Scout, a beloved female rat terrier that had accompanied Redforkhippie and me on several trips on Route 66 and other highways, died Friday at age 10 after a months-long bout with cancer. Her tribute to Scout is a slide show here, along with a blog post. Scout inspired a Web site, Kids on 66, with … Continue reading Scout, R.I.P.
Category: Books
Smithsonian takes a dour look at the Mother Road
Megan Gambino in the March issue of Smithsonian magazine takes a somewhat dour look at the Mother Road. Here's an excerpt: Writing about the Joad family's journey from the Dust Bowl of Oklahoma to the promised land of California in The Grapes of Wrath, John Steinbeck famously called Route 66 the "mother road." But today … Continue reading Smithsonian takes a dour look at the Mother Road
Lonely Planet to issue new guidebooks
The Lonely Planet, long respected in the travel industry, is launching a new series of guidebooks next month called "Trips." And one of them includes Route 66 as an itinerary, according to the Associated Press. The first six titles in the series are "California," "Pacific Northwest," "Arizona, New Mexico & the Grand Canyon," "New York, … Continue reading Lonely Planet to issue new guidebooks
Director lined up for film version of “The Leisure Seeker”
That didn't take long. Less than a month after Michael Zadoorian's Route 66 road-trip book, "The Leisure Seeker," was published, the Hollywood Reporter says that Jens Jonsson has been enlisted to write and direct the film version for Sharp Independent. The film is expected to follow in the footsteps of a number of recent hits … Continue reading Director lined up for film version of “The Leisure Seeker”
Cookbook author gives her Tulsa-area food choices
In the Tulsa World's Spot entertainment section, Marian Clark, author of several Route 66-themed cookbooks, gives her favorite Mother Road-related restaurants in the area. Her favorites on Route 66 in Tulsa are Ollie's Station, Billy Ray's Bar-B-Q & Catfish, El Rancho Grande and Molly's Landing. She also mentioned Weber's, which isn't on Route 66 in … Continue reading Cookbook author gives her Tulsa-area food choices
Jamie Jensen to publish Route 66 guidebook
Jamie Jensen, the author of several well-regarded road-trip guidebooks including "Road Trip USA," is set to publish a new volume devoted exclusively to Route 66. "Road Trip USA Route 66" is slated to come out in April. It's 100 pages, sells for the budget price of $9.95, and is being published by Avalon Travel. Here's … Continue reading Jamie Jensen to publish Route 66 guidebook
Follies performer makes record book
Dorothy Dale Kloss, 85, a performer with the Fabulous Palm Springs Follies during its season-long musical salute to Route 66 in "Get Your Kicks," was recently confirmed by the 2009 Guinness Book of World Records as the "world's oldest still-performing showgirl." According to the Follies: She has been tap dancing on the Follies' stage for … Continue reading Follies performer makes record book
A chat with Michael Zadoorian
Because of Michael Zadoorian, historic Route 66 may have not one, but two opportunities for high-profile publicity. Zadoorian's novel "The Leisure Seeker" was published last week. The story of an ailing elderly couple from Detroit driving down Route 66 for a final vacation together (review here) is entertaining and poignant enough that one could easily … Continue reading A chat with Michael Zadoorian
Book review: “Drive the Broadway of America”
It's not about Route 66. It's not a book in the traditional sense. But Jeff Jensen's "Drive the Broadway of America" (self-published, 223 pages, $30, including shipping) should greatly please Route 66ers and entice roadies to new two-lane adventures. Jensen's book, subtitled "The U.S. 80 and the Bankhead Highways Across the American Southwest," is the … Continue reading Book review: “Drive the Broadway of America”
Rock ‘n’ roll landmarks on Route 66
I just finished Chris Epting's 2007 book, "Led Zeppelin Crashed Here," subtitled "The Rock and Roll Landmarks of North America." It's the most comprehensive book I've read that lists famous rock history sites, venues of noteworthy concerts, where rock musicians died, their burial sites, locations of famous album covers, and rock-inspired museums. Epting's book will … Continue reading Rock ‘n’ roll landmarks on Route 66