Well, that didn't take long. The Route 66 Marathon in Tulsa was held Sunday morning, and Blue Cross Blue Shield of Oklahoma had a video from it posted before evening: https://youtu.be/GqVniSumfpk Weather conditions at the marathon definitely were better for runners than spectators. Temperatures barely climbed into the 40s all day, with a brisk north … Continue reading Keeping it cool at the Route 66 Marathon
“My Dad’s car”
I've been seeing a wonderful Chevrolet commercial in recent days, about two sons who tracked down their father's 1965 Impala and bought it back for him. Here's the extended video of that moment: https://youtu.be/bz-nO6WvOYw Chevrolet.com posted some of the back story behind the video: In the fall of 1964, Herb Younger bought a brand-new Chevy … Continue reading “My Dad’s car”
A trip on western Arizona’s Route 66
Here's a 10-minute film about the western portion of Route 66 in Arizona. It was shot by John Norman for jn14productions.com. https://vimeo.com/32375882 This is what Norman says about the video: This is about a road trip on the longest existing section of this famous highway. This 140 mile stretch runs from Seligman,AZ to Topock, AZ … Continue reading A trip on western Arizona’s Route 66
Route 66 in three minutes
One person's experiences on the Mother Road in October 2011, with brevity: https://youtu.be/wHAZJm4f3AQ Music is from Asleep at the Wheel.
Old McLean depot features model train shop
A few days ago, a listing in the Bloomington Pantagraph announced that the McLean Depot Train Shop had opened at 200 E. Dixie Road (aka Route 66) in the old railroad depot building in McLean, Ill. If another old railroad depot on Route 66 had been converted to a business of selling model trains, I'm not … Continue reading Old McLean depot features model train shop
Donations sought to finish throwback film
Mark Ross is mostly done with making a retro-influenced short film, "Curse of the Phantom Shadow." But he's run short of cash, and has launched a Kickstarter campaign to raise $5,000 so he can finish the movie. The film's style is influenced by old-time radio dramas, Dick Tracy comics, movie serials, and pulp novels of the … Continue reading Donations sought to finish throwback film
A legend that’s actually true
The historic Boots Motel in Carthage, Mo., reputedly boasted film star Clark Gable as an overnight guest at least once during his periodic cross-country trips. It seemed this sighting always came secondhand, and I always wondered whether such a thing really happened or whether it was urban legend. But this recent article in the Carthage Press … Continue reading A legend that’s actually true
Coal conveyor will run next to Route 66
A 5.5-mile coal conveyor belt is nearly finished and soon will be operating next to Route 66 between Williamsville and Elkhart, Ill., reported the Springfield State Journal-Register. The newspaper reported: Arch Coal Co. of St. Louis is completing a $20 million project, begun two years ago, that includes a new portal for the Viper Mine near Williamsville … Continue reading Coal conveyor will run next to Route 66
Bicycle trail proposed from Springfield to Strafford
A bicycle and pedestrian trail is being proposed next to Route 66 from the eastern edge of Springfield, Mo., to the nearby community of Strafford, according to a document by the Ozark Transportation Organization's Journey 2035 long-range transportation plan. This video shows an image of Route 66 next to modern-day Strafford, which then melts into … Continue reading Bicycle trail proposed from Springfield to Strafford
Straight from the garage
Here's a 1965 version of Bobby Troup's most famous song, performed by The Bootjacks, based in Sweden. The song came from a 1960s garage-rock compilation called "Pebbles, Vol. 28." https://youtu.be/BRPxS9HT3ug You can hear the influence on The Cramps' later version of that song.