Ace Jackalope of The Lope blog continues to post some fine photographs from his trip across the Mojave Desert. The latest entry includes a lot of nice images of neon signs and vintage motels, including the El Rancho, in Barstow, Calif. The Lope, thanks to his quick trigger finger on the camera, also effectively busts … Continue reading Images from Barstow
Illinois seeks new Hall of Famers
Brief item in the Bloomington Pantagraph: The Illinois Route 66 Association seeks nominees for its Hall of Fame. Nominees can be businesses or people with a connection to the road. Nomination letters should be no more than four pages and include the history. Photos and memorabilia are welcome, but not required. Deadline to submit is … Continue reading Illinois seeks new Hall of Famers
Harley & Annabelle experience for Pain Walker
Dennis Kinch, the man who's walking west on Route 66 for the National Pain Foundation, updated his Notes from the Road. He tells of his experiences in western Oklahoma and part of the Texas Panhandle, including his encounter with the proprieters of the Sandhills Curiosity Shop in Erick, Okla. I moved on to Erick, which … Continue reading Harley & Annabelle experience for Pain Walker
Don’t worry Disney buyout affecting “Cars”
A few Route 66 aficionados are fretting about Disney's acquisition of Pixar Animation Studios and whether it will bring consequences to the Pixar's Route 66-themed movie "Cars," slated to be released in June. One of the contributors of the Route 66 yahoogroup works for Disney, and he's not worried at all. He's allowed me to … Continue reading Don’t worry Disney buyout affecting “Cars”
Will abandoned gas stations in Arizona will be razed?
Swa Frantzen, who runs the Historic 66 Web site, advises roadies it might be wise to go to Arizona and start snapping pictures of old abandoned gas stations along the Mother Road. Why? Because of this program, which has been reported here on this site and yesterday in the Business Journal of Phoenix. It's run … Continue reading Will abandoned gas stations in Arizona will be razed?
Railroad bridge already is being torn down
This refers to the old railroad bridge the spanned old Illinois 157 in Edwardsville, which is an alignment of Route 66. The Belleville News-Democrat reports that the dismantling process of the bridge already has begun. I don't know whether the road crews are finished, but it sure sounds like it: On Tuesday, crews were hauling … Continue reading Railroad bridge already is being torn down
Disney buys Pixar
As expected, Disney announced a buyout of Pixar Animation Studios today. You can read about the merger here. The deal shouldn't affect the rollout of Pixar's Route 66-themed movie, "Cars," in June -- except for heightening expectations. As ABC News reports, movie houses are counting on "Cars" to salvage a lackluster year in ticket sales.
Fat Man decompressing after TV interviews
Steve Vaught of thefatmanwalking.com is still a bit dizzy after a whirlwind of TV and newspapers interviews in Indiana last week. His journal gives the details.
More photos from the Mojave
The Lope has posted more excellent photos from his trip on Route 66 across California's Mojave Desert. Check them out.
Interstates mark 50 years
Don't look for parties or commemorations from Route 66 aficionados regarding the 50th anniversary of interstates in the United States this year. Interstates are universally cited as the reason for Route 66's downfall in the 1970s and '80s. The Mother Road started a comeback in the 1990s, but not before hundreds, if not thousands, of … Continue reading Interstates mark 50 years