Crowd numbers at the International Route 66 Mother Road Festival in Springfield, Ill., this past weekend were about the same as last year, reports the Springfield Journal-Register. The three-day event, which ended Sunday, had an attendance of about 70,000 people, with 847 paid, registered cars on display and more than 1,000 vehicles participating in the … Continue reading Attendance at Springfield festival remains stable
‘That’s a really good sandwich’
A couple of fellows hear about a sandwich-maker at the historic Star Cash Grocery on old Route 66 in Commerce, Okla., who's been there for 66 years. The two decide to hit to road to order one. They came away impressed. Note: There also are really good hand-made sandwiches at Eisler Bros. Store in Riverton, … Continue reading ‘That’s a really good sandwich’
“Never Been to Spain”
But I've been to Oklahoma. And Needles, too. This is Elvis Presley, in 1972.
Paul Newman, R.I.P
Here's a startling fact about actor Paul Newman, who died Friday of cancer at the age of 83. "Cars," the hit Disney-Pixar animated film in 2006 that helped spur new interest in Route 66, wound up being Newman's last acting film role. Not long after that film's release (plus a "Cars" short titled "Mater and … Continue reading Paul Newman, R.I.P
“Half a World Away”
By R.E.M., circa 1991.
That tears it
We've heard for many months about Route 66 travelers being treated rudely by the proprietors of Indian Harvest Trading Post, near Sullivan, Mo. We did a story about this. Theft had been a problem, so it was understandable why the owners felt the need to vigilant. Nevertheless, we implored the owners to be more hospitable. … Continue reading That tears it
Art exhibit pays tribute to the road trip
The San Jose Museum of Art in San Jose, Calif., is hosting a major exhibit this fall called "Road Trip," a sometimes-whimsical exploration of that uniquely American experience. The museum's associate curator, Kristen Evangelista, put it together. According to this report from the San Jose Mercury News: The artists Evangelista chose for "Roadtrip" not only … Continue reading Art exhibit pays tribute to the road trip
“How Fast Them Trucks Can Go”
This was a hit for Claude Gray in 1967, peaking at No. 12 on the country charts. This truck-driving song contains a specific reference to Route 66.
Longtime roadie has a petroliana collection
Johnnie Meier, a longtime champion of Route 66 and other historic roads, has created a roadside tribute to old-time gas stations in Embudo, N.M., on Highway 68 north of Santa Fe. From the Albuquerque Journal (via the Las Cruces Sun-News): ... [T]hree 1940s-era gas pumps stand as sentinels at a filling station.On the porch is … Continue reading Longtime roadie has a petroliana collection
Another sign gone
I heard Wednesday morning that the old neon sign for the Gateway Motor Inn, aka the Gateway Motor Hotel, along Oklahoma 66 halfway between Tulsa and Sapulpa, Okla., was down. I checked it out. There is was -- flat on the parking lot, surrounded by road cones and shards of broken neon tubing. It was … Continue reading Another sign gone