Part 12: Coulda, Shoulda, Woulda, But Didn't

JANUARY 14, 2017, SATURDAY

As I mentioned in the last entry about this trip yesterday, I would have really have loved to be down at Carolina Beach and Kure Beach today as there were big doings going on about Fort Fisher.  This is the 152nd anniversary of the 2nd Battle of Fort Fisher.

I have been wanting to go for years, but Liz's birthday is January 10 and since dad died, I have been going to North Carolina to visit Mom for Thanksgiving.  To come back from N.C. in early December and then turn around and go back six weeks later was just too much.  (It is 1050 miles to Goldsboro and another 100 to Carolina Beach.)

This morning, the Friends of Fort fisher, to which I belong, was having their annual meeting and descendants reunion at the Marriott at Carolina Beach with Chris Fonvielle, author and Fort Fisher expert speaking.

Then, there were all sorts of things going on at Fort Fisher, about four miles away.  There were re-enactors, cannon firing, kids activities and talks by Rod Gragg who wrote the first book on Fort Fisher "Confederate Goliath" and Richard Triebe who wrote a novel about blockade running, got hooked on the fort, and then wrote two books on Fort Fisher's history and garrison and captured soldiers sent to the Union's infamous Elmira Prison (referred to as "Hellmira").

As much as I wanted to go, I had lots to do at Mom's condo.  And since I inherited it, I don't think the others would appreciate it if I took off for Fort Fisher.

But, I Really Would Have Loved To Go.  Perhaps Next Year.  --RoadDog


Tuesday, June 13, 2017

N.C. January 2017-- Part 11: Jolly Roger Motel and Fort Fisher Anniversary

JANUARY 14, 2017, SATURDAY

This was a day to move stuff.  I mean, move lots and lots and lots of stuff.  I tell you, 65-year-old bones and muscles might be just a bit past prime operation.

Bob, Andy and I are staying at the Jolly Roger Motel, next to the Jolly Roger Pier in Topsail Beach, N.C.

Topsail Island, where Topsail Beach is located, got its name from the topsails of pirate ships which used to wait behind the barrier island for  unsuspecting merchant ships to pass by.  Captain Jack would appreciate this.

Great view of the ocean and a real pretty sunrise this morning.  Temperature yesterday was in the 70s all the way through North Carolina, but today 50 degrees is forecast.  Several fishermen were staying at the motel and there was one on the shore fishing and no one was up on the pier.

I sure know where I'd much rather be today, and that is at Fort Fisher down at Kure Beach, about fifty miles away as you drive a car, but maybe 25 by water.  This weekend is the 152nd anniversary of the Second Battle of Fort Fisher during the Civil War.  This is the battle which resulted in the fort's capture and there were all sorts of things going on there.

Fort Fisher Is MY Civil War Site and the Reason I Got Into History.  --RoadDog

News From Along 66, May 2017: Devil's Elbow to Rebuild and Bloomington Gets a Clue

MAY 6--  Devil's Elbow residents determined to rebuild.  Good for them.  Much too pretty an area to abandon.

MAY 7--    Route 66 visitors center in Bloomington, Illinois, sees a fifty percent increase in attendance to 27,173 with its Cruisin' With  Lincoln on 66.

They have come from 50 countries and 45 states.

They estimate that this increase in visitation brings $861,155 in spending to the community.

It is sure nice that Bloomington and Normal have FINALLY figured out that they should do something with  their Route 66 heritage.

About Time B-N.  --RoadDog

Monday, June 12, 2017

N.C. January 2017-- Part 10: Getting Movers Together

JANUARY 13, FRIDAY

My sister Julie and her boyfriend Ed were coming from Savannah and we met them  at the El Coreal Mexican restaurant in Surf City which Bob had suggested.  It is right by a favorite place of mine called Shuckin' Shack.  El Coreal is quite a popular place as it was packed.

This was the first time I'd met Ed and it was very difficult to talk with him because of how loud everyone was talking.  When we were able to hear, he has quite a few things in common with me, including a love of history and he was a deejay.

We went back to the condo in Topsail Beach and did some more furniture moving.

--RoadDog

News From Along 66, May, 2017: Devil's Elbow, Funks Grove and Kingman

MAY 2--  A county official declared "Devil's Elbow is gione."  Flooding went over the deck of the famous bridge and hit the roof of the Elbow Inn.  One house in the town came loose and crashed into another one.

Here's hoping for a recovery.  This is one of our favorite places along 66.

MAY 4--  Illinois Governor Bruce Rauner visited Funks Grove Maple Sirip during a small business tour.  Hope he got some of that sirip.

MAY 4--  A neon sign returned to Kingman, Arizona's Route 66 for the first time in 70 years.  It was taken down in the late 1940s.  It reads "Entering El Trovatore Unincorporated.

The Route 66 Association of Kingman neon restoration accomplished it.

--RoadDog

News From Along Rt. 66, May, 2017: Flooding in Devil's Elbow and the Mill Reopens

MAY 1--  Devil's Elbow, Missouri, was ravaged by flooding.  residents were ordered to evacuate  The Big Piney River by early Sunday morning had already exceeded its record flooding by four feet and the water was still rising.

In Waynesville, water threatened the historic Roubidoux Bridge.  The Gasconade River overflowed the deck of the Gasconade Bridge.

This flooding was made even sadder in that the Devil's Bridge area had just been listed on the NRHP.

MAY 1--  The Mill in Lincoln, Illinois, reopened Saturday after being closed 21 years since 1996.  Illinois Governor Bruce Rauner was there.  It is now a museum and Route 66 welcome center with lots of memorabilia from the Mill and Hallie's on the Square, which is now closed, but used to serve a lot of the Mill's recipes.

The Mill is at 7385 Washington Street and is open 1-4 p.m. Tuesday to Saturday.

We're sure looking forward to visiting it the next time we're in the area.  I didn't know that Hallie's was closed, but at least we got to eat there.

--RoadDog

Saturday, June 10, 2017

News From Route 66, April 2017: Devil's Elbow Added To NRHP

APRIL 29--  This was kind of sad news, though, in regards to the massive flooding that took place of the area a few days later.

The Devil's Elbow Historic District and Piney Bend Cabins were added to the National register of Historic Places (NRHP).  Devil's Elbow, Missouri.

Also, the Piney Beach, the Piney Beach Cabin, Miller's Market/Post Office, McCoy's Store/Hotel, Elbow Inn (the former Munger-Moss Sandwich Shop), site of the Devil's Elbow Cafe, Hiawatha Lodge, Graham's Camp, Devil's Elbow Bridge and Route 66.

In the 1940s, Missouri referred to this area as "one of the Seven Beauty Spots of Missouri."

The Piney Beach Cabins, at 12810 Tank Road, just off Old Route 66 is sometimes listed as being in the towns of Hooker, Devil's Elbow or St. Robert, Missouri.  It has seven Ozark stone cabins and an office and was constructed in 1952.

And Then Came the Floods.  --RoadDog

News From Route 66, April 2017: Lincoln Mystery Solved

These articles are taken from the Route 66 News site, a clearing house of all things Route 66 news.  It has many more news accounts.  I just take the ones I am most interested in to write about here.  Check the site out.

APRIL 28--  Front Street bridge in Galena, Kansas will be closed until July for repairs.  It is better known to Route 66ers as the Galena Viaduct.  The bridge was in serious need of repairs.

APRIL 29--  The Mosaic Church will now operate the South Pasadena Rialto Theatre.  It is always good to find a new use for a neat old building.  Much better than tearing it down.

APRIL 30--  The Mill in Lincoln, Illinois, plays a role in solving an Abraham Lincoln mystery.  It reopened this weekend.  Lincoln was rumored to have practiced law at the Lincoln Christian Church in the late 1850s after the courthouse burned down and the church was used.

--RoadDog

Friday, June 9, 2017

A High School Joyride in 1917?

From the May 10, 2017, MidWeek (DeKalb County, Illinois) "Looking Back."

1917, 100 Years Ago.

"Paul Greeley and Kirk McAllister of Waterman, borrowed a fellow student's Ford after school Wednesday afternoon and took Irene Gilchrist and Elizabeth Heey for a little spin.

"SAs they were going downhill near the Frost farm south of town, part of the steering apparatus gave way and the car went into a ditch and turned turtle."

There was no mention of injuries and I doubt in 1917 that they had seatbelts.  Were they boy and girl friends?  Did the student who owned the car know they were "borrowing"it?  Were they driving fast and dangerously as teenagers often do?  Were they joyriding?

I doubt that many high school students were driving cars to school back then (not like today).  So what gives with the student having a car at school?

Inquiring Minds Want to Know.  --RoadDog

Thursday, June 8, 2017

N.C. January 2017-- Part 9: Andy and Arrival at Topsail Beach

JANUARY 13, 2017, Friday

I picked up my nephew Andy at Raleigh-Durham Airport (he had flown in from Nashville to help clear out Mom's condo at Topsail Beach, N.C., the purpose of my trip).  We did some catching up the rest of the way as we rarely get to see each other.

  Well, we talked when he wasn't on his "Idge Phone."  He is of that generation, you know.

No problems driving through Raleigh as I had anticipated.  Raleigh is notorious for traffic.  Took I-40 to US-17 near Wilmington, N.C., and then north.  I couldn't believe how much traffic there was during rush hour in little Hamstead.  We had a long wait just to turn across the southbound lanes to get gas.

We met my brother Bob at Mom's condo and began moving items from the main and upper levels to the lower level.

Sure was hoping we wouldn't get any heavy rain in the next few days because of the possibility of getting several inches of water in the lower level.  Flooding is something you don't want to happen while collecting stuff to take to the consignment shop in Holly Ridge in the lower level.

--RoadDog

Wednesday, June 7, 2017

19 Bucket List Regional Fast Food Chains-- Part 2: Skyline Chili

Golden Crust--  New York City

Sheetz--  Pennsylvania**

Skyline Chili--  Ohio**  Love my Cincy Chili!!!

Runza--  Midwest

Pal's Sudden Service--  Virginia

Danny & Clyde's--  Louisiana

Harold's Chicken Shack--  Upper Midwest, Great lakes

Winstead's--  Missouri

Xi'an Famous Foods--  New York City

Burgerville--  Pacific Northwest

What!!  NO IN-N-OUT BURGER????  --RoadDog

Tuesday, June 6, 2017

19 Bucket List Regional Fast Food Chains to Try Before You Die-- Part 1: Culver's

From the April 12, 2016, "First We Feast."

**. Places I've eaten.

Waffle House--  South **

Whataburger--  Texas  **

Bojangles--  Mid-Atlantic  **

Friendly's--  Northeast

Biscuitville--  N.C. and Virginia**

Taco Time--  Pacific Northwest

Culver's--  Midwest**  Of course, these are all over the place now.

The Habit--  California

Iceberg Drive Inn--  West

First We Feast.--  RoadDog

Monday, June 5, 2017

100 Years of Bankhead Highway History Last Year

From the April 6, 2016, Weatherford (Texas) Democrat "Celebrating 100 years of highway history."

A vintage car convoy will leave April 23 and drive the Bankhead Highway.  The cars are 1920s-1960s American vehicles.  Drivers will dress in appropriate period clothing.

The Bankhead Highway Centennial Celebration is organized by the North Texas Chapter of Antique American Independent Automobile Association.

Aledo will be the first stop, then Weatherford, Milsap and Mineral Wells.

The Bankhead Highway came into being in 1916 as part of the Federal Highway Aid and Highway Act.  U.S. Senator John Hollis Bankhead, of Birmingham, Alabama, was "instrumental" in introducing and passing legislation for it.

It was the first highway to connect the District of Columbia and San Diego, the southern version of the Lincoln Highway.

'Soon it was a very heavily traveled road.  At one point, it is estimated that one-third of the nation's traffic traveled on it.

--RoadDog


Friday, June 2, 2017

Taking a Ride on the Lincoln Highway Today

In a short time, Liz and I will be heading out to our second favorite old road, the Lincoln Highway and driving a stretch of it.

Thinking of having lunch in Franklin Grove and visiting the National Headquarters of the Lincoln Highway.  It's been a while since we've been there.

--RoadDog

Illinois' Rt. 66 Red Carpet Corridor Festival-- Part 9: Bob's Bus Home

MAY 6, 2017, SATURDAY

Also parked behind the Illinois Route 66 Hall of Fame and Museum in Pontiac is Bob Waldmire's converted bus home.  This we had never seen while Bob was alive, but is where he held "court" in his final weeks.  The museum now has it.

It is every bit as crammed with stuff as was his minibus.  We walked through it and talked with Cathy Stevanovich, the president of the Illinois Route 66 Association who was manning it.  She said the association is working hard on find an inside place to keep the bus as the Illinois weather is posing a problem.

They thought they had a place in Pontiac, but it fell through.

Everything inside the bus is just sitting out the way Bob left it.  Sadly, Cathy said that items have disappeared as people go through it.

--RoadDog

Illinois' Rt. 66 Red Carpet Corridor Festival-- Part 8: Best Route 66 Mural

We went outside to the back of the museum to view what probably is the very best mural of Route 66 on the back of the building and it is sure a big one.  It is prominently featured in the State of Illinois' tourism 30-second commercials when it has the red '67 Firebird convertible driving at fast speed past it.

However, since the mural is in a small parking lot it is not likely that the great old car (I had a '67 blue Firebird convertible) was going real fast when it passed it.

Sure wish that '67 was still there.

We found out later at Bull's Place that a friend of the manager owns that car.

--RoadDog

Thursday, June 1, 2017

News From Along Route 66, April 2017: Why Carlinville, Illinois, Has So many sears Homes

APRIL 28--The sears homes in Carlinville are in an area known as the Sears Addition in Carlinville.  Elgin, Illinois, has the most sears homes with more than 210.  However, Carlinville has the highest concentration of contiguous Sears homes with more than 150 in a 12-block neighborhood.

Sears homes were offered by the Sears-Roebuck stores.  You could order it and the home would be delivered to your local train station and you'd move the kit to your home site and build it.

My brother lives in a Sears home in Goldsboro, North Carolina.

In 1917, the Standard Oil Company needed coal as a part of the process for converting crude oil into gasoline.  The company bought land which included the Carlinville Mine.  To attract miners, they purchased more than 192 kit homes from sears and had them built in Carlinville, Wood River and Schiper.  One hundred and fifty-six went to Carlinville by train.

These kit homes cost as little as $1,100 and contained as many as 12,000 pieces and a 75 page instruction booklet.  Standard Oil stopped ordering the kits in 1940.

Of the Sears homes, 152 of the original 156 in the Standard Addition still stand.  Three burned down and one was moved.

Always Interested in Sears Homes.  --RoadDog