Route 66 enthusiast and author Joe Sonderman said he recently acquired a DVD from an Albuquerque man of home-movie footage during a Route 66 trip in 1953 from Chicago to Los Angeles. As Sonderman said on his Facebook account about the footage: "The Youtube quality doesn't do it justice and it could stand some editing. … Continue reading Route 66 nearly 60 years ago
Category: Movies
For sale, piece by piece
This video clip from the 2006 documentary "Route 66 by Bicycle: Pedaling the Mother Road" tells about a fascinating section of abandoned Route 66 near Arcadia, Okla., that's been put up for sale -- in 1-foot sections for $66 apiece. Better yet, the cyclists actually got to travel down the old road a bit. The … Continue reading For sale, piece by piece
Notes from the road
Roadies who've explored Route 66 in Clinton, Okla., may remember the 15-foot-tall fiberglass American Indian mascot, aka Muffler Man, who graced the front of David Howe Motors for years. The Howe Indian disappeared after a recent ownership change. But we're pleased to report the mascot has turned up at Indian Trading Post and Art near … Continue reading Notes from the road
A pit stop for foreign travelers
The Santa Barbara (Calif.) Independent posted a story about the Bagdad Cafe along Route 66 in Newberry Springs, Calif. I knew that the little restaurant has become a big draw from foreign travelers, but this is astounding: “We had 13 tour buses here one day last week and five buses yesterday,” owner Andree (She’s also … Continue reading A pit stop for foreign travelers
At the drive-in
Joe Williams of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch makes an enjoyable trip up Route 66 to the Skyview Drive-In in Litchfield, Ill., to see the the Steve McQueen classic film, "Bullitt." Apparently Williams owns a 1966 Plymouth Fury. Good for him.
Trailer for “Route 66: Ten Years Later”
Here's the clip, posted today, of the trailer for the Jim Luning and Tim Steil documentary, "Route 66: Ten Years Later." Steil and Luning joined forces in 1999 to write a book, "Route 66." In 2009, they decided to revisit those places on the Mother Road. More clips from the video shoot can be seen … Continue reading Trailer for “Route 66: Ten Years Later”
Behind the scenes of the Route 66 Bible series
Regardless of whether you love or loathe the "Route 66: A Road Trip through the Bible," you'll probably find this video interesting. It's a behind-the-scenes look on how segments are filmed. This one in particular is for the Book of Malachi. And here is the finished product: Since His Place Community Church has finished the … Continue reading Behind the scenes of the Route 66 Bible series
Notes from the road
(Editor's note: This is my Catch Up from the Memorial Day Holiday Edition.) Actor and director Dennis Hopper died over the weekend after a long bout with prostate cancer. He was 74. A memorial service and burial was held Wednesday at a church in his beloved Taos, N.M., where he lived for years. Although a … Continue reading Notes from the road
Wagon Wheel Motel reopens to travelers
The Wagon Wheel Motel in Cuba, Mo., will partially reopen to travelers this weekend, then will have a full opening the following weekend, according to its owner. This comes after months of renovations on the historic Route 66 property. Owner Connie Echols, who bought the motel in fall 2009, said three rooms will be available … Continue reading Wagon Wheel Motel reopens to travelers
Drive-in theaters stage a small comeback
Julianne Glatz, writing for the Illinois Times and using the Route 66 Drive-In in Springfield as a focus, notes that drive-in theaters seems to have halted a long decline in popularity. But in the last decade, drive-ins have been making a comeback. Some old drive-ins have reopened, others have expanded and new ones are popping … Continue reading Drive-in theaters stage a small comeback