Memorial Day tribute

Here is a list of military personnel from Route 66 towns who have died in Iraq and Afghanistan. I’ve also added informative links to each of the fallen, wherever possible. ILLINOIS Chicago Staff Sgt. Oscar D. Vargas-Medina, died May 1, 2004 1st Sgt. Edward Smith, died April 5, 2003 Sgt. Ivory L. Phipps, died March … Continue reading Memorial Day tribute

“Honkytonk Stomp”

You might see a familiar Route 66 landmark in the Texas Panhandle featured prominently in this Brooks & Dunn video. And, yes, that's Billy Gibbons of ZZ Top in the pool hall, and on guitar and guest vocals.

“Riding with Private Malone”

This song by David Ball is about a cool car and a departed soldier. It seems appropriate for Route 66 and the Memorial Day weekend.

Rugby player rolls down 66

If you see a big, scruffy-looking guy with a Triumph motorcycle and an English accent on the Mother Road, it just might be rugby star and World Cup winner Steve Thompson, according to the Daily Mail in London. The 31-year-old is tackling the fabled Route 66 on a Triumph motorbike which has been parked outside … Continue reading Rugby player rolls down 66

Rail Haven Motel listed to National Register

The Route 66 Rail Haven Motel of Springfield, Mo., now an independently owned part of the Best Western chain, was listed on the National Register of Historic Places effective May 10, according to an e-mail today from the National Park Service. The motel, at 210 S. Glenstone Ave., contains 93 rooms and has served travelers … Continue reading Rail Haven Motel listed to National Register

Drive-in theaters stage a small comeback

Julianne Glatz, writing for the Illinois Times and using the Route 66 Drive-In in Springfield as a focus, notes that drive-in theaters seems to have halted a long decline in popularity. But in the last decade, drive-ins have been making a comeback. Some old drive-ins have reopened, others have expanded and new ones are popping … Continue reading Drive-in theaters stage a small comeback

What’s next for closed Route 66 in McCook?

Berkeley (Ill.) Suburban Life published a follow-up story about the $40 million settlement between the Illinois Department of Transportation and Vulcan Materials over the closing of a one-mile stretch of Joliet Road (aka Route 66) in McCook. The state alleged that Vulcan, which operated two nearby quarry pits, dangerously destabilized the road by undermining it. … Continue reading What’s next for closed Route 66 in McCook?

Classic images

See scenes from Route 66 and images of classic vehicles during this video taken during an AIDS benefit at the original Barney's Beanery in West Hollywood, Calif.

Hiking for his fellow soldiers

Iraq War veteran Troy Yocum is hiking a small part of Route 66 during his cross-country quest to raise money for Soldiers’ Angels, a charity that provides financial aid to military families, according to the Bloomington (Ill.) Pantagraph. Yocum was hiking south and banging his drum on old Route 66 to Pontiac, Ill., on Monday, … Continue reading Hiking for his fellow soldiers

Put the lid back on!

Here's the latest video entry for "Route 66: A Road Trip through the Bible," from the Book of Zechariah. If a guy tells you that something's really bad, you'd better listen to him.