Disclosure: I'm not a big car nut. Sure, I learned during my years on the farm to change the oil, keep an eye on the gauges and how to use starter fluid into cold diesel engines. But if someone talked about a Gremlin, I'd relate to the little monsters in the Steven Spielberg film, not … Continue reading Book review: “The Big Book of Car Culture”
Category: Books
Michael Wallis news
I met up with author Michael Wallis and a few other longtime roadies for lunch Friday at Ollie's Station in Tulsa. Wallis had a few interesting announcements to make: His book "Billy the Kid: The Endless Ride" has been optioned for a film. It will star Haley Joel Osment, who is famed for his child … Continue reading Michael Wallis news
An obscure figure of the Bunion Derby
The Seattle Post-Intelligencer today published an excellent story about Ed Gardner, one of the runners in the 3,400-mile transcontinental footrace, famously called the Bunion Derby, that took place on Route 66. As many Route 66ers know, Oklahoma native Andy Payne won the race and its $25,000 prize. But few know of Gardner, who was one … Continue reading An obscure figure of the Bunion Derby
Book review: “Legendary Route 66”
There are certain authors who have such a good track record, you know their books are good even before you pick them up. Michael Karl Witzel is on that short list. He's written books about drive-in theaters, drive-in restaurants, gas stations, diners, Americana and barns. "Route 66 Remembered" remains a classic of the Mother Road … Continue reading Book review: “Legendary Route 66”
Book review: “Greetings from the Lincoln Highway”
When best-selling author Michael Wallis and award-winning photographer Michael Williamson were doing field research for their book, "The Lincoln Highway," they used Brian Butko's 2005 volume, "Greetings from the Lincoln Highway" ($29.95, Stackpole Books, 288 pages), as one of their key references. Butko even embarked a bit of a mirror book tour when Wallis and … Continue reading Book review: “Greetings from the Lincoln Highway”
A hidden gem
On an obscure 1926-38 alignment of Route 66 between Kellyville and Bristow, Okla., sits the remnants of old motor court. It's mentioned in Jim Ross' "Oklahoma Route 66" guidebook, but little else seems to be known about it. It's been closed for many years, but its seems the owner is doing a good enough job … Continue reading A hidden gem
Artist will have Route 66 artwork at El Reno
California artist Anthony Ross will have his artwork of Route 66 scenes on display from Sept. 20 to Nov. 1 at Redlands Community College in El Reno, Okla. Ross e-mailed me an image above of one of his mixed-media compositions -- a neon sign at the long-gone Coral Court Motel in St. Louis -- that … Continue reading Artist will have Route 66 artwork at El Reno
Book review: “Traveling the Historic Three”
Here's something for roadies: A guidebook for traveling not one, not two, but three historic highways, all in a compact loop. Illinois Route 66 preservationists John and Lenore Weiss recently published the "Traveling the Historic Three" (self-published, 74 pages, $9.95), which is a guidebook to Route 66, the Lincoln Highway and the Dixie Highway in … Continue reading Book review: “Traveling the Historic Three”
A special birthday celebration
The Bartlett-Carnegie Sapulpa Public Library in Sapulpa, Okla., is marking its 90th birthday on Sept. 15, and to begin the festivities that day will be Route 66 author Michael Wallis, reports the Sapulpa Daily Herald. Wallis will sign books and answer questions from the public from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. in John Frank Hall … Continue reading A special birthday celebration
“On the Road” again
On the 50th anniversary of the publication of Jack Kerouac's "On the Road," longtime roadie Dave Hoekstra of the Chicago Sun-Times takes a look at "On the Road: The Original Scroll," which contains the original text Kerouac typed during a caffeine-fueled marathon session. The never-before-published scroll anchors the second half of the book in one … Continue reading “On the Road” again