Route 66 artist setting up shop near Mother Road

Route 66 artist, researcher and author Jerry McClanahan announced he is moving from north Texas to the Mother Road community of Chandler, Okla. McClanahan holds considerable stature with roadies. In addition to being an accomplished painter of scenes from the Mother Road, he wrote the indispensable "Route 66: EZ Guide for Travelers" guidebook that combines … Continue reading Route 66 artist setting up shop near Mother Road

“A City at the End of the World”

This is a 1993 broadcast from PBS station KNME-TV in Albuquerque, split into three parts of eight to 10 minutes each. The commentary is by V.B. Price, a University of New Mexico faculty member who is an environmental and architectural preservationist. Because of Albuquerque's massive growth in recent decades, Price was greatly concerned the city … Continue reading “A City at the End of the World”

From dirt into art

KFOR-TV in Oklahoma City did a story about Bradley's Pottery in Chandler, Oka., which is on Route 66. It turns out that Julie Bradley uses Oklahoma's red clay right in her back yard for her creations. "This red clay is equivalent to stoneware," she says. "So you can bake with it. You can microwave with … Continue reading From dirt into art

Highway of Broken Dreams — past tense

It was depressing to read Peter Kenter's story, "Highway of Broken Dreams," in the National Post of Canada about a trip he took on Route 66. He tells about how "hope gave way to despair." Finally ... ... Flagstaff, Arizona ... ... Don't forget Winona... As a matter of fact, we did forget Winona. And … Continue reading Highway of Broken Dreams — past tense

Virtual road trip

Andrew Wood completed a full-length trip of Route 66 a few weeks ago, and he's put his musings and adventures on a Web site here. It's chock-full of good writing and a ton of hyperlinked photos. Be prepared to spend a couple of fun hours on it. Wood, by the way, is the author of … Continue reading Virtual road trip

Wigwam makes list of Top 10 novelty hotels

This is getting to be old hat for the Wigwam Motel, but it recently made the "Our Favorite Novelty Hotels" list for Frommer's, the well-known international travel guide. Frommer's cited the Wigwam Motel in Holbrook, Ariz. It said: As someone who edits a number of travel guides each year, I often find myself wishing I … Continue reading Wigwam makes list of Top 10 novelty hotels

Upcoming book about Route 66 trip optioned for film

Michael Zadoorian has written a novel about a Route 66 trip, "The Leisure Seekers," that's not going to be published for almost another year, but it's already been optioned for film rights, says the Hollywood Reporter. The project, which has echoes of "The Bucket List" and "About Schmidt," revolves around an elderly couple who, to … Continue reading Upcoming book about Route 66 trip optioned for film

Michael Martin Murphey to perform benefit for Route 66 center

Michael Martin Murphey, best-known for his hits "What's Forever For" and "Wildfire," will perform a solo show in the historic Armory building in Chandler, Okla., at 7 p.m. Sunday, reports the Tulsa World. General admission tickets are $20 each, with reserved seating $30 each. All proceeds will go toward the Route 66 Interpretive Center, which … Continue reading Michael Martin Murphey to perform benefit for Route 66 center

So much for a good-ol’-boy network

Here's something I didn't know about the Route 66 town of McLean, Texas -- its mayor and five (ahem) aldermen are all women. According to the Associated Press, it's the only town in which all the elected officials are female. And, boy, there are some great quotes with that story: "We have people skills, and … Continue reading So much for a good-ol’-boy network