Scott Shakford, editor of the Desert Dispatch newspaper in Barstow, Calif., wrote an interesting editorial today about folks coming through town on cross-country Route 66 stunts and the newspaper's coverage of them (or lack thereof): We do interview some of them, if we think Barstow residents will find their stories interesting. [...] In our efforts, though, … Continue reading For noble reasons or narcissism?
Category: People
Sequel to CNG tour is planned
Mark McConville and Keith Barfield, the duo from Alabama who just finished a tour of Route 66 in a 1966 Pontiac GTO powered by compressed natural gas, is planning to do it again next year, reports the Birmingham News. This time, McConville and Barfield are hoping others who support their efforts to lessen America's dependence on … Continue reading Sequel to CNG tour is planned
Illinois Route 66 ambassador chosen
Freelance photographer Matthew Comer, 28, of Manchester, England, was picked as the United Kingdom's first Illinois Route 66 Ambassador from more than 100 candidates, according to a story today in This Is Lancashire. Following the nationwide search, Matthew has won the ultimate trip of a lifetime to Illinois where he will travel the iconic Route … Continue reading Illinois Route 66 ambassador chosen
Victorville museum volunteer marks milestone
The California Route 66 Museum in Victorville in a few months will mark its 15th anniversary, and longtime museum volunteer and officer Charlotte “Chick” Kirk recently celebrated her 80th birthday, reported the Victorville Daily Press. The story behind Kirk's involvement in the museum: The museum opened on Nov. 11, 1995. On that very day, Kirk … Continue reading Victorville museum volunteer marks milestone
Call of the whacky
This YouTube poster called "pappymeme," aka Mondo Man, checked out a few Route 66 sights in Arizona and California and let loose his trademark Tarzan yell. There's more where this came from at his YouTube account, but I like these best, especially the bemused look from Bottletree Ranch owner Elmer Long. Maybe it's because Elmer … Continue reading Call of the whacky
Follow her east
Claudia Heller, who's written a bunch of recent articles about Route 66 in California for the Pasadena Star-News, tucked into a report about Route 66 enthusiast Kim Anderson that she's about to write a series about the Mother Road during a trip from Needles, Calif., to Chicago. Considering Heller's well-researched previous stories, I'm looking forward … Continue reading Follow her east
Ultramarathoner takes a big challenge
Ultramarathoner John Radich is running down Route 66 for a Scientology-based charity, according to a story in the Redlands (Calif.) Daily Facts. Radich is taking the path of Route 66 from Santa Monica to Chicago, then heading east to the ocean in Atlantic City, N.J. If he's got the energy, he'll also run to New … Continue reading Ultramarathoner takes a big challenge
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
Longtime owner of White Fence Farm restaurant dies
Bob Hastert, the longtime owner of White Fence Farm restaurant just off Route 66 in Romeoville, Ill., died at age 73 on Wednesday, according to the Bolingbrook Sun. For much of his life, Hastert run the business that often served hundreds of customers its famous fried chicken at any one time on the weekends. In … Continue reading Longtime owner of White Fence Farm restaurant dies
Man seeks donations for Route 66 Mojave project
Kevin Wong, a photographer based in Joshua Tree, Calif., seeks to create a book about Route 66 in California's Mojave Desert, and is asking for donations to help get the project off the ground. Wong also runs a guided tour company called Mojave Desert Excursions. According to the project website: I am creating a book … Continue reading Man seeks donations for Route 66 Mojave project