According to this short story in the San Bernardino County Sun, a new California Welcome Center on Hospitality Lane near the junction of Interstates 215 and 10 will have a Mother Road flavor when it opens in February: The California Welcome Center will combine a Route 66 and 1950s retro theme with plasma screens, multimedia, … Continue reading California Welcome Center will have Route 66 theme
A new big frog for Waynesville?
There's a big, painted stone frog on Waynesville Hill just off old Route 66 in Wayneville, Mo. It's been a local landmark for years, and its name is W.H. Croaker. According to the Waynesville Frog Fest site, this is how the frog was created: You see, several years ago the Missouri Department of Transportation was … Continue reading A new big frog for Waynesville?
No New Year’s bash at Boot Hill
Rory Schepisi informed me today that because of other commitments, construction delays, a recent winter storm that caused further delays, there will be no New Year's Eve party at the under-construction Boot Hill Saloon & Grill at U.S. 385 and old Route 66 in Vega, Texas. Schepisi, who was runner-up in the CMT reality series … Continue reading No New Year’s bash at Boot Hill
Man who cruised Route 66 in Corvette for charity dies
John "JJ" Bouma, who cruised Route 66 in a red Corvette in May as a fundraiser to combat the Lou Gehrig's Disease, or ALS, that afflicted him, died at age 54 on Friday, according to the Grand Rapids (Mich.) Press. The caravan's weeklong, 2,800-mile journey from Chicago to Los Angeles raised $318,000 for ALS research … Continue reading Man who cruised Route 66 in Corvette for charity dies
Home for Christmas
After completing her 2,390-mile trek on Route 66 on Sunday in Santa Monica, Michelle Thompson cycled south on Pacific Coast Highway and arrived at her brother's home in Costa Mesa, Calif., on Christmas Day afternoon, like she had hoped. KABC-TV in Los Angeles was there to see her ride through a congratulatory banner. There is … Continue reading Home for Christmas
She made it
Michelle Thompson, the woman who was trying to bicycle the 2,400-mile length of Route 66 to raise awareness of oral cancer and help her ailing brother, met her goal of finishing the Mother Road before Christmas. According to her Web site, Thompson pulled onto the fabled endpoint of Route 66, the Santa Monica Pier, at … Continue reading She made it
One to watch
The Bloomington (Ill.) Pantagraph compiles an annual "10 to Watch" list of central Illinois residents who are rising fast in prominence and influence. One who made the list is Geoff Ladd of the Lincoln Tourism Bureau of Logan County, who's already attracted attention for his preservation efforts of an area Route 66 icon. Ladd started … Continue reading One to watch
Profile focuses on architect of Route 66 icons
Metropolis Magazine, a publication about architecture and design, has a well-written feature about acclaimed Oklahoma City architect Rand Elliott. Elliott designed the Oklahoma Route 66 Museum in Clinton, and the POPS gas station that's being constructed off Route 66 in Arcadia, Okla. Elliott also is a native of Clinton and is well aware of the … Continue reading Profile focuses on architect of Route 66 icons
Jamming with Harley & Annabelle
Canadian singer-songwriter Melissa McClelland has posted part three of her documentary from her Route 66 trip this summer. You can view the podcast here (Internet Explorer 6 and broadband are needed). In it, you'll see Rooster from the Luna Cafe in Mitchell, Ill., a waitress in Lisa's Diner in Granite City, Ill., scenes from Galena, … Continue reading Jamming with Harley & Annabelle
Route 66 on the silver screen
Speaking of guidebooks, Harry Medved was kind enough to send me a copy of the book he co-wrote with Bruce Akiyama, "Hollywood Escapes." It describes itself as "The moviegoing guide to exploring Southern California's great outdoors." The reason this book is mentioned here is because it contains a chapter about Route 66 and its role … Continue reading Route 66 on the silver screen