Virtual road trip

The Desert Dispatch in Barstow, Calif., published a good article about the Cal State-Heyward students who developed a multimedia Route 66 experience. As their masters thesis in multimedia design, the students have outfitted a 1969 Volkswagen Beetle that can take whoever sits in the driver’s seat to any spot on historic Route 66 via video … Continue reading Virtual road trip

CNG journey to Route 66 began today

The fellows who aim to drive all of Route 66 from Santa Monica to Chicago in a 1966 Pontiac GTO and Ford Fusion powered only by compressed natural gas started their journey to the West Coast today, reported the Birmingham (Ala.) News. Mark McConville and Keith Barfield will stop at CNG stations where they're available … Continue reading CNG journey to Route 66 began today

Trailer for “Route 66: Ten Years Later”

Here's the clip, posted today, of the trailer for the Jim Luning and Tim Steil documentary, "Route 66: Ten Years Later." Steil and Luning joined forces in 1999 to write a book, "Route 66." In 2009, they decided to revisit those places on the Mother Road. More clips from the video shoot can be seen … Continue reading Trailer for “Route 66: Ten Years Later”

Golf star Montgomerie wants to drive 66

Professional golf star Colin Montgomerie of Scotland wants to drive Route 66 on a motorcycle this fall -- but only after he leads the British team to a Ryder Cup victory over the U.S., reports the Daily Record of Glasgow. Despite his posh persona, Monty has always fancied himself as an Easy Rider clad in … Continue reading Golf star Montgomerie wants to drive 66

New Route 66 informational site launched

Route 66 websites come and go. But I thought this one is particularly noteworthy. DrivingRoute66.com, which describes itself as "one-stop resource for planning the road trip of a lifetime," comes from the brain and computer of Steve Bellamy of Wales. He and his wife drove all of Route 66 in 2007. He explains the purpose … Continue reading New Route 66 informational site launched

A look at the Arizona Route 66 passport

On Thursday, I received in the mail from Sharlene Fouser the new Arizona Route 66 passport that is being distributed at tourism offices and businesses along the Mother Road in the state. Here's what it looks like, outside and inside: The passport contains only 20 pages, but includes a short history of the road, trivia, … Continue reading A look at the Arizona Route 66 passport

Notes from the road

(Editor's note: This is my Catch Up from the Memorial Day Holiday Edition.) Actor and director Dennis Hopper died over the weekend after a long bout with prostate cancer. He was 74. A memorial service and burial was held Wednesday at a church in his beloved Taos, N.M., where he lived for years. Although a … Continue reading Notes from the road

Rugby player rolls down 66

If you see a big, scruffy-looking guy with a Triumph motorcycle and an English accent on the Mother Road, it just might be rugby star and World Cup winner Steve Thompson, according to the Daily Mail in London. The 31-year-old is tackling the fabled Route 66 on a Triumph motorbike which has been parked outside … Continue reading Rugby player rolls down 66

Hiking for his fellow soldiers

Iraq War veteran Troy Yocum is hiking a small part of Route 66 during his cross-country quest to raise money for Soldiers’ Angels, a charity that provides financial aid to military families, according to the Bloomington (Ill.) Pantagraph. Yocum was hiking south and banging his drum on old Route 66 to Pontiac, Ill., on Monday, … Continue reading Hiking for his fellow soldiers