"Billy Connolly's Route 66" was a highly rated, four-episode television program that aired on ITV1 in the United Kingdom this fall. It earned a lot of praise from roadies who saw it, and its popularity very likely will spur a new wave of Britons traveling Route 66 in 2012. This entertaining but flawed book of … Continue reading Book review: “Billy Connolly’s Route 66”
Category: Books
A closer look at Amboy
This sprawling video by Carlos Garcia Aceves is about the Route 66 town of Amboy, Calif.; Juan Pollo restaurant chain proprietor and Amboy owner Albert Okura, and the Roy's sign in Amboy. https://youtu.be/Nb8UHIohI2g Good nuggets about the history of Amboy are found in the first eight minutes. The middle part is an interview with Okura. … Continue reading A closer look at Amboy
Book review: “Route 66 Sightings”
The first time I leafed through the new photography book "Route 66 Sightings," I encountered one large image that stopped me in my tracks: It was Dawn Welch, owner of the Rock Cafe of Stroud, Okla., standing amid the ruins of her Route 66 restaurant after a fire gutted it in 2008. Her hands are … Continue reading Book review: “Route 66 Sightings”
Coming attractions
This novel won't be in stores until April 1, but its publisher already is promoting it -- and using YouTube to do so: https://youtu.be/vVT8B96Zmx0 A summary of the book: Within the course of a week, marriage expert Natalie Marino is dumped by her husband, receives an urgent call home from her father, and discovers her … Continue reading Coming attractions
Route 66’s starting point
WBBM Channel 2 in Chicago aired this segment Friday about Route 66's eastern starting point, featuring author and tour guide David Clark, aka Windy City Road Warrior. https://youtu.be/oucCSyrgW8Q Information about Clark's walking and driving tours are found here. You can shop for his books here. My favorite of the lot is "Exploring Route 66 in … Continue reading Route 66’s starting point
Route 66 photo book will debut at POPS next month
"Route 66 Sightings," a new photo book by Jim Ross, Shellee Graham, and Jerry McClanahan, will make its debut from noon to 3 p.m. Oct. 29 at POPS in Arcadia, Okla. Ross said in an email: The book is now in production, and we received our two advance copies yesterday. The quality and the overall … Continue reading Route 66 photo book will debut at POPS next month
Notes from the road
I've got a few short items that I need to pass along. One is that the 100th Meridian Museum in Erick, Okla., received a new paint job a few weeks ago. The museum can be seen pre-face-lift here. Locals told us it was repainted by Jimmy Webb -- a local painter, not the famous songwriter who … Continue reading Notes from the road
Food magazine devotes entire issue to Route 66
Popular Plates magazine is devoting its current issue to food and restaurants along Route 66. This particular magazine boasts the added cachet of employing Michael and Jane Stern, authors of the popular "Roadfood" book and website, as the editors. The magazine is 96 pages and costs $9.99. It will be on sale at bookstores and … Continue reading Food magazine devotes entire issue to Route 66
Book review: “The Road to Somewhere”
This is a story about being a man in America. More specifically, it's about me being a man in America. Or trying. With those opening words by James A. Reeves begins a most unusual memoir. The sprawling "The Road to Somewhere" (412 pages, $25 retail price, softcover, W.W. Norton) is part autobiography, part travelogue, part … Continue reading Book review: “The Road to Somewhere”
Wagon Wheel Motel gives more details on anniversary gala
Connie Echols, owner of the historic Wagon Wheel Motel on Route 66 in Cuba, Mo., has provided more details on its 75th anniversary celebration set for Aug. 20-21. From the news release: Now Echols is ready to celebrate the history of the Wagon Wheel with an Open House and Celebration with a 1930s Bonnie and … Continue reading Wagon Wheel Motel gives more details on anniversary gala