“End of Trail” sign to be unveiled at Santa Monica Pier

Santa Monica Pier, the symbolic western terminus of Route 66, will be unveiling an "End of Trail" sign at 9:30 a.m. Wednesday, according to Jim Conkle of the Route 66 Alliance. Across from the sign will the the 66 to Cali kiosk run by Dan Rice, who sells American-made apparel with a Route 66 theme. … Continue reading “End of Trail” sign to be unveiled at Santa Monica Pier

Bob Waldmire update

Today's Chicago Tribune published a story about Route 66 hippie-artist Bob Waldmire and what he's doing now after he was diagnosed with terminal cancer. Although virtually everyone in the Route 66 community is saddened by Waldmire's illness, this quote from him does my heart good: "Even if I died 10 years ago, I can't imagine … Continue reading Bob Waldmire update

Cadillac Ranch makes list of top 10 wackiest attractions

The folks at TripAdvisor.com put together its list of the top 10 wackiest attractions in the United States. At No. 3 was Cadillac Ranch, a long-standing attraction near Amarillo, Texas: Cars sprouting from the earth apparently get high scores on the bizarro meter. Ten graffiti-covered Cadillacs look like they’re drilling for oil, with their noses … Continue reading Cadillac Ranch makes list of top 10 wackiest attractions

Route 66 town gets White House recognition

The village of Plainfield, Ill., received a recognition from first lady Michelle Obama that it was designated a Preserve America Community, according to the Joliet Herald News. According to the article: The Preserve America designation is based on a community's efforts to promote heritage tourism, to protect its heritage resources and to protect and recognize … Continue reading Route 66 town gets White House recognition

Mr. D’z, Snow Cap among Arizona’s top diners, drive-ins

Mr. D'z Route 66 Diner of Kingman and the Snow Cap Drive-In in Seligman were named among the top 12 diners and drive-in restaurants in Arizona by Arizona Highways magazine, reported the Kingman Daily Miner. As you can see from the November issue's table of contents, although the magazine ranked Mr. D'z higher at No. … Continue reading Mr. D’z, Snow Cap among Arizona’s top diners, drive-ins

Bob Waldmire’s last art show

I received a forwarded e-mail Sunday afternoon titled "Bob Waldmire's Last Art Show." I made a cursory glance at the text on my iTouch and was unable to see the artwork that was attached. I thought: "The title of that show's a bit presumptuous. I know Bob's been diagnosed with terminal cancer, but recoveries from … Continue reading Bob Waldmire’s last art show

State fair victory spices up Gallup business

The Gallup (N.M.) Independent reports that business has boomed at Badlands Burgers of Grants, N.M., since the Route 66 restaurant won the Governor's Green Chile Cheeseburger Challenge at the New Mexico State Fair in September. On a recent Monday the parking lot was packed, and the line to order a now-famous burger was pushing the … Continue reading State fair victory spices up Gallup business

Wayne the Train

Here's Wayne "The Train" Hancock doing a Western swing version of Bobby Troup's most famous song "Route 66." The gig was at the famous Lee's Liquor Lounge in Minneapolis two days ago. An avowed road warrior, Hancock performs this song a lot.