Dennis Kinch, the man who's walking Route 66 for the National Pain Foundation, has passed the halfway mark of his journey and is in San Jon in far eastern New Mexico. Within a day or so, he'll be propping up his weary feet and relaxing here. At least I would, anyway.
A Valentine for 66
Jerry Ueckert, a Route 66 enthusiast from Edgewood, N.M., reports that he has purchased a Valentine diner in Magdalena, N.M. He plans to move the diner onto his property on Route 66 and restore it. Ueckert says the diner appears to be the Aristocrat model. The Kansas State Historical Society gives the following description of … Continue reading A Valentine for 66
Motel reopens in Atlanta, Ill.
The Bloomington Pantagraph reports that a motel that had been closed for eight months near Interstate 55 in the Route 66 town of Atlanta, Ill., has reopened as an America's Best Value Inn. I believe the motel had been called the I-55 Motel, where I had stayed once several years ago. New owner Narish Desai … Continue reading Motel reopens in Atlanta, Ill.
Lincoln Museum is a must-see
While visiting my parents in Illinois, my father strongly urged that I visit the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum, which is on Route 66 in Springfield. Because Dad isn't easily impressed, I thought I'd better get there. Dad was right. It is the best Lincoln tourist attraction out of many in that city. It … Continue reading Lincoln Museum is a must-see
I’m back
I returned tonight from seeing family in Illinois and checking out a few road attractions -- some on Route 66 and some not. I'll get some rest tonight after logging about 1,100 miles in the past three days or so. In the meantime, I thank Emily profusely for filling in on the news-reporting duties while … Continue reading I’m back
Another Foyil athlete
The little Oklahoma Route 66 town of Foyil has turned out some spectacular athletes over the years. First there was Andy Payne, the distance runner who crossed the finish line first in the 1928 "Bunion Derby," and now there's NFL player Josh Brown, who will play for the Seattle Seahawks in next Sunday's Super Bowl. … Continue reading Another Foyil athlete
Rick and Jane update
Rick and Jane McKinney, the evangelists walking Route 66 as part of their Walk to Reclaim America campaign, posted an update yesterday about their recent adventures, including a memorable experience on the Hualapai reservation in western Arizona. Route 66 is kind of a microcosm of American culture, in all its fascinating diversity, as the McKinneys … Continue reading Rick and Jane update
Pain Walker reaches Vega
Dennis Kinch, the spokesman for the National Pain Foundation who is walking the length of Route 66 as part of an awareness-raising campaign, has reached Vega, Texas, home of the Vega Motel and Dot's Mini-Museum. According to his Web site, Kinch has walked 1,124 miles. He should hit the halfway point of Route 66 in … Continue reading Pain Walker reaches Vega
Pixar in the news
The San Francisco Chronicle has an article about John Lasseter and Ed Catmull of Pixar, the animation studio behind the upcoming film Cars. The article talks about Disney's recent $7.4 billion purchase of Pixar and the synergy between Lasseter -- the "creative spirit," as the article calls him -- and Catmull, whose technological wizardry helps … Continue reading Pixar in the news
Return to Route 66
"Return to Route 66," a touring exhibit of Mother Road photographs by Shellee Graham -- Steinbeck award winner, author and graphic designer extraordinaire -- is coming to St. Louis this spring. The exhibit will be on display Feb. 12 through April 12 at the Old Courhtouse, 11 N. 4th St. in St. Louis. An opening … Continue reading Return to Route 66