Along 66, March 2021: Another Muffler Man, Museum Club and Death of Paul Taylor

MARCH 17

Mega Mayor Muffler Man installed at Uranus, Missouri complex.  A 22-foot tall fiberglass guy for owner, self-proclaimed mayor Louie Keen.  he is done up in an American flag motif.

Uranus is a great tourist trap with all sorts of neat stuff to look at and close to that great stretch of 66 through the Hooker Cut.

MARCH 26

The Museum Club in Flagstaff, Arizona has reopened with a new ownership group.  Did I see something about dime beer nights?  Sign me up!!

MARCH 27

Paul Taylor, co-publisher of the Route 66 Magazine, died.  He ran the magazine with his wife Sandi for almost 30 years.  They launched their publication in December 1993 in Laughlin, Nevada, before moving it to Williams, Arizona.

Like I Always Say, You Can Never Have Too Much Neon or Too Many Muffler Men.  --RoadDog

Route 66 in Illinois: Plenty of Kitsch, Nostalgic Eats and Quirky Museums

From the April 28, 2021, Kankakee (Illinois) Daily Journal  "Route 66 honored by travel site"  

Global travel site Big 7 Travel has released its official list of "Fifty Most Scenic Drives in the U.S."

And, one of those roads is Route 66 in Illinois.

Big 7 Travel said:  "There isn't a road as historic or  as memorable in the U.S. as Route 66.    You'll begin your legendary journey in the heart of downtown Chicago at the very start of Route 66 before you begin your  300-mile descent down the Mother Road."

With Route 66, Big 7 says to expect plenty of kitsch, nostalgic eats and quirky museums.

The drives were ranked based on the "roadtrip factor," which includes natural scenery and sights of interest along the way.

--RoadNois

Iowa's White Pole Road Byway-- Part 2: Out of the Gumbo to the White Pole

Out of this gumbo came Iowa's "Good Roads."

Governor B.F. Carroll called for a Good Roads convention in Des Monies on March 8-9, 1910.  Delegates from throughout the state attended and it was decided that a well-maintained River-to-River Road from Davenport to Council Bluffs in the west would help change Iowa's reputation.

Iowa then made history and set a record in road-building when 10,000 farmers engaged in building a 380 mile road out of existing lines of dirt roads in one hour and not one of them received any money for their effort.

However, this "super" road was too far north of the towns that now make up the new White Pole Road Byway.  Earlier the five towns mentioned in the last post had been promoting  a marked road between Atlantic and Des Moines through the White Pole Auto Club (formerly known as the  Southwestern  Iowa Auto Club that met in Menlo)

It was felt that a road through our communities would be better than the longer and hillier one that the convention had built.

The original White Pole Road was then designated in 1910 and followed along the Chicago, Rock Island, Pacific Railroad from Des Moines to Council Bluffs.

--RoadWhite

Iowa's White Pole Road Scenic Byway-- Part 1

I first wrote about this interesting road (and a short one at that) in this blog on April 6 of this year.  Definitely one that I am considering driving this summer if you-know-what stays away.

Iowa's White Pole Road Scenic Byway is a scenic and historic  byway that runs parallel to Interstate 80 between the MM 76 and 100.  It connects the small communities of Adair, Casey,  Menlo, Stuart and Dexter, Iowa.

There are over 500 painted poles.

Guess how it got its name?

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And, this is not a new thing to bring in tourism.  It goes back to the early 1900s.

Back them, Iowa's roads (if you could call them that) were in horrible shape.  The state's roads were among the worst in the country, so bad that the state acquired the name "Gumbo State" and not because of its wonderful "soup" but because of  the thick soup-like makeup of its roads when it rained or the snow melted.

Something had to be done.

--RoadWhite

Along 66, March 2021: Glenda Pike Dies, 'Roamin' Rich' Confronts MoDot and Buys Shamrock Court

MARCH  10

Glenda Pike died at the age 77.

She and her husband, Tommy Pike, who was president of the Route 66 Association of Missouri for many years, did a whole lot to get the resurgence of the Mother Road going and to keep it going.

They are life-long residents of Springfield, Missouri.

One of those special people which make this road so great.

MARCH 10

Missouri Route 66 president Rich Dinkela "Roamin' Rich" confronts MoDOT over his Gasconade River Bridge proposal.

MARCH 12

"Roamin' Rich" Dinkela has the Shamrock Court Motel in Sullivan, Missouri, under contract.  He made an offer, but does not plan to go into the motel business himself.

He will make improvements including a new roof and wants somebody else to operate it.

That would be a welcome addition to the classic motels in Missouri, including the Wagon Wheel, Munger-Moss, Rail Haven and Boots Court.

Busy Lad, That Rich.  --RoadDog

England Has a Language All Its Own-- Part 6: Getting Sloshed, Bevvied, Wellied and Pissed As a Newt

If your better half witters on (gabs and gabs), tell them you're knackered (exhausted) and it's been donkey's years (ages) since you've slept.  After washing up (doing the dishes) and hoovering (vacuuming), you can have a plate of biscuits (cookies) and, if you're so inclined, a neat (straight) whisky.

Too much of that whisky will get you sloshed, paralytic, bevvied, wellied, ratted, popped up, or even pissed as a newt.

Then, there's the question of accents.  These days accents are trendy in Britain.  Politicians, newscasters and movie stars have been favoring deep accents over the Queen's English.

It's hard for American ears to pick out all the variations -- and some accents are so thick they sound like a foreign language -- but most Brits can determine what region a person is from by their accent.

All across the British Isles, you'll encounter new words, crazy humor and colorful accents.  Pubs are colloquial treasure chests,  Church services, sporting events and local comedy shows are linguistic classrooms.

The streets of Liverpool, the docks of London and children's parks throughout the UK are playgrounds for the American ear.  One of the beauties of touring Great Britain is the illusion of hearing a foreign language and actually understanding it ... most of the time.

--RoadParalytic

England Has a Language All Its Own-- Part 5: Homeys and Face Flannels

The British never say they have a two week vacation, but instead, many go on a holiday for a fortnight.  These are often spent in a homely (homey) rural cottage or possibly spent on the Continent (continental Europe).

When they go, they might pack a face flannel (washcloth) and hair grips (bobby pins) in their bum bag (never a "fanny" pack - which refers to a most private part of a woman's anatomy).

If it's rainy, they wear a mackintosh (raincoat) or anorak (parka) with press studs (snaps).

If you get settled into a flat (apartment), you can post letters in the pillar box or give your mum a trunk (long-distance) call.  If that's too dear (expensive), she'll say you're tight as a fish's bum.

--RoadHoliday

The Last Civil War Widow Died on Route 66 Back in December 2020, Helen Jackson

Not only did she die at a place on Route 66, but she also was born, grew upand lived on Route 66 her whole life.

I wrote about this back on January 18, 2021, when I first learned about her death and said I would be writing more about her life in my Saw the Elephant Civil War blog in the future.  Well, the future has come.

And, I wrote about her in this  blog because of her lifelong connection to our Mother Road, good old Route 66.

She was 17 when she married James Bolin who was 93 back in 1936. 

She was born in the small Missouri town of Niangua in 1919.  Route 66 went through there.  She died at a nursing home in Marshfield, Missouri.  The town and nursing home are both on Route 66.

I will be writing more about it in my Saw the Elephant blog.  Go to the My Blogs area to the right of this, scroll down to the site and click on it.  Click on the Helen Jackson label below to view the first post about her in January.  Her picture is to the right of this entry.  Just scroll down.

A Bit of Civil War History on Route 66,  --RoadCivil

England Has a Language All Its Own-- Part 4: Places and Driving in the U.K.

Then, there are those great British place names like Upper and Lower Slaughter, Once Brewed and the Itching Field.  You'll visit "brilliant" (wonderful sights, that will give you "goose pimples" (goose bumps).

Your car will have a bonnet and a boot  rather than a hood and a trunk.  My family has always referred to a car's trunk as the "Boot."  Put it in the boot.  The what?

You'll drive on motorways (as opposed to interstates).  That gal on GPS always refers to motorways.  And, when you driving asphalt becomes divided, you are on a dual carriageway.

Never go anticlockwise (counter clockwise) in a roundabout (traffic circle).

Gas is petrol, a truck is a lorry and when you hit a tailback (traffic jam), don't get your knickers in a twist (upset) --  just be patient and queue up (line up).

Oh, Dem English.  --RoadBrit

England Has a Language All Its Own-- Part 3: About Those Scribbling Blocks and Crisps

In a stationery store, you can get sticky tape or Sellotape (adhesive tape), rubbers (erasers), and scribbling blocks (scratch pads).  At garden shops, those with green fingers (a green thumb) might pick u some courgette (zucchini), swede (rutabaga) or aubergine (eggplant) seeds.

If you need a torch (flashlight), visit the ironmonger's (hardware store).

In Britain, fries are chips and potato chips are crisps.  A beef burger made with mince (hamburger meat), comes on a toasted bap (bun).  For pudding (dessert), have some sponge (cake).

--RoadBrit

England Has a Language All Its Own-- Part 2: Playing 'Naughts and Crosses' and Sucking on a 'Dummie'

Every day in England, you'll see babies in prams and pushchairs.  They'll be sucking on dummies as their mothers change wet nappies.  After time goes by, those kids will turn in their nappies for smalls and will even eventually  spend a penny on their own. 

"Spend a Penny" is a British expression for a visit to the loo (bathroom).

Older British kids enjoy candy floss (cotton candy), naughts and crosses (tic-tac-toe), big dippers (roller coasters), and iced lollies (popsicles).

Kids are often in need of an Elastoplast or sticking plaster (Band-Aid), which their parents might buy from the chemist's (pharmacy).

Had Enough?  --RoadPenny

England Has a Language All To Themselves-- Part 1: Getting 'Knocked Up' in the Morning

From the October 11, 2020, Chicago Tribune "A trip to Britain comes with linguistic surprises" by Rick Steves.

Okay, go ahead and have a "chin-wag" with the English.

Oscar Wilde once said that the English "have really everything in common with America nowadays -- except, of course, language."

There are many British expressions which might not be clearly evident as to what they are talking about to us Americans.

Okay, "chin-wag" means to have a chat.

Rick Steves remembers once checking into a small-town B&B as a teenager and having the landlady ask him:  "And what time would you like to be knocked up in the morning?"  Her husband then added, "Would a fry at half-eight be suitable?"

Confusing?  especially about getting knocked up and then a fry?  Hunh??

The next morning he got a knock on the door at 8 a.m. and a huge British breakfast a half hour later.

--RoadShagger

Best of DeKalb, Illinois (and Much of It On the Famed Lincoln Highway)

According to a poll on the Northern Star, newspaper of Northern Illinois University which is located in the city.

BEST PIZZA PLACE:  Vinny's Pizza,   221 W. Lincoln Highway  (Yep, THAT Lincoln Highway road warriors)

BEST BURGER:   Fatty's Pub,  1312 W. Lincoln Highway  (And make sure you get a side order of deep-fried Cajun potato salad, you'll be glad you did.)

BEST SANDWICH PLACE:  Jersey Mike's Subs, 103 N. Annie Glidden Road

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BEST DRINK SPECIALS: Fatty's Pub, especially on Tuesday nights.

BEST MEXICAN CUISINE:   Los Rancheros, 2350 Sycamore Road

BEST ASIAN CUISINE:  Fushi Yami, 822 W. Lincoln Highway

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BEST ICE CREAM PLACE:  Ollie's Frozen Custard  2290 Oakland Dr.

BEST COFFEE PLACE:  Starbucks, 1015 W. Lincoln Highway

BEST BREAKFAST PLACE:  The Junction Eating Place,   816 W. Lincoln Highway

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BEST DATE RESTAURANT:  Ellwood  Steak and Fish House, 2219 Sycamore Road

BEST GROCERY STORE:  Hy-Vee, 2700 DeKalb Avenue

BEST PLACE TO WATCH SPORTS (especially the Huskies):  Fatty's Pub

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Just in case you're in town.  And, a whole lot of them are on the famed Lincoln Highway.

Enjoy.  --RoadDog

Along 66, March 2021: Springfield, Missouri, Steak 'N Shakes Sold and the Palms Grill Cafe reopens in Atlanta, Illinois

MARCH 8

The owner of the Steak 'N Shake restaurants in Springfield, Missouri, sells them.  Gary Leonard sold his six Steak 'N Shake restaurants in Springfield, including the historic one on Route 66.  This one is on St. Louis Street and was built in 1962.

I know that the whole Steak 'N Shake chain is in financial difficulty and sure hope they make it.  I am a big fan of their burgers (and sure miss the great breakfasts they used to have) and especially those milk shakes.

MARCH 9

The Palms Grill Cafe in Atlanta, Illinois, is soon to reopen in April which is great news in itself.  And, it will be hosting an upcoming "60 Minutes" interview that will be 12 minutes long.

The Palms announced closing in August because of the COVID pandemic.

It was built in 1934 and reopened in 2009.

A real trip back to the 1930s and 40s when you eat there.  Plus, we are still sad that that great Bonanza Steakhouse in nearby Lincoln closed, so now need a place in the area to eat.

--RoadDog

Along 66: The Golden Driller in Tulsa and Cool Springs' MIA Memorial

MARCH 5

The Golden Driller Plaza in Tulsa, Oklahoma is undergoing a $3 million renovation project.

The Golden Driller is a 76-foot tall, 43,500 pound statue of an oil field roughneck created in 1966 about two miles off 11th Street (Route 66).  This would have explained why I hadn't seen it.  This is considerably larger than the ever-popular Muffler Men.

Reputedly, it is the 6th tallest statue in the United States.

The Oklahoma legislature in 1979 declared it a state monument.

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MARCH 7       More details have been found about the World War II MIA whom is memorialized at Cool Springs Camp in Arizona.

Tech Sergeant Thomas Walker went MIA in 1944.  There is a section on an inside wall as a tribute to him.  He helped his family run the business there before the war.

--RoadDog

Along 66, March 2021: Grants in Arizona and More Neon in Kansas

I take these from the Route 66 News site which is where you want to go for any and all things Route 66.  I go through their postings and pick out the ones I'm most interested in and write about them, usually a month behind time.  The site has more information as well.

MARCH 1

The Arizona Route 66 Association today offers two new grant opportunities.  They are cost/share grants from $500 to &10,000 and available to businesses, attractions, chambers of commerce and community organizations.  Applications were taken through April 5.

Too late now.  Sorry.  But cost/share grants are definitely a good thing for the Mother Road.

MARCH 3

A new relighting ceremony will be held at Gearhead Curios in Galena, Kansas, and set for April 24.  This is a project of the Missouri Route 66 Association which has relit so many of those wonderful neon signs in Missouri as well as Illinois.

You can NEVER have too much NEON in my book.

Good Job Mo..  --RoadDog

6 Iowa Drives-- Part 6: White Pole Road Scenic Byway

It's just 26 miles long and runs parallel to I-80 between mile markers 76 and 100.  It is not really long, but truly unique and one of a kind.

It connects the small communities of Adair, Casey, Menlo, Stuart and Dexter, Iowa.  As soon as you're on it, you will know why they call it the White Pole Road.  There are over 700 painted white poles.  Wow!!!

Its origins relate to old road signage.  You just followed the white poles and you got there.

Yep, you'll get to visit the "Original One Horse Town", the "Home of 1700 Good Eggs and a Few Stinkers."

I haven't driven this one yet, but it is high, high on my list.

Must Go White Polein'.  --RoadPole

Iowa Drives-- Part 5: Western Skies Scenic Byways

The Western Skies Scenic Byways was one of the first dedicated byways  in Iowa.    This 142-mile route  weaves through four rural farming counties in Southwest Iowa and offers unexpected  opportunities for cultural, historical and outdoor activities.

And, that is not leaving out some spectacular sunrises and sunsets, something this drive is noted for.

Plan to spend some time in the community of Elk Horn, which is one of the largest concentrations of Danish  immigrant descendants in the United States.  Here you can experience  the Museum of Danish America. and the only  authentic, working Danish windmill in America.

Swing into the little towns that dot this route and experience all sorts of small mom and pop operations.  And then there are those small diners.

--RoadDog

Iowa Drives-- Part 4: Historic Hills Scenic Byway

This byway is located in southeast Iowa.

There are over 100  Amish and Mennonite businesses in this area.  It is not uncommon to have to share the road with a few horses and buggies.  And, you'll enjoy those barn quilts along the route.    There will also be Iowa's oldest courthouse and other historical sites along the way.

There are no fast food places along the way, so plan accordingly.  Picnic lunches are recommended.  I have never been to this, but can't imagine with that many Amish people that there won't be more than a few restaurants featuring their food.

--RoadBarn

Iowa Drives-- Part 3: Loess Hills National Scenic Byway

I know a lot of people who think Iowa is a boring state as far as terrain (same with Illinois where we live), but that "just ain't so."  There is a lot of terrain to see and enjoy in the state.  As a matter of fact, we plan on  doing some touring as soon as you-know-what is under (hopefully) control.

Here's another drive in Iowa.

Described as one of the most "epic" drives in Iowa.  It encompasses more than 1,080 miles along the Missouri River in western Iowa and is more than 220 miles long.

The author of this list says it even has one of her favorite places as well, a lavender farm.  I can only imagine how that place smells when in bloom. 

Some places to visit are the Union Pacific Railroad Museum in Council Bluffs and Bodega Victoriana, the largest vineyard in western Iowa.  Plus, you have rolling hills and striking river views along the way.

Sign Me Up.  --Roadwa

Six Fantastic Drives in Iowa-- Part 2: The Covered Bridges Scenic Byway

 

Yep, they have covered bridges in the state.  This is located near the town of Winterset, southwest of Des Moines.  The route is a mixture of paved and gravel roads.  And, in places, it is extremely hilly which makes for many great photo ops.

You could easily spend a whole day driving the route.

Also, in Winterset, stop and visit the  John Wayne Birthplace and Museum and also explore the Town Square which is bedecked  with hanging baskets of flowers during the warm months.

Lots of eating establishments or pack a lunch and eat it out by a covered bridge.

--RoadDog

Six Fantastic Drives in Iowa: The Great River Road

From August 25, 2020 Travel Awaits by Sara Broers.

1.  THE GREAT RIVER ROAD

Along the Mississippi River in East Iowa.  She especially likes the town of Lansing in northeast Iowa.  She says there is a fin department store there called  Horsfall's.

Mount Hosmer  Park offers views  of over 50 miles from the top of  a 450-foot high bluff.

Traveling south along this road and you will get to Effigy Mounds. 

Plus, you have Dubuque, one of our favorites in Iowa.  Get up close to one of the Mississippi Rivers Locks and Dams and a view from a bluff.  Then, further down we have Clinton, also a personal favorite.

Of course, then there is the Quad Cities.

Too Much Fun.  --RoadOwa