Lincoln vs. 66 ... and other old routes

[Guest]

In starting to plan the September 2009 Route 66 tour (formal announcement coming soon), I realize that Route 66 isn't the only old, nostalgic route available to travel. The Lincoln Highway is another one...which, unlike Route 66, spans across the entire United States, from coast to coast. Maybe someday I'll have time to do that route. In the meantime, while I'm familiar with some sections of the old Lincoln Highway (notably through Geneva IL, towards Elburn IL, and points farther west) due to historic marker signs along IL RT 38, US Route 66 is the one old highway that really interests/intrigues me.

I've always been curious about Route 66 ... because I enjoy older cars and roads ... and I wonder what life was like "back then". The song "Route 66" has had a part in my interest in Route 66, but a special on PBS about a mother/daughter duo who took the Route 66 trip also peaked my interest. BUT...what really sparked and deepened my curiosity about Route 66 was the recent movie "Cars". Strange, yes, but "Cars" featured a lot of scenes from Route 66 ... and was based on actual people and places along Route 66. It also featured history of the road, and illustrated the effect of interstates, such as I-40, on life along Route 66.

Route 66 map:
http://www.nps.gov/history/rt66/map/map.htm

Route 66 info:
http://www.historic66.com/

Lincoln Highway map:
http://www.lincolnhighwayassoc.org/info/

Lincoln Highway info:
http://www.lincolnhighwayassoc.org/


So ... what about you? What "old routes" (Route 66, Lincoln Highway, or OTHERS?) intrigue/interest you?



Cort | 35swm | "Mr Monte Carlo"."Mr Road Trip" | pig valve.pacemaker
WRMNshowcase.legos.HO.models.MCs.RTs.CHD = http://www.chevyasylum.com/cort
"You can't see what those shades of gray keep covered" ... Jamey Johnson ... 'In Color'

 

[Guest]

*** PROGRAM NOTE ***

As I mentioned in my original post, PBS broadcast a special on Route 66. If I remember correctly, that show was broadcast a few times last year. It featured a mother and daughter traveling Route 66 in a rented Mustang convertible and highlighted several of the sites along Route 66, including the Wigwam motel (featured in the movie "Cars").


NOW ... PBS will broadcast a special about ... the Lincoln Highway:
"A Ride Along the Lincoln Highway", 8p-9p CT, Wednesday, October 29, Chicago's WTTW, Channel 11
...An exploration of the historic Lincoln Highway, the nation's first coast-to-coast highway, which runs from New York City to San Francisco and spans 14 states. Included: A Lincoln Highway Association National Conference in Evanston, WY; an Abraham Lincoln statue in WY; an independent gas station in NE; a Mexican restaurant in NJ. Motorcyclists on a cross-country journey.



*** TRAVELING ***

I have not driven much of RT 66, though I was along it somewhat during my October 2004 road trip...
http://www.chevyasylum.com/cort/0410/0410.html

...and again a bit in Oklahoma City and through IL during my October 2006 trip:
http://www.chevyasylum.com/cort/1106/1106.html


BUT ... I may've actually driven more of the Lincoln Highway...

...mostly in IL, along IL RT 38 through Geneva IL

...somewhat during my aforementioned October 2004 road trip when I traveled from Denver CO to Salt Lake City UT via I-80 in Wyoming.

...and quite a bit traveling back and forth to PA, especially when I take RT 30 through Indiana and Ohio ... and then travel RT 30 in PA and into NJ...

 

[Freddie]

Gee Cort, I would love to ride "shotgun" with you on this journey, sounds like fun.

 

[Guest]

*grins*

Well, then, Freddie, come on down! In a week or so I'll be posting the "official" announcement ... and will include it here, too ... in case anyone wants to meet up or join us along the way!

 

[BDMc]

Sounds like a lot of fun Little Brother. I will look forward to the reports, and pics!

 

[Mary]

Litchfield, Illinois is one stop along Route 66 that you can't afford to miss, Cort. There's a great diner there that's been in business since the turn of the century--JoBett's. We always stop there when we're traveling, and the place is always packed.

 

[Guest]

Sounds like a lot of fun Little Brother. I will look forward to the reports, and pics!

*grins*

Ohhhh...reports and pics galore, I hope . I cannot wait!



Mary,

JoBett's? Someone else had already mentioned The Ariston Cafe in Litchfield.... Hmmm...wonder if we could go to one place for the meal and the other place for desert .

 

[hensylee]

Cort, Hwy 90 also spans the U.S. From California to the east coast of Florida. I went to Arizona when daughter visited there. SIL picked me up at airport and we traveled on Hwy 90 to get to their house. Hwy 90 is also right in front of MY house. Coulda driven there!

Enjoy your travels. I think the movie Route 66 made that highway famous. Peter Fonda and the other guy are famous because of it.

Happy drivin............

 

[Mary]

*grins*

Ohhhh...reports and pics galore, I hope . I cannot wait!



Mary,

JoBett's? Someone else had already mentioned The Ariston Cafe in Litchfield.... Hmmm...wonder if we could go to one place for the meal and the other place for desert .

JoBett's has a drive through window, so you could pick up a dozen of their homemade cookies or pastries and take them with you!

 

[Guest]

Hey Ann,

Wow ... didn't know about US 90. Were we on that at all when we drove around your town when I visited you?


Hmmm....I like that idea, Mary. I added JoBett's to the schedule. Still working on some details...will post about that when I have it further along.


In the meantime...anyone else see the special on the Lincoln Highway this week?

Just like the special PBS had last year about Route 66, the Lincoln Highway special increased my interest and enthusiasm for traveling the length of it one day. As I mentioned, I've traveled more of the Lincoln Highway than Route 66, by virtue of traveling in this area, specially IL RT 38 from Geneva IL west to Elburn IL and a bit beyond there ... as well as through Indiana, Ohio and PA along Route 30, which follows the Lincoln Highway more or less....

*sighs*

If only I had more vacation time.....

 

[Mary]

Hey Ann,

Wow ... didn't know about US 90. Were we on that at all when we drove around your town when I visited you?


Hmmm....I like that idea, Mary. I added JoBett's to the schedule. Still working on some details...will post about that when I have it further along.


In the meantime...anyone else see the special on the Lincoln Highway this week?

Just like the special PBS had last year about Route 66, the Lincoln Highway special increased my interest and enthusiasm for traveling the length of it one day. As I mentioned, I've traveled more of the Lincoln Highway than Route 66, by virtue of traveling in this area, specially IL RT 38 from Geneva IL west to Elburn IL and a bit beyond there ... as well as through Indiana, Ohio and PA along Route 30, which follows the Lincoln Highway more or less....

*sighs*

If only I had more vacation time.....

We watched the Lincoln highway program the other night. I was intrigued by the portion that travels south of the Great Salt Lake in Utah. I'd never had any real enthusiasm for visiting that part of the country, but my mind has been changed!

 

[Guest]

We watched the Lincoln highway program the other night. I was intrigued by the portion that travels south of the Great Salt Lake in Utah. I'd never had any real enthusiasm for visiting that part of the country, but my mind has been changed!

See!!!!

During my October 2004 road trip, I visited a friend in the SLC area ... and then headed south towards Albuquerque NM via the SW corner of Colorado. Even that direction has some awesome scenery ... and that Lincoln Highway special highlighted some areas in Utah I didn't even get to see, including the Bonneville Salt Flats..... Next trip!

Though ... I did see the Salt Flats, particularly that museum, during a family trip out west in 1990. I didn't know Ray back then, tho.