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!

[Print All]

Previous page   Next page

OK page 25 on Jul 03, 2012 at 9:09:13 pm [Print]
Well, you win some and lose some. With all of the businesses along 66 being restored or redecorated (Boots, Wagon Wheel, the gas stations in Tucumcari) the very town I chose to live in has thrown away one of its few remaining Route 66 relics.

The classic old gas station next door to the funeral home (how fitting) and across the side street from the Phillips 66 (thankfully undergoing restoration) has unceremoniously been demolished. Just what Chandler needs...another vacant lot!

Chandler still has plenty to enjoy...the restored Armory that houses the Rte 66 Interpretive Center (which some people had wanted to demolish), the aforementioned classic Phillips 66, the Lincoln motel, a historic downtown...but the town has lost another bit of history.


NM page-24 tecolote NM on Mar 22, 2012 at 1:12:56 am [Print]
You may well wish to skip the Tecolote side trip. I just got a report of a new sign that is posted about the town being part of some federal land grant, and warning off trespassers. This may not apply to the road into town...but use your own judgement!
Some other roads in the area that once gave access to bits of old 66 are now similarly marked.

IL page-23 on Oct 07, 2011 at 1:36:38 am [Print]
I neglected to mention that the Coliseum Ballrom antique mall near Benld has burned. Thanks to Richard and Judy Walker for the reminder!

No Tresspassing! on Jun 19, 2011 at 6:24:11 pm [Print]
A recent guestbook entry points out the need to avoid tresspassing on private property along 66 (or anywhere) Laws may vary by state, but if there's a fence, don't cross it! These people did not cross the fence, but were still warned by a Sherrif against tresspassing. Legally you should be able to take photos from public right of way, but I wouldn't argue with a law officer.

IL page-10 on Feb 05, 2011 at 8:36:09 pm [Print]
Just found out that Smatterjak's in Dwight has been closed for a few years...must have done so about the same time as the 2nd edition came out...and no one has told me!

The good news is that there is a great restaurant in Dwight: OLD ROUTE 66 FAMILY RESTAURANT: located at 105 S. OLD 66, DWIGHT, IL 60420, PHONE 1-815-584-2920.

No less an authority as Illinois' John Weiss told me: "This is one of the finest, cleanest restaurants on 66. And the food is superb. It has a great 66 theme inside and out. The staff are the type you hope to find in a Route 66 restaurant. "


Shoe trees on Nov 04, 2010 at 6:31:25 pm [Print]
In case I did not mention it below, I just want to remind you that the original Shoe Tree east of Stroud, OK has yielded to gravity, and is no longer standing! But a new one has been started.

On my April trip to CA I noticed that the TWO shoe trees east of Amboy have both lost their upper branches (now they look more like shoe bushes) but there are still plenty of footwear and other stuff hanging on.

One wonders if the weight and wind resistance of the shoes have an unfortunate effect upontrees?


MO page-26 on Sep 09, 2010 at 5:19:02 pm [Print]
Poochies Rib Pit on the Joplin Option is now a barber shop. Dales' Old 66 Barbershop is now a massage parlor.

IL page-22 on Jul 03, 2010 at 8:44:36 pm [Print]
The Giant surfer dude and pink elephant that once where here are now at Livingston at the "Gymnasim" antique mall. This is off EXIT 37 on the 1950s era 66 (not part of the tour but worth a detour). They also have a flying saucer-like structure, etc.

MO page-7 on Oct 29, 2009 at 3:07:07 pm [Print]
ROUTE 66 State Park: The old Route 66 bridge across the Meramec River that connected the east and west half of this park is now closed for "safety reasons."

For Route 66 travelers, access to the visitor's center and its exhibits will be most important. As before, exit I-44 at Exit 266 (Lewis Road).

But you won't be able to cross the bridge into the main park.

According to MODOT, here are directions to access the park on the west side of the river:

To access the park from westbound I-44, exit at Route 109 and turn around and take eastbound I-44. Exit at Williams Road, and take the first left onto the south outer road. Follow the outer road into the Route 66 State Park.

To access the park from eastbound I-44, exit at Williams Road, and take the
first left onto the south outer road. Follow the outer road into the Route 66 State Park.



OK page 7 on Sep 22, 2009 at 12:43:35 am [Print]
Good Mom and Pop motels are hard to come by, so i wanted to point out one that was given a great review by a nice young couple from Belgium who visited my gallery today.

The Chelsea Motor Inn (NOT the old, closed Chelsea Motel) seems to be a great little place run by Trudy and Frank, who also have a pet buffalo!