Fifty Songs About States-- Part 3: 'Viva Las Vegas'

*  Means I hadn't heard it before.

MASSACHUSETTS:  "I'm Shipping Up to Boston"--  Dropkick Murphys

MICHIGAN:  "Lose Yourself"--  Eminem*

MINNESOTA:  "Say Shh"--  Atmosphere*

MISSISSIPPI--  "Mississippi Girl"--  Faith Hill*

MISSOURI:  "Missouri Waltz"--  Glenn Miller

MONTANA:  "Montana Song"--  Hank Williams, Jr.*

NEBRASKA:  "You and I"--  Lady Gaga*   (Her cool Nebarska guy.)

NEVADA:  "Viva Las Vegas"--  Elvis Presley

NEW HAMPSHIRE:  "New Hampshire"--  Sonic Youth*

NEW JERSEY:  "Jersey Girl"--  Bruce Springsteen

Name That Tune (from the above songs):  "I'm A Sailor Peg And I Lost My Leg."  Answer below.  --RoadDog

"Shipping Up to Boston"

Oldest Autoist in Nebraska in 1935 Was a Civil War Veteran, Well, Maybe

Well, for you youngsters, autoist used to be used for folks who drove automobiles back in the good old days, you know.

From Civil War Talk  "75 years are gone, but old men will remember"  John Hartwell found a picture of some Union veterans  going to or returning from the 75th anniversary of the Battle of Gettysburg.  One of them was Homer S. Woodworth, age 95.

He included an article from the October 6, 1935, Omaha (Nebraska) World Herald "Omahan at 93 believed to be oldest auto driver."

Here is the article which besides its Civil War connection (which, of course is of great interest to me) also has that automobile Lincoln Highway thing going for it.

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Homer S. Woodworth will be 93 on December 28 and thinks he may be the oldest automobile driver in Nebraska.  He is a Civil War veteran and has been driving cars for 27 years driving from his home at  1428 Fort Street downtown at least 3-4 times a week and  frequently on trips out of state.

--RoadDog

2019 MVPA Lincoln Highway Convoy (TMC19)

August 10 to September 14, 2019,  from York. Pennsylvania, to San Francisco, California.  This is the second MVPA convoy  to commemorate the Lincoln Highway.

MVPA stands for Military Vehicle Preservation Association.

Thursday, August 22, they were in Clinton, Iowa, where we saw part of it driving on the Lincoln Highway.  We're thinking it was probably the rear of the convoy as we drove back and didn't see anymore of them.

On Monday, August 26, they were in Woodbine, Iowa, where the main street was blocked off and all the vehicles lines up.

Fourteen hours ago, there was a post on their site from Big Springs, Nebraska.

"Today we passed the Phelps Hotel in Big Springs, NE.  It was built in 1885.  This is a page from  the guest register signed by Lt.Col. D.D. Eisenhower (& wife) on Aug. 6. 1919.  This was while he was on convoy!    Of any  convoy members got a picture of the hotel  on our way by, please post it!  Thank you."

A photo of the page accompanies the post.

Very Interesting.  --RoadEis

News From Along the Lincoln Highway-- Preserving Omaha's Brick Road-- Part 3

Grand Island and Kearney were the first Nebraska cities to complete "seedling miles" of concrete to demonstrate the advantages of paved roads.

Bricks were still a popular paving selection.  They were easy to build, reasonably smooth and very durable.

The stretch of brick road by Omaha was part of the 3,500 miles of the Lincoln Highway connecting New York City and San Francisco.  When these three miles opened, bands payed and a 1,000 railroad tie bonfire was donated by the Union Pacific Railroad.

Last week, the Douglas County Board decided to close the stretch of brick because of wear and tear over the years.  It still carries a large amount of traffic, including people traveling the Lincoln Highway.

--RoadDog

News From Along the Lincoln Highway: Preserving Omaha's 3-mile Brick Lincoln Highway-- Part 1

From the Oct. 17, 2015, Kearney (Neb) Hub "Old highway is worth preserving" by Mike Konz.

Mr. Konz praises modern road building and compares it to a symphony with all the many parts operating together.  He then mentions the remarkable stretches of modern roads like I-70 through the Rocky Mountains in Colorado (I'll vouch for that), the Needles Highway in South Dakota and the 1,000 mile long Alaskan Highway.

"The 3-mile stretch of brick street in West Omaha-- Old Lincoln Highway-- is evidence that, unlike today's orchestrated approach to road building, how they did things at the dawn of vehicular travel was more like an old-fashioned jam session among jazz musicians."

This 3-mile brick road is the longest  remnant of the country's first transcontinental highway, the Lincoln Highway which "was a jam session of salesmanship, public enthusiasm and good old American hard work."

--RoadDog

News From Along the Lincoln Highway: Mural in Kearney

From the May 29, 2015, Kearney (Ne) Hub "Mural to depict historic downtown Kearney's Lincon Highway."

There will be a mural on the south brick wall of Garrett Tires at 18 25th Street.

It will show a map of the United States with the Lincoln Highway on it and a Lincoln Highway sign in the corner.In the foreground of it will be black and white images of historic downtown Kearney, Nebraska, painted to look like it was being seen through a car window.

The mural costs $5,000 and will stand ten feet high and from 20-25 feet across.  Painting of it will begin June 8th and expected to take a week, weather permitting.

So, I imagine it is already there.

Every little Bit helps.  --RoadDog

The Kearney (Nebraska) Commercial Club

Back in 1913, the Kearney Commercial Club of Nebraska funded one of the Lincoln Highway's seedling miles, a 15-foot wide slab of concrete, eight inches thick. 

The mile-long tract went west on 24th Street to 30th Avenue.  They said it was broad enough for two loaded hayracks to passe ach other.

Kearney is also known as the Lincoln Highway's Midway City with 1,733 miles each way to San Francisco and New York City.

Of course, at the end of June, two convoys of vintage cars will be descending upon the city for the big 100th Anniversary Lincoln Highway birthday party.  I'm hoping to be there unless gas gets way TOO expensive.

RoadDog

Tin Can Tourists Trekking to Kearney

From the October 16, 2012, Kearney (Neb) Hub.com by Mike Konz.

Don't be surprised to see vintage camper trailers and motor coaches around Kearney, Nebraska toward the end of June in 2013.  They're on their way to celebrate the Lincoln Highway's 100th anniversary June 30-July 1.

There will also be a Packard owners group and a Scandinavian car club.

Te Tin Can Tourist group has some 1000 members and so far, ten have signed up to bring their vehicle, but around 30 are expected,  They will be setting up "camp" at the Buffalo County Fairgrounds.  They will leave Haysville, Ohio, June 22, 2013, and make their way west.

The American Bus Association has designated the Lincoln Highway Centennial celebration as one of the Top 100 events of 2013.

It's Gonna Be a Hot Time in the Old Town.  --RoadDog

Nebraska Designates Nine Scenic Byways in 2009

From the Nov. 17, 2009, Sioux City (Ne) Journal.

Lewis and Clark Byway--  231 miles

This one includes the Lewis & Clark Fish Camp on the site of the former Mahas Creek near the Missouri River where the expedition caught 318 fish one day and 800 the next.

Gold Rush Byway--  158 miles

Lincoln Highway Byway--  400 miles.

Always Great to Go for a Drive With a Purpose.  --RoadDog

Midwest Tidbits: A Woman Goes to the Civil War

From the American Profile Magazine.


MICHIGAN-- In 1861, Anna Etheridge of Detroit enlisted as a nurse with the 2nd Michigan. Riding a horse and packing pistols, she tended wounded soldiers on the battlefield.

At the Second Battle of Bull Run, Gen. Philip Kearny said he'd promote her to sergeant, but she never got the promotion because the general was killed at the battle. She did get the Kearny cross for bravery.


NEBRASKA-- The youngest presidential candidate for a major party was former Nebraska Congressman William Jennings Bryan, who was 36 when he ran as a Democratic candidate in 1896, where he lost to William McKinley.


NORTH DAKOTA-- The oil boom is getting folks in this state richer. In 2009, 384 claimed income of more than $1 million. In 2010, the number was 532.

At Least Someone Is getting Rich Off This Gas Gouge. It Sure Isn't Me. --RoadDog

Tidbits: The Midwest-- Too Much Teaching

Perhaps some people and places to check out on your travels. From American Profile magazine.


MISSOURI-- Marjorie Allen turned 94 in September of this year. She began teaching kindergarten in 1939 in Normandy (pop. 5,008) and CONTINUES to serve as a substitute teacher. The Normandy School District honored her as Citizen of the Month in September for 72 YEARS in the classroom.

That more than doubles my 33 years in the classroom. She must be a glutton for punishment. Actually, I thought about subbing, but it would get in the way of being retired.


NEBRASKA-- It was founded in 1879 as a ROTC unit, the Marching Band at the University of Nebraska is one of the oldest marching bands in the country. The Marching Huskers?

I'd Go For That. --RoadDog

Tidbits: Things to See While Cruising Those Old Roads

KANSAS-- There is a MADONNA OF THE TRAIL statue of a pioneer woman with two children and a rifle at COUNCIL GROVE, which has stood there since 1928. The memorial to the stalwart pioneer mothers of covered wagon days is one of 12 placed by the National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution in states through which the National Old Trails Road passed. The 2096 mile-long (thanks Denny) National Old Trail Roads was established in 1912 and also was called the Ocean-to-Ocean Highway going from Baltimore, Maryland to California, mostly along the National Road and Santa Fe Trail. I have driven parts of it and seen several of the Madonna statues.

NEBRASKA-- If you like antique tractors, each summer there is a 150-mile ride across the state, at 13 mph. This goes through several communities during The Great Nebraska Tractor Ride. Wow, imagine trying to get around all those tractors! Just getting around one is sometimes very frightening.

We have already missed the 2011 one, but 2012 will be June 22 and June 23. It is a short distance northwest of Omaha. But, don't plan on staying in Omaha because that is the time of the College World Series and the place gets REAL Crowded.

Drive That Old Tractor...SLOWLY Down the Road. --RoadDog

Tidbits: Stuff to See in States When Cruising

NEBRASKA-- Nominate for Academy Awards 4 times, actor MONTGOMERY CLIFT was born in 1920 in Omaha. Received nominations for The Search (1948), A Place in the Sun (1951), From Here to Eternity (1953) and Judgement at Nuremberg (1961). (I just bought a VHS of From Here to Eternity for a buck. I'm not sure I ever saw the whole movie other than the famous beach scene.)


OHIO-- DON SHULA, born in 1930 in GRAND RIVER (pop. 399) was the winningest coach in NFL history with 347 career wins. He led the Miami Dolphins to Super Bowl victories in 1972 and 1973. His 1972 team recorded the only undefeated season in NFL history. (Which would have been tied had those lousy Dolphins not defeated Da Bears on that Monday Night game in 1985.)


SOUTH DAKOTA-- Visitors to Mount Rushmore spent more than $1 billion on everything from lodging to souvenirs in 2010, a record. This was a 10% increase over the year before. (It'll probably be less this year because of the GRBs at Big Oil.)

Never Been to Mount Rushmore. May Not Be Able to Buy the Gas to Do It Now. --RoadDog

State Tidbits: Cruising and Seeing on the Old Roads

From the July 10-16th American Profile Magazine.


MISSOURI-- Actors, newscasters and politicians (especially the Prez) owe a big thanks to Hubert "Hub" Schlafy (1919-2011) who was born in St. Louis and helped to invent the teleprompter, debuting in 1950.


NEBRASKA-- Ward Bond Memorial Park in BENKELMAN (pop.953) is named for native son and star of TV's Wagon train. One of my favorite shows with Ward as Gil favor and, of course, Rowdy Yates. Let's "Head 'Em Up, Move 'Em Out."


NORTH DAKOTA-- Judge Ronald N. Davies High School in FARGO honors the federal judge best known for ordering the racial integration of schools in Little Rock, Ark., in 1957. He died in Fargo. Dedication ceremonies for the new school are set for this August.


OHIO-- The first ceramic cookie jar created in 1929 by Brush pottery of ZANESVILLE (pop. 25.487). The lidded green jar was embossed with the word, get this, "Cookies." there are lots of pottery places in and around Zanesville, one of the things it is noted for along with the famous "Y" Bridge.

I Wonder If the Teleprompter Had Anything to Do with the Karaoke Machine? --RoadDog

Cruisin' Nebraska-- Part 11-- Take the Scenic Route

Continuing with the scenic routes of Nebraska from the 2010 Visitors Guide.


3. HERITAGE HIGHWAY

A 238 mile byway from the Missouri River to Harlan County Lake through farmland and historic main street communities. Visit the Homestead National Monument honoring the homesteaders who opened the west to settlement as well as Willa Cather's home.

It is located in the southeastern part of the state from Brownville to a ways past Alma. Most of it along US Highway 136.

www.HeritageHighway136.com


4. LEWIS AND CLARK SCENIC BYWAY

an 82 mile drive through two national wildlife refuges and discover the culture of the Winnebago and Omaha American Indian tribes.

Along the Missouri River in the east part of the state.

www.LewisAndClarkScenicByway.com

Let's Hit the Road. --RoadDog

Cruisin' Nebraska-- Part 10-- NTN Buzztime (part 2)

We have been in Nebraska on three occasions. The last time, we were being chased by an early October winter storm across the state in 2006 so didn't stop to play NTN. We had picked up the snow just west of Denver as we were returning from our end-to-end Route 66 drive.

The first Nebraska trip was on our return from the 2004 Tulsa Route 66 Festival where we went on out to Tucumcari, New Mexico and we were taking US-54 back most of the way, but had gotten off in Wichita, Kansas.

The second time was spring break 2006, when we took the Lincoln Highway across Iowa and then went way out of our way to see the world's largest round barn in Red Cloud, Nebraska. (I don't suggest it.)

Of the 21 NTN sites we've been to, eleven are no long in business or have it.

Ones that have dropped it:

DJ's, Varsity Club, TGIF, In-Play, Crescent Moon, Old Dundee, Oscar's, Clancy's and Digz in Omaha.

Gateway Lanes in Elkhorn and the Penalty Box in Lincoln.

Always sad to see so many have dropped it, and that number would be worse had it not been for all the BW3s (Buffalo Wild Wings).

NTN Cruisin' in Nebraska. --RoadDog

Cruisin' Nebraska-- Part 9-- NTN Possibilities

I went on the Buzztime NTN site and found that there are 23 sites to play NTN in Nebraska, not a large number, but definitely enough to visit while touring the state. And they're spread out as well.

For those of you who don't know, NTN Buzztime is like the Who Wants to Be a Millionaire game on TV. You can play it on TVs in bars and restaurants who have signed up for it. If you have ever been in a Buffalo Wild Wings, you might have noticed it being played.

The two biggest concentrations are in Omaha with 6 and Lincoln with 7. Four of the ones in Omaha are Buffalo Wild Wings.

Other cities with one apiece:

Grand Island
Papillion
Offutt AFB
North Platte
Sidney
Chadron
Kearney
Hastings
Sidney
Bellvue

Looking like it's a good time to do a cruise along the Lincoln Highway through the state as Grand Island, North Platte, Kearney and Grand Island are right on the old road and Hastings not too far from it (plus, all the Kool Aid stuff that might be there).

Cruisin' Down Da Road and Playin' NTN. --RoadDog

Cruisin' Nebraska-- Part 8-- Take the Scenic Route

Page 26 of the 2010 Travel Guide has a map of the state with all nine of the scenic routes mapped out on it, "...follow the two-lane to out-of-the-way attractions, breathtaking views, and some of the best homemade pie your fork has ever encountered." That pretty-well sums up those two laners for me.

Tour #1 385-GOLD RUSH BYWAY-- In the 1870s, as much as $200,000 in gold each day was transported over this 158-mile route. Interesting landmarks at Courthouse and Jail Rocks and then there's Carhenge. Follows US Highway 385 along northern part of state along US Highway 385 from north to south in the western part of the state. www.VisitNebraska.gov/goldrush.


Tour #2 BRIDGES TO BUTTES BYWAY-- Almost 200 miles "of untamed open road" through Nebraska "in its most pristine form." Runs east to west along northern border along US-20 from Valentine to western border. www.VisitNebraska.gov/bridges.

Two Down, Seven to Go. --RoadDog

Cruisin' Nebraska-- Part 7-- Regions and Scenic Routes

The Nebraska 2010 Travel Guide divides the state up into seven regions, starting from the east:

Metro (Omaha area) (east central)
Lewis and Clark (northeast)
Pioneer Country (southeast)
Frontier Trails (midsouth)
Sandhills (midnorth)
Prairie Lakes (southwest)
Panhandle (west)

On page 26, the guide has four pages on what us roadfolk would really find interesting, "Take the scenic route" which consists of nine different ROAD TRIPS across the state.

Gold Rush Byway
Bridges to Buttes Byway
Heritage Highway
Lewis & Clark Scenic Byway
Lincoln Highway Scenic and Historic Byway
Loup Rivers Scenic Byway
Outlaw Trail Scenic Byway
Sandhills Journey Scenic Byway
Western Trails Scenic & Historic Byway

I figure I'll definitely be on the Lincoln Highway Byway next June on my way out to the 2011 Lincoln Highway Association Conference in Lake Tahoe, Nevada.

On the Road Again. --RoadDog

Cruisin' Nebraska-- Well-Known Residents-- Part 6

Some more well-known residents of the Cornhusker state.

MARG HELGENBERGER-- actress on CSI, grew up in North bend.

MALCOLM X-- famed Civil Rights advocate born in Omaha.

WILLIAM F. CODY-- better known as Buffalo Bill ran his famed Wild West Show from his ranch in North Platte.

HENRY FONDA-- actor born in Grand Island and took acting lessons from Marlon Brando's mother in Omaha.

CLAYTON ANDERSON-- this astronaut's hometown is Ashland. he recently completed a tour of duty at the International Space Station.

FRED ASTAIRE-- as a boy, he first took dance lessons in Omaha.

WILLA CATHER and MARI SANDOZ-- well-known authors were inspired by their lives on the Nebraska prairie.

Gettin' the 4-1-1 on Nebraska. --RoadDog