The Kingman (Ariz.) Daily Miner has a good story about Route 66 aficionado Jim Hinckley and his efforts to kick-start more Route 66 tourism in Kingman -- efforts which seem to be finally bearing fruit. The Kingman Route 66 Association recently reformed, and Kingman's historic downtown is being revitalized. He's been doing his part by … Continue reading Portrait of a Route 66 advocate
“Oklahoma Hills”
Here's the late, great Hank Thompson performing a song that warms the hearts of Okies everywhere.
Great American Road Tripe
Following a premiere episode that showed potential, the second episode of NBC's "The Great American Road Trip" nosedived sharply in quality on Monday and probably will be this summer's television version of "Dead Man Walking" -- if it doesn't get canceled first. The first installment of the reality series that takes place on Route 66 … Continue reading Great American Road Tripe
Motorist drives off edge of Grand Canyo
Needless to say, this did not end well. A man drove a blue car off the edge of the South Rim of the Grand Canyon about 6 a.m. Monday and died, according to the Arizona Republic. This occurred behind Thunderbird Lodge near El Tovar Hotel. Rescuers climbed 600 feet down into the canyon, where they … Continue reading Motorist drives off edge of Grand Canyo
‘Man v. Food’ host takes on Springfield eateries
Adam Richman, host of the Food Network's "Man v. Food" series, will film an episode at three Route 66 restaurants in Springfield, Ill., starting Friday, reports the Springfield Journal-Register. Richman's big task is to eat a record five bowls of Firebrand chili in one sitting from Joe Rogers' Original Recipe Chili Parlor. Richman and his … Continue reading ‘Man v. Food’ host takes on Springfield eateries
Gull wing gathering
A group of DeLorean car owners from Oklahoma recently went to POPS on Route 66 in Arcadia, Okla. One of them even had his DeLorean decked out to resemble the time-traveling car from the "Back to the Future" films. Awesome.
Thumbing tumbleweed
Here’s another chapter of “Route 66: A Road Trip on the Bible.” This entry covers the second book of Kings. It's not very interesting, for reasons that will be apparent.
Not in my Valle Vista
I recently received e-mails from a group, Concerned Citizens of Valle Vista & Surrounding Areas, that is opposing a proposed biodiesel plant near the subdivision of Valle Vista, about 15 miles northeast of Kingman, Ariz. The group said the plant would "potentially degrade a nice stretch of historic Route 66," and advocated relocating it "more … Continue reading Not in my Valle Vista
Notes from the road
The historic railroad depot at Braidwood, Ill., was moved a couple of weeks ago. A local grocery store wanted the land near Route 66 for parking. The grocery donated the depot to the city as long as it was moved. The Morris Daily Herald has a story about the move, and the Braidwood Area Historical … Continue reading Notes from the road
Hello from Israel
Here's a version of Bobby Troup's "Route 66" by a barbershop quartet called Chutzpah!, with a bit of a twist near the end.