More signs

After yesterday's relighting of the Crestwood Bowl sign, it seems proper to post Mike Lewis' video salute to the many signs you see along Route 66: The Signs of Route 66 from Mike Lewis on Vimeo. Music is the Rolling Stones' version of the Bobby Troup classic, "Route 66."

Crestwood Bowl sign glows again

The recently restored Crestwood Bowl neon sign was relighted Saturday evening in a well-attended ceremony at the bowling facility, on the Watson Road alignment of Route 66 in the St. Louis suburb of Crestwood, Mo. Jim Thole, in a news release, noted the temperature coincidentally was 66 degrees when the switch was thrown on the … Continue reading Crestwood Bowl sign glows again

Blue Whale Blues

What did Jonah do to pass the time after he was swallowed by a whale? The written record says he did a lot of praying -- understandable, given the circumstances. But maybe he also did what Welsh music artist Jon Langford did -- play a song. In this case, Langford performs "Death to Moby Dick" … Continue reading Blue Whale Blues

The imminent loss of a Route 66 motel that isn’t

KOAM-TV reports that the 60-year-old Capri Motel -- known for its huge and distinctive neon sign -- on Route 66 in Joplin, Mo., has been sold, and its residents are being evicted by its new owners this week. One problem with the report -- research reveals that the Capri never was on Route 66. This … Continue reading The imminent loss of a Route 66 motel that isn’t

How “Route 66 American Icon” was published

Shannon Richardson explained the genesis and production of his self-published photography book, "Route 66 American Icon," during a seminar a few weeks ago at B&H Photo in New York City. The video is more than an hour, but prospective authors and photographers probably will find his experiences and advice helpful. https://youtu.be/CUiBO5YS7Dw "Route 66 American Icon" … Continue reading How “Route 66 American Icon” was published

Whistle while we work, work, work

Lest you think the Route 66 town of Seligman, Ariz. (population 456) is a sleepy little burg, check out this video from Historic Seligman Sundries. https://youtu.be/lYuPY8MEXTA Co-owner Frank Kocevar attributed the crowds to bus tours. Show them the clip the next time people say that Route 66 is an old, dead road.

International Route 66 Festival set for Aug. 2-4 in Joplin

Officials with the Joplin Convention and Visitors Bureau and the Route 66 Alliance on Tuesday announced that Joplin, Mo., will be the host city for the 2013 International Route 66 Festival on Aug. 2-4. Michael Wallis, co-founder of the Alliance and author of the best-selling "Route 66: The Mother Road," along with Alliance co-founder Rick … Continue reading International Route 66 Festival set for Aug. 2-4 in Joplin

A slightly different take by the Stones

Here's a version of Bobby Troup's "Route 66" by the Rolling Stones that I haven't heard before. It's similar to the one you've heard all these years, but you'll find subtle differences, especially in the guitar solo. The YouTube account, Rolling50Stones, that uploaded the video says it's from the band's debut album, "The Rolling Stones." … Continue reading A slightly different take by the Stones

First-timer breaks record at Mother Road Marathon

A first-time marathoner at Sunday's Mother Road Marathon not only won the race, but broke a course record in the process. Andrew Webb, 22, of Webb City, Mo., finished the 26.2-mile course on Route 66 from Commerce, Okla., to Joplin, Mo., in 2 hours, 46 minutes, 4 seconds, according the Joplin Globe. It broke the … Continue reading First-timer breaks record at Mother Road Marathon

Joplin likely will be host for 2013 Route 66 festival

A news conference is scheduled for Tuesday morning in Joplin, Mo., to announce the host city for the 2013 International Route 66 Festival, according to a press release on Monday. Michael Wallis and Rick Freeland, co-founders of the Route 66 Alliance; Tommy Pike, president of the Route 66 Association of Missouri; and Patrick Tuttle, of … Continue reading Joplin likely will be host for 2013 Route 66 festival