Returning to the scene of the crime

The Santa Fe New Mexican newspaper relayed this story about Hubert Denk, a German journalist who was traveling Route 66 on assignment in 1994 when he was attacked by a group of thugs in Santa Fe who robbed him and broke his kneecap. Last week, Denk decided to return to the exact spot -- on East Alameda Street … Continue reading Returning to the scene of the crime

Route 66 Walk of Fame nominees announced

One of the events on tap for the Route 66 International Festival in Kingman, Arizona, on Aug. 14-17 is the dedication of the Route 66 Walk of Fame along Andy Devine Avenue (aka Route 66). This week, the Kingman Area Chamber of Commerce announced the nominees for the Walk of Fame of individuals "who transformed … Continue reading Route 66 Walk of Fame nominees announced

Stanley Marsh 3, patriarch of Cadillac Ranch, dies

Stanley Marsh 3, the eccentric multimillionaire owner of the Cadillac Ranch art installation off Route 66 on the west edge of Amarillo, Texas, died Tuesday afternoon at age 76, according to several media outlets. Marsh had been in poor health in recent years after a series of strokes. Recent photographs and video showed a frail … Continue reading Stanley Marsh 3, patriarch of Cadillac Ranch, dies

A chat with Rich Dinkela

KC Keefer, the guy behind the ongoing Genuine Route 66 Life video series, produced a new clip about "Roamin' Rich" Dinkela. The interview occurred at the closed MacArthur Bridge in St. Louis. https://youtu.be/6nKAsjC2kJg For a seven-minute clip, it nicely encompasses Dinkela's approach and his many activities on the Mother Road. You can follow Dinkela at … Continue reading A chat with Rich Dinkela

A chat with Laurel Kane at Afton Station

KC Keefer continues his Genuine Route 66 Life video series with an interview with Laurel Kane, co-owner of Afton Station in Afton, Oklahoma. Afton Station, a former gas station on Route 66 in town, was converted into a display area for a Packards collection and as a visitors center for Route 66 travelers. https://youtu.be/B3NpM-BRY9k Kane … Continue reading A chat with Laurel Kane at Afton Station

Woman eats two Big Texan 72-ounce steaks in less than 15 minutes

Holy cow. A woman from Nebraska devoured two of the Big Texan Steak Ranch's trademark 72-ounce steak dinners in less than 15 minutes Monday, reported the Amarillo Globe-News, and set an apparent record in the process. Molly Schuyler of Bellevue, Nebraska, reportedly polished off the first meal in less than five minutes. If the timing … Continue reading Woman eats two Big Texan 72-ounce steaks in less than 15 minutes

Artist dedicates Gay Parita painting at its namesake

Artist Jerry McClanahan on Saturday unveiled a newly commissioned painting of Gary Turner's Gay Parita gas station on Route 66 west of Halltown, Missouri, at the station itself. A recent news release explained how the painting came to be: On June 6 of 2013, Curtis Gobeli, celebrating having turned 66 years of age with a dream … Continue reading Artist dedicates Gay Parita painting at its namesake

Second-grader takes a cruise of Route 66 in Kansas

But the girl in Galena, Kansas, wasn't doing it for mischievous reasons. KOAM-TV in Pittsburg, Kansas, has the story: KOAM TV 7

The darker side of Route 66

The Autry Museum in Los Angeles recently uploaded a few more videos of interviews with longtime residents of Route 66. The museum is preparing for its "Route 66: The Road and the Romance" exhibit that starts June 8. But there's nothing particularly romantic about these clips. As a good museum should, these delve into the … Continue reading The darker side of Route 66

Wigwam Motel owner: Route 66 needs a younger, more diverse crowd

The Los Angeles Times this week posted an interesting feature about Wigwam Motel operator Kumar Patel, who is trying to attract a younger and more diverse group of customers to ensure Route 66's survival. Route 66's future demographic problems are self-evident: about 97 percent of its travelers are white, with a median age of 55. … Continue reading Wigwam Motel owner: Route 66 needs a younger, more diverse crowd