The 2006 Disney-Pixar film "Cars" profoundly changed the life of the Midpoint Cafe's former owner, the Orange County Register said in a report about the Cars Land theme park opening this week. The first few paragraphs: Fran Houser will never forget the day when the Cadillacs with the steer horns attached to their hoods pulled up … Continue reading How “Cars” changed the life of the Midpoint Cafe’s owner
Re-opening night at the Admiral Twin
It's not often you hold a soft opening for a business, and a sell-out ensues. But that's what happened Friday night with the re-opening of the Admiral Twin Drive-In in Tulsa, nearly two years after a fire destroyed its iconic double-screen. Not only did the theater fill to its 1,200-car capacity, but was turning away … Continue reading Re-opening night at the Admiral Twin
Route 66 film from RV Adventure Videos coming in September
Last fall, we learned that John Holod of RV Adventure Videos was taking a journey down Route 66 to shoot a documentary about America's most famous road. According to this preview clip posted a few days ago, the film will be available in September, probably as a DVD: https://youtu.be/pVfsdwopqmg From the video description (lightly edited): … Continue reading Route 66 film from RV Adventure Videos coming in September
What to expect from Cars Land
Cars Land at Disney California Adventure Park opens today. If you're headed there, this video from the Disney Parks Blog tells you what to expect: https://youtu.be/XhKR2g222-I The clip also provides a good overview of of Buena Vista Street. Its retro look probably will draw interest from roadies as well.
A visit with Bill Shea and his gas-station museum
A few films about Bill Shea's Gas Station Museum in Springfield, Ill., have made it to the Internet over the years. But this one by Josh Hester is the best I've seen: Shea's Route 66 Gas Station Museum from Josh Hester on Vimeo. The thing that makes this film different is it concentrates more on … Continue reading A visit with Bill Shea and his gas-station museum
Sounds like they’re warming to it
A story in the Contra Costa Times about the nearly finished Pacific Electric Trail bridge over Foothill Boulevard (aka Route 66) in Rancho Cucamonga says residents are "mixed" about its look. But the trail and the bridge are so darned good, it seems like they're getting over their misgivings. Rancho Cucamonga resident Holly Hostetler, who walks … Continue reading Sounds like they’re warming to it
Pontiac now gives tours with mobile devices
The tourism department of Pontiac, Ill., has always seemed forward-thinking. Continuing that trend, it has created a Mobile Device Tour for smartphones and tablet computers. From the news release: The mobile device tour provides additional information on many of Pontiac’s most popular tourist attractions and can be accessed by visitors through the use of a … Continue reading Pontiac now gives tours with mobile devices
Cars Land lifts the curtain
Although Cars Land at Disney California Adventure won't open to the public until Friday, the theme park threw an invitation-only gala on Wednesday evening. The clip above from CBS Los Angeles gets you started. Also, the Los Angeles Times reported in its review: Like opening the door to Oz, walking into Cars Land at DisneyCalifornia Adventure is like … Continue reading Cars Land lifts the curtain
Galena’s new downtown
I meant to post this a while ago, but this is what downtown Galena, Kan., and its Route 66 corridor looks like: The streetscape makeover was covered by grants, and accentuates its Route 66 heritage. Renee Charles, one of the original 4 Women on the Route in Galena, says people who hadn't been in Galena … Continue reading Galena’s new downtown
Life could be a dream
Kudos to the folks at Mouse Planet for this enjoyable recent video of the neon signs at Cars Land being turned on as night begins to fall. https://youtu.be/J1UqXI43zWs Music is "Sh-Boom" by The Chords -- the same used in the neon-lighting scene in the 2006 Disney-Pixar film "Cars." You can compare: https://youtu.be/gNb2lJSMrWw Cars Land opens … Continue reading Life could be a dream