I finally got to watch online the first episode of NBC's "The Great American Road Trip." This is the reality television series in which seven families go down Route 66 for a $100,000 grand prize. Because the families each had to pilot a large RV, it wasn't surprising that much of the drive from Chicago … Continue reading Good start for “Great American Road Trip”
Season 3 of “Route 66” may be out soon
TVShowsonDVD.com reports that despite an announced released date of Jan. 12, 2010, "Route 66 -- The Complete Season 3" DVD set is sitting in Best Buy storerooms and will be on sale in an exclusive early release on Tuesday, July 14. So if you're itching to add to your collection of the classic 1960s drama, … Continue reading Season 3 of “Route 66” may be out soon
Former Dixie Truckers Home gets a face-lift
The Dixie Travel Plaza in McLean, Ill., formerly known for decades as the Dixie Truckers Home on Route 66, recently finished a $500,000 remodeling, reported the Bloomington Pantagraph. Remodeling is 90 percent complete and among the most visible improvements is a new awning bearing Dixie and Route 66 logos, Kletz said. Also new is a … Continue reading Former Dixie Truckers Home gets a face-lift
T-U-L-S-A straight ahead
This is pretty neat. The Reservoir Hill Neighborhood Association in Tulsa re-created an enormous sign made of crushed rock laid on the base of the hill. It spelled "TULSA" with an arrow pointing in the direction of the now-defunct McIntyre Airport on old Route 66, which was what is now Sheridan Road and Admiral Boulevard. … Continue reading T-U-L-S-A straight ahead
Route 66 traveler dies in accident
Ken Vetrovec, 59, of Racine County, Wis., died Monday in a motorcycle crash near Ely, Nev., while heading home after completing a Route 66 trip from Chicago to Los Angeles, reported the Journal Times of Racine. Vetrovec was headed toward home when he was involved in the crash that took his life. He was riding … Continue reading Route 66 traveler dies in accident
“Coyotes”
This is cowboy singer Don Edwards, performing his song "Coyotes." The tune gained considerable attention when it was used in the Werner Herzog film "Grizzly Man." I found "Coyotes" to be an appropriate soundtrack to the desert Southwest of Route 66 country.
State budget woes may doom some rest stops
At least one cash-strapped state in which Route 66 traverses is considering shutting down its rest stops along the interstate highways, according to the Wall Street Journal. According to the article, Arizona is considering shutting down at least some of its rest stops as a cost-cutting move. An interesting excerpt: One hurdle for defenders of … Continue reading State budget woes may doom some rest stops
Bob Moore steps down from Route 66 Magazine
I got this e-mail this afternoon from Bob Moore, the longtime executive editor of Route 66 Magazine: As of the first of July I will no longer be affliated with Route 66 Magazine. Health issues and the opportunity to further my broadcast career have made this change necessary. It has been a great 16 years and … Continue reading Bob Moore steps down from Route 66 Magazine
Ken Burns plans TV series on Dust Bowl
Ken Burns, the acclaimed producer of documentaries who is most famous for his "The Civil War" series, is planning a new film about the Dust Bowl of the 1930s, according to a news release by OETA. Here's Burns' message to OETA and all readers: I'm asking Oklahomans to help me with a new public television … Continue reading Ken Burns plans TV series on Dust Bowl
Open house set for Baxter Springs museum
The Baxter Springs Heritage Center and Museum in Baxter Springs, Kan., recently completed a $500,000 expansion, and will be hosting a daylong open house Saturday, reports the Joplin (Mo.) Globe. The open house starts at 9:30 a.m., with a ceremonial ribbon-cutting at 2 p.m. About 7,600 square feet have been added to the museum, putting … Continue reading Open house set for Baxter Springs museum