Bob Waldmire spotted at Tucumcari festival

Since roving Route 66 artist Bob Waldmire is a Luddite in terms of the Internet and cell phones, it's hard to figure out where he is at times. This often leads to "Where's Waldmire?" questions when Mother Road fans talk among themselves. Well, this weekend Waldmire is in Tucumcari, N.M., for the Route 66 festival … Continue reading Bob Waldmire spotted at Tucumcari festival

Rick and Jane reach the end

Rick and Jane McKinney, the evangelical couple that walked about 1,500 miles on Route 66 during their cross-country Walk to Reclaim America, came to the end of their trek in Washington, D.C. They were greeted by about 30 people, mostly friends and family. They wore out 20 pairs of shoes during their walk. Here is … Continue reading Rick and Jane reach the end

Rick and Jane near the end of their walk

Rick and Jane McKinney, the evangelical couple who traversed part of Route 66 in their Walk to Reclaim America, are near the end of their journey. They have just two miles left before they stroll into Washington, D.C., and they're going to finish on Independence Day. And it sounds like Rick is eager to do … Continue reading Rick and Jane near the end of their walk

Pain Walker is near the end

The San Bernardino County Sun ran into Dennis Kinch, who is approaching the terminus of his walk on Route 66 for the National Pain Foundation. He has about 65 miles to go; he's scheduled to reach Santa Monica Pier on July 14.

Pain Walker update

Well, it looks like he's going to make it. Dennis Kinch, the man who's walking Route 66 for the National Pain Foundation, has made it through the intense heat of the Mojave Desert and now is in Barstow, Calif. He's walked about 2,100 miles so far and has fewer than 150 to go. He's scheduled … Continue reading Pain Walker update

Tour de Route 66

Here's an item from lifestyles columnist Alan Peppard of the Dallas Morning News: For former Grand Prix of Dallas executive director Buddy Boren, the 1994 discovery of 30 tumors in his body was the crucible that moved him from the speedway to the slow lane. Since 2000, he has been making long-distance bicycle rides to … Continue reading Tour de Route 66

Another roadie gets attention for “Cars”

The Casper (Wyo.) Star-Tribune interviewed Becky Ransom of the Big Texan Steak Ranch in Amarillo about her role in meeting the Pixar crew during its research for its "Cars" movie and her attendance at the world premiere in North Carolina last month. Ransom is a native of the Jackson Hole area.

“Cars” director John Lasseter wins Will Rogers Award

John Lasseter, director of Disney-Pixar's summer blockbuster movie "Cars," was given the highest honor at the Will Rogers Awards Evening on Friday in Albuquerque, capping an emotional event that marked the 80th anniversary of historic Route 66. Lasseter was unable to receive the Will Rogers Award because he was on an overdue vacation in Europe. … Continue reading “Cars” director John Lasseter wins Will Rogers Award

Ace Jackalope meets “Mater” inspiration

  Ace Jackalope of The Lope blog went back to see "Cars" again at the 66 Drive-In in Carthage, Mo., and ran into Dean Walker of Kansas, who's one of the inspirations for Mater the tow truck. I previously didn't have a photo of Walker turning his feet backwards. Now I do, thanks to Ace.

Pixar’s Route 66 inspirations

Those who stick around to read the end credits to "Cars" will notice that Pixar included a thank-you list to people who inspired and gave them hospitality during their research trip down the Mother Road several years ago. I e-mailed Pixar for that list, as I thought it would be of considerable interest to the … Continue reading Pixar’s Route 66 inspirations