Podcasts to Help you Plan

Podcasts are topic specific talk shows that anyone can download for free from places like iTunes,  or Podcastalley.com. Basically you download these shows to your iPod or MP3 player, and you can listen to them any time. The best part is unlike a normal talk show radio station you can pick shows that are on subjects that interest you. 

Sadly at this time there is no dedicated Route 66 podcasts. But there are a few that touch on 66. The best one I can suggest is a video podcast series produced for the making of the first Cars movie. The podcast chronicals a trip the movies producers and animators took down Route 66 to inspire the movie, and give it an authentic feel. Just look for the Cars: Video Podcast on iTunes. 

I have actually come across a few that you as my readers may find helpful in family packing and planning your trips. You can find them in iTunes or at the links below. 

This blog link below is for a site called the  Domestic CEO

http://www.quickanddirtytips.com/house-home/organization/how-pack-traveling-kids

I this particular blog and accompanying website, the host Amanda Thomas gives some great tips on getting your family packed for a trip. Ultimately you have to pack in a way that works best for you and your family, but I think you will find her tips useful. 

Another great podcast is from the guys at Road Trip Radio. The episodes are filled with great tips, little side trip ideas, and a lot of usable and sometimes comical information. Just as a warning though the comedy bits at the end are always incredibly corny. 

http://www.blogtalkradio.com/roadtripradio

Route 66 Kids Picks - #1 The Blue Whale of Catoosa

A kids opinion - James 10 years old

"I really like the Blue Whale it reminded me of the story of Jonah and the Whale, and getting swallowed up by the whale. I also thought it was really cool that it use to be a waterpark, I wish it still was. I also liked climbing around too, the holes on top are really neat to look out of"

As you can tell my son loves the Blue Whale. It feeds kids imaginations in many different ways, in everything from pretending to be in Jonah and the Whale, to trying to imagine what this place was like as a fully functioning watermark in the 70's and 80's. It's a great break off of 66, and lets everyone take a respite from the travel and have some fun too. By the way there is a geocache here too, if you want to make to most of your stop. 

Follow a later 4 lane section of Route 66 between Claremore, and the urban sprall of Tulsa to an interesting site near the town of Catoosa. Here you will find hidden on a picturesque pond, and behind some trees from 66, the famous (To Route 66 travelers) Blue Whale of Catoosa. 

Unlike a lot of other sites on 66 the Blue Whale is a new comer, built in 1972 after 66's heyday but before its decommissioning. But the Blue Whale is as big a part of Route 66 as the Wigwam Motel, or Gemini Giant. The Blue Whale was built by hand on the property of former owner Hugh Davis, who came upon the idea through divine inspiration, and we glad that happened. 

Eventually the Whale became the center of a small waterpark, and many reminders of it are still there till this day. Although it was primitive by today's wave pool, 200 foot drop water slide comparison, many residents of Catoosa, Tulsa, and other towns nearby remember the fun they use to have there many a summers day. 

Visit this link to Tulsa Channel 9 News to see a story about the Whale in its heyday and its current restoration http://m.news9.com/story.aspx?story=15393789&catId=112032

The site closed in 1988 after the owners health deteriorated. Shortly after the Blue Whale began to fall into disrepair, until 1997 when Catoosa, and Route 66 enthusiasts started a restoration effort that has restored the Blue Whale "Ol' Blue" to is former glory. 

I hope someday that the bring this place back to being a waterpark and/or add even more kid friendly attractions like a playground. 

Family Friendly Prices for a Chicago Visit

I just wanted to share this article with you all especially those coming to Chicago to visit for a while before moving down Route 66.

The article "20 Things to do in Chicago for $20 or Less" from Digital Journal gives some great tips for having fun herd in Chicago without blowing all your vacation money. The items the list are also family friendly.

http://www.digitaljournal.com/article/355099#ixzz2acb2Uoof

I would like to thank my friends at the Willis Tower Skydeck (mentioned in the article) for passing this along.

International Route 66 Travelers Unite

Hello my fellow Americans and International audience. I just thought I would like to give a shout out to any international readers planning on traveling Route 66 with their families.

Being a long time Route 66 traveler, and enthusiast I know Route 66 has a huge international appeal, and why not there is nothing in the world like it. There is one thing that bothers me though and that is as I travel the route I notice that we have very few international travelers with their families. I see groups of adult men and women on motorcycles, some renting classic cars, or new one, even international travelers biking or hiking old 66. It seems families are few and far between though. 

So my International audience let me know what the story is. We really want you to bring your kids because there is so much a family can enjoy together.

Stay tune to my blog for more!!!

Route 66 Kids Picks #4 – Cadillac Ranch, Amarillo, TX

A Kids Opinion – James 9 Years Old

 

“I saw cars sticking out of the ground and it made me think of the mountains in the movie Cars. It looked like they where painted like a rainbow, then we got up close and they where all painted with bright colors and had words painted on them. I could see it was the back of cars, and they even had the tires on them, and you could even spin them. My Mom and Dad, let me paint the cars on a few spots too, I put my initials. There where cows there too, mooing at us that was funny. I didn’t think it would be fun, but it was and it was really cool”

 

 

 

Speaking relatively the Cadillac Ranch is on the Western outskirts of Amarillo about 3 miles out, but that changes as Amarillo expands and the “sculpture” moves out of its path as it has before. The ranch consist of 10 1949-1963 Cadillac’s with the front ends buried in the ground so the fins (back ends) face out on an angle. Every year the Cadillac’s are spray painted black so to act as a clean slate for another year of artistic, and tourist markings. The Cadillac’s have even been painted pink in October for Breast Cancer Awareness month on occasion as well.

 

The Ranch is located on the south side of I-40, which through many parts of Texas, is old 66. It sits out in the middle of a pasture, and as James says cows are sometimes there but they keep there distance, beware of cow pies though. Get off at exit 60 to access the Cadillac Ranch, and park beside the frontage road. Just enter the gate and walk a little ways beyond and your there. To heighten the experience though you may want to pick up some spray paint, don’t worry there is a Home Depot a little East of here that can hook you up and they are use to helping us crazy tourist go mark up the “Caddies”

 

Sorry there is no website for the Cadillac Ranch, but its pretty much always wide open to visit. Below is the website for Amarillo’s Visitors Bureau, which may help you plan your trip to Cadillac Ranch. 

 

http://visitamarillotx.com/

 

 

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