I overlooked this story a few weeks ago, but the neon Route 66 sign at Cyrus Avery Centennial Plaza in Tulsa was damaged by a thief or vandal. The sign has been taken down for repairs and will be re-erected when it's completed. --- Season 3 of the original "Route 66" television series will be … Continue reading Notes from the road
Category: Movies
Roy Rogers’ old ranch is up for sale
Movie star and singer Roy Rogers' old Double R Bar Ranch off old Route 66 in Oro Grande, Calif., is on the block, according to RIS Media. It can be yours for $12.5 million. From the news release: Roy Rogers owned the ranch up to his death on July 6, 1998. Shortly thereafter, Roy Rogers … Continue reading Roy Rogers’ old ranch is up for sale
More information released about Cars Land
The Los Angeles Times today has a story about a $1 billion renovation of Disney's California Adventure at the Disneyland resort. The story also has a few more details about Cars Land, the theme park based on Pixar's hit 2006 movie, "Cars." The most anticipated addition to the park is a 12-acre Cars Land that … Continue reading More information released about Cars Land
Notes from the road
Actor Paul Newman, who voiced Doc Hudson in the 2006 Disney-Pixar movie "Cars," died over the weekend. I wanted to contact Route 66 author Michael Wallis, who played the Sheriff and served as a technical adviser in the film, about it but was out of town. Wallis confirmed to me Tuesday that he indeed had … Continue reading Notes from the road
A hike up Tucumcari Mountain
Tucumcari Mountain, near Tucumcari, N.M., has long been one of the Mother Road's most-recognized natural landmarks. It was first mentioned in journals in the 1700s, and can be seen for miles from Route 66 and Interstate 40. For the weary traveler looking forward to a night's sleep in Tucumcari, the sight of the mountain has … Continue reading A hike up Tucumcari Mountain
Paul Newman, R.I.P
Here's a startling fact about actor Paul Newman, who died Friday of cancer at the age of 83. "Cars," the hit Disney-Pixar animated film in 2006 that helped spur new interest in Route 66, wound up being Newman's last acting film role. Not long after that film's release (plus a "Cars" short titled "Mater and … Continue reading Paul Newman, R.I.P
“Cars 2” moves up release date
IGN.com reported today from the Walt Disney Studios Showcase that "Cars 2," the sequel to the Disney/Pixar hit movie "Cars," will likely be released earlier than originally thought: Among these in-development projects is Cars 2, which Pixar will now rush to complete in time for a 2011 (rather than a previously announced 2012) release date. … Continue reading “Cars 2” moves up release date
Governor pledges more projects for Tucumcari
The city of Tucumcari made a strong bid but failed last month to gain a license for a casino and horse-racing track. But apparently the effort has created some positive side effects. Local officials who made a bid for the "racino" license met with Gov. Bill Richardson, and he pledged to bring future economic development … Continue reading Governor pledges more projects for Tucumcari
Branding of Kingman — a response
On Tuesday, I linked to a story in the Kingman (Ariz.) Daily Miner, in which a city councilwoman questioned whether there is enough interest in Route 66 by young parents and their children to use the Mother Road for tourism purposes. I responded that the dynamic has changed since the release of the Disney/Pixar "Cars" … Continue reading Branding of Kingman — a response
Jerry Reed, R.I.P.
Jerry Reed, the so-called "Alabama Wild Man" who found success as a recording artist, session guitarist and actor, died of emphysema on Sunday night, reports The Tennesseean in Nashville. He's best-known for "Amos Moses" and "When You're Hot, You're Hot," both of which were in the early 1970s and went to the Top 10 of … Continue reading Jerry Reed, R.I.P.