Welcome!

October 9, 2006

I'm forwarding this information from several articles in a recent issue of Nat'l

Motorists Assn. Foundation Newsletter. I thought it would be of interest to the

"roadies" insomuch as the 2006 Steinbeck Awards are considering "the Duke city"

as it's location.

I think there is a serious possibility that some "roadies" might be affected by

the policies of the mayor and the city.

Perhaps several letters to the Mayor such as the one I've included in this email

is in order. I spoke to David Knudson and he is in agreement that a concerted

effort might be in order to prevent these things from happening during the

event.

Hank Hallmark

An open letter to Mayor Chavez of Albuquerque, New Mexico:

I read in the July/August issue of NMAF NEWS that you and members of your city

council have used the city's "public nuisance" ordinance to justify permanently

seizing the vehicle of anyone "accused" of DWI or, anybody who receives a second

red-light camera ticket will lose their vehicle for thirty days, even if the

owner isn't driving the vehicle.

Has it ever occurred to you that this is a violation of due process laws and the

Constitution of the United States of America? Police in your city are obviously

being used by you and your city council to raise revenue. The cameras at stop

lights are all about raising revenue, nothing more, and nothing less.

Mayor Chavez, every fall and every spring, for years, my wife and I pass through

Albuquerque on our way to our winter residence. We stay in Albuquerque at least

fifty percent of the time we go through your city...we spend upwards of $125 at

a time. You can be certain that from now on, we will avoid Albuquerque....

Search and Seizure:

States conducting automotive seizure rely on a doctrine found in a 1931 Supreme

Court ruling stating, "It is the property which is preceded against, and, by

resort to a legal fiction, held guilty and condemned as though it were conscious

instead of inanimate and insentient." In other words, it's OK to confiscate

your car because you forgot to pay an $85 parking ticket; you didn't commit the

crime, your car did.

In 1980, the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals reaffirmed the concept, convicting a

1976 Mercedes Benz 280S of drugrunning. The Bill of Rights, the court argued,

applies to people not to cars.

Albuquerque, New Mexico agrees. It's the first jurisdiction to combine a seizure

ordinance with a red light camera. If your car-no matter who was driving-blows

through two red lights, they'll take it for thirty days. The more cities follow

suit, adopting get-rich-quick red light and speed camera schemes, the more

likely you are to lose your wheels. If you forget to file a change of address

form with the city, or the post offices loses your ticket in the mail, the first

time you realize you've committed a "crime" will be when your car disappears.

The Supreme Court's ruling on home seizures is a wakeup call to every American.

While the issue is hot, contact your state legislator and demand repeal of

automobile seizure laws as well. Otherwise, the state will soon become the

number one practitioner of grand theft auto, with your car constantly in its

sights.

NMA Foundation And ACLU Win Critical Victory

As we reported to you in the last issue of the NMAF NEWS, the NMA Foundation

issued a Legal Aid Grant to American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU)-New Mexico to

help with its recent legal challenge to a new vehicle seizure ordinance in

Albuquerque.

The law would have allowed the city to seize the car of anyone suspected of a

DWI, even first-time offenders. The ordinance didn't require a conviction. The

vehicle would have been seized when the suspect is stopped. He or she could then

contest the seizure with a city hearing officer or agree to have an immobilizing

"boot" placed on the vehicle for 30 days. To get the boot removed, offenders

would have had to install an ignition interlock on the vehicle for six months or

a year. In "extreme" cases, the city would simply sell the vehicle at auction.

The ACLU convinced the District Court Judge to issue a temporary injunction

against the enforcement of the ordinance, while they prepared their case. In

August, the ACLU took the city to court, and the judge struck down the

ordinance.

In her decision, the judge cited "serious procedural due process problems" with

the city's law. The judge said the ruling was on constitutional grounds, and

focused

primarily on one sentence in the ordinance: "The city hearing officer shall only

determine whether the law enforcement officer had probable cause to seize the

vehicle." The judge said the ordinance didn't spell out what the hearing officer

would do to ensure drivers would have a fair, timely and constitutionally

mandated hearing.

"We're very happy and feel like the judge ruled as we would've liked," said

Peter Simonson, Executive Director of the ACLU New Mexico. Simonson also said

the judge's decision could pave the way for similar rulings in ACLU challenges

to other laws that allow the city to seize people's vehicles.

October 10, 2006

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

September 22, 2005

Gov. Blagojevich applauds U.S. recognition of Historic Rt. 66 and Illinois

River Road

U.S Department of Transportation names famed routes aˆ?National Scenic Bywaysaˆ?

SPRINGFIELD aˆ“ Gov. Rod R. Blagojevich today applauded the aˆ?National

Scenic Bywaysaˆ? designation by the U.S. Department of Transportation for two

storied transportation routes in Illinois: Route 66 and the Illinois River Road.

The

designation means that the routes are added to the national list of Scenic

Byways and are eligible to apply for grant funding that can be used for

marketing, visitor centers, landscaping and other amenities.

aˆ?Route 66 winds more than 2,000 miles from Chicago to L.A. and is so much

more than just a highway. Itaˆ™s a symbol of our love for the open road and that

can-do spirit of individualism and adventure that is such a vital part of the

American way of life. The Illinois River Road is a window to our rich Native

American cultural legacy and the natural splendors of our state. The new

designations for these two routes will help us attract even more visitors to

Illinois,aˆ? said Gov. Blagojevich.

The announcement of the designation of two new Scenic Byways in Illinois was

made in Washington D.C. today by U.S. Secretary of Transportation Norman

Mineta, who was acting on applications submitted by two local groups aˆ“ the

Route 66

Heritage Project and the Peoria Area Convention and Visitors Bureau - through

the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT).

To make the Scenic Byways designation a reality, Gov. Blagojevich provided

more than $500,000 in Opportunity Returns support through the Illinois Bureau of

Tourism, which coordinated the strategic effort to highlight these important

historical destinations as part of its efforts to grow tourism in Illinois.

Both byways will bring new attention to existing tourism assets and complement

the Mile After Magnificent Mile marketing campaign that highlights the state's

3-Day Getaway destinations.

"The designation of the Illinois River Road as a national scenic byway is a

tremendous boost to nature-based tourism in Illinois River Country," said Lt.

Gov. Patrick Quinn. "Our scenic byway provides the gateway for everyone across

the country to enjoy the bird-watching, wildlife viewing, hiking, biking,

fishing, boating, and camping that Illinois River Country offers."

aˆ?When you talk about the heritage of Illinois you are talking about the

history of transportation in America,aˆ? said IDOT Secretary Tim Martin.

aˆ?Thataˆ™s why

IDOT is proud to play a role in highlighting and bringing to life the stories

of Route 66 and the Illinois River Road, two fabled routes that have played

such an important role in the history of our state and nation.aˆ?

"Illinois has been an important part of the journey as so many people

crisscrossed America for generations, and the Route 66 and Illinois River Road

Scenic

Byway designations support Gov. Blagojevich's efforts to build Illinois'

tourism industry. Thanks to this national recognition, more visitors will see

'Mile After Magnificent Mile' of Illinois that will ultimately support even more

businesses and jobs across our state," Illinois Department of Commerce and

Economic Opportunity (DCEO) Director Jack Lavin said.

The starting point of Route 66 aˆ“ which was immortalized by the song aˆ?(Get

Your Kicks On) Route 66,aˆ? performed by Nat King Cole, the Rolling Stones and

many others aˆ“ is at the corner of Lake Shore Drive and Jackson Blvd. in

Chicago.

The route winds through Chicago on various streets to southbound Interstate

55. It travels along much of I-55 and its frontage road, except for a loop from

Plainfield to Braceville along Old US 66 and another loop along Route 4 from

Springfield to south of Staunton, where it again meets the primary route along

I-55. The Illinois portion of Route 66 covers 420 miles and ends in East St.

Louis at the Martin Luther King Memorial Bridge.

The Illinois River Road, known as aˆ?the Route of the Voyageurs,aˆ? after the

early French explorers, covers 271 miles through the heart of the state and runs

from Ottawa to Havana. It includes much of Routes 26 and 29 on each side of

the river.

IDOT and DCEO worked closely with the two local groups in applying for the

designation. IDOT installed directional signing for both Route 66 and the

Illinois River Road in 1996.

Once a road is designated as a National Scenic Byway, they receive national

recognition on the www.byways.org website and they are actively promoted as

tourist destinations by the Federal Highway Administration.

Scenic Byways are eligible to apply for a $25,000 annual seed grant for

administration of the byway for the first 5 years. They are also eligible to

apply

for grant funds for marketing, landscaping and construction of visitor

centers and other amenities. Since 1992, the National Scenic Byways Program has

provided funding for almost 1,500 state and nationally designated byway projects

in 48 states.

Illinois previously had five routes on the list of National Scenic Byways:

The Great River Road along the Mississippi River; the Illinois portion of the

Historic National Road, which cuts across the southern half of the state;

Lincoln Highway, which starts south of Chicago and travels along US Rt. 30 and

IL

Rt. 38 to Fulton; the Meeting of the Great Rivers Scenic Route in the Metro East

area, at the confluence of the Mississippi, Missouri and Illinois Rivers; and

the Ohio River Scenic Byway, along the southern edge of the state.

###

October 10, 2006

Let me be sure I understand your statement: "I think

there is a serious possibility that some 'roadies'

might be affected by the policies of the mayor and the

city." I, for one, have no intention of being

arrested for DWI, nor do I plan on 'running two red

lights.'---AND I seriously doubt any others do

either!!! john w

--- Hank Hallmark <thehallmarks@earthlink.net> wrote:

> I'm forwarding this information from several

> articles in a recent issue of Nat'l Motorists Assn.

> Foundation Newsletter. I thought it would be of

> interest to the "roadies" insomuch as the 2006

> Steinbeck Awards are considering "the Duke city" as

> it's location.

>

> I think there is a serious possibility that some

> "roadies" might be affected by the policies of the

> mayor and the city.

>

> Perhaps several letters to the Mayor such as the one

> I've included in this email is in order. I spoke to

> David Knudson and he is in agreement that a

> concerted effort might be in order to prevent these

> things from happening during the event.

>

> Hank Hallmark

>

> An open letter to Mayor Chavez of Albuquerque, New

> Mexico:

>

> I read in the July/August issue of NMAF NEWS that

> you and members of your city council have used the

> city's "public nuisance" ordinance to justify

> permanently seizing the vehicle of anyone "accused"

> of DWI or, anybody who receives a second red-light

> camera ticket will lose their vehicle for thirty

> days, even if the owner isn't driving the vehicle.

>

> Has it ever occurred to you that this is a violation

> of due process laws and the Constitution of the

> United States of America? Police in your city are

> obviously being used by you and your city council to

> raise revenue. The cameras at stop lights are all

> about raising revenue, nothing more, and nothing

> less.

>

> Mayor Chavez, every fall and every spring, for

> years, my wife and I pass through Albuquerque on our

> way to our winter residence. We stay in Albuquerque

> at least fifty percent of the time we go through

> your city...we spend upwards of $125 at a time. You

> can be certain that from now on, we will avoid

> Albuquerque....

>

> Search and Seizure:

>

> States conducting automotive seizure rely on a

> doctrine found in a 1931 Supreme Court ruling

> stating, "It is the property which is preceded

> against, and, by resort to a legal fiction, held

> guilty and condemned as though it were conscious

> instead of inanimate and insentient." In other

> words, it's OK to confiscate your car because you

> forgot to pay an $85 parking ticket; you didn't

> commit the crime, your car did.

>

> In 1980, the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals reaffirmed

> the concept, convicting a 1976 Mercedes Benz 280S of

> drugrunning. The Bill of Rights, the court argued,

> applies to people not to cars.

>

> Albuquerque, New Mexico agrees. It's the first

> jurisdiction to combine a seizure ordinance with a

> red light camera. If your car-no matter who was

> driving-blows through two red lights, they'll take

> it for thirty days. The more cities follow suit,

> adopting get-rich-quick red light and speed camera

> schemes, the more likely you are to lose your

> wheels. If you forget to file a change of address

> form with the city, or the post offices loses your

> ticket in the mail, the first time you realize

> you've committed a "crime" will be when your car

> disappears.

>

> The Supreme Court's ruling on home seizures is a

> wakeup call to every American. While the issue is

> hot, contact your state legislator and demand repeal

> of automobile seizure laws as well. Otherwise, the

> state will soon become the number one practitioner

> of grand theft auto, with your car constantly in its

> sights.

>

> NMA Foundation And ACLU Win Critical Victory

>

> As we reported to you in the last issue of the NMAF

> NEWS, the NMA Foundation issued a Legal Aid Grant to

> American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU)-New Mexico to

> help with its recent legal challenge to a new

> vehicle seizure ordinance in Albuquerque.

>

> The law would have allowed the city to seize the car

> of anyone suspected of a DWI, even first-time

> offenders. The ordinance didn't require a

> conviction. The vehicle would have been seized when

> the suspect is stopped. He or she could then contest

> the seizure with a city hearing officer or agree to

> have an immobilizing "boot" placed on the vehicle

> for 30 days. To get the boot removed, offenders

> would have had to install an ignition interlock on

> the vehicle for six months or a year. In "extreme"

> cases, the city would simply sell the vehicle at

> auction.

>

> The ACLU convinced the District Court Judge to issue

> a temporary injunction against the enforcement of

> the ordinance, while they prepared their case. In

> August, the ACLU took the city to court, and the

> judge struck down the ordinance.

>

> In her decision, the judge cited "serious procedural

> due process problems" with the city's law. The judge

> said the ruling was on constitutional grounds, and

> focused

> primarily on one sentence in the ordinance: "The

> city hearing officer shall only determine whether

> the law enforcement officer had probable cause to

> seize the vehicle." The judge said the ordinance

> didn't spell out what the hearing officer would do

> to ensure drivers would have a fair, timely and

> constitutionally mandated hearing.

>

> "We're very happy and feel like the judge ruled as

> we would've liked," said Peter Simonson, Executive

> Director of the ACLU New Mexico. Simonson also said

> the judge's decision could pave the way for similar

> rulings in ACLU challenges to other laws that allow

> the city to seize people's vehicles.

>

> [Non-text portions of this message have been

> removed]

>

__________________________________________________

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October 10, 2006

Just forwarding on....some great American Roads in this years list.

- 66 Willy

Also, Historic 66 in Arizona too. I don't see the press release yet,

but found the link of all designated byways today. Cut and paste

this link. Many great trails have made it also.

I will post to the American Road group also.

http://www.byways.org/press/designation200...signations.html

> It's official. Illinois Route 66 has been accepted as a National

Scenic Byway. The two people, who really worked hard on the

paperwork and legwork in putting it altogether and getting this

accomplished are Patty Kuhn, former Illinois Route 66 Heritage

executive director, and Carl Johnson, 66 roadie, writer, etc.

>

> Thank-you very much to the two of you. To all the others that

played part in it, a special thanks to you, also.

>

> Eventually, there should be more info on it if you go to

www.byways.org. Nothing posted as of yet.

October 11, 2006

http://www.abqtrib.com/albq/nw_local/artic...4179407,00.html

Saying goodbye to an old friend

Historic El Vado Motel will be remembered as a city treasure and a home to

Route 66 enthusiasts and people in financial need

By Maggie Shepard

Tribune Reporter

October 22, 2005

It feels like a camp cabin.

Sparsely decorated rooms hold mismatched furniture dwarfed by the high

ceiling's glossy cedar vigas.

El Vado Motel, age 68, is a funky spot, drawing near-broke monthly tenants

and Route 66 enthusiasts who thrill at waking up in a piece of history - no

matter how squeaky the mattress is.

Hailed by historians as one of the purest Route 66 vintage lodges, the motel

is slated for destruction.

Managers Sam and Fatima Kassam are packing their belongings and moving out.

After 15 years, they sold the motel to developer Richard Gonzales for an

undisclosed price.

Gonzales plans to build town homes on the site, although, after listening to

preservationists' pleas, he may keep the front lobby, the famous neon

American Indian head sign and perhaps a few rooms.

"It is run-down. We can't even give the beds away. I'm tired of looking at

it," Gonzales said. "I don't want to be in the preservation business."

Emily Priddy, a Route 66 preservationist and enthusiast, said she and fellow

fans would pay big money for a chunk of the motel's vigas, even a sink

handle, and especially the sign.

"Anything I can save, I'll take it," she said in an interview at the motel,

where she met with Gonzales earlier this week. "But I'm glad he's open to

the idea of saving some and keeping it open to the public."

However, Gonzales says the pool - a cool, inviting oasis for the millions

who traveled Route 66 when it was the nation's most famous highway and its

best way to get to California - must go.

So must most of El Vado's 33 rooms, built long before the interstate highway

system changed America, and its way of traveling from town to town.

The pool, sadly, appears beyond repair. It looks like an underground bunker,

covered in a shingled concrete slab, unused since who knows when.

The rooms, none larger than 20-by-15, seem sleepy. But they are neat and

don't smell 68 years old.

The carpet is vacuumed, the teal and mauve bedspreads crisply tucked beneath

thin mattresses. The bathrooms are clean, although the original black and

white mini-tiles have dulled.

Most of the beds rise two feet off the ground, some tipping at slight - or

not so slight - angles. The 19-inch televisions are cable-equipped and every

phone works.

The room doors, symmetrically flanked by evergreen shrubs, open onto a

central parking corridor. Some of the rooms come with their own attached,

covered carport.

"This is typical of the development of motor hotels," Priddy said.

The motel culture, she says, developed from camp sites, to cabins, to

connected cabins, to cabins with garages, to complexes of cabins with

garages and community areas.

Across the street from the city's Biological Park, El Vado abuts the

Albuquerque Country Club golf course and is surrounded by fenced-in,

overgrown lots.

"I'm going to open the property up. It is right on a golf course and they've

closed that off," Gonzales said.

His plans are for 10 Spanish Mission-style town homes priced between

$400,000 and $600,000.

"I want to revitalize this area. It is going to be nice. I care for this

area," said Gonzales, an Albuquerque native.

Gonzales is seeking a zoning change of the property, from commercial to

residential. He asked that a hearing Thursday before the Environmental

Planning Commission be deferred until December to give him time to gather

information about what, if anything, he can save.

He takes possession on Nov. 1, time enough for tenants - one has stayed two

years - to move out. Rates range from $31 to $45 a night.

The property will be fenced in and the rooms cleared of carpet and

furniture, "just to see what we have," Gonzales said.

At least two neighborhood associations - West Park and Riverview Heights -

have sent letters to the commission saying they are opposed to the zoning

change.

The Albuquerque Country Club's executive board has decided to remain

neutral, said General Manager Patrick Elwell.

Priddy, of Tulsa, Okla., and Jerry Ueckert, of Edgewood, told Gonzales

Thursday that they are willing to coordinate preservation of the front lobby

and adjoining rooms.

"Maybe we could do a bed and breakfast, anything," Priddy said.

She said the lobby, which includes living quarters for the motel keeper and

a lounge, would be perfect for meals.

For now, the lobby houses two hip-high bird cages and their feathered

tenants, scuffed leather lounge chairs and a glass stand that holds bumper

stickers and tourist pamphlets for sale.

Priddy left with one of the souvenirs: "We visited the world famous El Vado

Motel."

She hopes that's the only thing she'll ever have to take away.

"I want to save it all," she said. "But if I can't, well, we'll hopefully

save enough to remember."

October 11, 2006

Oops. It's the upcoming four day Thanksgiving weekend I'm thinking of. I see

I forgot that little detail.

Both the Hermitage and Homestead are places I wasn't aware of. Well, I was

aware that the Hermitage existed but not exactly where it was or that it

"visitable". I found this: http://plateauproperties.com/home.html on

Homestead. I had turned up Pall Mall on the web so knew that there was at

least one attraction on US-127. With the couple you've added along with

those on 27, I'm guessing I would enjoy either route home. That may have to

be a last minute decision.

One loose "plan" is to drive to Nashville on Thursday and spend Thursday and

Friday night there. Saturday would be spent on US-70 with stops at the

Hermitage and Homestead. A variation would be to work in the Hermitage on

Friday to allow more time for the east and north legs. Tentatively, that

puts me around Crossville/Kingston Saturday afternoon or Sunday morning.

Good info, Bob. Thanks.

--Denny

> -----Original Message-----

> From: Bob Reynolds [mailto:roustabout@starband.net]

> Sent: Monday, November 21, 2005 8:59 PM

> To: AMERICAN_ROAD@yahoogroups.com

> Subject: [AMERICAN_ROAD] Re: US-70 etc. In Tennessee

>

> --- 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

October 11, 2006

Hello!

We will be traveling between Little Rock and Rio Rancho, NM this week

and 95% of the trip is on I-40. Are there some cool "Americana" things

to see along the way or not too far off track?

Thanks!

Brian

October 11, 2006

Once you are west of Oklahoma City, I-40 parallels or buries much of the

former US-66. In Oklahoma, there are Route 66 museums in Clinton and Elk

City and the Sand Hill Curiosity Shop is in Erick. The Roger Miller Museum

is there, too. Texas, offers the U-Drop-Inn in Shamrock and the Devil's Rope

Museum in McLean. You can't miss the giant cross at Groom and shouldn't have

to look too hard for the nearby "leaning tower of Texas". Plus there is

Cadillac Ranch in Amarillo. In New Mexico, swing through Tucumcari for some

classic motels including the Blue Swallow.

I can't speak from personal experience but I imagine that at least some

expressway travelers won't find these "too far off track". Of course, after

you've visited a couple of them and driven a little of the old road, you may

find that you don't really mind being a little off track once in awhile:-)

Denny Gibson

Cincinnati, OH

www.DennyGibson.com

> -----Original Message-----

> From: thewoltersfamily [mailto:thewoltersfamily@yahoo.com]

> Sent: Tuesday, November 22, 2005 9:24 AM

> To: AMERICAN_ROAD@yahoogroups.com

> Subject: [AMERICAN_ROAD] I-40 Sights

>

> Hello!

>

> We will be traveling between Little Rock and Rio Rancho, NM

> this week and 95% of the trip is on I-40. Are there some cool

> "Americana" things to see along the way or not too far off track?

>

> Thanks!

> Brian

October 11, 2006

For anyone who is interested in what US 34 looks like, I finally

uploaded the photos I took when I drove the route from just outside

Chicago to Granby, CO in September. There are photos of the road

every 60 miles or so as it travels across the plains and into the Rockies.

The photos can be accessed from this link:

http://www.usroadman.com/us34links.htm

From this page you can view individual photos, or slideshows of the

route as it travels across the country.

October 12, 2006

--- In AMERICAN_ROAD@yahoogroups.com, "Denny Gibson" <denny@d...> wrote:

>

> Oops. It's the upcoming four day Thanksgiving weekend I'm thinking

of. I see

> I forgot that little detail.

>

> Both the Hermitage and Homestead are places I wasn't aware of. Well,

I was

> aware that the Hermitage existed but not exactly where it was or that it

> "visitable". I found this: http://plateauproperties.com/home.html on

> Homestead. I had turned up Pall Mall on the web so knew that there

was at

> least one attraction on US-127. With the couple you've added along with

> those on 27, I'm guessing I would enjoy either route home. That may

have to

> be a last minute decision.

>

> One loose "plan" is to drive to Nashville on Thursday and spend

Thursday and

> Friday night there. Saturday would be spent on US-70 with stops at the

> Hermitage and Homestead. A variation would be to work in the

Hermitage on

> Friday to allow more time for the east and north legs. Tentatively, that

> puts me around Crossville/Kingston Saturday afternoon or Sunday morning.

>

> Good info, Bob. Thanks.

>

> --Denny

I've asked at work, and the most likely spot to get together I've

found is Chase's Drugs Store and Diner in Harriman. It's right on the

main drag (US 27), but I've never been there. If you head home on US

127, that poses a bit more of a problem. The only places I know in

Crossville are chains, like Wendy's. Any idea how we could time

getting together?

One more attraction off US 27 I'd forgotten. Back in the 1800's

a bunch of landless English gentry founded a "colony" in the town of

Rugby. The settlement didn't thrive, but left some very nice

Victorian homes. To get there head west on TN 52 at Elgin.

November 1, 2006

Dave,

I am pretty familiar with the area of northern Utah, southeast

Idaho, and western Wyoming. Until recentley I lived in Logan, Utah, and

I am currently working on a personal project which involves

photographing my favorite highway: US 89, which also happens to be the

most scenic route for you to consider (NOT the fastest...but a gorgeous

drive!)

If you are interested in trying the route, here are the

instructions: begin by traveling north on I-15 until you get to the

first Brigham City exit (Exit 362) about 45 miles north of Downtown Salt

Lake City. (You could opt for a short detour to visit the former Thiokol

corporation- makers of the Space Shuttle booster engines, and Promontory

Point/Golden Spike railroad center both located a few miles farther up

I-15 and west about seven miles to Thiokol and twenty miles to

Promontory.) Take exit 362 and head east past Brigham City on Highway

89/91 over the Wellsville mountain range to Cache Valley, (about 25

miles). Cache valley is the home of Utah State University, (my alma

mater) and Logan, Utah. As you come into Logan, the highway heads due

north and becomes Main Street. When you get to the intersection of 400

North, turn east (right) and you are now on US 89 scenic byway. You will

stay on the highway all the way into Jackson, which is about 150 miles away.

The things to see along the way would include: Two Mormon

Tabernacles (NOT the famous Salt Lake City Tabernacle, home of the

Mormon Tabernacle Choir, but smaller, historic edifices; one in downtown

Logan on the Northeast corner of Main and Center streets, and the other

in Paris, Idaho. Believe me, you won't miss it- unless you miss Paris-

not too difficult actually. Also in Logan, you may want to stop at the

historic Blue Bird Cafe and candy shop on Main street, directly across

from the tabernacle. It has been around...well...a long time. (My

grandfather had his wedding luncheon there about 80 years ago). And USU

offers some interesting architecture (Old main is about 120 years young)

and excellent Aggie Ice cream too. There is a Mormon Temple in Logan

also, but unfortunately, it does not offer a visiter's center- so be

sure to visit Temple Square in Salt Lake City before leaving for

Jackson. It is very interesting. Finally, if Space Research appeals to

you, stop in at Space Dynamics Laboratory in the USU Technology Campus

(1600 north and 200 east) for a tour. I used to work there...so tell

them Brian sent you!

As you leave Logan, you will travel through Logan Canyon, which is

beautiful, but wind-y (with a long I!) and also currently under

construction at the summit. Check www.udot.gov to be sure it is open and

traversable. Also, be aware that much of this trip is over mountain

passes, which can be very treacherous at this time of year. A four wheel

drive or all wheel drive (or chains) are sometimes required! After the

summit of Logan Canyon, you will have a quick descent to Bear Lake, on

the border of Utah and Idaho. During the summer, Garden City offers

travelers exquisite homemade raspberry shakes, but I think most of the

shops/restaurants close for the winter months. The Idaho border is about

5 miles north of Garden City, and shortly after you will come to Paris,

Idaho, (tabernacle).

After Paris, you arrive in Montpilier, Idaho and the highway turns

north again. You have to pay attention becuse after a block or two the

route quickly heads east (right) again, up into the mountains. The next

area of interest is Star Valley, Wyoming. If you pass through at meal

time, try stopping at the Star Valley Cheese Factory and restaurant. It

is where the locals eat. Just up the road a piece is Afton, home of the

lesser-known antler arch (you won't miss it-it spans the road!) and,

honestly, not much else. Now you are into the home stretch! Just past

Afton you come to a bridge that crosses the Snake river and then the

highway will turn north (right) at Alpine junction and finally to

Jackson Hole. As long as the snow barriers are not down, just enjoy the

drive through the canyon. There are lots of pullouts for viewing the

river (in the summer there are lots of white-water rafters floating this

part of the Snake). Once you arrive in Jackson, there are LOTS of shops,

galleries, restaurants, resorts, etc. to check out. My personal

favorites are the National Wildlife Art Museum and the adjacent Elk

refuge just north of town about 3 miles. Also, if you enjoy photography

(I teach it) visit Oswald gallery to see original works by Ansel Adams,

Edward Weston, Jerry Uelsman, Yousef Karsh and others. Also see the

Grand Tetons which are stunning on a crisp, clear morning!

Well, that is about it. If you have any questions, please feel free

to contact me. If you are able to take the trip, I would love to know

what you thought of it! Also, if you are interested, I am (trying) to

get a website put together to display the photographs of US 89 that I

have taken. The project, when complete, will document each mileof the

entire length of the historical route of the highway, from the Canadian

border at Piegan, Montana, to the Mexican border at Nogales, Arizona.

Happy trails!

Brian Atkinson

BYU-Idaho, Department of Art

Rexburg, Idaho

November 2, 2006

Brian,

Thanks for the advice. I will file this on my Palm for the trip and will let you

know if

we are able to make this trip using this route...wish me luck on the weather and

construction.

Dave Reese

Allentown PA

Home of Brooklands Speedway and Cherrington Park

http://www.geocities.com/brooklandsspeedway

<http://www.geocities.com/brooklandsspeedway>

<http://www.summerharmony.com>

-----Original Message-----

From: AMERICAN_ROAD@yahoogroups.com

[mailto:AMERICAN_ROAD@yahoogroups.com]On Behalf Of Brian Atkinson

Sent: Wednesday, January 11, 2006 2:25 AM

To: AMERICAN_ROAD@yahoogroups.com

Subject: [AMERICAN_ROAD] Re: From Salt Lake City to Jackson Hole