Blue Dome building will become trolley depot

The T-Town Trolley, a which is actually a nicely decorated bus that gives rides to various entertainment districts throughout Tulsa, is marking its first anniversary. KJRH-TV is reporting on a development with the trolleys that's even more significant to roadies: But Lund is more excited about the location that will serve as the depot for … Continue reading Blue Dome building will become trolley depot

Indie film to soon begin shooting on Route 66

Independent filmmaker Billy Yeager, with his wife Anais, will begin shooting a number of scenes on Route 66 in Oklahoma, New Mexico and Arizona for his upcoming movie "Jesus of Malibu" in the next few weeks. Some excerpts from a couple of e-mails (lightly edited for clarity) that he sent: Growing up in Florida and … Continue reading Indie film to soon begin shooting on Route 66

Try, try again

The U.S. Senate approved the Omnibus Public Lands Bill, which contains a measure to renew the Route 66 Corridor Preservation Program for another 10 years, by a 77-20 vote on Thursday. If that sounds familiar, it should. The Senate approved a similar measure a few weeks ago. But the House, under rules that required a … Continue reading Try, try again

Hello from Tulsa

Longtime Tulsans know about him, and those who attended the awards banquet during the 2004 Route 66 Festival probably remember him. This is Chuck Cissel, performing "Route 66" at the Riverparks Amphitheater in Tulsa. Cissel forged a nice career on Broadway and the music industry before returning to his hometown. Cissel is also CEO of … Continue reading Hello from Tulsa

Museum acquires Wishing Well Motel memorabilia

The Illinois Route 66 Hall of Fame and Museum has acquired memorabilia from the razed Wishing Well Motel in Countryside, Ill., including the wishing well itself, reports the Bloomington Pantagraph. The motel, which was built in 1941, was owned and operated by father and son Charles and Emil Vidas and their wives. Charles’ wife, Zora … Continue reading Museum acquires Wishing Well Motel memorabilia

Notes from the road

We went on a brief trip from Tulsa to Tucumcari, N.M., over the weekend. Here are a few notes from that trip: The Midpoint Cafe in Adrian, Texas, has printed a new edition of "Ugly Crust Pies," a collection of favorite recipes from the restaurant. It's a color, spiral-bound cookbook that goes for $13.99 in … Continue reading Notes from the road

New murals at the Blue Swallow

Bill Kinder, co-owner of the Blue Swallow Motel on Route 66 in Tucumcari, N.M., showed us new murals that recently were painted by a traveling artist. These murals are painted inside the garages that are next to the rooms. The murals really bring vibrant color in an unexpected place.

Updates from Kingman

Jim Hinckley, an author and roadie in Kingman, Ariz., recently sent me Route 66 updates regarding his town. Demolition has begun on a block of several moribund and closed businesses on Route 66, including the City Cafe, the Imperial Motel and a Texaco gas station that dated to the 1940s. A Walgreens drug store is … Continue reading Updates from Kingman

A road trip on Leviticus

The latest chapter of "Route 66: A Road Trip through the Bible" is Leviticus, a book in which the pastor apparently acknowledges is tedious. I don't think it's terribly safe to barbecue goat in a convertible, however.

Salute to a King

Today is what would have been the 90th birthday of singer and jazz pianist Nat King Cole, whose version of Bobby Troup's "Route 66" became a big hit in 1946 and helped inspire generations to explore the Mother Road. A number of news outlets have published tributes to the man, including the Los Angeles Times, … Continue reading Salute to a King