Hello from England

Here are a couple of guys, one named Smudge, jamming to "Route 66" blues-style in front of a fireplace. Nicely done. 

Emory Duick update

Emory Duick, the 71-year-old man who is attempting to jog from Chicago to Santa Monica in an effort to get more of his fellow senior citizens to become physically active, has made it to Victorville, Calif., according to the Victorville Daily Press. He's less than 120 miles from his final destination. Duick hopes to make … Continue reading Emory Duick update

New artist takes inspiration from Mother Road

Joseph Squires is 72 years old, so it seems a bit incongruous to say he's new at anything. However, after his wife Carolyn died four years ago, Squires decided to paint scenes on Route 66 in Missouri, based on his memories of the historic road, according to the Cuba Mural blog. “My Rt. 66 series … Continue reading New artist takes inspiration from Mother Road

Mother Road Samaritan

In the wake of Route 66 artist Bob Waldmire's death, I received this e-mail from Route 66 Alliance co-director Michael Wallis that deserves some attention: When it comes to those who truly helped Bob Waldmire, his family, and the greater Mother Road community a true unsung hero is Tom Wanko. This native of St. Louis … Continue reading Mother Road Samaritan

New novel takes place on Route 66

Michael S. Anderson has published a novel that is partially based on his reminiscences of traveling the Mother Road five decades ago, according to the Quincy (Ill.) Herald-Whig. Driving cross country in a red convertible on Route 66 was an adventure for a young man in the late 1950s. Add a pretty girl, and themes … Continue reading New novel takes place on Route 66

Nominations sought for Illinois Route 66 Hall of Fame

The Route 66 Association of Illinois will begin to accept nominations for its Hall of Fame from Jan. 1 to Feb. 28, according to a news release by the association. To qualify, nominees must have made significant contributions to the character or history of the Illinois Route 66 while it was an official U.S. highway … Continue reading Nominations sought for Illinois Route 66 Hall of Fame

Route 66 kiosk signs in Arizona vandalized

Special Route 66 signs at a kiosk north of Golden Shores, Ariz., were vandalized and will cost $2,000 to replace, according to a report by the Associated Press. The interpretive signs at the kiosk were erected less than two years ago. The signs were damaged by gun blasts. The Bureau of Land Management is asking … Continue reading Route 66 kiosk signs in Arizona vandalized

Date set for tri-state marathon

The Tri-State Mother Road Marathon and Half-Marathon is scheduled for Oct. 10, 2010, reported the Joplin (Mo.) Independent on Wednesday. The 26.2-mile footrace will begin in North Miami, Okla., go east through all 13 miles of Route 66 in Kansas, and finish near Schifferdecker Park on the west edge of Joplin, race officials announced during … Continue reading Date set for tri-state marathon

For Bob

This U2 song, "Kite," has been echoing through my head since learning that Route 66 artist Bob Waldmire was terminally ill. A little background: This performance took place the same day of the funeral for the singer's father. Life should be fragrant Rooftop to the basement.

Bob Waldmire has died

Bob Waldmire, a beloved Route 66 artist and self-avowed hippie who also was the unofficial inspiration to Fillmore in the movie "Cars," died at 8:30 a.m. today, according to a news release from Michael Wallis, co-director of the Route 66 Alliance. Waldmire, 64, had been battling cancer. More on this is coming tonight, when I … Continue reading Bob Waldmire has died