Guest Alex Burr Posted September 8, 2006 Report Share Posted September 8, 2006 Bill Fries, known to a whole lot of folks as C. W. McCall was a phenomonon in the 1970's. He used a singing style that can be best described as of the "walking, talking" - such as is used in blues. But Fries sang of many things - among them his songs of the roads. His Old 30 is one: Old Thirty By Bill Fries & Chip Davis She was mud and sand and concrete Mixed with water made of tears From the rivers runnin' down the great divide She was three thousand miles Of rockin' rollin' highway A million memories long and two lanes wide Far across the wide Missouri To the old Wyoming line From the Jersey shore to San Francisco Bay She was know to all the truckers As the mighty Lincoln Highway But to me she's still Old Thirty all the way Now the interstate goes sreamin' Through the backyard of her life But it just don't send those shivers down my spine So before I take that exit To the highway in the sky I'm gonna take Old Thirty one more time She was radiators boilin' In the burnin' summer sun And a blizzard blowin' wild across the plains She was tumbleweeds a rollin' In the gentle winds of Fall And the lights of old Grand Island in the rain She was mud and sand and concrete Mixed with water made of tears From the rivers runnin' down the great divide She was three thousand miles Of rockin' rollin' highway A million memories long and two lanes wide Now the interstate goes sreamin' Through the backyard of her life But it just don't send those shivers down my spine So before I take that exit To the highway in the sky I'm gonna take Old Thirty one more time One more time... For more, and the lyrics to other road songs go to: http://www.narrowgauge.org/4x4/cw_pages/html/cw_main.html Happy and safe travels Hudsonly, Alex B Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest rudkip@sbcglobal.net> Posted September 8, 2006 Report Share Posted September 8, 2006 I still get a kick out of Chip Davis doing this AND doing Mannheim Steamroller! Tsigntao Kip ----- Original Message ----- From: "Alex Burr" <hester_nec@yahoo.com> To: <AMERICAN_ROAD@yahoogroups.com> Sent: Sunday, August 21, 2005 7:07 AM Subject: [AMERICAN_ROAD] C. W. McCall road songs > Bill Fries, known to a whole lot of folks as C. W. McCall was a > phenomonon in the 1970's. He used a singing style that can be best > described as of the "walking, talking" - such as is used in blues. > But Fries sang of many things - among them his songs of the roads. > His Old 30 is one: > > Old Thirty > By Bill Fries & Chip Davis > > She was mud and sand and concrete > Mixed with water made of tears > From the rivers runnin' down the great divide > She was three thousand miles > Of rockin' rollin' highway > A million memories long and two lanes wide > > Far across the wide Missouri > To the old Wyoming line > From the Jersey shore to San Francisco Bay > She was know to all the truckers > As the mighty Lincoln Highway > But to me she's still Old Thirty all the way > > Now the interstate goes sreamin' > Through the backyard of her life > But it just don't send those shivers down my spine > So before I take that exit > To the highway in the sky > I'm gonna take Old Thirty one more time > > She was radiators boilin' > In the burnin' summer sun > And a blizzard blowin' wild across the plains > She was tumbleweeds a rollin' > In the gentle winds of Fall > And the lights of old Grand Island in the rain > > She was mud and sand and concrete > Mixed with water made of tears > From the rivers runnin' down the great divide > She was three thousand miles > Of rockin' rollin' highway > A million memories long and two lanes wide > > Now the interstate goes sreamin' > Through the backyard of her life > But it just don't send those shivers down my spine > So before I take that exit > To the highway in the sky > I'm gonna take Old Thirty one more time > > One more time... > > For more, and the lyrics to other road songs go to: > http://www.narrowgauge.org/4x4/cw_pages/html/cw_main.html > > Happy and safe travels > > Hudsonly, > Alex B > > > > > > Visit our homepage at: http://www.mockturtlepress.com > > To subscribe to AMERICAN ROAD magazine, PHONE TOLL-FREE 1-877-285-5434 WITH YOUR ORDER TODAY! > Or send payment to: Mock Turtle Press, PO Box 3168, Lynnwood, WA 98046-3168 > SUBSCRIPTION RATES: > 1 year (4 issues) for $15.95 > (save $3.85 off the newsstand price!) > 2 years (8 issues) for $27.95 > (save $11.65 off the newsstand price!) > > > For questions about the list, contact: AMERICAN_ROAD-owner@yahoogroups.com > > To SUBSCRIBE to this group, send an email to: AMERICAN_ROAD-subscribe@yahoogroups.comTo POST a message via e-mail, send it to: AMERICAN_ROAD@yahoogroups.com > > > Yahoo! Groups Links > > > > > > > Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Chris Posted September 8, 2006 Report Share Posted September 8, 2006 Thanks for the link Bob, looks like more great stuff at glassgiant.com. Jennifer, I think your neon inspired me to make one for my own site. Mine is probably too ambitious for a "neon-smith"? http://homepage.mac.com/eyerobic/home/pacade.html Click on the sign to get to The Shop. Here are more games. http://homepage.mac.com/eyerobic/home/games.html What's your High Score? . . Chris NJ Exit 7-A --- In AMERICAN_ROAD@yahoogroups.com, "Jennifer" <jabremer66@a...> wrote: > That is very cool!! I like it! > > Back when, I learned how to make "virtual" neon signs using a photo > editing program. I learned the technique using Paint Shop Pro, but I > could do the same using Photoshop as well. > > Here's the one I made for Pat's "Road Maven" site: > > http://www.roadtripmemories.com/roadmaven/index.htm > > > Jennifer > > > > --- In AMERICAN_ROAD@yahoogroups.com, "Bob Reynolds" <roustabout@s...> > wrote: > > Susan found this cute little program that allows you to make your own > > "neon" messages and generate a virtual picture of them:) > > > > http://www.glassgiant.com/misc_neon_sign.php > > > > She made a few signs for me, like "OLD ROAD FANATIC" and "IT'S > > FOOTBALL TIME IN TENNESSEE" The only problem I've found is it's > > hard to distinguish H from K and U from V. Oh well, it's still fun:) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Jim Michalek Posted September 8, 2006 Report Share Posted September 8, 2006 That brings to mind some shots I took on a train trip (my last one, as Amtrak wouldn't let me get off the damn train to take pictures or nothin') of cars on the side of a mountain in Colorado. I wonder if I can find those? If so. they'll get posted since it may well be the same mountain road you're posting about. --- In AMERICAN_ROAD@yahoogroups.com, "Mark Kasprowicz" <marowicz@f...> wrote: > Alex and all, > First a quick intro as this is my first post here. My wife and I live > in England but try to get over to the States as much as we can which > at present is for around nine or ten weeks a year. We're based in the > SW area of Colorado but have travelled throughout the Rocky Mountain > and Pacific coast States. We avoid interstates and use old roads and > dirt track whenever possible. We've been coming back now for 8 years > and still find delightful surprises on every visit. > > > crossing mountain ranges with 2 feet > > between the outer wheels and drops of several hundred feet. > > Roads like these still exist in the mountains. They range in > difficulty. In SW Colorado the easy route would be from Silverton to > Animas City while at the opposite end of the scale would be Black Bear > pass. They're all dirt roads, usually just wide enough for one > vechicle and they're usually a shelf, edging up the mountain. But you > can save time. You can save a good hour on the journey from Durango to > Denver by heading over Engineer pass and going via Lake Ciry, provided > you have the right car and don't mind sheer drops. > A year or so ago my wife, who doesn't like off roading, suggested we > take a trip along the Lime Creek road North of Durango, CO. At the > start of the road is a sign which says that it was an old Ute and > trapper road and that by today's standards it was 'primitive and > treacherous'. She only read as far as 'primitive'. > The journey uphill was bumpy but wide. When we finally got to the top > the route down was a typical shelf, One vehicle wide, steep rock face > on one side and a three or four hundred foot drop, two feet from the > edge on her side! > After a couple of miles, we saw a road sign in the distance. VERY > unusual to find any sort of sign on a road like this. When we got to > it much to my wife's dismay it said 'Road Narrows'. And it did. > Two miles later another sign with exactly the same message. This time > we had to drive the car right up against the rock face and my wife had > to spot if the rear wheel would clear or not. Fortunatly the area > affected was only about 20 yards long. > The upside of that drive was the sheer beauty of that valley, the > aspen in fall and the vastness of it all was breathtaking. > Mark Kasprowicz. > PS Nomination for the least pleasant road in our experience. Our vote > goes to the Extra Terrestial Highway in Nevada at night in a rain > storm. We didn't see a town or another vechicle for 140 miles! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Jim Michalek Posted September 8, 2006 Report Share Posted September 8, 2006 Around these parts (SE Wisconsin), Black Bear is a brand of soda pop that lovers of fruit flavor soda pop indulge in. I love it, personally. There's also a restaurant on Highway 20 near (don't hit me, please) Interstate 94 in Racine County called the Black Bear Inn that I've been meaning to find an excuse to try. --- In AMERICAN_ROAD@yahoogroups.com, Alex Burr <hester_nec@y...> wrote: > The Black Bear Road was memorialized by C. W. McCall > in a song by the same name - pardon the lengthy post, > but it echo's Marks story: > > Black Bear Road > By Bill Fries & Chip Davis > > Me an' R.J. an' the kids was on a camp out in the > mountains, an' we had us one a' them U-Drive-'Em Army > Jeep cars which we had rented from a fella by the name > a' Kuboske for thirty bucks a day, buy yer gas along > the way, take a rabbit's foot, an' leave a pint a' > blood for a deeposit > > An' he'd 'splained it all to us how we's 'sposed to > git to Telluride, which was fifty miles away by way of > the regular highway, however there was a short-cut, > BUT, unless we had drove the Black Bear Road before, > we'd be, well, we'd be better off to stay in bed an' > sleep late (now pay no 'ttention to the guitar there) > > Well we took up off'n th' highway, an we come upon a > sign sez "Black Bear Road - You Don't Have To Be Crazy > To Drive This Road, But It Helps", I sez to, R.J. this > must be the short cut road Kuboske's a talkin' about. > She didn't pay no mind 'cause she's busy makin peanut > butter sanwiches for the kids in the back seat, > throwin' rocks, an' drinkin' KoolAid, an' playing > "Count The License Plates On Cars", but they wasn't a > havin' too much fun playin' Count The License Plates > On Cars, well 'cause there wern't no other cars > > Went about a mile an' a half, in about four hours, > busted off the right front fender, an' tore a hole in > the oil pan on a rock as big as a hall closet, went > over a bump an' spilt the Kool-Aid, an' Roy Gene stuck > his bolo knife right through the convertible top, an' > the dog threw up all over the back seat (peanut butter > don't agree with him see) > > So we had to stop, an' take off the top, an' air > everything out, an' clean it up. The dog run off, an' > R.J. sez she felt her asthma comin' on. I's settin' > there wonderin' what to do, when the en-tire scenic > San-Gee-Juan U-Drive-'Em Army Jeep Car sank in the mud > (at thirteen thousand feet above sea level!) > > Well we shoveled it out, an' ate our lunch, the dog > made a yellow hole in the snow, an' Roy Gene got out > his Instamatic an' took a snapshot of it. Mary > Elizabeth drawed a picture of the road. It looked like > a whole bunch of Zs an' Ws all strung together, an' > R.J. took one look at that picture, and said the only > way she's goin' down that Jeep car road 'as over her > dead body, an' then a rock slipped out from under the > wheel, and the U-Drive-'Em Army Jeep Car, well it went > right over, right over the edge of a cliff > (Whah-Haa-Haa-Haa-Hoo-Hoo-Hoo) > > Doggonit Roy Gene, when I tell ya to put a rock under > the wheel, I mean ROCK, now look at that what you had > there ain't no bigger then a grapefruit > > Safe and Happy Travels. > > Hudsonly, > Alex B > > > --- Mark Kasprowicz <marowicz@f...> wrote: > > > Alex and all, > > First a quick intro as this is my first post here. > > My wife and I live > > in England but try to get over to the States as much > > as we can which > > at present is for around nine or ten weeks a year. > > We're based in the > > SW area of Colorado but have travelled throughout > > the Rocky Mountain > > and Pacific coast States. We avoid interstates and > > use old roads and > > dirt track whenever possible. We've been coming back > > now for 8 years > > and still find delightful surprises on every visit. > > > > > crossing mountain ranges with 2 feet > > > between the outer wheels and drops of several > > hundred feet. > > > > Roads like these still exist in the mountains. They > > range in > > difficulty. In SW Colorado the easy route would be > > from Silverton to > > Animas City while at the opposite end of the scale > > would be Black Bear > > pass. They're all dirt roads, usually just wide > > enough for one > > vechicle and they're usually a shelf, edging up the > > mountain. But you > > can save time. You can save a good hour on the > > journey from Durango to > > Denver by heading over Engineer pass and going via > > Lake Ciry, provided > > you have the right car and don't mind sheer drops. > > A year or so ago my wife, who doesn't like off > > roading, suggested we > > take a trip along the Lime Creek road North of > > Durango, CO. At the > > start of the road is a sign which says that it was > > an old Ute and > > trapper road and that by today's standards it was > > 'primitive and > > treacherous'. She only read as far as 'primitive'. > > The journey uphill was bumpy but wide. When we > > finally got to the top > > the route down was a typical shelf, One vehicle > > wide, steep rock face > > on one side and a three or four hundred foot drop, > > two feet from the > > edge on her side! > > After a couple of miles, we saw a road sign in the > > distance. VERY > > unusual to find any sort of sign on a road like > > this. When we got to > > it much to my wife's dismay it said 'Road Narrows'. > > And it did. > > Two miles later another sign with exactly the same > > message. This time > > we had to drive the car right up against the rock > > face and my wife had > > to spot if the rear wheel would clear or not. > > Fortunatly the area > > affected was only about 20 yards long. > > The upside of that drive was the sheer beauty of > > that valley, the > > aspen in fall and the vastness of it all was > > breathtaking. > > Mark Kasprowicz. > > PS Nomination for the least pleasant road in our > > experience. Our vote > > goes to the Extra Terrestial Highway in Nevada at > > night in a rain > > storm. We didn't see a town or another vechicle for > > 140 miles! > > > > > > > > > > > > > A positive attitude may not solve all your problems, > but it will annoy enough people to make it worth the effort. > > > > ____________________________________________________ > Start your day with Yahoo! - make it your home page > http://www.yahoo.com/r/hs Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest egyptianzipper@aol.com Posted September 8, 2006 Report Share Posted September 8, 2006 In a message dated 8/21/05 1:45:55 PM Eastern Daylight Time, big_ugly_mich@yahoo.com writes: Around these parts (SE Wisconsin), Black Bear is a brand of soda pop that lovers of fruit flavor soda pop indulge in. ==================================================================== We used to drink Vernor's Ginger Ale on family trips to Michigan. Can't say I really cared for it, though. Tom Hoffman Pearisburg VA Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Jim Michalek Posted September 9, 2006 Report Share Posted September 9, 2006 Not to mention the Society for the Preservation and Elevation of Barbershop Quartet Music, and Andy's drive in. If you're close to the expressway, Apple Holler is cool, as well as the cheese places near the Kenosha-Racine county line. You can also go west on State Route 50 from Kenosha and check out the Packer-Bear maze. Lots of fun even if you're not a football fan. I live near Brass Ball Corner, which you'll see as you pass a strip mall, Mickey D's, Burger King, Walgreens, a BP station, and a Mobil station on the corner of County Road 83-75 (turn left for 83 and right for 75) and State Road 50. I also pick up my copy of American Road at the mall with the Pick-N- Save store at the magazine store on 50, but that's still in Kenosha. I can't believe I had the temerity to forget about Frank's Diner (508 58th Ave in Kenosha), which is billed as the oldest continuously operating converted (from a truck bed) diner in the United States. I took the liberty of including a bit of relevant info in the text of your original post, but I have no firsthand knowledge of any of these properties, except that Greyhound passes all of them. If I'm not too late, E-mail me and we'll do lunch (at Frank's. I've finally got an excuse to hit Frank's, but I'm told the breakfasts are better). > Beach-Aire Motel, 1147 Sheridan Rd Drop the E (Beach-Air Motel). Has a picnic ground and kitchenettes (or so says the Yellow Pages). 262-552-8131 > Bluebird Motel, 779 Sheridan Rd 262-552-8510 > Red Oaks Motel, 1098 Sheridan Rd 262-552-8333 > Sheridan Motel, 3624 Sheridan Rd 262-652-7437 > Shore Acres Motel, 749 Sheridan Rd 262-552-8355 > White Brick Motel, 973 Sheridan Rd 262-552-8244 > Thanks, > Pat B. > > > Speedway, IN Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Dorothy Thompson Posted September 9, 2006 Report Share Posted September 9, 2006 I'm wondering if anyone can tell me anything about Oklahoma City, Oklahoma? What's it look like and are there any campgrounds in the town of Oklahoma City where one might park an RV? Sorry, not traveling there this time, writing a fictional book and I'm stumped. Thought I'd ask you guys since you've been all over. Thanks in advance! Dorothy Dorothy Thompson ROMANCING THE SOUL Do you believe in soul mates? http://www.dorothythompson.net Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Pat B. Posted September 9, 2006 Report Share Posted September 9, 2006 --- In AMERICAN_ROAD@yahoogroups.com, "Jim Michalek" > If I'm not too late, E-mail me and we'll do lunch (at Frank's. I've > finally got an excuse to hit Frank's, but I'm told the breakfasts are > better). Well, about a week & a half too late, but I'll give you points for the effort! Our weekend trip was 9/10-9/12. We started out of Indy Saturday morning, following the old alignment of US 52 (Lafayette Road) out of town, hooking up with current 52 north of Lebanon, then merging onto US 41 west of Fowler, IN. We took 41 through NW IN, and then followed it along Lakeshore Drive through Chicago. We found our way onto Sheridan Road which stretches from Chicago well into Wisconsin. Through Kenosha, we found the list of motels (most of them) in question. Some were nice...others were...well, you know. After going through Milwaukee, we jumped on the Evil I for a while. We roamed around Port Washington for a while, then stopped at a Piggly Wiggly in Sheboygan for some Kringles (http://www.kringle.com/). We planned on staying in Green Bay our first night, but upon talking about a trip my parents & I took in 1985 in the same direction, we decided to retrace part of that trip to see if I could find some spots we ate and slept. Alas, the Holiday Inn in Green Bay at the Marina was still there! In '85, the folks & I were in its parking lot at midnight trying to find a room. We were outta luck that weekend because the big airshow in Oshkosh was that same weekend and there was nary a room to be had for a couple hundred miles in either direction of Oshkosh. I vividly remember sitting in the back seat of my dad's '77 Impala, 17 years old and listening to he & my mom have a "disagreement" on the future of our trip to the UP of Michigan, Wisconsin, and Minnesota. It was midnight and we had nowhere to stay. Mom wanted to turn around and go home (some 400 miles away, mind you) and dad (aka, the driver) would have no part of it. Sooo, in an effort to make lemonade out of our lemon, we decided to keep driving north. I remember pulling into a neon lit cafe somewhere on US 141 north of Green Bay and having a 1am "dinner". We finally found a place to stay at 2am at the Holiday Motel in Iron Mountain, MI, just across the WI/MI border. So this trip last week, I didn't quite find the cafe, but since it was dark (not 1am dark this time!) there were a few possiblities (one of which we ate at), but I'll have to make another trip to confirm the locale of the cafe, if it's even there. So forging ahead, we made it to Iron Mountain. I knew there was no longer a listing for a Holiday Motel there, but I was hoping they had just changed hands, and they did. It was now an "America's Best Inn" or something along those lines, located on US 2. I had a picture from '85 of the exterior of the room we stayed in, so I knew where it was, but I was too tired to think of asking for that particular room upon checking in. So for memory's sake, I took the same picture, some 20 years later. That's where Jennifer & I ended the retracing of that '85 trip. We were heading back east on US 2...in '85, we continued north on 141. That was fun to relive that little memory for me. That was the last trip I took with my mom, as we lost her a year later. So it was neat bridging back to the past. Speaking of bridges, Sunday we made our way east on 2 towards Mackinaw City. 2 is one of my favorite 2-lanes to travel...even back west into Minnesota & Wisconsin. I've always had an affection for the Great Lakes, and 2 skirts it in several areas. We got to Mackinaw City mid afternoon after crossing the Mackinac Bridge (Note: Traveling 300 feet above water on a 4 mile suspension bridge when there are wind warnings is a bad thing.). We had pasties for lunch and roamed the shops in Mackinaw City before getting a room at the Northwinds Motel on US 23, on the shores of Lake Huron with a great view of the bridge. We went out after playing cards and watching the Colts game on ESPN to take some night shots of the bridge. Monday it was time to head home. We had breakfast at The Embers and stumbled upon a full service gas station on old US 31 south of town. I was surprised when the attendant came up to the car & asked if I wanted a fill-up. I was even more surprised when he and another attendant cleaned my windshield! We followed 31 south along the east side of Lake Michigan and encountered many produce markets along the way, specializing in cherries and apples. We found a place near Charlevoix, MI that had Cherry cider, but it wasn't anything close to that at the Jack Rabbit in Arizona. We found a fudge place and then said aloha to Lake Michigan in southern Michigan and crossed back into Indiana in South Bend and took 31 back home to Indy. I'll post a note when all the pics are up on our website. Chances are, this message will be the text of that trip installment. :-) Regards, Pat B. American Road Yahoo Group http://roadtripmemories.com Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest David Willman Posted September 9, 2006 Report Share Posted September 9, 2006 Great job on the log. Love the trip home you took. Your site puts my scrapbook to shame I started. It was a pleasure and honor to meet you in person along with the roadie family (don't worry extended family who could not be there - we all thought of you by name and prayed for the blessings of us all) and climb the Arroyo Seco Parkway together. I can't wait to do it again. I will never forget it. Did I hear Albuquerque was in November??? Just kidding. I have to give Justine an excuse to travel the road..he, he...maybe I can make it to the balloon festival in October. Watching balloons from La Bajada, I have always wanted to do. Your logbook reminds of the following quote and it is very fitting: "When you put down the good things you ought to have done, and leave out the bad ones you did do--well, that's Memoirs." -Will Rogers Your ole pal, 66 Willy - Aurora, CO P.S. Read my American Road latest on the way home - another outstanding edition. The color and flavor of the magazine outshines many prints out there, bar none. I am a magazine expert junky - we do the fundraising at girl scouts and middle school thing...so many mags at our house for so many years.....Jim, Thom, Becky, Dick and the contributing gang - Great Job. --- In AMERICAN_ROAD@yahoogroups.com, "Denny Gibson" <denny@d...> wrote: > Last night I got home from the San Bernardino Rendezvous and the Historic 66 > Federation gathering. On the way there I stopped in Jerome and drove > Sixty-Six from Winslow. Then I passed through Joshua Tree and drove the most > western bit of US-60 on the way back. After a late night arrival and a day > back at work I've finally got that last leg posted. > > All ten days of the trip are now up at > http://www.dennygibson.com/rt66fest05 > > Denny Gibson > Cincinnati, OH > www.DennyGibson.com Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest egyptianzipper@aol.com Posted September 10, 2006 Report Share Posted September 10, 2006 In a message dated 10/21/05 4:28:44 PM Eastern Daylight Time, harmon@mvn.net writes: The place was bought and completely restored several years ago, maintaining the 1940s flavor, even to the dial telephones. ==================================================================== Are they really dial phones though? I've seen some in catalogs that really have push buttons. And most people would want push buttons to access voice mail. Tom Hoffman Pearisburg VA Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest genoman45 Posted September 10, 2006 Report Share Posted September 10, 2006 We disagree somewhat on the role of government and the use of eminent domain. I think the public is generally best served when free markets are allowed to work. Yes, sometimes, something we like is eliminated in the process but then the market usually will work to benefit the most. In this case, townhouses that people will purchase to enhance their lives. But saying that, I am not willing to oppose by any real action and stand in the way of those who want to use eminent domain to save an historic structure even if I disagree with the concept. What is not understandable to me is the rejection of everything old for something new. I love the old buildings on 66 and many are just falling down due to neglect and indifference. My wife would much rather stay in a new motel over an old one for one example. I like the old motels better even if they are not perfectly clean. I would much rather eat in Mom's Cafe than at IHOP or some other chain that has hospital food as its attraction. At least here my wife and I are in agreement. I think, as a society, we have screwed up our thinking. Plastic rather than real wood thinking. One example, I found a small log cabin type of old motel in Silver Gate Montana for $65. We were able to sit on its porch with a glass of wine and a beer watching and hearing the rumble of the avalanches in the mountains that surrounded it. That most certainly to me beat HBO. My wife asked me how much the cabin was and when I responded she said we could stayed at the Holiday Inn just pass Cooke City for that! I asked why this was not a better deal and she said there was a little mold in the shower. What do we want out of life, I would much rater have a little mold with the character and the delight seeing the mountains in the spring on a front porch. No TV to me is an advantage. Also, I am older and have a little mold myself but I did not mention that. If I get a chance I will check out the El Vado but I usually exit 40 and go south on 54 to Alamogordo that has many good older motels. Where is The Blue Swallow Motel? All my best Gene --- In AMERICAN_ROAD@yahoogroups.com, "rwarn17588" <rwarn17588@y...> wrote: > > You make good points, Gene. > > However, we can trace the decline of El Vado's viability to a change > in ownership about five or so years ago. The previous owner did a good > job keeping up his property and drawing travelers. But he had to sell > out and move out of town because of what was termed to me as a family > emergency. > > The subsequent owner didn't do as good a job managing and maintaining, > and the ratings promptly went down in editions of the Route 66 Dining > and Lodging Guide. The decline was so bad that it was either delisted > or was on the verge ... I don't remember for sure. Either way, it was bad. > > Strangely enough, when the motel was put up for sale, it went up in > quality again. No doubt the owner was trying to put a best face on the > building to potential buyers. > > I think the point I'm trying to make that a motel's success is mostly > attributable to the dedication and smarts of its owner. The Blue > Swallow Motel declined in quality because of the advanced age and poor > health of longtime owner Lillian Redman. But Hilda and Dale Bakke > bought it, refurbished it into immaculate condition, and raised the > room rates. They now have a profitable business (I've seen the balance > sheets) and a cherished destination. > > And El Vado doesn't have to strictly be a motel. I can be living > quarters for a small artist's colony (which has been done in other > cities). Or the rooms can be converted into small arts and craft > stores (like I saw with old tourist cabins in a small town in > southwest Oklahoma). > > There are too many options to give up on the old girl yet. > > And I assume you're talking about the possible usage of eminent domain > to seize El Vado. I hold a dim view with eminent domain for the most > part. But when you're talking about a reasonably well-maintained and > preserved property that's on the National Register of Historic Places > and is threatened by development, then I think using eminent domain > "for the public good" is appropriate. > > Ron Warnick > Tulsa, OK > www.route66news.org > > --- In AMERICAN_ROAD@yahoogroups.com, "genoman45" <genoman45@y...> wrote: > > > > I want to save the old also but we must be at least reasonable how we > > do it. If the account is true, then the old historic motel could not > > attract enough people to make it even at a low rate of $31 a night. > > Too many rooms went unrented so it was sold to a developer. Now so > > many want to save it but why didn't they stay there? If the motel was > > clean, then why was it unable to attract enough people to stay open > > especially with its history. > > > > I travel on 40 at least four times a year and I try to stay at the > > older motels. First they are less expensive and to me they have that > > old feel that I love. But too many are filthy and it becomes a chore > > to find good clean old motels. If we all make an effort to stay in > > them, not just on old 66 but across the country, we will be supporting > > independent operators and the economic viability of the older motels. > > > > Otherwise, they will be destroyed and the land used in a more > > productive manner. To try to take away private property is really not > > all that productive and to me using the force of government to force > > an owner to be less productive is just wrong. The best way is to > > support the independent motel operators that run the older motels. > > Also, they are usually a good deal but even when the cost is the same, > > we should favor them. They have a lot of character. > > > > Gene > Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest genoman45 Posted September 10, 2006 Report Share Posted September 10, 2006 This reminds me of a speech by the champion of liberty, Edmund Burke in a speech he gave on Conciliation with America in Englad in 1775. "All government, indeed every human benefit and enjoyment, every virtue, and every prudent act, is founded on compromise and barter." Yes, this is working as it should and hopefully every view will be heard as it appears to be in this issue. You did well bringing this to a head. Gene --- In AMERICAN_ROAD@yahoogroups.com, "rwarn17588" <rwarn17588@y...> wrote: > > By the request of El Vada Motel's owner, the rezoning request was > deferred for 60 days. The next Planning Commission meeting is Dec. 15. > > Media reports say the owner is going to try to work out a compromise > in the meantime, including keeping part of the motel and building > townhouses on other parts of the property. > > So El Vado Motel is safe for the time being. > > Emily Priddy, who is in Albuquerque, is going to try to provide more > details later. > > Congratulations, folks. Your letters and e-mails to the city > definitely made an impact. > > Ron Warnick > Tulsa, OK > www.route66news.org > Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Harmon Posted September 10, 2006 Report Share Posted September 10, 2006 As a gentleman with a little mold on him mtself, I appreciate your comments and your "plastic rather than real wood" description of modernity. My wife and I have stayed in motels that look as though nothing has happened to the rooms other than cleaning and changing the linen since 1940 -- and for the most part, we've loved them all. My wife has wanted to put some of the antique furniture in the trunk before we left the Wagon Wheel in Cuba MO, but I told her we really didn't have the room. But, of course, you do have to be in the right frame of mind to appreciate the older places. The mom-and-pop motels, restaurants, and businesses are much more interesting to us. I think it's also important to support these smaller businesses along Route 66. The chains are making enough money; let's spread the wealth among some of the locals. The Blue Swallow is in Tucumcari NM, and there will be no mold in the bathroom at all! http://www.national66.com/ The place was bought and completely restored several years ago, maintaining the 1940s flavor, even to the dial telephones. The rooms are beautiful, and you will enjoy Dale and Hilda, the new owners. Bob Harmon ----- Original Message ----- From: genoman45 To: AMERICAN_ROAD@yahoogroups.com Sent: Friday, October 21, 2005 3:01 PM Subject: [AMERICAN_ROAD] Re: ABQ Tribune: Mayor seeks to protect El Vado We disagree somewhat on the role of government and the use of eminent domain. I think the public is generally best served when free markets are allowed to work. Yes, sometimes, something we like is eliminated in the process but then the market usually will work to benefit the most. In this case, townhouses that people will purchase to enhance their lives. But saying that, I am not willing to oppose by any real action and stand in the way of those who want to use eminent domain to save an historic structure even if I disagree with the concept. What is not understandable to me is the rejection of everything old for something new. I love the old buildings on 66 and many are just falling down due to neglect and indifference. My wife would much rather stay in a new motel over an old one for one example. I like the old motels better even if they are not perfectly clean. I would much rather eat in Mom's Cafe than at IHOP or some other chain that has hospital food as its attraction. At least here my wife and I are in agreement. I think, as a society, we have screwed up our thinking. Plastic rather than real wood thinking. One example, I found a small log cabin type of old motel in Silver Gate Montana for $65. We were able to sit on its porch with a glass of wine and a beer watching and hearing the rumble of the avalanches in the mountains that surrounded it. That most certainly to me beat HBO. My wife asked me how much the cabin was and when I responded she said we could stayed at the Holiday Inn just pass Cooke City for that! I asked why this was not a better deal and she said there was a little mold in the shower. What do we want out of life, I would much rater have a little mold with the character and the delight seeing the mountains in the spring on a front porch. No TV to me is an advantage. Also, I am older and have a little mold myself but I did not mention that. If I get a chance I will check out the El Vado but I usually exit 40 and go south on 54 to Alamogordo that has many good older motels. Where is The Blue Swallow Motel? All my best Gene Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest senorchispas Posted September 10, 2006 Report Share Posted September 10, 2006 Sorry, Alex, I misread your posting and put the trip in the order from El Paso to Los Angeles - the reverse of what you were asking - sorry! Bill Sparks a. k. a. Senor Chispas --- In AMERICAN_ROAD@yahoogroups.com, "Alex" <designkat@h...> wrote: > > Hello everyone, > > I will be having to drive from Los Angeles to Austin, Texas in early > November and I was wondering if there are any interesting things I > could see on my way there. I will be on Hwy 10 for most of the trip. > > Thanks, > Alex > Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Harmon Posted September 11, 2006 Report Share Posted September 11, 2006 They dial, but they're compatible with the newer tones now used, so they work. Bob Harmon ----- Original Message ----- From: egyptianzipper@aol.com To: AMERICAN_ROAD@yahoogroups.com Sent: Friday, October 21, 2005 6:34 PM Subject: Re: [AMERICAN_ROAD] Re: ABQ Tribune: Mayor seeks to protect El Vado In a message dated 10/21/05 4:28:44 PM Eastern Daylight Time, harmon@mvn.net writes: The place was bought and completely restored several years ago, maintaining the 1940s flavor, even to the dial telephones. ==================================================================== Are they really dial phones though? I've seen some in catalogs that really have push buttons. And most people would want push buttons to access voice mail. Tom Hoffman Pearisburg VA Visit our homepage at: http://www.mockturtlepress.com To subscribe to AMERICAN ROAD magazine, PHONE TOLL-FREE 1-877-285-5434 WITH YOUR ORDER TODAY! Or send payment to: Mock Turtle Press, PO Box 3168, Lynnwood, WA 98046-3168 SUBSCRIPTION RATES: 1 year (4 issues) for $15.95 (save $3.85 off the newsstand price!) 2 years (8 issues) for $27.95 (save $11.65 off the newsstand price!) For questions about the list, contact: AMERICAN_ROAD-owner@yahoogroups.com To SUBSCRIBE to this group, send an email to: AMERICAN_ROAD-subscribe@yahoogroups.comTo POST a message via e-mail, send it to: AMERICAN_ROAD@yahoogroups.com ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ YAHOO! GROUPS LINKS a.. Visit your group "AMERICAN_ROAD" on the web. b.. To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to: AMERICAN_ROAD-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com c.. Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to the Yahoo! Terms of Service. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Denny Gibson Posted September 11, 2006 Report Share Posted September 11, 2006 I'm contemplating a weekend drive just slightly to my south and have hit upon Nashville as a convenient and fun target. That lead me to the possibility of driving US-70 toward Knoxville (to add some width) and either US-27 or US-127 home to Cincy. So I'm soliciting comments. I'm particularly looking for advise on the US-27 vs. US-127 and US-70 vs. US-70N decisions. Noting favorite points of interest is always welcome. BabyBoomerBob, this is, of course, your neighborhood so I expect some good hints from you. Also, if this outing actually takes place, is there a diner or other spot where we might meet for coffee & chatter? Maybe somewhere around Kingston or Crossville? Denny Gibson Cincinnati, OH www.DennyGibson.com Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Bob Reynolds Posted September 12, 2006 Report Share Posted September 12, 2006 --- In AMERICAN_ROAD@yahoogroups.com, "Denny Gibson" <denny@d...> wrote: > > I'm contemplating a weekend drive just slightly to my south and have hit > upon Nashville as a convenient and fun target. That lead me to the > possibility of driving US-70 toward Knoxville (to add some width) and either > US-27 or US-127 home to Cincy. So I'm soliciting comments. I'm particularly > looking for advise on the US-27 vs. US-127 and US-70 vs. US-70N decisions. > Noting favorite points of interest is always welcome. > > BabyBoomerBob, this is, of course, your neighborhood so I expect some good > hints from you. Also, if this outing actually takes place, is there a diner > or other spot where we might meet for coffee & chatter? Maybe somewhere > around Kingston or Crossville? > > Denny Gibson > Cincinnati, OH > www.DennyGibson.com > Ack! You sure know how to put a feller on the spot:) I'm not as familiar with this area as I should be, but I'll let you know what I do know of. Heading east on US 70 from Nashville, you'll be just a hop, skip and a jump from Andy Jackson's home, the Hermitage. As for whether to take 70 or 70 N, it's pretty much a tossup, although as far as the rolling hills of the Highland Rim country go, I favor 70N. One place I've been meaning to see more of is Homestead. It's a town just south of Crossville near the junction of US 127 and SR 68, created by the WPA (I think) during FDR's administration. Most of the homes there have Cumberland Mountain sandstone facing. I've mentioned this sandstone on my Dixie Highway writeup. Crossville is where it comes from. If you choose 127 as your way home, there are a couple of spots I can point out. I've been to a restaurant in Jamestown called the Mark Twain Restaurant. I recall it being a nice mom and pop place, but it's been a number of years ago. Twain's father was from Jamestown. Somewhere near Jamestown (maybe out SR 154) I remember seeing an ad for a sort of a general store that carried "Big Orange Dope". Calling a soda a "dope" is a southern holdover from the days when Coca Cola contained cocaine. I need to check and see if it's still around. A bit further north on 127 is Pall Mall, the hometown of Sgt. Alvin York. The York gristmill is still there and part of a state historic site. Beyond that, I'm not terribly familiar with 127:( Now if you choose 27, you'll go through Rockwood. That old Pure station is about a block east on the main highway on the old alignment. I forget which corner it's at, though:( You might do well to swing right onto the old route just below town and follow it in. You'll want to go back to the main drag afterwards, for if you keep to the old road you'll find yourself headed east on 70 towards Kingston. North of Rockwood is Harriman. It takes pride that it was founded as a temperance community where demon rum was forbidden for many years. But that's pretty much in the past these days:) Lots of nice architecture and a neat looking railroad bridge:) Much of 27 is being straightened and four laned, most likely to promote tourism at Big South Fork Ntl. River and Recreation Area. Once you get over the Kentucky line there's the town of Stearns where a scenic railway takes you to Blue Heron, the site of an old coal mining camp. When the Ntl. Park Service renovated the area they built "skeleton" buildings on the site of the original structures. Seems the place is still prone to flooding and this makes it easier to clean up afterward:) They found everyone they could find who had lived at Blue Heron and interviewed them on tape. When you go to these "skeleton" buildings you can press a button and hear relevant parts of these tapes about each of the buildings. Blue Heron can also be reached by road. Heading north in 27, go left on KY 592 and follow the signs. Sadly, that's about all the info I can give you on these highways. But I will do this. Some of my coworkers live in the Kingston area and I'll ask them about diners. I *do* want to meet you! Just let me know what weekend you'll be down. We can try to make arrangements then. Happy Motoring, BabyBoomerBob Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Alex Burr Posted October 1, 2006 Report Share Posted October 1, 2006 I added a photo to my Mississippi Road Trip page this morning - you can view it, I think, @ http://backroadtrips.blogspot.com/ I'm not really happy with this setup - when I get back to Maine I may move it. But for now it suffices. Enjoy. Hudsonly, Alex B Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Jim Ross Posted October 1, 2006 Report Share Posted October 1, 2006 The Brunswick in Kingman is the only place I've ever stayed where they issued earplugs at check in. Jim R. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest rwarn17588 Posted October 1, 2006 Report Share Posted October 1, 2006 It looks like the Albuquerque City Council will take up the landmark recommendation on El Vado Motel on Jan. 18 or sometime in early to mid-February. It's going to be time to write some more letters in support for the El Vado, folks. For more about it and instructions, it's on my Web site: http://rwarn17588.wordpress.com/2006/01/10...-el-vado-again/ Ron Warnick Tulsa, OK www.route66news.org Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest thehinge@magpage.com> Posted October 1, 2006 Report Share Posted October 1, 2006 Did you spend a night at the Shack Up Inn on that trip to Miss., Alex? Looks like a nice, simple place. Have to remember it next time I visit Memphis. Clarksdale is only, what, a hundred miles from Memphis? Matt Smallwood On Tue, 10 Jan 2006 15:14:52 -0000 "Alex Burr" <hester_nec@yahoo.com> wrote: > > > > > I added a photo to my Mississippi Road Trip page > this morning - you > can view it, I think, @ > http://backroadtrips.blogspot.com/ > > I'm not really happy with this setup - when I get > back to Maine I > may move it. But for now it suffices. > > Enjoy. > > Hudsonly, > Alex B > > > > > > > > > > > Visit our homepage at: http://www.mockturtlepress.com > > To subscribe to AMERICAN ROAD magazine, PHONE TOLL-FREE > 1-877-285-5434 WITH YOUR ORDER TODAY! > Or send payment to: Mock Turtle Press, PO Box 3168, > Lynnwood, WA 98046-3168 > SUBSCRIPTION RATES: > 1 year (4 issues) for $15.95 > (save $3.85 off the newsstand price!) > 2 years (8 issues) for $27.95 > (save $11.65 off the newsstand price!) > > > For questions about the list, contact: > AMERICAN_ROAD-owner@yahoogroups.com > > To SUBSCRIBE to this group, send an email to: > AMERICAN_ROAD-subscribe@yahoogroups.comTo POST a message > via e-mail, send it to: > AMERICAN_ROAD@yahoogroups.com > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > YAHOO! GROUPS LINKS > > > > Visit your group "AMERICAN_ROAD" on the > web. > To unsubscribe from this group, send an email > to: AMERICAN_ROAD-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com > Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to the > Yahoo! Terms of Service. > > > > > > > > > > > > > --------------------------------------------------------------------- Web mail provided by NuNet, Inc. The Premier National provider. http://www.nni.com/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest okydokey89 Posted October 2, 2006 Report Share Posted October 2, 2006 Hi All, I'm a new member here and was curious if anyone has suggestions for weekend trips in Michigan, Ohio or Indiana. Is the National Road thru Ohio and Indiana a good drive? We are going nuts with cabin fever and anxious to get out and ramble around a bit. Thanks in advance, Jabba Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Pat B. Posted October 2, 2006 Report Share Posted October 2, 2006 Welcome aboard! I can attest the National Road/US 40 through Indiana is worth part of a midwest trip. It's 4-lane from the Ohio to Illinois borders and when you're in the rural sections, you pretty much have the road to yourself. The eastern half of the NR is known as "Antique Alley", with its umpteen antique shops lining the way. There are also several old pike towns in that section, my favorite being Centerville. You'll also witness a good share of old motels, gas stations, and cafes that once did a booming business when 40 was on of the coast-to-coast highways in the US. Some are still in business, others are in ruin or private residences. INDOT has installed Historic National Road signs throughout the entire route in Indiana that will put you on the NR sections US 40 does not occupy. I'm not well versed on the NR through Ohio, but I know we have several members of this group that can help there. If you decide to make this trip, let us know & Jennifer & I can give you the 5 cent tour of the NR through Indy and surrounding areas. You might check out our links page for some info on the Indiana National Road Association and others that may be of interest: http://finance.groups.yahoo.com/group/AMERICAN_ROAD/links Regards, Pat Bremer American Road List Host --- In AMERICAN_ROAD@yahoogroups.com, "okydokey89" <okydokey@a...> wrote: > > > Hi All, > > I'm a new member here and was curious if anyone has suggestions for > weekend trips in Michigan, Ohio or Indiana. Is the National Road > thru Ohio and Indiana a good drive? We are going nuts with cabin > fever and anxious to get out and ramble around a bit. > > Thanks in advance, > > Jabba Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Denny Gibson Posted October 2, 2006 Report Share Posted October 2, 2006 I can relate to that cabin fever thing. I don't know much about Michigan but know you can find some good drives in both Indiana and Ohio. In fact, both states are crossed by both the Lincoln Highway and the National Road. I enjoy the National Road in Ohio but have only been on bits in Indiana and I've not personally covered the entire Lincoln in either state. You might find some ideas at http://www.ohiobyways.com/ . I've found that the signage for these byways isn't always as good as you'd like so you might want to prepare with some notes and map study before setting out on one of them. I'll also tout my own website at http://www.dennygibson.com . This is one of the few times I've felt that I was pointing someone there who might actually get something useful out of it. There are no trip guides there; just your normal travelblogs but it has some Ohio and Indiana outings that might be of interest. I've just recently reorganized things a bit and have added an index ( http://www.dennygibson.com/triplist.php ) that, among other things, shows the states for each trip so you can pick out the Ohio & Indiana ones. Michigan doesn't appear even once. I see that Pat B has responded and I know he could really give you some good info on Indiana roads (and plenty of others, too). Perhaps he was too modest to mention his own web resident list of road trips ( http://www.roadtripmemories.com/roadtrips.htm ) but I'm not. Good traveling and let me know if I can be of any help, Denny _____ From: okydokey89 [mailto:okydokey@aol.com] Sent: Tuesday, February 22, 2005 6:28 AM To: AMERICAN_ROAD@yahoogroups.com Subject: [AMERICAN_ROAD] Upper Midwest destinations Hi All, I'm a new member here and was curious if anyone has suggestions for weekend trips in Michigan, Ohio or Indiana. Is the National Road thru Ohio and Indiana a good drive? We are going nuts with cabin fever and anxious to get out and ramble around a bit. Thanks in advance, Jabba Visit our homepage at: http://www.mockturtlepress.com To subscribe to AMERICAN ROAD magazine, PHONE TOLL-FREE 1-877-285-5434 WITH YOUR ORDER TODAY! Or send payment to: Mock Turtle Press, PO Box 3168, Lynnwood, WA 98046-3168 SUBSCRIPTION RATES: 1 year (4 issues) for $15.95 (save $3.85 off the newsstand price!) 2 years (8 issues) for $27.95 (save $11.65 off the newsstand price!) For questions about the list, contact: AMERICAN_ROAD-owner@yahoogroups.com To SUBSCRIBE to this group, send an email to: AMERICAN_ROAD-subscribe@yahoogroups.comTo POST a message via e-mail, send it to: AMERICAN_ROAD@yahoogroups.com _____ Yahoo! Groups Links * To visit your group on the web, go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/AMERICAN_ROAD/ * To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to: AMERICAN_ROAD-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com <mailto:AMERICAN_ROAD-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com?subject=Unsubscribe> * Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to the Yahoo! Terms of Service <http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/> . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts