American Profile magazine posted an effervescent story about the Dr Pepper plant in Dublin, Texas -- the only Dr Pepper bottler left that still uses Imperial cane sugar from the original 1885 recipe instead of the now-common corn syrup. It's called Dublin Dr Pepper, and folks drive from many miles around to get it because … Continue reading Pop a top on Dublin Dr Pepper
Book review: “Route 66 St. Louis”
In the preface to her new book, Norma Maret Bolin says the purpose of her previous work, "The Route 66 St. Louis Cookbook," was to raise funds for a more expansive historical recounting of Route 66 in the Gateway City. If you'll excuse the pun, Bolin really got cooking with her enormous new volume, "Route … Continue reading Book review: “Route 66 St. Louis”
Epic cycling tour includes part of Route 66
Tour d'Afrique has announced it will add part of Route 66 to its itinerary for a 92-day, 5,000-mile bicycle ride in 2011 from San Francisco to St. John's, Newfoundland. Between stops in Wichita, Kan., and Detroit is this: Legendary Route 66 beckons in the states of Missouri and Illinois. Along it’s storied path we’ll stop in … Continue reading Epic cycling tour includes part of Route 66
More details on Cars Land released
The Los Angeles Times' Daily Travel & Deal Blog provided new detail about the 12-acre Cars Land theme park at Disney California Adventure in Anaheim. The park, inspired by the 2006 Disney-Pixar animated movie "Cars," is a faithful re-creation of the Route 66 fictional town of Radiator Springs. The theme park is scheduled to open … Continue reading More details on Cars Land released
Route 66 gets its own font
Route 66 boasts plenty of products named after it. But this is the first I've seen where a typeface is named after the Mother Road. The "Route 66 Regular" font was created by Thomas Wilson. It's derived from Wilson's earlier "Swizzle Sticks" font, which is apparent when you see the Route 66 font in the … Continue reading Route 66 gets its own font
Springfield applies for grant for Bel-Aire Motel rehab
The City of Springfield, Ill., is applying for a grant to repair the long-declining Bel-Aire Motel and eventually convert it into a Route 66 museum, reported the Springfield State Journal-Register. The grant sought for the Bel-Aire is $1 million from the Illinois Transportation Enhancement Program. The city plans to cover the other $600,000 for the … Continue reading Springfield applies for grant for Bel-Aire Motel rehab
66-to-Cali owner has a story to tell
Most of you already know about Dan Rice, owner of the 66-to-Cali souvenir shack at the Santa Monica Pier who was the guiding force behind getting an "End of the Trail" Route 66 marker erected at the pier. However, a book coming out in the winter is going to tell another side of Rice's story: … Continue reading 66-to-Cali owner has a story to tell
An aerial view of Amboy Crater
I've been fortunate enough to hike inside the dormant volcano that is Amboy Crater, near Amboy, Calif. Many people have not because it's a long hike in often-dangerous heat. But, in case you haven't, here's another way to see what's inside. Here's the explanation behind this remarkable video: Jeff Parisse and Nick Ritter travel via … Continue reading An aerial view of Amboy Crater
Car-restoration TV show coming this spring
Greene HD Productions, which has produced previous programs about Route 66, has shot a reality-television series, "Reality Rides," about restoring a 1955 Buick Special. The program is set to air in spring 2011. Brian Greene says it's a 12-part series shot in high-definition video. A five-man team restored the Buick from the frame up, even … Continue reading Car-restoration TV show coming this spring
Frets and fingers
Classical guitarist Jane Rosenbohm shows some mighty impressive skills with her fingering and fretwork on this version of Bobby Troup's "Route 66."