One year ago today, Disney-Pixar released a new animated movie, "Cars." The movie starred Paul Newman, Owen Wilson, Larry the Cable Guy, Bonnie Hunt, George Carlin and Cheech Marin. The film had another star that wasn't listed on marquees, but loomed large -- Route 66. The film grossed $460 million worldwide, won two Golden Globes … Continue reading It was one year ago today …
Category: Books
Don’t worry about the roadkill
The Reuters wire service reports about the Roadkill Cafe on Route 66 in Seligman, Ariz. Just in case there's any confusion, the restaurant's motto of "you kill it, we grill it" and entrees such as "Rack of Raccoon," "Rigor Mortis Tortise" and "Long Gone Fawn" are done with tongue firmly planted in cheek. Like many … Continue reading Don’t worry about the roadkill
Book review: “Route 66 to Mojave”
There's one vital thing that Route 66 aficionados need to know about Marilyn Andersen Brown's family memoir, "Route 66 to Mojave" (iUniverse, 278 pages, $20.95). Very little of the book takes place on Route 66. Mojave is a town that's not even on the Mother Road, about 70 miles west of Barstow, Calif. The chapter … Continue reading Book review: “Route 66 to Mojave”
Hillbilly sign returns at Mule Trading Post
The Mule Trading Post near Rolla, Mo., blessed by energetic new owners, tracked down an old hillbilly sign that once graced the Hillbilly Store and brought it back from the dead, reports the Rolla Daily News. The hillbilly sign now stands in front of a new tobacco barn they opened Memorial Day weekend, just next … Continue reading Hillbilly sign returns at Mule Trading Post
Wayside Motel
Last weekend, on the way back to Tulsa from Illinois, I stayed overnight in the Wayside Motel at 7800 Watson Road (Route 66) in the St. Louis suburb of Marlborough, Mo. (map is here.) According to the late Skip Curtis' well-researched book, "The Missouri Route 66 Tour Book," the Wayside was built in 1940. It's … Continue reading Wayside Motel
Dust Bowl aria
"The Grapes of Wrath" was an acclaimed novel by John Steinbeck. Then it became an acclaimed movie, starring a young Henry Fonda. It later became an acclaimed, Tony-winning play on Broadway. Now, "The Grapes of Wrath" as an opera? It's appears so. The Salt Lake Tribune in Salt Lake City reports that the story of … Continue reading Dust Bowl aria
Longtime roadie Skip Curtis dies
C.H. "Skip" Curtis, a longtime historian and booster of Route 66 in Missouri, died Saturday night at his home in Springfield, Mo., reports Tommy Pike, president of the Route 66 Association of Missouri. I don't have any funeral arrangements yet. I'll pass them along and other details as I get them. Curtis was a contributing … Continue reading Longtime roadie Skip Curtis dies
Battle of the “route 66” TV series books
The acclaimed "route 66" television series has been off the air for more than 40 years. Suddenly, within weeks of each other, two books have been released on the CBS-TV drama about Buzz and Tod driving across the country in a Corvette, looking for adventure. The first book out is Robin Fletcher's "The Route 66 … Continue reading Battle of the “route 66” TV series books
Book review: “Billy the Kid: The Endless Ride”
When Michael Wallis informed us that he was writing a book about Wild West outlaw Billy the Kid, we hoped that Wallis would separate the reality from the myth in Billy the Kid's story. It wouldn't be an easy task. Since his death at age 21 to a bullet from Pat Garrett's gun in 1881, … Continue reading Book review: “Billy the Kid: The Endless Ride”
Booze and book tours don’t mix
I don't care how good this guy's math is -- this is a bad idea. Sy Nazif, author of "Never Mind the Track," plans for a month-long ride from Los Angeles to Chicago along old Route 66, and continuing on to New York City promoting his book. In the spirit of the novel, which features … Continue reading Booze and book tours don’t mix