The images aren't high quality, sometimes objects fade out of focus, and many of the neon lights remain out of commission after a severe hailstorm in late March. But this recent video from the seminal Route 66 town of Tucumcari, N.M., made me exclaim: "I wish I'd thought of that." Brian, aka bkdurham, on a … Continue reading Tucumcari at night
Trail blazing
The Belleville (Ill.) News-Democrat has a story about the "trail-breaking" on June 2 of the new Route 66 Trail from Chicago to St. Louis that was fashioned specifically for bicyclists. Six towns along the Mother Road are hosts for segments of the trail. The segments range from 17 to 50 miles, although riders can go … Continue reading Trail blazing
Writing from the road
A couple of Reuters wire service correspondents are driving Route 66 from Los Angeles to Chicago in a vintage Porsche. Along the way, they are talking to people about issues that matter to them. This story angle may sound unique, but I've seen a number of these "getting the pulse of America along 66" stories … Continue reading Writing from the road
Arcadia angst
I've read this story several times from the San Gabriel Valley (Calif.) Tribune, and I think I now have a grasp on it. It deals with a historic Route 66 restaurant called Rod's Grill, a car dealership and the residents of Arcadia, Calif. Rusnak Mercedes-Benz wanted the city to seize property on which Rod's Grill … Continue reading Arcadia angst
Another roadie
Jeff and Ilana are traveling the entire length of Route 66 and are blogging their adventures. They are in Springfield, Ill., now. Their blog is here. A photo gallery from their trip is here.
Dust Bowl aria
"The Grapes of Wrath" was an acclaimed novel by John Steinbeck. Then it became an acclaimed movie, starring a young Henry Fonda. It later became an acclaimed, Tony-winning play on Broadway. Now, "The Grapes of Wrath" as an opera? It's appears so. The Salt Lake Tribune in Salt Lake City reports that the story of … Continue reading Dust Bowl aria
Today is Mother’s Day …
... have you been nice to your Mother Road lately? Meanwhile, the Sarasota (Fla.) Herald-Tribune had this item in its Moments of Motherhood: 1926: U.S. Route 66, stretching from Chicago to Los Angeles, is formally opened. While novelist John Steinbeck would call it the "Mother Road" in his 1939 "The Grapes of Wrath," actress wannabes … Continue reading Today is Mother’s Day …
Save gas on your Route 66 trip
In the past week, gasoline prices have risen to over $3 a gallon in many parts of the country. A few unfortunate spots have seen the price at the pump surpass $4 a gallon. That's an increase of more than 40 percent in just a few months. Does that mean you should postpone that Route … Continue reading Save gas on your Route 66 trip
El Vado owner, city go into negotiations
An article in the Albuquerque Journal says that the city and El Vado Motel owner Richard Gonzales have entered talks to settle their spat over the historic Route 66 property: City officials and the old Route 66 tourist court owner, Richard L. Gonzales, are pursuing "settlement negotiations," according to a letter from Planning Director Richard … Continue reading El Vado owner, city go into negotiations
Big Mama’s big voice
This is a version of "Route 66" by Kim Hyun Jung, who uses the stage name Big Mama King, or BMK. She's known as one of the best jazz singers in Korea, and has the big pipes to prove it.