This video shows how Disney engineers (they're called Imagineers) traveled Route 66 to research and figure out the right look for a life-size fictional town of Radiator Springs for Cars Land at Disneyland California Adventure. https://youtu.be/dKYi8gbbIn0 Route 66 author and "Cars" actor Michael Wallis led the trip about five years ago. My story about that … Continue reading Where Cars Land got its inspiration
Category: Attractions
Santa returns to Catsup Bottle after a long hiatus
A decorative Santa Claus figure on the lower structure of the historic World's Largest Catsup Bottle in Collinsville, Ill., has returned after a more than a 10-year hiatus, according to a news release from the landmark's preservation group. From the news release: The 12-foot-tall, 400-pound Santa figure is wrapped in lights and colorful garland and … Continue reading Santa returns to Catsup Bottle after a long hiatus
Santa Monica Pier considers designs to replace its aging bridge
The city of Santa Monica, Calif., is mulling over several designs to replace its 1939 bridge that links the mainland to the Santa Monica Pier, according to a report in The Malibu Times. The city had discussed replacing the bridge in the 1990s. But the passage of time and an upcoming light-rail line that … Continue reading Santa Monica Pier considers designs to replace its aging bridge
Joplin likely will acquire minor-league baseball team
The City of Joplin, Mo., is moving swiftly to accept a proposal to renovate historic Joe Becker Stadium and land a minor-league team from El Paso, Texas, as its new tenant, reported the Joplin Globe. The council voted to have the city staff write a formal agreement defining the terms of a deal toward relocating … Continue reading Joplin likely will acquire minor-league baseball team
Cars Land decked out for Christmas
Cars Land at Disney's California Adventure Park gets all decorated for Christmas each year. Here's a video of what it looks like strolling down Radiator Springs' version of Route 66: https://youtu.be/qTXpUCrHaCk
Team wants Joplin to improve historic baseball stadium
The El Paso Diablos baseball team wants to move to Joplin, Mo., but wants the city to improve Joe Becker Stadium in return. The Diablos, affiliated with the American Association of Independent Professional Baseball and owned by WLD Suarez Baseball, were so successful in El Paso, Texas, that a professional team moved a Class AAA affiliate … Continue reading Team wants Joplin to improve historic baseball stadium
“American Giants,” Episode 7
Here is the seventh episode of Joel Baker's "American Giants" series, about the history of Muffler Men fiberglass figures. https://youtu.be/M5fjDMRg8kI This episode, based in the Chicago area, delves into the difficulty of finding the history and spare parts for Muffler Men.
New Route 66 mural added in Flagstaff
A new Route 66-themed mural recently was added to the side of the Lumberyard Brewery in downtown Flagstaff, Ariz., according to The Lumberjack student newspaper of Northern Arizona University. R. E. Wall and Margaret Dewar of Mural Mice Universal created the mural. The two started on the project in May. The project was conceived by … Continue reading New Route 66 mural added in Flagstaff
Dinosaur moves to Grand Canyon Caverns
A 40-foot-long dinosaur statue evicted from a Southern California neighborhood because of zoning issues has landed in its new home at Grand Canyon Caverns near Peach Springs, Ariz. Longtime roadie Jim Conkle sent me these photos of the life-size apatosaurus that Grand Canyon Caverns recently installed on its grounds. A formal ceremony to dedicate the dinosaur will … Continue reading Dinosaur moves to Grand Canyon Caverns
Look out for those baby rattlers!
This video was shot at the Jackrabbit Trading Post in Jackrabbit, Ariz. -- probably best known for its "Here It Is!" billboard. View it if you dare: https://youtu.be/qSv7gGb40MI The video's creator, Ace Jackalope, has a very good photo-heavy blog here, with lots of road-trip stuff. His YouTube channel also contains a lot of neon signs … Continue reading Look out for those baby rattlers!