Daredevil "Mad" Mike Hughes, probably best known for his homemade rocket launch near the Route 66 town of Amboy, California, two years ago, died in a rocket crash Saturday near Barstow after its parachute apparently separated from the craft after liftoff. Hughes, who resided in Apple Valley, California, was 64. The San Bernardino County Sun … Continue reading Daredevil “Mad” Mike Hughes killed in rocket crash near Barstow
Category: Television
At least one Route 66 town wants to be in HGTV’s “Home Town Takeover”
A few folks in Sapulpa, Oklahoma, hope the upcoming HGVT show "Home Town Takeover" will consider their town for a full-scale renovation, and other Route 66 towns may consider applying, as well. According to a news release from the cable channel, the show will be "the most impressive and massive renovation ever": Ever since Ben and … Continue reading At least one Route 66 town wants to be in HGTV’s “Home Town Takeover”
PBS station interviews Delbert Trew, a figure in Route 66’s renaissance
Do yourself a favor and watch this delightful 13-minute interview with Texas Panhandle rancher Delbert Trew and his wife by a local PBS station. The talk reveals a lot of Trew's homespun sense of humor. Trew probably is best-known for shepherding the founding of the Devil's Rope and Route 66 Museum in McLean, Texas, which … Continue reading PBS station interviews Delbert Trew, a figure in Route 66’s renaissance
OKPOP museum breaks ground in Tulsa
Local and state officials participated Wednesday in the ceremonial groundbreaking for the Oklahoma Museum of Popular Culture, or OKPOP, in downtown Tulsa. The museum, which anticipates an opening in late 2021, will be filled with memorabilia and information about musicians, film stars, authors and artists with Oklahoma ties. It will be across the street from … Continue reading OKPOP museum breaks ground in Tulsa
Reader’s Digest names Kingman the nicest place in Arizona
Reader's Digest proclaimed the Route 66 town of Kingman as the Nicest Place in Arizona because of the way the townsfolk treated a homeless man -- a nice bounceback after an ugly PR nightmare last year involving prankster Sacha Baron Cohen. The editors at Reader's Digest wrote this about Kingman: Ask people what they like … Continue reading Reader’s Digest names Kingman the nicest place in Arizona
One episode of “Hairy Bikers Route 66” lands online
Folks in Europe the United Kingdom have been watching this six-part series at it aired, but we yanks didn't get a look at the BBC2's "Hairy Bikers Route 66" until one kind soul uploaded the second episode a few days ago. The episode begins in mid-Missouri and goes west to Tulsa and Cherokee Nation country … Continue reading One episode of “Hairy Bikers Route 66” lands online
More details emerge about upcoming “Hairy Bikers Route 66” episodes
Broadcast magazine, based in the United Kingdom, and the BBC gave more details about next month's "Hairy Bikers Route 66" miniseries that will air on BBC2. According to the BBC, the first episode will be broadcast at 8 p.m. Sept. 12 on BBC2. The Hairy Bikers are Si King and Dave Myers, who've been on … Continue reading More details emerge about upcoming “Hairy Bikers Route 66” episodes
Old Joliet Prison will be featured on Travel Channel’s “Ghost Adventures”
The old Joliet Correctional Center in Joliet, Illinois, now called the Old Joliet Prison, will be featured in upcoming episodes of "Ghost Adventures," the Travel Channel's most popular show. The "Ghost Adventures" team interviews locals and spends nights in allegedly haunted places, searching for paranormal activity. According to The Herald-News of Joliet: The piece will … Continue reading Old Joliet Prison will be featured on Travel Channel’s “Ghost Adventures”
Route 66 Corridor Preservation Program announces final cost-share grants
The Route 66 Corridor Preservation Program this week announced what will be its final cost-share grants, barring a very unlikely renewal of the program by Congress. Since 2001, the program awarded $2.27 million with $3.57 million in cost-share matches to 152 projects, totaling $5.84 million in public-private investment toward the revitalization and commemoration of Route … Continue reading Route 66 Corridor Preservation Program announces final cost-share grants
A new video about Amboy Crater
A couple that runs the Oddity Odysseys channel on YouTube recently explored Amboy Crater, the dormant volcano just off Route 66 near Amboy, California. They lucked out in one way: They climbed into the cinder cone during a semi-cloudy day, which blunted the Mojave Desert's brutal sun considerably. It helps they also carried with plenty … Continue reading A new video about Amboy Crater