Fred Eaglesmith, a veteran singer-songwriter whose tunes have been recorded by Miranda Lambert, Toby Keith, Alan Jackson, and other musicians, is the headliner for a Route 66 Tin Can Caravan on the Mother Road in September. A few details about the tour from the website: An eighteen-day road trip down Historic Route 66, from Chicago … Continue reading Singer-songwriter leading a Route 66 tour
The legendary blizzard of 1956
I stumbled today onto this story in the The Courier of Montgomery County, Texas, about a freak blizzard that struck the Plains of New Mexico and Texas on Feb. 4, 1956. The storm blanketed snow from Amarillo to the north, Tucumcari, N.M., to the west, and Wink to the south. Even El Paso got 5 … Continue reading The legendary blizzard of 1956
El Garces makes slow progress
It's been slow, but the Needles (Calif.) Desert Star reported this week that the effort to restore and eventually reopen the historic El Garces hotel, restaurant, and railroad depot in Needles is making progress. The stumbling point has been whether the Federal Transportation Administration will approve a joint operating agreement between El Garces LLC and the … Continue reading El Garces makes slow progress
Wigwam Motel in Rialto named to National Register
The Wigwam Motel on Route 66 in Rialto, Calif., was placed on the National Register of Historic Places effective Jan. 3, according to an email Thursday afternoon from the National Park Service. The Wigwam, which features individual motel cabins in the shape of tepees, was nominated in late 2011; its inclusion on the National Register was … Continue reading Wigwam Motel in Rialto named to National Register
The heap behind Mater’s Junkyard Jamboree
The Disney Parks Blog took a behind-the-scenes look at Larry the Cable Guy, aka Mater from the 2006 Disney-Pixar film "Cars," recording a voice-over. Disney needed Larry's pipes for Mater's Junkyard Jamboree, one of the rides featured in Cars Land at Disney's California Adventure: https://youtu.be/_dzY9K_0nuM Cars Land is based on the fictional Route 66 town of … Continue reading The heap behind Mater’s Junkyard Jamboree
Let’s make Route 66 a National Historic Trail
It's time for the Route 66 community to talk to congressmen about eventually designating the Mother Road as a National Historic Trail, under the auspices of the National Park Service. Of the eight states where the old highway traverses, six have attained Byways or All-American Road status for Route 66. A seventh -- California -- … Continue reading Let’s make Route 66 a National Historic Trail
Bill would eliminate National Scenic Byways program
A transportation bill proposed by U.S. House committee chairman would eliminate the National Scenic Byways program, according to an email from an official with the Route 66 Association of New Mexico. Rep. John Mica (R-Fla.), chairman of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, introduced legislation Tuesday that would repeal the byways program, according to an email … Continue reading Bill would eliminate National Scenic Byways program
Arizona Route 66 restaurant destroyed by fire; owner killed
A natural gas explosion is believed to have started an explosion and fire that destroyed Linda's Cafe & Deli in Golden Shores, Ariz., and killed its owner last Thursday, reported the Mojave Daily News. The body of the restaurant's owner, Ronald Lee Hansen, 58, of nearby Topock, Ariz., was discovered by firefighters as they tried … Continue reading Arizona Route 66 restaurant destroyed by fire; owner killed
Admiral Twin rising again
Those who doubted whether the Admiral Twin Drive-In theater in Tulsa would rise again after a devastating fire in September 2010, take a look at this: That's a big concrete structure at the bottom, where the new concession stand and bathrooms will be. The steel skeleton of the big double screen is rising from that. … Continue reading Admiral Twin rising again
“Yamashita Tomohisa Route 66,” Episode 5
Here’s the fifth installment of Japanese television’s “Yamashita Tomohisa Route 66,” which chronicles a singer and actor’s trip down the Mother Road last fall. He goes from Oklahoma City to Amarillo, Texas. I'm glad he got to see wild turkeys in western Oklahoma. And he didn't attempt the Big Texan 72-ounce steak challenge, but close. https://vimeo.com/35942955 Looking … Continue reading “Yamashita Tomohisa Route 66,” Episode 5