In the quarter-century that Charles Kuralt produced his "On the Road" series for CBS News, I figured that he and Route 66 crossed paths eventually. Sure enough, here's one I found about Cadillac Ranch in Amarillo, Texas: https://youtu.be/VuvO4StUUbo The clip is notable in that it apparently was shot shortly after Cadillac Ranch was installed by … Continue reading On the Mother Road with Charles Kuralt
Protests greet possible destruction of West Hollywood film studios
The recent news that a developer may raze several historic movie studio buildings on Santa Monica Boulevard (aka Route 66) in West Hollywood, Calif., sparked protests Sunday, reported the Los Angeles Times. About 50 protesters were at the site, said the newspaper. The Lot studio, built in the 1920s and '30s, includes Mary Pickford, Charlie … Continue reading Protests greet possible destruction of West Hollywood film studios
Running the route
The blog of the Northern Arizona Trail Runners Association recently posted this video about the Route 66 Trail Biking Loop, which contains old alignments of the Mother Road on Ash Fork Hill west of Williams, Ariz. https://youtu.be/x9R6MDE12vQ The group's blog said: In the late 1980s and early 1990s, my Kaibab National Forest co-worker Teri Cleeland … Continue reading Running the route
El Trovatore sign tower glows again
The neon letters of the sign tower at the historic El Trovatore Motel along Route 66 in Kingman, Ariz., are glowing again for the first time in decades. Here are a few photos emailed by Kingman resident and Route 66 enthusiast Jim Hinckey: And here's an image of the tower from a distance; the motel's … Continue reading El Trovatore sign tower glows again
Documentary planned on former Club Cafe owner
A filmmaker plans a documentary about Ron Chavez, the former longtime owner of the Club Cafe in Santa Rosa, N.M., who now is known for his writings and poetry as "The Route 66 Storyteller" in Taos. A Kickstarter campaign has been launched to raise $80,000 to fund the film's production. Here's a short video about … Continue reading Documentary planned on former Club Cafe owner
Straight from the garage
Here's a version of Bobby Troup's "Route 66" that I've never heard, by Los Jockers in 1967. https://youtu.be/ID3FE6QargE Evidence indicates that Los Jockers were based in Chile. I found another band from Mexico by the same name, but it broke up in 1962.
Roadie will be on nationally syndicated radio show next week
Frank Gifford, proprietor of rt66pix.com and a Route 66 enthusiast, will appear on the nationally syndicated "The Jim Bohannon Show" and its companion "America in the Morning" radio shows starting the night of April 5. "The Jim Bohannon Show" is heard on more than 500 radio stations, mostly in the talk format. "America in the … Continue reading Roadie will be on nationally syndicated radio show next week
Ground broken on Luna Lodge project
A groundbreaking ceremony was held last week for a project that will convert the historic Luna Lodge motel in Albuquerque into a 30-unit affordable housing development, according to a news release from Federal Home Loan Bank of Dallas, one of the lenders on the project. More from the release: The developer of the project, NewLife … Continue reading Ground broken on Luna Lodge project
Fundraising campaign launched for 66 Motel sign
Ed Klein of Route 66 World wants to restore the historic neon sign at the 66 Motel in Needles, Calif., to its former glory. So he's launched a Indiegogo fundraising drive at the Indiegogo site. Klein explained: The 66 Motel sign in Needles CA is one of THE most iconic signs along the famed highway. … Continue reading Fundraising campaign launched for 66 Motel sign
Pontiac tourism number continue to surge
The Route 66 town of Pontiac, Ill., saw record numbers of tourists during 2011. Those numbers in 2012 so far are continuing that strong trend, to eye-popping levels. According to the Pontiac Daily Leader: According to a person at the Pontiac Tourism office, numbers of tourists for January and February increased by 400 percent as … Continue reading Pontiac tourism number continue to surge