Volunteers repaint Paul Bunyan statue in Illinois

Volunteers from the Illinois Route 66 Association this weekend repainted the 19-foot-tall Paul Bunyan fiberglass statue on Route 66 in downtown Atlanta, Ill., reported the Bloomington Pantagraph. The newspaper reported that help came from Michigan and Iowa, as well as the Land of Lincoln. “I’m impressed by what people want to do to help,” said … Continue reading Volunteers repaint Paul Bunyan statue in Illinois

Media get a sneak preview of Cars Land

A small group of journalists toured Cars Land at Disney California Adventure before it officially opens on June 15. The Orange County Register was one of them. Cars Land is patterned after the fictional Route 66 town of Radiator Springs, as depicted in the Disney-Pixar animated films "Cars" and "Cars 2." According to the newspaper: … Continue reading Media get a sneak preview of Cars Land

Learning about Route 66 on a zip line

Here's a novel new way for tourists to learn about the Mother Road -- Pirate Cove Resort & Marina in Needles, Calif., soon will use zip lines to educate groups about the Colorado River and Route 66. According to news release: The adventures continue with a guided "Pirates Quest" zip line tour that will run … Continue reading Learning about Route 66 on a zip line

Sculpture will be installed at Tulsa’s Avery Plaza this summer

The much-delayed "East Meets West" sculpture will finally be installed later this summer at Cyrus Avery Centennial Plaza in Tulsa, reported the Tulsa World. The City Council heard an update this week on the $1.2 million Vision 2025 project, which likely will have its official unveiling in October after it arrives and is assembled, and … Continue reading Sculpture will be installed at Tulsa’s Avery Plaza this summer

Inside Ramone’s House of Body Art at Cars Land

The Disney Parks Blog posted this video of auto designer Chip Foose painting pinstripes on the interior of Ramone's House of Body Art. Foose acknowledges the influence of Route 66 in his designs: https://youtu.be/CW62cNbncNo Ramone's is part of Cars Land in Disney California Adventure park. (Check out the Cars Land site, while you're at it. … Continue reading Inside Ramone’s House of Body Art at Cars Land

Marriage at the Blue Whale

A couple got married Saturday at the Blue Whale in Catoosa, Okla. KOTV in Tulsa has the story from the Route 66 landmark: I've heard that a few couples have been married there, but this one was the most elaborate.

3-D mural coming to Red Corridor event in Pontiac

An artist won't add just another mural to downtown Pontiac, Ill., which boasts a plethora of them. Instead, airbrush master Tang Dongbai will paint a sidewalk mural that appears three-dimensional, reported the Pontiac Daily Leader. The newspaper explained: For those not familiar with 3-D sidewalk murals, Arbogast described the murals as art that will look … Continue reading 3-D mural coming to Red Corridor event in Pontiac

Miami seeing big boost in tourism-related revenue

The Joplin (Mo.) Globe today published a story about how towns in the region are preparing for Route 66 tourism season. One of the most striking parts of the story came out of Miami, Okla.: “We’re anticipating this to be a record travel season,” said Amanda Davis, director of the Miami (Okla.) Convention and Visitors … Continue reading Miami seeing big boost in tourism-related revenue

CBS News revisits Cadillac Ranch

Three weeks ago, I revisited a video in 1975 where CBS News correspondent Charles Kuralt investigated the Cadillac Ranch art installation, just off Route 66 near Amarillo, Texas. Here's that original Kuralt story. Cadillac Ranch was just a year old: Kuralt's story vaulted Cadillac Ranch into national prominence, and it's remained there since. Thirty-seven years … Continue reading CBS News revisits Cadillac Ranch

A Route 66 engagement

You have to like a couple that uses three Route 66 landmarks in Arcadia, Okla., as the backdrop of their engagement photos -- the Round Barn, Pops, and the closed Hillbillee's complex. https://vimeo.com/41088467 The video and photos are by Blue Elephant Photography. More about the photo shoot is here. And I know for a fact … Continue reading A Route 66 engagement