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
Category: People
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
A Route 66 guide to the “Cars” movie
Updated June 17, 2018 If you just saw the "Cars" movie and want to find more information about Route 66, welcome. First, the Radiator Springs shown in "Cars" is a fictional town. Historic Route 66 exists. On the real Route 66, there is a Baxter Springs in Kansas and a Peach Springs in Arizona. But … Continue reading A Route 66 guide to the “Cars” movie
The father of Route 66
I found him. And appropriately enough, he's buried in a cemetery just yards from the Mother Road. The deceased person I'm referring to is Cyrus S. Avery. He's acknowledged as "the Father of Route 66." A Pennsylvania native, Avery moved to Oklahoma as a teenager. He became a successful businessman and grew especially involved with … Continue reading The father of Route 66
Buddies reunite on Route 66 on 6/6/06
It's kind of an odd story out of Springfield, Mo., but here it is, straight from the Associated Press. And, no, they're not devil worshippers, as one of the men is a preacher.
Photos from the Munger Moss Motel celebration
Pat Bremer of the Road Trip Memories site has links to a bunch of photos he took from the weekend 35th anniversary celebration of Bob and Ramona Lehman owning the historic Munger Moss Motel on Route 66 in Lebanon, Mo. Here's the photos links page. He says he'll post more from the event throughout the … Continue reading Photos from the Munger Moss Motel celebration
Oklahoma premiere of “Cars”
I attended the Oklahoma premiere of "Cars" on Saturday in Oklahoma City. It was a fundraiser for the Oklahoma Library Association's Endowment fund, and it was a big success. The massive big screen at Harkins Theatres in Bricktown was sold out. Simply put, "Cars" was magnificent. I'm not going to provide you too many details, … Continue reading Oklahoma premiere of “Cars”
“Cars'” spirit of Route 66
Joe Williams of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch has written a very good article about how Route 66 inspired much of the content of the "Cars" movie. Providing most of the context for the story is Route 66 author Michael Wallis. Highly recommended.
Pain Walker sends reports from the road
Dennis Kinch, the man who's walking Route 66 for the National Pain Foundation, has made it to Kingman, Ariz., after a few eventful weeks. He nearly bled to death from an ulcer near Sanders. He's OK now, but he won't be able to take ibuprofin for the rest of his walk. You can catch up … Continue reading Pain Walker sends reports from the road