Articles taken from the Route 66 News site. These are ones of special interest to me. But the site has many more Route 66 news items, pictures and more text.
APRIL 22-- Ottaway County, Oklahoma, seeks $450,000 grant for Sidewalk Highway. These will be federal transportation alternative money. Sparse traffic on it (and a lot of 66ers) but it has fallen into disrepair after nearly a century of use.
The nine-foot wide width was paved in 1922 and was the path of Route 66 from 1926 to 1937. The reason it was so narrow was that the county could pave a longer stretch.
Let's hope they get it. It's a treat to drive it.
The Ol' Ribbon Road. --RoadWalkDog
RoadDog's RoadLog Blog: Being my travels down those great two lane highways of this nation as well as news I learn about them from media sources. Since I'm also very interested in historic preservation, there will be a lot of that as well.
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.
Wednesday, May 11, 2016
Tuesday, May 10, 2016
Wilber's Barbecuse, Goldsboro, N.C.-- A Trip to the 'Cue Place of All 'Cue Places
From "The Best Tar Heel Barbecue" by Jim Early.
On May 5, I made my every visit pilgrimage to that favorite 'cue place I have been going to for a long time, Wilber's.
A plate of barbecue comes with the barbecue, of course, and you also get cole slaw, potato salad and hush puppies. I am not a big fan of their potato salad, so ordered my usual double cole slaw. Of course, to me, the proper way to eat bbq is an equal amount of 'cue and cole slaw on each forkful.
The price is now $9.95 for a plate, less if you get a tray which has less 'cue and only one side of cole slaw.
--RoadDog
On May 5, I made my every visit pilgrimage to that favorite 'cue place I have been going to for a long time, Wilber's.
A plate of barbecue comes with the barbecue, of course, and you also get cole slaw, potato salad and hush puppies. I am not a big fan of their potato salad, so ordered my usual double cole slaw. Of course, to me, the proper way to eat bbq is an equal amount of 'cue and cole slaw on each forkful.
The price is now $9.95 for a plate, less if you get a tray which has less 'cue and only one side of cole slaw.
--RoadDog
Monday, May 9, 2016
Sitting Here at the Munger-Moss Motel-- Part 18: A Horseshoe and a Pie at the Palms Grill Cafe, a New Museum in Atlanta
APRIL 26, TUESDAY
** We split a ham horseshoe sandwich, a Central Illinois treat, at the Palms Grill Cafe in Atlanta. If you don't know what a horseshoe is, it is a meat on a toasted piece of bread covered with gravy, cheese and fries. Absolutely not good for you, but boy is it good.
** Their portions are so generous that both of us had some left over.
** The Palms Grill Cafe is known for their pies and we split a chocolate pie. It was huge. I highly recommend you save room if you go there for dessert.
** Before we left Atlanta, I walked over to a new place to me called the Arcade Museum. Many are in operating condition. There were pinball machines as well as a lot of early video games, including several of my old favorites like Pac-Man, Asteroids and Space Invaders. I was tempted to play, but knew we had to get on the road home.
--RoadDog
** We split a ham horseshoe sandwich, a Central Illinois treat, at the Palms Grill Cafe in Atlanta. If you don't know what a horseshoe is, it is a meat on a toasted piece of bread covered with gravy, cheese and fries. Absolutely not good for you, but boy is it good.
** Their portions are so generous that both of us had some left over.
** The Palms Grill Cafe is known for their pies and we split a chocolate pie. It was huge. I highly recommend you save room if you go there for dessert.
** Before we left Atlanta, I walked over to a new place to me called the Arcade Museum. Many are in operating condition. There were pinball machines as well as a lot of early video games, including several of my old favorites like Pac-Man, Asteroids and Space Invaders. I was tempted to play, but knew we had to get on the road home.
--RoadDog
Sunday, May 8, 2016
Sitting Here At the Munger-Moss Motel-- Part 17: Those Wonderful Springfield Stoplights
APRIL 26, TUESDAY
** Continental breakfast in the lobby, then over to Wal-Mart, across the road. I love going to landscaping nurseries this early in spring. It means winter is over. Later, I went to Mel-O-Cream, a real Springfield treat, for a donut and coffee.
** Drove Route 66 out of Springfield and caught nearly every one of their many, many, many stoplights red. Sure made my day.
** Got on I-55 north of Sherman and stayed on it to Atlanta. We had never gotten off at the Atlanta exit from I-55, and it was a bit confusing and strange looking for a bit. We were able to find main street without much difficulty (small town, you know).
** We went to the Palms Grill Cafe. Atlanta is a town that really pushes its Route 66 heritage and this is a big example of it. The place was a mainstay of the town for decades before closing. It has been renovated to look as it did in the 1940s. a real trip back into time.
--RoadDog
** Continental breakfast in the lobby, then over to Wal-Mart, across the road. I love going to landscaping nurseries this early in spring. It means winter is over. Later, I went to Mel-O-Cream, a real Springfield treat, for a donut and coffee.
** Drove Route 66 out of Springfield and caught nearly every one of their many, many, many stoplights red. Sure made my day.
** Got on I-55 north of Sherman and stayed on it to Atlanta. We had never gotten off at the Atlanta exit from I-55, and it was a bit confusing and strange looking for a bit. We were able to find main street without much difficulty (small town, you know).
** We went to the Palms Grill Cafe. Atlanta is a town that really pushes its Route 66 heritage and this is a big example of it. The place was a mainstay of the town for decades before closing. It has been renovated to look as it did in the 1940s. a real trip back into time.
--RoadDog
Friday, May 6, 2016
Sitting Here At the Munger-Moss-- Part 16: The Curve and the Loss
APRIL 25, MONDAY
** Next stop was at the Curve Inn across Route 66 from the Route 66 Hotel. This bar has been there since the 1930s and is a real roadhouse. They also have a really nice biergarten now. People were starting to come in for the Blackhawks-Blues game.
** I had their wings, which is the Monday special and a great deal at 25 cents each.
** We then went back to the Route 66 Hotel and to the Filling Station bar where we saw the Blues-Hawks game. Sadly, we lost and are out of the Stanley Cup playoffs. Congratulation St. Louis. We'll be pulling for them now.
--RoadDog
** Next stop was at the Curve Inn across Route 66 from the Route 66 Hotel. This bar has been there since the 1930s and is a real roadhouse. They also have a really nice biergarten now. People were starting to come in for the Blackhawks-Blues game.
** I had their wings, which is the Monday special and a great deal at 25 cents each.
** We then went back to the Route 66 Hotel and to the Filling Station bar where we saw the Blues-Hawks game. Sadly, we lost and are out of the Stanley Cup playoffs. Congratulation St. Louis. We'll be pulling for them now.
--RoadDog
Hursey's Barbecue, Burlington & Graham, N.C.-- Part 2: (A Mix of Eastern/Lexington 'Cue Sauce)
The business itself began in a meager building in their backyard and a recipe given to him by Sylvester's father. Production in those days consisted of one hog a week Legend has it that Sylvester won a competitor's barbecue sauce in a poker game and he combined it with his sauce which led to the present day Hursey's.
That sauce used on their chopped barbecue is a combination between Eastern North Carolina vinegar-base sauce and Lexington-style (sugar, tomato-added) dip.
Only the family knows the exact ingredients of their very secret sauce.
The barbecue is shipped to all 50 states and even foreign countries.
Some very satisfied customers are former presidents Lyndon B. Johnson, Ronald Reagan and George Bush Sr..
--RoadDog
That sauce used on their chopped barbecue is a combination between Eastern North Carolina vinegar-base sauce and Lexington-style (sugar, tomato-added) dip.
Only the family knows the exact ingredients of their very secret sauce.
The barbecue is shipped to all 50 states and even foreign countries.
Some very satisfied customers are former presidents Lyndon B. Johnson, Ronald Reagan and George Bush Sr..
--RoadDog
Thursday, May 5, 2016
Hursey's Barbecue, Burlington & Graham, N.C.-- Part 1: The "Character" Gets It Started
From "The Best Tar Heel Barbecue: From Manteo to Murphy" by Jim Early.
On my way to Goldsboro, N.C., this past Saturday, April 30, I stopped for lunch at Hursey's Barbecue in Graham, N.C.. This was the second time I had been there. I had also stopped by the Hursey's in Burlington, on a Sunday, but it was closed.
Both are about a mile off I-40.
Charles Hursey started the present Hursey's Barbecue in 1960, and as of the book's printing in 2002, was still on the scene, but most management today is by his two sons, Chuck and Chris, assisted by Mom Ellen and their sister Carey.
Charles Hursey's grandfather started the family into their barbecue quest. Charles picked it up from his father, Sylvester, who is described as somewhat of a "character." The story has it that the business started during a backyard party with some drinking and coincidental great hog cooking.
--RoadDog
On my way to Goldsboro, N.C., this past Saturday, April 30, I stopped for lunch at Hursey's Barbecue in Graham, N.C.. This was the second time I had been there. I had also stopped by the Hursey's in Burlington, on a Sunday, but it was closed.
Both are about a mile off I-40.
Charles Hursey started the present Hursey's Barbecue in 1960, and as of the book's printing in 2002, was still on the scene, but most management today is by his two sons, Chuck and Chris, assisted by Mom Ellen and their sister Carey.
Charles Hursey's grandfather started the family into their barbecue quest. Charles picked it up from his father, Sylvester, who is described as somewhat of a "character." The story has it that the business started during a backyard party with some drinking and coincidental great hog cooking.
--RoadDog
Sitting Here At the Munger-Moss Motel-- Part 15: A Visit to Costelloe's
APRIL 25, MONDAY
** On the way to Missouri, I had picked up a copy of the Illinois Times, a newspaper about things happening in Springfield, Illinois. There was an ad for a new place that had just opened called Costelloe's out to the west of town. There was also one in Chatham, near Springfield.
We used to go to a popular Springfield restaurant called Coz's. We also found out that Coz's was owned by the brother of a good friend of ours named Frank Costello, who owned a favorite hangout of ours, Costello's Pub & Grub on Fox Lake, Illinois (Chain of Lakes).
We had heard that they had sold Coz's, but could this be a place of theirs?
We asked the bartender if this place was connected to Coz's and she said yes. This Costelloe's was managed by Frank's brother's son, Tim. We had intended to go to Fulgenzi's after that, but ended up staying a bit longer at Costelloe's. (They added the last "e".) Love those free peanuts.
--RoadDog
** On the way to Missouri, I had picked up a copy of the Illinois Times, a newspaper about things happening in Springfield, Illinois. There was an ad for a new place that had just opened called Costelloe's out to the west of town. There was also one in Chatham, near Springfield.
We used to go to a popular Springfield restaurant called Coz's. We also found out that Coz's was owned by the brother of a good friend of ours named Frank Costello, who owned a favorite hangout of ours, Costello's Pub & Grub on Fox Lake, Illinois (Chain of Lakes).
We had heard that they had sold Coz's, but could this be a place of theirs?
We asked the bartender if this place was connected to Coz's and she said yes. This Costelloe's was managed by Frank's brother's son, Tim. We had intended to go to Fulgenzi's after that, but ended up staying a bit longer at Costelloe's. (They added the last "e".) Love those free peanuts.
--RoadDog
Sitting Here At the Munger-Moss Motel-- Part 14: A New Route 66 CD For Us, the Road Crew
APRIL 25, MONDAY
** While at Rich Henry's I bought a CD of Mother Road Songs by the Road Crew. I've heard of them often, but never had one of their CDs. Great Route 66 music and listened to it the rest of toady and much of Tuesday on our way home.
** Drove through Mt. Olive and by Soulsby Station and the Miners' Cemetery where Mother Jones is buried.
** We continued on 66 to Litchfield and past the Ariston and new museum. After the fried chicken, tacos and cookies, we weren't hungry and did not stop at Jack's for more tacos. But, we glanced longingly as we drove by.
** Back on I-55 to Springfield and got a room again at the Route 66 Hotel and Convention Center. We plan on coming back for several days this summer.
--RoadDog
** While at Rich Henry's I bought a CD of Mother Road Songs by the Road Crew. I've heard of them often, but never had one of their CDs. Great Route 66 music and listened to it the rest of toady and much of Tuesday on our way home.
** Drove through Mt. Olive and by Soulsby Station and the Miners' Cemetery where Mother Jones is buried.
** We continued on 66 to Litchfield and past the Ariston and new museum. After the fried chicken, tacos and cookies, we weren't hungry and did not stop at Jack's for more tacos. But, we glanced longingly as we drove by.
** Back on I-55 to Springfield and got a room again at the Route 66 Hotel and Convention Center. We plan on coming back for several days this summer.
--RoadDog
Wednesday, May 4, 2016
Sitting Here At the Munger-Moss Motel-- Part 13: A Visit With Rich Henry at His Rabbit Ranch
APRIL 25, MONDAY
** Drove by the Church of the Neon Light and the site of the Meramec Caverns barn and got off at the Staunton, Illinois, exit and drove the old Illinois Hwy 4, which became the original Route 66.
** DeCamp Junction was closed again. We never seem to be able to catch this place open. We think we might have seen a for sale sign as we drove by.
** We actually found Rich Henry's Rabbit Ranch without driving around a lot. We usually do not find this place right away.
** Rich was raking leaves and came over to introduce us to his outside rabbits, many of them rescues. He knew the history of each one. Then we went inside and met the inside rabbits. We often met the queen of Rich's rabbits, Montana, who would personally autograph postcards of herself (by biting it). It was funny when he put her into the presidential race. Perhaps she could have beaten the Donald.
** Rich was a big reason we got hooked on Route 66 as his was the first regular Mother Road place we went to on our first trip along the road back in 2002.
See What You Did, Rich!! --RoadDog
** Drove by the Church of the Neon Light and the site of the Meramec Caverns barn and got off at the Staunton, Illinois, exit and drove the old Illinois Hwy 4, which became the original Route 66.
** DeCamp Junction was closed again. We never seem to be able to catch this place open. We think we might have seen a for sale sign as we drove by.
** We actually found Rich Henry's Rabbit Ranch without driving around a lot. We usually do not find this place right away.
** Rich was raking leaves and came over to introduce us to his outside rabbits, many of them rescues. He knew the history of each one. Then we went inside and met the inside rabbits. We often met the queen of Rich's rabbits, Montana, who would personally autograph postcards of herself (by biting it). It was funny when he put her into the presidential race. Perhaps she could have beaten the Donald.
** Rich was a big reason we got hooked on Route 66 as his was the first regular Mother Road place we went to on our first trip along the road back in 2002.
See What You Did, Rich!! --RoadDog
Sitting Here At the Munger-Moss Motel-- Part 12: Eating Our Way Across Route 66
APRIL 25, MONDAY
** Back on I-44 and drove to Rolla and got off to do Route 66 through it. This city has a whole lot, I mean a whole lot of stoplights to go with lots of traffic. Don't know that I am going to do this again.
** Of course, another stop at the Jack-in-the-Box (Jack's) in Sullivan (even though we weren't hungry after the Chester's Chicken back at St. Robert's.
** Back on I-44 and decided to take I-270 around St. Louis so we could see the Chain of Rocks Bridge. I was getting tired so we took a break at a McDonald's in Florissant, a suburb in the northwest side of St. Louis. I decided to buy three of their cookies for $1.
I was told I had to wait as they were just baking them. In the future I will be very happy to wait for the cookies as they were some of the best I've ever eaten. The chocolate chips were gooey. One of Liz's cookies fell apart.
** Drove by the Chain of Rocks Bridge on the I-270 Bridge, a great way to get a true glimpse of the grandeur of the Chain Bridge.
** Into Illinois on I-270 and got off on I-55.
Cookie Monster Would Love This. --RoadDog
** Back on I-44 and drove to Rolla and got off to do Route 66 through it. This city has a whole lot, I mean a whole lot of stoplights to go with lots of traffic. Don't know that I am going to do this again.
** Of course, another stop at the Jack-in-the-Box (Jack's) in Sullivan (even though we weren't hungry after the Chester's Chicken back at St. Robert's.
** Back on I-44 and decided to take I-270 around St. Louis so we could see the Chain of Rocks Bridge. I was getting tired so we took a break at a McDonald's in Florissant, a suburb in the northwest side of St. Louis. I decided to buy three of their cookies for $1.
I was told I had to wait as they were just baking them. In the future I will be very happy to wait for the cookies as they were some of the best I've ever eaten. The chocolate chips were gooey. One of Liz's cookies fell apart.
** Drove by the Chain of Rocks Bridge on the I-270 Bridge, a great way to get a true glimpse of the grandeur of the Chain Bridge.
** Into Illinois on I-270 and got off on I-55.
Cookie Monster Would Love This. --RoadDog
Tuesday, May 3, 2016
Sitting Here At the Munger-Moss Motel-- Part 11: Hooker Cut and John's Modern Cabins
APRIL 25, MONDAY
** Boy, that Chester's Chicken is good. Wish they had more of them. Usually there are only a few in any given state if at all.
** Exit 163 is also by the entrance to the Hooker Cut section of old Route 66, now called Highway Z. As have said before, Hooker Cut is my absolute favorite stretch of Route 66. Drove through it and felt the ghosts driving through there.
** We also stopped by the sad John's Modern Cabins. Every year we see them, they have decayed a bit more. All of the cabins are now down and in various stages of decay. But, it is still a reminder of what Route 66 was. The vegetation has about taken it over as well.
** It is also sad to see Verneille's Motel, which evidently is still open and appears to be well-kept up. I'd like to stay there sometime.
** This stretch of road marks the death of two highways. Not only was it Route 66 before being by-passed by I-44, but also there is a stretch of I-44 through there that has also been abandoned.
--RoadDog
** Boy, that Chester's Chicken is good. Wish they had more of them. Usually there are only a few in any given state if at all.
** Exit 163 is also by the entrance to the Hooker Cut section of old Route 66, now called Highway Z. As have said before, Hooker Cut is my absolute favorite stretch of Route 66. Drove through it and felt the ghosts driving through there.
** We also stopped by the sad John's Modern Cabins. Every year we see them, they have decayed a bit more. All of the cabins are now down and in various stages of decay. But, it is still a reminder of what Route 66 was. The vegetation has about taken it over as well.
** It is also sad to see Verneille's Motel, which evidently is still open and appears to be well-kept up. I'd like to stay there sometime.
** This stretch of road marks the death of two highways. Not only was it Route 66 before being by-passed by I-44, but also there is a stretch of I-44 through there that has also been abandoned.
--RoadDog
Sitting Here At the Munger-Moss Motel-- Part 10: Saying Goodbye to Ramona and Hello to Chester's Chicken
APRIL 25, MONDAY
** Had coffee and talked with Ramona in the lobby of the Munger-Moss. Caught up on my blogs and then left, saying goodbye to Ramona. Again congratulated her on owning the Munger-Moss for 45 years. that is a long time to do anything.
** She says they would like to retire, but will not sell to just anybody. The people have to be committed to continuing the motel as it is.
** They bought the place in 1971, after a particularly hard winter in their native Iowa.
** We drove Route 66 awhile going east, but got back on I-44, getting off at Exit 163 to get gas at the Road Ranger which I had seen was $1.86. Filled up.
** I saw that they had a Subway and, even better, a Chester's Chicken place. We became hooked on Chester's fried chicken at a little place across from the Driftwood Inn in Panama City Beach, Florida, that sold it. Unfortunately, they stopped selling it.
It is my belief that Chester's fried chicken is the juiciest and tastiest anywhere. We had to get a two-piece snack pack and it sure brought back some taste memories.
Mouthwatering Good. --RoadDog
** Had coffee and talked with Ramona in the lobby of the Munger-Moss. Caught up on my blogs and then left, saying goodbye to Ramona. Again congratulated her on owning the Munger-Moss for 45 years. that is a long time to do anything.
** She says they would like to retire, but will not sell to just anybody. The people have to be committed to continuing the motel as it is.
** They bought the place in 1971, after a particularly hard winter in their native Iowa.
** We drove Route 66 awhile going east, but got back on I-44, getting off at Exit 163 to get gas at the Road Ranger which I had seen was $1.86. Filled up.
** I saw that they had a Subway and, even better, a Chester's Chicken place. We became hooked on Chester's fried chicken at a little place across from the Driftwood Inn in Panama City Beach, Florida, that sold it. Unfortunately, they stopped selling it.
It is my belief that Chester's fried chicken is the juiciest and tastiest anywhere. We had to get a two-piece snack pack and it sure brought back some taste memories.
Mouthwatering Good. --RoadDog
Monday, May 2, 2016
Sitting Here at the Munger-Moss Motel-- Part 9: VFW and More 66ers
APRIL 24TH, SUNDAY
** On the way back to the Munger-Moss Motel from Bennett Spring, we stopped at the Lebanon VFW. A Korean War veteran at the Senor Pepper's on Friday had told us this place was open on Sundays. We found a bingo session going on in the main hall and bypassed that to the bar. We find that bingo players can be really mean if you interrupt them.
** Before walking in, we looked at the marker to veterans killed in the line of duty in wars from World War I to the Persian Gulf out in front of the building. We saw the name of Charles Wrinkle, we were told a relative of Glenn Wrinkle, who operated the famous Route 66 Wrink's Market in Lebanon. Charles was killed in World War II.
** Watched the St. Louis Cardinal victory and there were sure a lot of friendly folks there.
** Back at the Munger-Moss, we sat out by the picnic table near Route 66 and talked with a couple from Williamsburg, Virginia, who were doing Route 66 on a motorcycle.
** Later, we went across 66 to the bowling alley for a couple.
--RoadDog
** On the way back to the Munger-Moss Motel from Bennett Spring, we stopped at the Lebanon VFW. A Korean War veteran at the Senor Pepper's on Friday had told us this place was open on Sundays. We found a bingo session going on in the main hall and bypassed that to the bar. We find that bingo players can be really mean if you interrupt them.
** Before walking in, we looked at the marker to veterans killed in the line of duty in wars from World War I to the Persian Gulf out in front of the building. We saw the name of Charles Wrinkle, we were told a relative of Glenn Wrinkle, who operated the famous Route 66 Wrink's Market in Lebanon. Charles was killed in World War II.
** Watched the St. Louis Cardinal victory and there were sure a lot of friendly folks there.
** Back at the Munger-Moss, we sat out by the picnic table near Route 66 and talked with a couple from Williamsburg, Virginia, who were doing Route 66 on a motorcycle.
** Later, we went across 66 to the bowling alley for a couple.
--RoadDog
Sitting Here at the Munger-Moss Motel-- Part 8: "Click's on 66" and Rainbow Trout
April 24, 2016, Sunday
** We saw a building by the Exit back to I-44, and stopped in. The name on the building was "Get Your Click's on Route 66." Unfortunately, they are in the process of opening the place, but we did get to talk with the owner, last name Click. This will no doubt become a regular stop for us
** Drove I-44 back to Lebanon and then took Missouri-64 about 13 miles to Bennett Spring State Park.
** We've often heard about it, but this was our first time there and well worth the short drive. Bennett Spring is known for its rainbow trout and there were a lot of people fishing both off the banks of the stream and in it (wearing those waders).
** We went to the restaurant there which is in a building constructed in 1920. I had never had trout, so this seemed a good time to order it. I ordered the rainbow trout almandine for $15 which came with a salad bar and two sides. That was sure money well-spent. I know one more place I'll be eating at the next time through.
Something Fishy Here. --RoadDog
** We saw a building by the Exit back to I-44, and stopped in. The name on the building was "Get Your Click's on Route 66." Unfortunately, they are in the process of opening the place, but we did get to talk with the owner, last name Click. This will no doubt become a regular stop for us
** Drove I-44 back to Lebanon and then took Missouri-64 about 13 miles to Bennett Spring State Park.
** We've often heard about it, but this was our first time there and well worth the short drive. Bennett Spring is known for its rainbow trout and there were a lot of people fishing both off the banks of the stream and in it (wearing those waders).
** We went to the restaurant there which is in a building constructed in 1920. I had never had trout, so this seemed a good time to order it. I ordered the rainbow trout almandine for $15 which came with a salad bar and two sides. That was sure money well-spent. I know one more place I'll be eating at the next time through.
Something Fishy Here. --RoadDog
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