Author: Ron Warnick

I'm the editor and publisher of Route 66 News, a clearinghouse of events, information, and entertainment pertaining to historic U.S. 66, the Mother Road.

Notes from the road

Megan Carter e-mailed a few days ago to report that she's suspending her quest to ride a part of Route 66 on horseback until spring, simply because winter will inevitably set in. However, it's too bad she didn't continue her riding for another week or two; the weather in the Midwest has been incredibly nice … Continue reading Notes from the road

“The Road Song”

Here's a haunting song by Mel Shaker, who is photographed by Edward Mance among the ruins of abandoned properties along Route 66. An index of more of Mance's photos of Shaker along Route 66 can be seen here. The photos reportedly will be part of a book titled "Route 66 Abandoned."

Classic Arizona diners

The Arizona Republic published a listing of the state's favorite comfort-food diners. Of the six listed, three are on Route 66 -- the Galaxy Diner in Flagstaff, Mr. D'z in Kingman and Goldie's Route 66 Diner in Williams.

A visit with Bob

Longtime roadie and Chicago Sun-Times columnist Dave Hoesktra this week visited with Bob Waldmire as the terminally ill Route 66 artist hunkered down in a converted school bus near his hometown of Springfield, Ill. Waldmire talks about his favorite Route 66 things (one is in Oklahoma) and about cremation arrangements after he dies (half his … Continue reading A visit with Bob

The lost “Route 66” episode

WGRZ-TV in Buffalo, N.Y., has the fascinating story about a 1963 episode of the "Route 66" television series that was shot in nearby Niagara Falls, edited and ready to go. But CBS never aired it. Here's what happened ... In October 1963, the cast and crew of the CBS drama Route 66 came to Niagara … Continue reading The lost “Route 66” episode

More about Santa Monica’s role on Route 66

Dan Rice, proprietor of the 66 to Cali apparel shack at the Santa Monica Pier, sent a fascinating e-mail today that gives some historical background behind the upcoming dedication of a new "End of the Trail" Route 66 sign at the pier next week. The gist of it is that Route 66's original western terminus … Continue reading More about Santa Monica’s role on Route 66

Albuquerque motel in sad shape

This report from KOB-TV in Albuquerque tells the sad tale of the Sundowner Motor Hotel, years ago once one of the best motels on Route 66 in the city. The prognosis seems fairly grim. The owner has 60 days to bring it back up to code.

“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