Notes from the road

Ultramarathoner Phil Rosenstein is running the entire length of Route 66 -- and beyond -- for charity. He started a little more than two weeks ago in Santa Monica, Calif., and has already made it near the Arizona-New Mexico border. After completing his Mother Road trek to Chicago, he plans to keep going all the … Continue reading Notes from the road

Old license plates turned into art

While surfing the Net for Mother Road-related stuff, I stumbled upon this Talk Market video of California artist Aaron Foster hawking a Route 66 shield made of old license plates. It turns out that Foster doesn't make just road shields. He's made peace signs, maps of the continental U.S. and states, and even portraits of … Continue reading Old license plates turned into art

Still roping ’em in

Bushyhead is not much more than a wide spot on Route 66 in Oklahoma, but one weekend every year its population swells because of its Bushyhead Labor Day Pasture Roping and Barrel Race. Bushyhead is hosting the event again this year, but it will be bittersweet. Its founder, Clem McSpadden, died at age 82 earlier … Continue reading Still roping ’em in

Go retro

For you folks across the pond in Europe, the Independent in London has a rather comprehensive guide for those who want to travel to another era. Gee ... guess which one of the destinations it advocated? How about "doing" Route 66, the road of legends that crosses the continent, from Chicago to Los Angeles? Fifties-style … Continue reading Go retro

“The Long Cut”

"If you wanna take the long cut / We'll get there eventually ..." This is a performance of "The Long Cut" by singer Jeff Tweedy's band, Wilco, in 1995. However, the song comes from Tweedy's previous band, Uncle Tupelo. Both bands have lots of music worth checking. That's Jay Bennett shredding on lead guitar.

Tribe offering aid to flood victims

Hualapai Tourism, the owners of Grand Canyon West and the Skywalk, is raising funds for the neighboring Havasupai tribe that was devastated by recent flooding in the Grand Canyon, reports Elizabeth Mitchell for About.com. Starting Labor Day weekend on Saturday, August 30, The Hualapai Tribe will donate 10% of proceeds gathered by Hualapai Tourism for … Continue reading Tribe offering aid to flood victims

Old Joliet prison may be turned into tourism center

The long-closed Joliet Correctional Center just off Route 66 in Joliet, Ill., may be turned into a commercial project that caters mostly to tourists, reports the Herald-News. Discussions are in an early stage, but ideas include the creation of a museum or other venue that would invite tourists into the old prison on Collins Street. … Continue reading Old Joliet prison may be turned into tourism center

Season Two of “Route 66” series coming in October

The complete second season of the original "Route 66" television drama, co-starring George Maharis and Martin Milner, will be released on DVD on Oct. 21 by Infinity/Roxbury. The DVD set will contain all 32 of that season's episodes. It will be digitally remastered in the original 4:3 aspect ratio for the picture. Suggested retail price … Continue reading Season Two of “Route 66” series coming in October

“Reservation Road”

It should be noted that Route 66 goes into what once was called Indian Territory, and cuts through wide swaths of Navajo country. This song is by Bill Miller.

John Wayne memorabilia displayed at Williams museum

"Chili" Bill Brooks was John Wayne's pilot for about 10 years, when he flew the actor down to his two ranches in Arizona. Brooks befriended Wayne, famed for his roles in "True Grit," "The Searchers" and hundreds of other Westerns, until his death in 1979. The Wayne memorabilia that Brooks collected over the years now … Continue reading John Wayne memorabilia displayed at Williams museum