The latest installment of my series about the rise and fall of the American auto industry is now available in the on line editon of the Kingman Daily Miner. This time I attempt to add a bit of perspective to the “green” car revolution by providing historic background with snippets about the Olds steam car, circa 1880, the first hybrids, circa 1917, and what really killed steam as well as electric vehicles. http://kingmandailyminer.com/main.asp?Search=1&ArticleID=33183&SectionID=74&SubSectionID=114&S=1
The next item on the docket pertains to an informal Route 66 cruise taking place in September. Cort Stevens, an afficianado of the Chevrolet Monte Carlo, will be motoring west from the Windy City and is looking for fans of Route 66 or vintage cars, or any combination thereof, to join in for all or just part of the drive.
Here is is his loose schedule as well contact information.

Cort Stevens
faithcubsmc2691@aol.com
____
PLEASE NOTE…
…ALL times are APPROXIMATE.
…Travel times based on 30 mph.
…Schedule is SUBJECT TO CHANGE as we drive the route….
___ SAT 09.05.09 ___
~ 8a-9a = kick-off breakfast
IHOP
101 S Randall Rd (S20of US RT 20)
Elgin IL
~ 9a-11:30a = travel ~75 miles
Elgin IL – Franklin Grove IL (via IL RT 31 S …to… LINCOLN HIGHWAY, IL RT 38 W)
~ 11:30a-2p = visit …&… lunch
LH Association Headquarters
136 N Elm St
Franklin Grove IL
http://www.flickr.com/photos/ksgardenbee/2921023053/
Lincolnway Cafe
137 N Elm St
Franklin Grove IL
~ 2p-2:30p = travel ~10 miles
Franklin Grove IL – Dixon IL
http://www.lincolnhighwayassoc.org/info/il/dixon_arch-LH.jpg
~ 2:30p-7:30p = travel ~180 miles
Dixon IL – Springfield IL (via IL RT 52 E …to… IL RT 30 E …to… I-39 S …to… RT 66, SW of Bloomington/Normal IL)
IL RT 66:
http://www.il66authority.com/
http://www.il66redcarpetcorridor.org/
~ 7:30p = dinner, TBD
Springfield IL
Meet up with the Ride For The Relay motorcycle tour:
http://www.ridefortherelay.com/
http://www.ridefortherelay.com/new_page_5%202008.htm
http://www.ridefortherelay.com/2009%20Trip%20Schedule.htm
~ 10p = overnight, TBD
Springfield IL
___ SUN 09.06.09 ___
~ 7a-9a = breakfast
(most-likely) Charlie Parker’s
700 N St
Springfield IL
http://www.charlieparkersdiner.net/
~ 9a-9:45a = travel ~20 miles
Springfield IL – Auburn IL
~ 10a-11a = visit
Becky’s Barn
Auburn IL
http://www.beckysbarn.com/
http://www.ratfinkgarage.com/
~ 11a-12:30p = travel ~40 miles
Auburn IL – Litchfield IL
~ 12:30-2:30p = lunch
The Ariston Cafe
Litchfield IL
http://www.ariston-cafe.com/
~ 2:30p-3:15p = travel ~20 miles
Litchfield IL – Staunton IL
~ 3:30-4:30p = visit
Henrys Ra66it Ranch
1107 Historic Rt 66
Staunton IL
http://www.henrysroute66.com/
~ 4:30p-6p = travel ~45 miles
Staunton IL – St Louis MO
MO RT 66:
http://www.missouri66.org/
~ 6p-7:30p = dinner …&… visit
Ted Drewes Frozen Custard
6726 Chippewa Ave
St Louis MO
http://www.teddrewes.com/Drewes.asp
Chain Of Rock s Bridge
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chain_of_Rocks_Bridge
~ 7:30p-9:45p = travel ~65 miles
St Louis MO – Stanton MO
~ 10p = overnight
Meramec Caverns, a Route 66 icon
Stanton MO
http://www.americascave.com/
___ MON 09.07.09 ___
~ 7a-9a = breakfast
Meramec Caverns Restaurant (or) Cracker Barrel
Stanton MO
~ 9a-9p = travel ~225 miles …&… lunch/dinner, TBD …&… visits
Stanton MO – Joplin MO
Trail of Tears
Jerome MO
http://www.legendsofamerica.com/MO-JeromeTears2.html
Devils Elbow MO
Paris Springs MO
~ 10p = overnight
(possibly) Riviera Roadside Motel
Joplin MO
Meet up with the Ride For The Relay motorcycle tour:
http://www.ridefortherelay.com/
http://www.ridefortherelay.com/new_page_5%202008.htm
http://www.ridefortherelay.com/2009%20Trip%20Schedule.htm
___ TUE 09.08.09 ___
~ 7:30a-9:30a = breakfast, TBD
Joplin MO
~ 9:30a-10a = travel ~10 miles
Joplin MO – Galena KS
~ 10a-11a = visit
4 Women On The Route, w/the inspiration for the “CARS” character “Tow Mater”
119 N Main
Galena KS
http://www.4womenontheroute.com/Home.html
~ 11a-1p = travel ~50 miles …&… visit
Galena KS – Afton OK
Cafe On The Route
1101 Military Ave/Rt 66
Baxter Springs KS
http://www.cafeontheroute.com/
~ 1p-4p = lunch (sandwiches) …&… visit w/Laurel & Ron “Tattoo Man”
Afton Station
Afton OK
http://postcardsfromtheroad.net/afton.shtml
~ 4p-7p = travel ~80 miles (w/Laurel from Afton Station) …&… visits
Afton OK – Tulsa OK
underground walkway
Chelsea OK
Blue Whale
Catoosa OK
http://www.oklahomaroute66.com/articles/catoosa.html
~ 7p-8:30p = dinner
Ollies Station Restaurant
4070 SW Blvd/Rt 66
Tulsa OK
http://www.olliesstation.com/
~ 9p = overnight, TBD
Tulsa OK
___ WED 09.09.09 ___
~ 7a-9a = breakfastSunrise Grill
7915 New Sapulpa Rd
Tulsa OK
~ 9a-noon = travel ~90 miles …&… visit
Tulsa OK – Arcadia OK
Rock Cafe, the owner of which inspired the “CARS” character “Sally”
114 W Main St/Rt 66
Stroud OK
http://blog.newsok.com/bamsblog/2009/05/28/rock-cafe-historic-route-66-landmark-to-reopen-in-stroud-oklahoma/
http://www.oklahomaroute66.com/preservation/rockcafe.html
~ noon-3p = lunch …&… visit
POPS
660 W Highway 66
Arcadia OK
http://www.pops66.com/
Round Barn
Arcadia OK
http://www.arcadiaroundbarn.org/
~ 3p-4p = travel ~25 miles
Arcadia OK – Oklahoma City OK
~ 4p-6p = dinner
(possibly) Country Line
1226 NE 63rd
Oklahoma City OK
http://www.countyline.com/
NOTE … this is where I met Dennis (ChevyTalk.org), who was taught by my grandfather:
http://www.chevyasylum.com/cort/1106/DSC07591r8_jpg.html
~ 6p-9p = travel ~85 miles
Oklahoma City OK – Clinton OK
~ 9p = overnight, TBD
Clinton OK
___ THU 09.10.09 ___
~ 7a-9a = breakfast, TBD
Clinton OK
~ 9a-10a = travel ~30 miles
Clinton OK – Elk City OK
~ 10a-noon = visit
National RT 66 Museum
Elk City OK
http://www.nationalroute66.com/
~ noon-2p = lunch
(possibly) Mazzio’s
Elk City OK
~ 2p-4:30p = travel ~55 miles …&… visit
Elk City OK – Shamrock TX
Sandhills Curiosity Shop
Erick OK
hint: search for “harley and annabelle” on YouTube
~ 4:30p-5p = visit
U Drop Inn, which inspired Romone’s auto painting shop in “CARS”
Shamrock TX
http://oldgas.com/info/towerconoco.html
~ 5p-6p = travel ~20 miles
Shamrock TX – McClean TX
~ 6p-6:30p = visit
Phillips 66 Service Station
McClean TX
http://www.texasescapes.com/TexasGasStations/Route66-Phillips66-Service-Station-McLean-Texas.htm
~ 6:30p-9p = travel ~75 miles …&… visits
McClean TX – Amarillo TX
Cross
Groom TX
Bug RanchConway TX
http://www.captiveimage.us/index.php/blogs/47-did-you-know-this/95-the-bug-ranch-in-conway-texas
~ 9p-10:30p = dinner
Big Texan Steak Ranch
Amarillo TX
http://www.bigtexan.com/
~ 11p = overnight, TBD
Amarillo TX
___ FRI 09.11.09 ___
~ 7:30a-9a = breakfast, TBD
Amarillo TX
~ 9a-noon [time change] = travel ~115 miles …&… visit
Amarillo TX – Tucumcari NM
Cadillac Ranch
Amarillo TX
http://www.roadsideamerica.com/story/2220
~ noon-2p = lunch, TBD …&… visit
Tucumcari NM
Blue Swallow Motel
815 E Rt 66 Blvd
Tucumcari NM
http://blueswallowmotel.com/
~ 2p-4p = travel ~60 miles
Tucumcari NM – Santa Rosa NM
~ 4p-6p = visit
Route 66 Auto Museum
2866 Will Rogers Ave/Rt 66
Santa Rosa NM
http://www.route66automuseum.com/
~ 6p-8p = dinner, TBD
Santa Rosa NM
~ 8p-10:30p = travel ~80 miles
Santa=2 0Rosa NM – Moriarty NM
~ 11p = overnight
(possibly) Sunset Motel
Moriarty NM
___ SAT 09.12.09 ___
~ 7:30a-9a = travel ~45 miles
Moriarty NM – Albuquerque NM
~ 9a-11a = brunch, TBD
Albuquerque NM
~ 11a-1p = travel ~60 miles
Albuquerque NM – Acomita NM
~ 1p-1:30p = visit
Acomita NM, the oldest continuously-inhabited community in America
~ 1:30p-4:30p = travel ~85 miles …&… visit
Acomita NM – Gallup NM
Continental Divide
~ 4:30p-6:30p = dinner, TBD
Gallup NM
~ 6:30p-9p [time change] = travel ~100 miles
Gallup NM to Holbrook AZ
~ 9p = overnight
Wigwam Motel
Holbrook AZ
http://www.galerie-kokopelli.com/wigwam/
Meet up with the Ride For The Relay motorcycle tour:
http://www.ridefortherelay.com/
http://www.ridefortherelay.com/new_page_5%202008.htm
http://www.ridefortherelay.com/2009%20Trip%20Schedule.htm