brownwho63

Yesterday's STL Post-Dispatch (http://www.stltoday.com) had a lengthy article about South Carolina's "Upcountry" that described a 110 mile scenic drive on SH11. The drive began at Lake Hartwell near Interstate 85 at the state's western edge and went northeast to Gaffney. Links shown: http://www.TheUpcountry.com and http://www.southcarolinaparks.com As our explorer-at-large, Denny, I'm wondering if you have driven this particular route. Sure looks interesting....Bliss

While I like 40 and 50 in IN, I'm somewhat curious about U.S. 6. It's a bit north of you and requires an overnight or so but a report and pics would be great. Just a thought.....Bliss http://www.route6tour.com/

This is our official press release for this year's annual Route 66 Association of Missouri annual motor tour. We will be cruisin' east-to-west and havin' a blast. Hope you can join the fun....Bliss The Route 66 Association of Missouri will be "Cruising into the New Decade" on its 21st Annual Motor Tour, September 10, 11 and 12, 2010. The tour will start in Gray Summit, MO and end at Schifferdecker Park in Joplin. This year’s tour will highlight the many places along Route 66 that we will look forward to seeing, stopping at, photographing and patronizing going into the next decade. The host motel for Friday night (September 10) will be the Travelodge Six Flags/Gray Summit ("Diamond Inn") in Gray Summit, MO. Registration will be held there from 4:00 p.m to 9:00 p.m. that Friday night (September 10), and we have secured a block of rooms at the Diamond Inn for tourgoers. That evening there will be a cruise which will feature choice local neon, including the Sunset Motel – an Association success story – and the Gardenway Motel. More details on Friday night activities will be available at registration. On Saturday, the tour will proceed as far as Springfield. There will be "passports" available at registration and "passport stops" between Gray Summit and Springfield. The Saturday evening stop will be at the Best Western Route 66 Rail Haven in Springfield, MO, where a block of rooms will be held for tourgoers. That evening there will be some fine bar-b-que served up by Buckingham’s in Smith Park in Springfield. On Sunday, September 12, the tour will proceed from Springfield to Joplin, taking in a few more passport stops along the way. The tour will conclude at Schifferdecker Park in Joplin with a picnic lunch catered by Columbia Traders Restaurant. For more information and to obtain a registration form, contact Kip Welborn (314)-776-7385 (rudkip@sbcglobal.net); Jane Dippel (314)-843-7132 (vestaon66@cs.com); or visit our website, http://www.missouri66.org/joomla/, to print a registration form.

Revieved the following from the IL Route 66 Association this morning. Lenore and her husband John have provided numerous outstanding preservation services to IL 66 over the last several years.....Bliss This message is to inform all who knew and loved Lenore Weiss that she passed away on February 22, 2010. Her battle with cancer is now over. Arrangements for a final good-bye and celebration of her life will be held on February 25, 2010 from 4:00pm to 8:00pm and on Friday, February 26, 2010 from 9:00a.m.to10:30a.m.at: Patterson Funeral Home 401 East Main (Highway 113) Braidwood, IL 60408 815-458-2336 Funeral Mass will be at 11:00a.m. on February 26, 2010 at St. Rose Church 600 S.. Kankakee St. Wilmington, IL 60481 Donations in memory of Lenore may be made to Hospice of Kankakee Valley or the Flat-Coated Retriever Foundation – Cancer/Health Fund Hospice of Kankakee Valley 482 Main Street Northwest Bourbonnais, IL 60914 Phone: 815-936-3370 The Flat-Coated Retriever Foundation – Cancer/Health Fund Please make check payable to: The Flat-Coated Retriever Foundation – Cancer/Health Fund Mail check to: Cheryl Kistner/FCR Foundation Treasurer 27941 W. Flynn Creek Drive Barrington, IL 60010

Eat Rite Diner in STL on old 66 just west of the closed MacArthur Bridge. It's been there for decades and is a typical small "diner" with that particular atmosphere. I like their burgers with everything and fries; although, the house chili looks especially inviting. Have never had the desire to try the slider (meat, eggs, spuds, etc.) because I don't crave an ambulance cruise....Bliss

I moved on to a '55 Chevy Bel Air (2D hardtop) with 265 ci V8 and 2 speed Powerglide. Beautiful turquoise and white low-mileage car that had actually been owned by an "old maid" and bought new from Dad. Terrible motor that should have been "overhauled" but wasn't for a varlety of reasons and prone to body rust. All in all, a huge disappointment....Bliss

I'm thoroughly enjoying riding along with you but I gotta tell ya, all the snow conditions you've experienced would make me wish I'd stayed home by the fire - especially if I was cruisin' in a fiberglass flyer. Ah yes, new tires would have been a special treat. Be careful on your return home....Bliss