Several years ago, roadie Drew Knowles published his "Route 66 Adventure Handbook," a compact but much-praised volume that provided travelers a guide to Route 66 attractions and worthwhile side trips. The book is now in its third edition. Knowles recently published has another compact but useful book for Mother Road travelers -- "Route 66 Quick … Continue reading Book review: “Route 66 Quick Reference Encyclopedia”
Three-wheeled cruising
Chicago Sun-Times columnist and longtime roadie Dave Hoekstra caught up with the group from the Czech Republic that is driving four Velorex vehicles westward down the length of Route 66. The story includes a video clip, which I recommend viewing. You get a feel of what driving one looks and sounds like -- it's basically … Continue reading Three-wheeled cruising
Hikin’ west
The Journal-News of Hillsboro, Ill., has the story of Cherylynn Delfina, 28, of Parlin, N.J., who is walking and/or hitchhiking west on Route 66 to Los Angeles. The reporter caught up with her in the Route 66 town of Litchfield, Ill. When I met Cherylynn, she had just had a refreshing shower and was feeling … Continue reading Hikin’ west
The rebuilding begins
We met Dawn Welch, owner of the Rock Cafe in Stroud, Okla., on Sunday to check the progress of the rebuilding of her historic Route 66 restaurant after a fire gutted it in May. Sharp-eyed observers might see recent subtle differences from the outside since the fire: But it's in the interior where progress is … Continue reading The rebuilding begins
Memories for sale
Here's an article from the Charlottesville (Va.) Daily Progress that lays out a man's story: Stuart E. Bruce stood on the shoulder of Route 66, and read the legendary highway like a sentence until it ran out of words against the far horizon. There, somewhere along the 432 miles of crumbling blacktop that cuts through … Continue reading Memories for sale
Not just for reminiscing
Today, I found this story by the Southtown Star in Chicago about Route 66 historian David Clark, aka Windy City Road Warrior, and his presentation last week at the Tinley Park Public Library. Clark makes this important observation, the point of which seems overlooked through the rest of the story: "We look at Route 66 … Continue reading Not just for reminiscing
Blazing trails
Mark Muckenfuss of the Press-Enterprise has an interesting story about the history of the wagon and American Indian trails through the Mojave Desert and mountains that led to what became the Los Angeles metro area. When Route 66 was commissioned in 1926, it closely followed the Santa Fe rails through the western cities that pop … Continue reading Blazing trails
Fresh tunes
The Four Freshmen perform Bobby Troup's "Route 66" with the Indianapolis Jazz Orchestra. Lots of good soloing here, and it swings like mad.
Cruising time
This weekend is Route 66 Days in Flagstaff, Ariz. As part of its preview, the Arizona Daily Sun has a story about John Fajardo and his impeccably preserved 1957 Ford Fairlane. The Fajardos have put more than 200,000 miles on it in 17 years, he said. "The motor in there is a 2004 Ford 302 … Continue reading Cruising time
Tucumcari video
Here's a video about the Route 66 town of Tucumcari that was produced by the New Mexico Tourism Department: