brownwho63

You should always anticipate having vintage autos on the cruise. Their owners are very protective of them and won't drive them on gravel or dirt roads, rough terrain, or through excessive water over the roadway. They will drive them on the ugly road (interstate) for short distances but don't like the rpm's that higher speed produces and are, basically, only content to drive them on paved two laners at 45 to 50 mph. In fact, consider 45 to be about the average cruisin' speed when planning your cruise. They also want to feel secure about overnight parking. Knowledge or repair shops and parts stores along the cruise route is valuable. Our Missouri "cruise group" uses CB radios to communicate while cruisin' and that sure makes the cruise more enjoyable. I don't see the use of these radios anywhere else outside of our group and really feel that nonusers are missing the boat. You can buy a good hand-held radio and magnetic (Vette owners need the stick-on-the-window type) antenna for somewhere around $100 and they're well worth the money. Sure, you can communicate via cell phone or hand signals but the CB radio is always active. ("I need to stop for gas. Do you want to take the older or newer alignment? Drive through the city or around it? She needs a restroom stop, etc.") Bliss

I'll throw in a few random thoughts for this thread: (a) K.I.S.S. (keep it simple, stupid) Even then, planning and the actual cruise will be difficult enough from the planner's standpoint without purposely shooting yourself in the foot. ( Select a date that you think works best for the event and then just go for it. Don't waste time inquiring about whether or not the date works for everyone; it won't. © Drive the actual cruise route and stay in the motel(s) before the event. You may encounter a problem you didn't anticipate. You may also find better alternatives. (d) Create time and mileage charts to issue to attendees. Route driving directions and/or a map are essential. (e) Meal planning is difficult at best. Refer to item (a). (f) Cruisers by and large like to spend as much time outdoors as possible. Cookouts/picnics and campfires are always a huge success. (g) Put your plan together A.S.A.P. and communicate it to everyone who can read and write. Don't try to anticipate who might or who might not attend; just throw it out there for even the most unlikely. You'll often be surprised at the results. (h) Have fun. That's the real deal with cruisin'.....Bliss

Here's Skip's obit as received from Tommy and Glenda Pike of Springfield, MO....Bliss C.H. Skip Curtis Skip Curtis died April 21, 2007, of cancer at the age of 63 at Old No.3. Skip was born November 22, 1943, in Springfield, Missouri, the son of EC and Eula Mae (Sence) Curtis. He attended Drury University and Missouri State University in Springfield, and Washington University in St. Louis. He headed his own advertising company for over 30 years. He was an author, artist and historian. He wrote a series of books on Route 66. He served on boards of several associations, including the Route 66 Association. He greatly enjoyed directing family and friends down parts of old Route 66 and retelling historical stories he had uncovered in his research. In his childhood, Skip dreamed of living in the local firehouse. In 1999, he and his wife Karla made that dream come true. Skip took great pride in his self-designed renovations of Old No.3 and the memorabilia which covers the walls and tells many tales of history. Skip served in the United States Marine Corps, was affiliated with Kappa Alpha fraternity, and was an avid outdoorsman and sportsman. As a youth, Skip was a champion swimmer, diver and golfer. Skip was preceded in death by his beloved "Pop," EC Curtis, his mother Eula Mae, sister Beckey, and brother Art. He is survived by his wife Karla, step-daughter Susan Wilkerson, brother Steve and wife Susan of Tamarindo, Costa Rica; seven nieces, two nephews, and four cousins who grew up together, Karla’s family and his faithful friend to the end, Trey. Memorial services will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday at First and Calvary Presbeterian Church, with Reverend Alf Halvorson officiating. Private interment will be in Hazelwood Cemetery under the direction of Gorman-Scharpf Brentwood Chapel. The family requests memorial contributions be made to Greene County Public Library or the History Museum for Springfield-Greene County. "Uncle Skip" is remembered for his love and devotion toward family and friends and for his great sense of humor.

I believe the drug store in question is located in Rocheport (French for Rockport) and, yes, it's still an active operation. Don't know whether or not they stil fill prescriptions but they sell lots of stuff, including food and soda fountain service. Rocheport is a total time travel experience. Downtown Boonville is a must-see place and a trip that you won't regret....ghost signs, old buildings, brick side streets, abandoned railroad bridge across the Missouri River, court house, old hotel, etc. And, yes, Missouri is hard to beat for great two laners and "brick" towns. Sedalia, for example, on U.S. 50 is a wonderful old downtown to explore. Washington on U.S. 100 is another - Lexington (just east of K.C.) is another - Jonesburg on old 40 is another - Moberly on U.S. 63 is another - and, of course, the possibilities on Missouri Route 66 are nearly endless for stepping back in time. Explore Missouri and you may just become another convert. How about starting with our September 66 motor tour beginning in Miami, OK and ending in Sullivan, MO?...Bliss

STL did the same kind of thing several years ago and changed a street and a bridge name to MLK. Don't even remember the original street and bridge names now (Kip knows all sorts of stuff like this) but the name changes had no real impact on anything here other than existing street guides and maps. One constant in life is that everything changes....Bliss

To see Kip's cruise photos just click on the link below. Then you can click on "play" for the slideshow feature or just click the forward arrow each time you want to go to the next pic....Bliss http://www.kodakgallery.com/rudkipon66/mai...art_cruise_2007 Oops! You're correct, Bob. The 61 Roadhouse album comes up. Kip, how do we get to the cruise pics?...Bliss

Good story and pics, Kip, and an awesome cruise! Really glad we did it....Bliss

We got the impression that Norb Andy's is permanently closed when we talked with Springfield friends last September at the Route 66 Festival. Always liked the place. Don't forget the Coney Island when listing cool places to eat. Is it still open?....Bliss

Only 6 more days until the annual "Sweetheart Cruise" from St. Charles, MO to Boonville, MO on the old Booneslick Trail route. (Mary Sue and I created the Sweetheart Cruise idea several years ago after suffering a severe case of February cabin fever. We invited cruisin' friends to drive old 66 from STL to Dwight, IL, have dinner at the Riviera, and stay the night. Early group breakfast on Sunday and then cruise back on 66 with a trip-ending stop at the Luna Cafe in Mitchell. One year we spent the night in Pontiac at the Downtowner after a great dinner just across the street from the courthouse and the motel. The annual cruise interest gradually dwindled and we stopped making any plans until Kip took up the banner and now maps out the cruise. Thanks, Kip.) Anyhooo, this year's cruise will begin at the historic courthouse in St. Charles on February 17th and will meander through St. Charles and Cottleville before hitting "the country" to Wright City, Warrenton, Jonesburg, High Hill, New Florence, Williamsburg, Calwood, Fulton, Millersburg, Columbia, Rocheport, Franklin, New Franklin, and Boonville. During the 126 mile cruise we will be looking for DAR markers, Katy Trail, etc. before enjoying dinner, beverages, and road tales at the Stein House Cafe in Boonville where we will spend the night. If you would like to cruise along with our small group and want more details, contact Kip at: rudkip@sbcglobal.net Happy Trails.....Bliss

Count us in! Making wigwam reservation today for Friday and Saturday nights. Will drive down from STL on Friday and leave for parts unknown on Sunday...Bliss

We've cruised 61 north from STL to Fennimore, Wisconsin where we crossed back into Iowa at Praire du Chien because we grew weary of asphalt roads and corn fields. Regret not going farther north, though. Came back south on Iowa's 52 to Dubuque and jumped back onto 61. Also regret not taking 67 out of Dubuque because it runs along the river to the quad cities. We've cruised 61 south from STL to the MO/AR border and the famous arch, an amazing structure itself. U.S. 61 through Missouri is fun and is true time travel. Like Kip, I also wish there was an official 61 web site and association. Any takers?.......Bliss

I checked out the menu from the above site and note they don't list Stag, Kip's favorite beverage of choice. Don't know whether or not he'll be willing to visit a pub that doesn't offer Belleville's finest. The cruise sounds better each day (even in lieu of Stag) and we're looking forward to it....Bliss

Great sources for old maps are roadside antique stores, gift/novelty shops, or flea markets. Other sources include yard sales and car show swap meets. The latter includes all sorts of car-related stuff that guys have gathered from home and Grandma's house wanting to make a quick buck on. I found a wonderful U.S. road atlas on three occasions at a swap meet (total cost was $20) and several state road maps in antique shops. Some are pricey and some are fairly cheap. Good luck with your quest. Other great flea market finds include Elvis 8-tracks for our '77 Monte for $2 and an awesome set of old iron skillets in graduated sizes that we use regularly for $5 in Cuba, MO - - right on 66....Bliss

I hope that we're still able to cruise by 2010! By the way, Kip is planning the annual Sweetheart Cruise for the weekend of February 17th and 18th from STL to Boonville, MO on old U.S. 40. This particular stretch of road is not well marked (or marked at all in some places) and my experience in Missouri, unlike Illinois, has been one including some guesswork and backtracking. Can anyone provide turn-by-turn directions that we can use for this cruise? Kip and I have both kinda, sorta done some exploring in this area but, for example, are not certain whether or not old 40 ever went through Fulton before reaching Columbia. I initially thought it did but currently believe that it did not. Other questions include whether or not to use the south or north outer road in certain areas. Any assistance would be greatly appreciated....Bliss

I was quite serious about this road trip and really hope you guys come up with something for next spring. Whatever it is, count us in. We would, of course, prefer to spend an entire weekend doing this rather than a one-day loop but will look forward to whatever is planned. Please keep us posted. Thanks....Bliss

Varooming idea, Pat! Wouldn't want it to conflict with the annual MO 66 motor tour in September, though. I suggest you and Denny be 2007 cochair tour gettertogetherers. Would we have a great time cruisin' and hangin' out or what?....Bliss

Thanks for an enjoyable trip, Denny. Mary Sue sez trips like yours are what she would really enjoy. Guess we just need to fire up the Monte and go somewhere - - after a December family wedding and Christmas are memories....Bliss

My roadie nickname is Bliss (read BL-I55 street sign as "Bliss" after liquid refreshment with friends in Springfield, IL) and my better half, Mary Sue, and I are still hooked on two laners. We both lived in IL on U.S. 36 when we were kids going to school and burning the tires off of everything that ran. Even lived in the same neighborhood but never dated until she cast a longing eye at my customized '52 Ford Vickie during the summer following her high school graduation. We started cruisin' together and are still cruisin' together 46 years later. Ain't retirement grand? Our favorite highway is route 66 (I was born in Chicago and lived in Dwight for a while) and we have traveled the entire route. We also like U.S. 40, especially across IL and IN, and have traveled U.S. 50 from KS to about half way across OH. Other cool roads of choice include U.S. 61 (AR to WI - or is it WS?), U.S. 67, and numerous MO state and county highways. We are members of the route 66 associations of IL and MO. Current wheels are a beautiful '77 Monte Carlo, a work-in-progress '79 Vette, and an '04 supercharged Monte Carlo. We are Chevy fans through and through! Both of our sons bought new Harley Streetbobs this year and love the flat black paint as well as the famed Harley varoom. Our only grandchild, Nick, is nearly 16 and has a driving permit. He's already taken me for a spin in our old Vette and I ended up promising it to him after we finish playing with it. An economics prof challenged his class 45 years ago to discover the true meaning of the phrase, "What the world needs is a good five-cent cigar." I've often thought of this and thought I had the answer several times only to decide that the definitive choice is a personal decision where one size does not fit all. My good five-cent cigar is cruisin' a two-lane highway with Mary Sue in a Chevrolet....Bliss

We picked up the Cars DVD Tuesday and my wife loved it. For some reason, I struggled to get through it and doubt if I'll watch it again. I noticed iconic roadside stuff and enjoyed that but animated movies, I guess, are just not my cup of tea. I may be the only guy on the planet who doesn't enjoy the movie. No offense intended....Bliss

While in Sikeston you coulda walked about 1/2 block west and had throwed rolls at Lamberts. Glad you took U.S. 61 from there to STL because that's a cool trip, especially in October. Why I-55 to Springfield to Indy rather than I-70 the entire trip? I don't believe we could do interstates unless time was really a factor. Totally boring and loaded with trucks. Two lanes forever!....Bliss (GO CARDS!!!!!!!)

I saw that article but didn't read it for some reason. Another reason besides the BBQ to visit K.C. The Starz Western channel recently showed the movie "Harvey Girls" starring Judy Garland and the "Murder She Wrote" chick (Angela Lansbury?) as a soft-hearted hooker. I suffered through it but wouldn't do it again because it's soooooo hokey........Bliss