Uranus Missouri lights up its new, Route 66-themed neon wall

The principals of Uranus Missouri near St. Robert, Missouri, presided over a lighting ceremony Saturday night at the complex’s new, Route 66-themed neon wall. Here’s a photo of the animated neon on a 20-by-55-foot wall that features a rocket ship, Cadillac Ranch, Blue Swallow Motel, Wigwam Motel, Roy’s of Amboy, Blue Whale of Catoosa, Ted … Continue reading Uranus Missouri lights up its new, Route 66-themed neon wall

Woman worked for two Route 66 icons in Arizona

Here’s an obituary you don’t read every day — an Arizona woman who died earlier this month worked not for one, but two bona fide Route 66 icons during her lifetime. Dorthy “Dottie” Ann Hatch Hansen, 83, of St. Johns, Arizona, died Oct. 19. She was born in Pinedale, Arizona, but spent most of her … Continue reading Woman worked for two Route 66 icons in Arizona

Book review: “The American Dream?: A Journey on Route 66”

Shin Yin Khor’s graphic memoir “The American Dream?: A Journey on Route 66” turns out to be an unusual travelogue. Not only is it created by a comic artist, but it comes from the perspective of a young American from the so-called Left Coast who was born in another country. Subtitled “Discovering Dinosaur Statues, Muffler … Continue reading Book review: “The American Dream?: A Journey on Route 66”

Bob Dylan adds more Route 66 images to his paintings

World-famous songwriter and Nobel Prize laureate Bob Dylan three years ago painted a series of images that included more than a half-dozen images from Route 66 as part of his “The Beaten Path” series. The number of images from the Mother Road has increased. The Blue Swallow Motel in Tucumcari, New Mexico, posted this image … Continue reading Bob Dylan adds more Route 66 images to his paintings

Book review: “Pop 66”

“Pop 66,” a collection of Wes Pope’s black-and-white pinhole-camera images taken over a 20-year period on Route 66, contains plenty of intrigue. But it’s Pope’s text that elevates the book (hardcover, 115 pages, Press Syndication Group) into part travelogue, part family history.and part biography. Subtitled “A Dreamy Pop Can Odyssey Along Route 66,” part of the … Continue reading Book review: “Pop 66”

Deep background on the Wigwam Motel in Holbrook

The Arizona Republic newspaper recently published several articles about the Wigwam Motel in Holbrook, Arizona, and revealed details about the Route 66 landmark even longtime roadies may not know. It’s worth reading the articles in full, starting here. But a few things stood out, plus a couple of observations from me: — The motel closed … Continue reading Deep background on the Wigwam Motel in Holbrook

Website of panoramic Route 66 images is updated

About a decade ago, David Schaubert embarked on long Route 66 trips and used his hobby of panoramic photography to document many places along the Mother Road. Those photos were posted on his website, 6t6kix.com. In recent days, Schaubert updated the format of the images so they could be accessible to view to almost everyone … Continue reading Website of panoramic Route 66 images is updated

Adam the Woo travels Route 66

Popular video blogger Adam the Woo and colleague Jacob the Carpetbagger recently completed a west-to-east trip on Route 66. Adam uploaded a dozen videos from his journey, totaling more than 2 1/2 hours of footage from the Mother Road. Video blogs are a dime a dozen on YouTube, but Adam logs tens of thousands of … Continue reading Adam the Woo travels Route 66

“Cars” movie marks its 10th anniversary

Today marks 10 years since the release of the Disney-Pixar animated film “Cars” that sparked a wave of new travelers on Route 66. The “Cars” movie grossed more than $460 million in worldwide box office receipts during the summer of 2006, with almost as much money from the international market as domestic. “Cars” has generated more than … Continue reading “Cars” movie marks its 10th anniversary

“American Indians and Route 66” guide published

A 68-page “American Indians and Route 66” guide for tourists recently was published, along with its companion website. “American Indians and Route 66” is a partnership between the American Indian Alaska Native Tourism Association and the Route 66 Corridor Preservation Program, which awarded a cost-share grant for the publication. Lisa Hicks Snell, a member of the … Continue reading “American Indians and Route 66” guide published