Posts Tagged ‘travel’

Buy-Way Scvenger Hunt winners get cool prizes

September 15, 2009

Mike Hocker, Executive Director of the Ohio Lincoln Highway Historic Byway, has announced the winners of the 2009 BUY-WAY Yard Sale Scavenger Hunt.

OH_09 BuyWay winners

Mike reports:

First place winner was the team of Chuck and Sue Peck and Sandy Smith of Helena, Ohio, near Fremont. They will receive “Fun Things to Do for a Year” along the Lincoln Highway, including an overnight stay at the exclusive Spread Eagle Tavern in Hanoverton, and the Rodeway Inn of Wooster. Marathon gas cards, tickets to the Canton Classic Car Museum, Ohio State Reformatory, a signed Lincoln Highway book by notable author Brian Butko, a DVD of the history of the road, free dinners at the Oak Park Tavern (an original Lincoln Highway one-stop of the 1930s) and the Das Dutch Kitchen, gift certificates for Lehman’s Hardware, J&M Trading Post, a subscription to AMERICAN ROAD Magazine, along with other items to round out the winning cache.

“We had so much fun,” said Sandy, reflecting on how everyone was so helpful with helping them find the items. “We were having a tough time finding an ice scraper, so a shopper grabbed one out of his truck and sold it to us!” “But the toughest item to find was a bow tie'” Sue’s husband, Chuck, said. We finally found one as we were about to give up the hunt. Now we are glad we held out for it.”

Second and third place winners receiving similar prize packets were Denise Laughery of Galion earning second place, and Sonia Childs of Mansfield; third place.

The idea was to find a dozen common place items on the official scavenger hunt list at yard sales across Ohio, document where they were bought, photograph them and email or mail the photo as an entry. Three winners were drawn from the qualified entries.

“We thank our supporting businesses who have donated these fun prizes. This not only gives a lucky winner lots of things to do for free, but helps bring more travel and tourism–and more knowledge of our road, the first coast-to-coast paved highway in the U.S.” Mike Hocker, OLHHC executive director said.”

The 2009 BUY-WAY had over 1,000 sales in Ohio alone. Photos of this year’s event can be seen online at www.historicbyway.com/. Next year’s yard sale dates are August 5, 6 and 7.

ABOVE: Sue Peck, friend Sandy Smith, and Chuck Peck were excited to tell fun stories about their Lincoln Highway BUY-WAY yard sale adventures, while collecting the scavenger hunt items, which earned them first place winners.

Niland’s Cafe in Colo, IA, closes — for now

September 14, 2009

Colo, Iowa, city clerk Scott Berka wrote to say the Colo Development Group has decided to close the much-loved Niland’s Cafe. Friday was its last day open.

IA_Colo_Butko_NilandCafe

Berka wrote, “We will still rent the motel rooms through the development group office (641) 377-2238. We are studying possible alternative uses for the cafe. One suggestion has been to make it available for meetings and special events. We would also be receptive to the right party leasing the facility and keeping it as a cafe.”

Virtual walk on the Lincoln Highway for charity

September 9, 2009

Walking Across America is “supporting education with a virtual walk from San Francisco to New York City” by following the Lincoln Highway. Check out the blog at lincolnhighway.wordpress.com starting with today’s “departure” from the Western Terminus marker.

LH_WalkAcrossAmericaBlog

The blogger, Kyla, is a copy editor from California’s Central Valley:

For a few months, I’ve been watching several of my friends and co-workers go out into the world, making a difference and having adventures at the same time. I’d love to join them, but at the moment I can’t afford any adventures. So I decided to make my own!

I’ve always wanted to walk across the United States, and with the Lincoln Highway going from San Francisco through my hometown, Galt, all the way to New York City, that seemed like the perfect route to start with. I’m not really going to be able to walk it, but I thought a “virtual” road trip would be almost as fun and just as educational!

What I’m going to do:
1. Walk at least seven miles a week (that’s a mile a day) and hopefully more (and maybe get a little fitter in the process).
2. Write a little about each “stop” on the highway as I reach it, and, if I can find people to help me out with this step, post photos.
3. Raise money to help kids in low-income schools learn about American history, geography and literature.

If you live along the route and want to send one or two photos of your town or the highway itself, I’d love to post them here (with credit, of course!). Just send them to kyla(dot)cathey(at)gmail.com.

And if you can find it in your heart to donate a few dollars to help buy books and supplies for low-income schools, I’ve started a challenge on DonorsChoose.org/.

Reporters follow Lincoln Highway eastward

September 2, 2009

From Oh My News comes a series of reports by David McLane documenting life in small towns along four major highways in the US. First was US 95 from Mexico to Canada, then south on US 395 from Canada near Laurier, Washington, then merging with I-15 near Hesperia, California (at one time it went all the way to Mexican border near San Diego and was called the “Three Flags Highway”). The third section of the journey is the Lincoln Highway, then wrapping up with US 60 starting at Virginia Beach.

CA_OhMyNews_Palace

To get to San Francisco, they went north through the central valley of California and Weedpatch, made famous by John Steinbeck’s “Grapes of Wrath.” This report ends when they reach “the Legion of Honor in Lincoln Park, the west end of the Lincoln Highway”:
english.ohmynews.com/.

Now they’re on their way driving eastward: english.ohmynews.com/. Click at the end of each article to see the two reports since this one. You’ll find some interesting observations about life along the road, and some cool photos too.

New SF travel column boosts Lincoln Highway

September 1, 2009

A new travel column at San Fransico’s examiner.com features the Lincoln Highway‘s Western Terminus marker and maps out a trip across California and Nevada.

CA_SF_Examiner travel

Marshalltown IA — Stone's Restaurant to reopen

August 26, 2009

A Lincoln Highway landmark closed the past two years is set to reopen. Eagle-eyed “Loungelistener” stopped on his cross-country LH trip to photograph the giant sign for Stone’s in Marshalltown, Iowa, and noticed activity at the closed restaurant. He took this photo and reported on his blog,

As I drove around under the viaduct, I could indeed see action at the restaurant. Workmen were busily scurring around, saws and hammers sounding out. There certainly was something going on.

IA_Gilmore_StonesMarshalltown

Indeed, the Marshalltown Times-Republican reports that new owner Steve Badger will reopen on September 1:

“It has been a challenge because starting a restaurant is a very complex process, but you hate to see something that’s been part of the community for so long disappear.”

An aroma of baked goods will add to vintage ambiance ranging from cinnamon rolls, pies and cornbread; edibles will include soups and salads, sandwiches, steaks, fresh fish and diet-conscious or vegetarian foods. A featured entree will be pan-fried chicken – cooked in cast iron skillets — served with fresh mashed potatoes and gravy.

“We’re trying to provide something for everybody,” Badger said. “It’s traditional Midwest cooking.”

And everything will be homemade…. On whether Stone’s will serve dishes reminiscent of menu favorites, Badger said one thing is certain.

“Yes, we’re going to have the pie,” he laughed. “But it might only be a half-mile high.”

Updated hours at Niland's Cafe in Colo, Iowa

August 17, 2009

At least three Lincoln Highway travelers have asked recently about the operating hours at the restored Niland’s Cafe in Colo, Iowa. I reported in my new Lincoln Highway Companion book that they were closed Monday — they are, and Tuesday too.

IA_Colo_Butko_NilandCafe
The cool cafe is open:

Wed thru Sat, 6:30 a.m – 8:00 p.m.

Sunday, 7:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.

Check www.colo-iowa.org for current hours by clicking the Reed/Niland Corner link at left, and then the cafe link. Don’t forget there are newly restored overnight rooms too.

Follow along on a new Lincoln Highway road trip

August 3, 2009

LoungelistenerBlog

Loungelistener, as 2-lane road traveler Gary is known on Flickr, is following the Lincoln Highway from Clinton, Iowa, to its western terminus in San Francisco, California. He and his wife are taking their little Kia Sportage, which they call the “Trucklet” since “it’s too big to be a car, but it’s too small to be a truck.” By now they’re hurtling towards their launch point:

Geez, so much to do in only a few days. Sunday evening is when we leave, powering across Michigan, Indiana, and Illinois in the dark, to arrive in the morning light on the Lincoln Hwy at the Iowa/Illinois border and start west. Sunday evening looms like an stampeding elephant.

Follow along at loungelistener.wordpress.com and see all his amazing roadside photos at www.flickr.com/.

Road food tips at Ride To Eat / LHC review

July 27, 2009

Lincoln Highway fan Steve Jones wrote me to mention a road food website that he manages: ridetoeat.com/. It lists nearly 1,000 eating places, some with descriptions. Steve explains below it’s not the same as a recommendation guide.

RideToEat

It’s not really about places to eat while on the road (that’s well-plowed ground) but more about places it is worth planning a trip around — even if it’s just a Sunday drive. It’s still a little rough, but I hope to grow it into a unique and valuable resource. The premise is motorcycle-related, but there is really nothing about the data that is bike-centric other than the tendency towards destinations that are on twisty roads.

Steve also posted the book review below to LDRider, an email list for members of the Iron Butt Assn. and other long-distance endurance motorcycle riding enthusiasts. Thanks Steve!!

Brian Butko, author of Greetings from the Lincoln Highway has a new book out called Lincoln Highway Companion.

Though its 192 pages are filled with great full-color photos on quality paper, this is no coffee table decoration designed to give you something to flip through during commercials.

It’s the ultimate detailed authority on the current and historical alignments of the Lincoln Highway, conveniently sized to fit in a tank bag or glove box (just over 8×5″).

Every mile of the Lincoln Highway is covered with detailed color-coded maps showing the following:
* Original 1913 alignments
* Intermediate alignments or sanctioned detours
* Final Alignments still in use by 1930
* Modern detours
* Gone or hard to reach
The map scale varies as needed to show meaningful detail, all the way down to 1 inch per mile.

It bursts with snippets of interesting things to see, lodging and great food along the route – but the maps are the star of the show.  It is obvious that a great deal of research went into this.

The author (with whom I have no affiliation) has put together a short video highlighting the features of the book: www.youtube.com/watch?v=D8liMtYjGK8

I originally bought it with the intention of putting together the “definitive” route for a Lincoln Highway Coast-to-Coast ride, but now I see there are too many variables and the decisions are just too subjective.  The good news is that it gives me everything I need to choose the route I find most interesting.

I am sure some here will enjoy it as much as I am.  It just came out and may not be widely available yet, but they have it in stock at Amazon: www.amazon.com/dp/0811735478

Three more blogs of Lincoln Highway adventures

July 22, 2009

Following up on last week’s Lincoln Highway adventures of Bill and Karen, another couple, Dave and Peg, are driving a 1929 Model A across the country. They picked up the Lincoln Highway west of Canton, Ohio, and are heading to California. (Note, they just detoured off the LH to see Mount Rushmore.) Follow along at model-a-adventure.blogspot.com/.

IA_DavePeg_Model A_Bridge Tama

Another couple, Kathie and Tony Mandra, have already reached the west coast but you can read of their trip, and side trips, at
lincolnhwy.blogspot.com/.

IA_Mandra_Woodbine Brick Station

And Chris Hutter is riding his 2006 Harley Davidson FLHR west from Pittsburgh. Follow him at hutmo.blogspot.com/.

IN_Goshen Hutter0328