Notes from the road

The historic railroad depot at Braidwood, Ill., was moved a couple of weeks ago. A local grocery store wanted the land near Route 66 for parking. The grocery donated the depot to the city as long as it was moved. The Morris Daily Herald has a story about the move, and the Braidwood Area Historical … Continue reading Notes from the road

“Coyotes”

This is cowboy singer Don Edwards, performing his song "Coyotes." The tune gained considerable attention when it was used in the Werner Herzog film "Grizzly Man." I found "Coyotes" to be an appropriate soundtrack to the desert Southwest of Route 66 country.

Scenes from the Rendezvous

Here is a slide show of the many great rides seen at the annual Route 66 Rendezvous in San Bernardino, Calif. Rockabilly music is by Three Bad Jacks. This year's Rendezvous, the 20th, will be Sept. 17-20.

Santa Monica Pier swing

The Santa Monica Pier, the symbolic western end of Route 66, will hold concerts July 23 to pay tribute to its former La Monica Ballroom and celebrate the pier's centennial, according to a news release. La Monica Ballroom hosted ballroom dances from 1924 to 1961, when it closed. Entertainers at the July 23 show will … Continue reading Santa Monica Pier swing

Tribute to a king

Emily read this Tulsa World article after Michael Jackson's death on Friday. The key passage: Hours after learning of Jackson's death, Paul Yeakey, a Tulsa artist, spray-painted a mural of Jackson on a wall outside a liquor store at 9347 E. 11th St. Eleventh Street in Tulsa is Route 66. She went to the Mad … Continue reading Tribute to a king

“East St. Louis Blues”

Here's an interesting slide show of the Route 66 town of East St. Louis, Ill. It captures the city's decay and glimpses of its long-ago glory fairly well. Music is by Eddie Fisher & The Next 100 Years, from an album recorded in St. Louis in 1971 and produced by St. Louis music legend Oliver … Continue reading “East St. Louis Blues”