This blog has officially moved to http://route66radio.net
The site and a new talk-radio show are in the works, with the show
scheduled to launch on 22 December. Older posts on here may or may not
be moved to the new blog. Make sure you visit the new site, and bookmark it,
everything will be taking off soon!
Due to lack of interest, this blog is out of service until further notice.
Well, kids…..I apologize for the lack of updates, but I finally have time to slow down, and get some new info on here for ya.
Roady’s Truckstop Somerset, PA: Just off the PA turnpike:
Ok….this is listed on the Roady’s site…however..what they don’t tell you, is that they been trying to get this place up to par, for about the last 3 years.
It turns out, everything was delayed, thanks to the city and county of Somerset…and the Turnpike Authority. All they have here for now, is 6 diesel pumps, and a dirt parking lot….oh…there’s a truck repair shop, too….but….no wifi…no restaurant…no showers.
Flying J Pontoon Beach, Illinois: Avoid this place…no place to even set-up your laptop, unless you go into Denny’s….and spend money.
Crystal Motel 5510 W. Skelly Dr. Tulsa, Ok
This place isn’t bad….the rooms are fairly clean…..the wifi connection is fast. The only thing I didn’t like about it, was getting charged an extra $5
for an early check-in. I drove all night from Johnstown, Pa to Tulsa with a load, and needed sleep. No parking for anything larger than a sprinter van, here.
Stay tuned to my blog for a new weekly podcast, which i’ll be starting production on really soon….i’ll be featuring some really coo music from progressive rock to electronic music, some really stupid news items…even some old fun music.
Here are some pics of a storm I ran into along US Hwy 36 near Marceline, MO on 05-04-2012.
Well…things have been pretty quiet for the last few weeks, but i’ll be posting some new road pics and motel reviews, soon….so check back for updates in the next few days.
Well…since my time on the road takes me all ofer the place, I discovered 2 more motels that are worthy of being on the Crappy Motel list.
Travelers Rest Motel: 1066 Forestdale Blvd, Birmingham, AL.
Ok….this place is old…I mean OLD. The rooms have old furnishings, old toilets, showers, walls, doors….even the TVs are old. Cigarette burns on the carpets, and unreliable (at best) wireless internet (courtesy of AT&T dsl). When I first called this place to see how much their rooms were, the lady that answered the phone (eastern indian) told me $35 plust tax. When I got here, the guy that checked me in told me $40 plus tax….not cool. It took forever to get connected online, thru their wifi connection…was disconnected numerous times, and had to fight with the damn thing to get back online…really not cool.. Luckily, there’s a gas station a few buildings west of there, that sells beer and cheap smokes….the beer helps ease the pain of the dumpy room…trust me. The whole building looks like it has seen better days….including the Pepsi machine. It’s best to avoid this one, if you can….but the chain motels were more expensive…which blows….keep looking.
Super 8 Motel: 2355 Hwy 80 W., Jackson, MS
The only good thing about this place, is the high-speed internet connection…downloaded a full 4+gb DVD on it, in about 40 minutes….the rooms are ok….a few dead roaches were spotted in my room…not too cool…they had a “continental breakfast” in the lobby, but….not touching it, if there are bugs running around. The only reason I went here, is because Motel 6 and Red Roof Inn didn’t have any single smoking rooms…and I wasn’t going to pay more for a bed I didn’t need. Overall, it was ok….but..only as a last resort.
Many apologies for the lack of posts, on here…things have been a bit hectic…and stressful, but I finally found some time to sit on my boney ass, and get caught up on things.
It’s time for more good places to get coffee, out on the road. After yet another trip from Michigan to south Texas…then to Dallas….then off to Del Rio, I had a hard time finding anyplace to get coffee at all. Well…I discovered a small place in Del Rio, Texas called River City Donuts and Coffee House at 500 Veterans Blvd (US Hwy 377/277/90). Not only do they serve-up free wifi, but they also serve-up some pretty good coffee. The staff is friendly, and the coffee is fresh. Back in the day, it used to be a Dunkin Donuts (Drunken Donuts)…and they don’t have any of that churched-up crap you find at Starschmucks…which is fine with me. I was told by one of the guys that works here, that people in Eagle Pass make the 50+ mile drive, just because it’s the closest coffee shop to them!
There’s a fair amount of parking, here…and you might be able to fit a straight truck in the lot, on a slow day.
Gorzugi’s: 2101 Dodson Ave. Del Rio, Tx:
This is probably one of the coolest bars i’ve ever been to. It’s located at an old driving range (read: flogging…ermm..golfing range). The only drawback to this place, is there’s no beer on tap….it’s all bottled beer at $2.50 a shot, for domestics. It’s pretty much all locals, that hang out here, with the exception of a few truckers and bikers, once in a while. The jukebox has some of the best classic rock ever found, including some old Genesis, Kansas, Pink Floyd, and Rush. The locals are friendly, the beer is cold…..can’t smoke inside, but there’s an outdoor bar so you can smoke, and still listen to the tunes. Great place to knock back some cold ones.
Stripes Convenience Store/Truckstop: Spur 239 Del Rio, Tx:
Don’t bother with this place, unless you’re just parking here for the night, and delivering in the morning. They have showers for $5, but they only provide towels…no washcloths. It’s not very clean, inside…neither are the showers. This place is also a zoo, in the mornings, too. The only advantage to parking here, is it’s the closest…and only place to park near 100 Jessica Ln…..which has freight forwarding warehouses, that some expediters are looking for…but won’t see on any maps…if you’re coming out of the front parking lot, go to the light (Garfield), hang a right….follow it until you see the fence (Mexican border). Turn right…go about a mile, or so….the road will bend to the right….the first street sign you will see reads Jessica Ln…it’s not really a street, it’s a driveway into the warehouses. Other than that, get out of Del Rio, when you deliver…nothing to see in town, except the two places I mentioned.
Mr. Cartender Travel Center: Eagle Pass, Tx. @ US Hwy 277/57 intersection:
This place used to be ok..not sure what happened to it, but it’s going down the toilet. I’m thinking this place has a problem with bugs. There were 2 dead beetles, and a live one, in the TV lounge…which makes me wonder where else inside they’re at…which is why I won’t eat any of the fresh food made here (it’s also overpriced). I don’t think they even know what real coffee is, either…looked like dark colored water, to me. Showers are $5, but you have to supply your own washcloth. The men’s restroom is nothing to write home about, either…there’s a small trash can in each stall…usually filled with toilet paper that has already been used for its intended purpose….not cool…..too bad the local health department doesn’t care about it. No wireless internet here (Mc Donald’s is about a mile away..though I was told there wasn’t one in town), and $5 for a parking pass, which has to be on your dash…there are signs all over the parking lot about the fee, but i’m not sure how many actually pay, or how much they can enforce it. Bottom line: don’t park or stop here, if you don’t have to. Laredo is approximately 150 miles from here…El Paso is almost 500…Houston…about 340…keep on truckin’…nothing to see, here.
