Bill Kinder, co-owner of the Blue Swallow Motel on Route 66 in Tucumcari, N.M., showed us new murals that recently were painted by a traveling artist. These murals are painted inside the garages that are next to the rooms. The murals really bring vibrant color in an unexpected place.
Category: Movies
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
Film footage of Route 66 from the 1950s
Here's a find: film footage of Route 66 during the 1950s. You'll see a lot of stuff that's changed or gone in those two minutes. It's owned by FootageWorld.com, which specializes in stock footage for license for telecasts, film and the like. More footage can be seen here (QuickTime is required to view). It's a … Continue reading Film footage of Route 66 from the 1950s
Adding ladies to the legend
The Tampa Tribune takes more of a feminist angle of Route 66 in leading off its story about 4 Women on the Route of Galena, Kan.: Think of Route 66 and several names come to mind: Bobby Troup, who wrote "Route 66"; John Steinbeck, who proclaimed it the Mother Road in "The Grapes of Wrath"; … Continue reading Adding ladies to the legend
“Wild Hogs” tour
If you liked the motorcycle road-trip comedy "Wild Hogs," the Examiner.com has a listings of where you can find the real-life places showed in the film, including spots on Route 66 in Albuquerque. All the downtown city shots were also filmed in Albuquerque, primarily along Central Avenue. The friendly biker bar is the Library Bar … Continue reading “Wild Hogs” tour
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”
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: “The Leisure Seeker”
He has Alzheimer's disease. She has a serious case of cancer and has stopped taking the treatments. He's driving the family's late-1970s RV. She's riding shotgun and popping pain pills. He's subject to outbursts of anger and confusion. She's cynical and wistful. The elderly couple is going down Route 66 for a final vacation together. … Continue reading Book review: “The Leisure Seeker”
Movie star becomes spokeswoman for World Monuments Fund
Actress Jeanne Tripplehorn has decided to be a spokeswoman for the World Monuments Fund, reports United Press International today. The WMF is an independent group dedicated to preserving the world's historic treasures. Route 66 was placed on the group's Watch List in 2008. Tripplehorn's involvement is good enough news. But there's this: "I am especially … Continue reading Movie star becomes spokeswoman for World Monuments Fund
Motorcycle museum vandalized
Route 66 Vintage Iron, based in downtown Miami, Okla., was vandalized early Saturday when someone tossed a sledgehammer through one of the museum's front plate glass windows, reported the Miami News Record. Nothing was stolen, but two of the vintage motorcycles were damaged by the flying glass. A surveillance video is being checked by police. … Continue reading Motorcycle museum vandalized