EZ UPDATES

For readers of the EZ 66 Guide for Travelers, I have provided free online updates to help keep your Route 66 experience as current as possible. As you might imagine, Route 66 is constantly undergoing changes, some good, others not so. Businesses open and close, roads are re-routed and street names change.

Please check back here just before your trip for the latest info. Entries are dated as to when they were added.

If you wish to purchase your own copy of the EZ Guide, please go here.

EZ 66 readers have been helpful in keeping me keep the guidebook updated in between my own road trips, so if you discover something that needs to be addressed while on your journey, please let me know!

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Chain of Rocks Bridge ALERT on Jul 26, 2013 at 8:42:10 pm [Print]
Sigh...just got a report from a Route 66 friend. He saw a car with a broken side glass (and out of state plates) on the ILLINOIS side of the Chain of Rocks bridge. I had to take the MO side out of the guide due to car break-ins...now it looks like you should exercise CAUTION when parking on the Illinois side too. I will keep an ear out for more reports on future problems here...but I cannot whole heartedly recommend parking and walking the bridge at this point.

UPDATE 9-22-14. I haven't had any more reports of problems on the Illinois side, except for one person who saw some people parked there on a weekend evening and got bad vibes. She did the right thing and left. I think I wouldn't go here on a weekend late int he evening...people may be hanging out.

OK page-25 on Jun 15, 2013 at 3:08:42 am [Print]
Awww, they put a different type of jet fighter at the entrance to the Stafford Museum! I'll have to get the scavenger hunt answer changed on the Federation website!

IL-page-19 on Jun 14, 2013 at 8:25:59 pm [Print]
I finally stayed at the Route 66 Hotel on 6th Street in Springfield. They have great roadside Americana decor in the lobby and public areas. They even carry this guide. I just wish it was a totally NON smoking establishment. I had to walk a long smoke-smelling hallway to my room, the first of which, supposedly a "non-smoking" room, was too smoky to tolerate. The clerk kindly allowed me to switch rooms. The second room was still smelly, but "just" tolerable.

Its a good place to stay if you don't mind the smell of smoke.

2015 UPDATE: A few folks have reported no smoky smell recently. good!
2019 UPDATE: I got more bad reports. Bad communications from manager to unhappy guests. More smoke.

Supplimental Giant Alert! IL page-26 on Jun 14, 2013 at 8:21:22 pm [Print]
I need to mention the fiberglass "muffler man" style giant at Pink Elephant Antiques in Livingston. This was a later alignment of 66, so he counts as a brother to the 3 other Illinois giants! This huge antique emporium is fantastic.

IL page 5 on May 26, 2013 at 7:54:02 pm [Print]
OPTION: The map and text for the option refer to W Lawndale Ave. This is WEST of Harlem Ave/IL Hwy 43. Do NOT confuse this with S Lawndale Ave, which is 5 miles EAST of Harlem/IL 43 (closer to Chicago).

You only need be concerned with W Lawndale Ave IF you take the option.

Vinita, OK on May 26, 2013 at 7:44:07 pm [Print]

, some visitors reported to me today that their room at the Relax Inn was infested with bedbugs, and that the management did not provide proper assistance. Even the best places can get bedbugs...but I would suggest to all motel owners that they do everything they can to make their guests happy if this happens (or for any other problem).

Big cities on May 08, 2013 at 6:28:08 pm [Print]
Just a reminder to be careful where you park in the bigger cities, and keep an eye on your car and belongings. Some recent visitors reported that they possibly averted a car-break in downtown Joliet, for example. They parked and began walking towards the majestic Rialto Theatre. It was a Sunday, so most businesses were closed, and downtown was empty...except for one suspicious individual with a cut down hockey stick (who suddenly pretended it was a cane when spotted). The tourists saw him head back towards their parked car, so they turned back. When he spotted them he quickly disappeared in an alley!

Not casting any disparagement on Joliet (a city I really enjoy)...this is an issue in all cities...so just be careful, OK?

And IF you see someone with a hockey mask and chainsaw..run! oh wait...that was a movie I saw......

Misc updates on Mar 19, 2013 at 9:22:34 pm [Print]
4 Women on the Route in Galena KS is now called "Cars on the Route"

Shea's Historic Route 66 Museum in Springfield, Illinois: Mr Shea passed away on Dec 14 2013.


Route 66 News on Feb 25, 2013 at 3:51:24 pm [Print]
An excellent website for keeping abreast with happenings and changes along the Mother Road is Ron Warnick's site; http://route66news.com

This website is one of my valued sources for update info, along with the route 66 egroup at yahoo, my own research trips, and reports from EZ guide users.

MO page-1 on Sep 05, 2012 at 7:06:52 pm [Print]
The car game has changed a bit due to the adoption of the blue and white "Historic 66 Byway" signs, instead of the former brown and white signs!