Today, I found this story by the Southtown Star in Chicago about Route 66 historian David Clark, aka Windy City Road Warrior, and his presentation last week at the Tinley Park Public Library. Clark makes this important observation, the point of which seems overlooked through the rest of the story: "We look at Route 66 … Continue reading Not just for reminiscing
Month: September 2008
Blazing trails
Mark Muckenfuss of the Press-Enterprise has an interesting story about the history of the wagon and American Indian trails through the Mojave Desert and mountains that led to what became the Los Angeles metro area. When Route 66 was commissioned in 1926, it closely followed the Santa Fe rails through the western cities that pop … Continue reading Blazing trails
Fresh tunes
The Four Freshmen perform Bobby Troup's "Route 66" with the Indianapolis Jazz Orchestra. Lots of good soloing here, and it swings like mad.
Cruising time
This weekend is Route 66 Days in Flagstaff, Ariz. As part of its preview, the Arizona Daily Sun has a story about John Fajardo and his impeccably preserved 1957 Ford Fairlane. The Fajardos have put more than 200,000 miles on it in 17 years, he said. "The motor in there is a 2004 Ford 302 … Continue reading Cruising time
Tucumcari video
Here's a video about the Route 66 town of Tucumcari that was produced by the New Mexico Tourism Department:
More on Obama’s stop on Route 66
Claire Messud of Newsweek spent a week with Barack Obama's presidential campaign a few weeks ago. Here's her take of when Obama made an unscheduled stop at Bell's Restaurant on Route 66 in Lebanon, Mo.: When Obama makes a truly unannounced stop at the Bell Restaurant in Lebanon, Mo., a small town in the Ozarks, … Continue reading More on Obama’s stop on Route 66
UPDATED: Negotiations on Red Cedar Inn end — for now
NOTE: Important update below. A local museum apparently won't be coming to the closed Red Cedar Inn restaurant in Pacific, Mo., because parties couldn't come to a purchase agreement, reports the Tri-County Journal. “Negotiations with the Smith family have ceased,” Adams said. “We could not come to an agreement on terms.” City officials began talks … Continue reading UPDATED: Negotiations on Red Cedar Inn end — for now
Photos from the Route 66 Music Tour
I've received photos of Joel Clemons and The Lemons, a funk-jazz group, from their current Route 66 Music Tour. And here's a video of a song from the band's performance in Tucumcari, N.M. They're at El Morro Theatre in Gallup, N.M., on Thursday night. For more on their Route 66 tour, go here. (Photos and … Continue reading Photos from the Route 66 Music Tour
New version of “EZ 66 Guide” is out
Route 66 artist and researcher Jerry McClanahan has just released a revised version of his acclaimed "EZ 66 Guide for Travelers," published by the National Historic Route 66 Federation. It's $15.95 in a handy spiral-bound form, with $4.95 priority shipping. McClanahan keyed me in about the book's revisions: Despite a change in cover color, it’s … Continue reading New version of “EZ 66 Guide” is out
Windmill blades back up on The Mill
Members of the Illinois Route 66 Association on Saturday put the recently restored windmill blades back on The Mill in Lincoln, according to the Lincoln Courier. The once-dilapidated Route 66 restaurant is in the middle of an ongoing restoration. Once finished, it will be a Route 66 visitors center. Here are some photos from Saturday, … Continue reading Windmill blades back up on The Mill