This remarkable 26-minute documentary, "Route 66, The Main Street of America," from 1988 offers glimpses of the Mother Road from nearly a quarter-century ago. It's dubbed in Dutch, but don't let that stop you from watching. The interviewees all speak English, after all. The film is even more notable because it has footage of Gladys … Continue reading Route 66, circa 1988
Category: Road trips
Blue Whale Blues
What did Jonah do to pass the time after he was swallowed by a whale? The written record says he did a lot of praying -- understandable, given the circumstances. But maybe he also did what Welsh music artist Jon Langford did -- play a song. In this case, Langford performs "Death to Moby Dick" … Continue reading Blue Whale Blues
Book review: “Route 66: The People, The Places, The Dream”
Reading "Route 66: The People, The Places, The Dream" (paperback, self-published, 260 pages, $34.95) is like listening to two New Jersey chums talking about their first trip on the Mother Road in a vintage Cadillac. Plenty of Route 66 travelogues delve into the road's rich history and context (Rick Antonson's "Route 66 Still Kicks" is … Continue reading Book review: “Route 66: The People, The Places, The Dream”
Cadillac guys turn Route 66 journey into a book
Sal Santoro and Bob Walton drove a 1968 Cadillac the length of Route 66 about three years ago. Their experiences during their 7,300-mile trip were parlayed into a book, "Route 66: The People, The Places, The Dream." This is a video about the book's authors: https://youtu.be/diGQV5ESTiA My review of their book will be posted in … Continue reading Cadillac guys turn Route 66 journey into a book
A word from our sponsor …
This video advertisement for Europe-based Route 66 Experience motorcycle tours is about as enticing as you can get: https://youtu.be/htdQeAxAfHQ The song is "The Seeker", originally by The Who and covered by Rush.
Tour group partners with movie studio for “Easy Rider” tours
EagleRider, a motorcycle rental and tour firm, has joined with Sony Pictures to lead clients next year on the exact course that Captain America and Billy took in the 1969 hit film "Easy Rider," according to a news release. The company has teamed up with Sony Pictures and Easy Rider movie experts to offer a two-week motorcycle … Continue reading Tour group partners with movie studio for “Easy Rider” tours
Illinois governor touts Route 66 as tourism destination for Brazilians
On Monday, Illinois Gov. Pat Quinn extolled his state, including its section of Route 66, as a tourism destination during a trade mission to Sao Paulo, Brazil. According to a news release, Quinn said: “Illinois offers Brazilians an authentic American experience. Whether it is the world-class culture and scenic lakefront in Chicago, the history of … Continue reading Illinois governor touts Route 66 as tourism destination for Brazilians
British cyclists want to do Route 66 in one week
Ten cyclists from Great Britain want to set a world record by pedaling all 2,448 miles of Route 66 in just seven days, according to the St. Albans Review. The cyclists will embark on the relay effort sometime next year, said the newspaper, to raise money for Help for Heroes and the Willow Foundation. The … Continue reading British cyclists want to do Route 66 in one week
Route 66, 20 years ago
Wayne Freedman, a reporter for KGO-TV in San Francisco, on Wednesday tweeted about these two videos from 1992 about Route 66. The first video prominently features Angel "The Angel of Route 66" Delgadillo. https://youtu.be/IJF_wFgqX8M The second video from the same time period spotlights the Wigwam Motel in Holbrook, Ariz. https://youtu.be/7wbkgcUHFOM Remember, these videos were shot … Continue reading Route 66, 20 years ago
Mitt’s missed opportunity?
A top strategist for Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney proposed a Route 66 tour as a part of the campaign, according to a report today by Politico. The long story takes the angle that strategist Stuart Stevens will likely be the fall guy if Romney loses the election in November. Buried in Politico's report is … Continue reading Mitt’s missed opportunity?