“End of Trail” sign to be unveiled at Santa Monica Pier November 5, 2009
Posted by Ron Warnick in Businesses, Events, Signs.1 comment so far
Santa Monica Pier, the symbolic western terminus of Route 66, will be unveiling an “End of Trail” sign at 9:30 a.m. Wednesday, according to Jim Conkle of the Route 66 Alliance.
Across from the sign will the the 66 to Cali kiosk run by Dan Rice, who sells American-made apparel with a Route 66 theme.
The event is sponsored by the Alliance, Santa Monica Convention and Visitors Bureau, and the Santa Monica Pier Restoration Corp.
There also will be a short car cruise from Santa Monica to the pier before the event. If you wish to participate in the cruise, e-mail Conkle at jimconkle(at)verizon(dot)net.
Bob Waldmire update November 5, 2009
Posted by Ron Warnick in Art, People.3 comments
Today’s Chicago Tribune published a story about Route 66 hippie-artist Bob Waldmire and what he’s doing now after he was diagnosed with terminal cancer.
Although virtually everyone in the Route 66 community is saddened by Waldmire’s illness, this quote from him does my heart good:
“Even if I died 10 years ago, I can’t imagine having lived a fuller life,” Waldmire said, lying under a blanket on a couch inside the too-warm Chevy bus where he’s spending his last days. “I’ve been hearing from 66er friends and some people I’ve never heard of. … It just brings tears to my eyes. If I’d known it was going to be this good, I’d have gotten sick a long time ago.”
The story says that Waldmire may have a month or so left to live, which squares with what I’ve heard from a relative.
More here …
He says he’s ready to “pass through the portal.” Three songs — Jethro Tull’s “Life is a Long Song,” The Doors “Moonlight Ride” and Felix Mendelssohn’s “A Midsummer’s Night Dream” — will be played at his funeral. He will be cremated, with some ashes split between the family farm’s cemetery and the Pacific Ocean lapping at the Santa Monica pier.
The rest will be mailed to friends to spread along Route 66, said an unsentimental Waldmire.
“I’m thinking of making a sign that says, ‘No blubbering,’ ” he said. “I’ve lived long enough. It’s a bit upsetting to me that others are so upset.
“They need to count their own blessings and cherish the times we spent together.”
The story contains an excellent video of Waldmire being interviewed in his bus.
Remember, “Bob Waldmire’s Last Art Show” will be at the Cozy Dog Drive-In in Springfield, Ill., from 2 to 6 p.m. Nov. 22.
Hello from Romania November 4, 2009
Posted by Ron Warnick in Music.add a comment
This is Roxana Stroe playing “Route 66.” The video quality is only so-so, but her excellent guitar-playing comes through loud and clear.
Cadillac Ranch makes list of top 10 wackiest attractions November 4, 2009
Posted by Ron Warnick in Attractions.1 comment so far
The folks at TripAdvisor.com put together its list of the top 10 wackiest attractions in the United States.
At No. 3 was Cadillac Ranch, a long-standing attraction near Amarillo, Texas:
Cars sprouting from the earth apparently get high scores on the bizarro meter. Ten graffiti-covered Cadillacs look like they’re drilling for oil, with their noses buried deep in the Texas terrain off old Route 66. Bring a can of spray paint.
Off Interstate 40, between exits 60 and 62.
The entire list:
- Toilet Seat Museum, Alamo Heights, Texas
- Carhenge, Alliance, Neb.
- Cadillac Ranch, Amarillo, Texas
- Museum of Pez Memorabilia, Burlingame, Calif.
- Gatorland, Orlando, Fla.
- Eiffel Tower, Paris, Texas
- House on the Rock II II , Spring Green, Wis.
- Stonehenge II, Hunt, Texas
- Extraterrestrial Highway, Rachel, Nev.
- Twine Ball, Darwin, Minn.
Others that could easily make the list are the World’s Largest Rocker near Cuba, Mo.; Precious Moments Park near Carthage, Mo.; and the Rattlesnake Museum of Albuquerque.
(Via: Chicago Sun-Times)
Hello from Argentina November 2, 2009
Posted by Ron Warnick in Music.add a comment
This is Florencia Caserta, aka Flor, who is based in Buenos Aires and plays a mean guitar on Bobby Troup’s signature song.
Route 66 town gets White House recognition November 2, 2009
Posted by Ron Warnick in Gas stations, Preservation, Towns.1 comment so far
The village of Plainfield, Ill., received a recognition from first lady Michelle Obama that it was designated a Preserve America Community, according to the Joliet Herald News.
According to the article:
The Preserve America designation is based on a community’s efforts to promote heritage tourism, to protect its heritage resources and to protect and recognize its historic places. Designation as a Preserve America Community provides national recognition of Plainfield’s achievements and will enhance heritage tourism efforts and other economic development strategies.
Benefits of designation include: White House recognition; eligibility to apply for Preserve America Grants; a listing in the Web-based Preserve America Community directory; inclusion in national and regional press releases; official notification of the designation to state tourism offices and visitors bureaus; and enhanced community visibility and pride.
The village was platted in 1834 as the “Town of Planefield.” In the early 20th century, the Lincoln Highway was routed through the heart of the community and further stimulated commercial and residential development. After 1939, Plainfield enjoyed the distinction of being at the crossroads of the two longest, paved highways in the world when Route 66 was realigned through the village.
A 1928 Standard Oil station is one of the properties in Plainfield on the National Register of Historic Places.
Mr. D’z, Snow Cap among Arizona’s top diners, drive-ins November 2, 2009
Posted by Ron Warnick in Magazines, Restaurants.add a comment
Mr. D’z Route 66 Diner of Kingman and the Snow Cap Drive-In in Seligman were named among the top 12 diners and drive-in restaurants in Arizona by Arizona Highways magazine, reported the Kingman Daily Miner.
As you can see from the November issue’s table of contents, although the magazine ranked Mr. D’z higher at No. 2, the No. 5-ranked Snow Cap made the cover.
A complete list of the top diners and drive-ins was not available Monday morning.
In May 2006, Mr. D’z gained a lot of additional fame when it was visited by TV talk-show host Oprah Winfrey and friend Gayle King during a road trip. She liked the root beer so much that she donated bottles of it to her studio audience.
Mr. D’z started as a Kingman Cafe in the 1930s and was a Kimo Shell station for a time.
The original menu, including the chicken fried steak and the Harley dog, was based off of Dunton family recipes. Dunton even created the famous root beer. The idea came from when he visited a fair as a child and tasted a sweet, creamy root beer. In 1993, he tried to recreate that creamy taste. After several taste tests by the family, they settled on one concoction and contracted with a company to manufacture the syrup that is used in the diner today.
The Snow Cap is run by the Delgadillo family after longtime patriarch and owner Juan Delgadillo died a few years ago.
A little history and background:
Juan and Mary Delgadillo established the Snow Cap Drive-In in Seligman, Arizona in 1953 along Route 66. The building was built by Juan, along with his father and his brothers, out of scrap lumber he collected while working for the railroad. Juan retired from the railroad and worked everyday at the Snow Cap until the day he died, June 2, 2004 at the age of 88. Juan became well known through many magazines and newspaper articles as one of the co-founders of Historic Route 66. He was cherished by tourists for the antics he pulled on them while they were trying to order food and drinks.
The Snow Cap is perhaps one of the most wackiest, off-beat burger joints around. Many people will stop and say that the place is the same as it was when they came here as a young person. Today, visitors from Europe, Germany, Japan and other countries, as well as those from the United States seek the nostalgia of Historic Route 66 and the jokes that are famous at the Snow Cap. Juan’s two sons, Robert and John, along with his daughter Cecilia and wife Mary continue the tradition of serving up a generous dose of humor along with some of the best red chiliburgers and tacos, not to mention great shakes and soft ice cream.
Bob Waldmire’s last art show November 1, 2009
Posted by Ron Warnick in Art, Events, People, Restaurants.5 comments
I received a forwarded e-mail Sunday afternoon titled “Bob Waldmire’s Last Art Show.” I made a cursory glance at the text on my iTouch and was unable to see the artwork that was attached.
I thought: “The title of that show’s a bit presumptuous. I know Bob’s been diagnosed with terminal cancer, but recoveries from serious illness have happened before.”
Looking over the e-mail’s attached flier on my PC startled, saddened and amused me, almost simultaneously.
First, Bob drew and designed the flier himself (click the thumbnail to see it in more detail). There’s no doubt about it. Who else would you know who would draw so intricately in that Robert Crumb-influenced style?
Second, the “Last Art Show” description and accompanying drawings show that Waldmire has come to terms with the grim prognosis of his illness with his usual calm, gentle humor and laid-back hippie demeanor. Almost no one else I know would approach such a life-altering event in that way.
Waldmire’s art show will be at the Cozy Dog Drive-In in Springfield, Ill., from 2 to 6 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 22. For sale will be his T-shirts, mounted color prints, notecards, postcards and maps. A rare selection of Waldmire’s original art also will be on display. If Waldmire’s feeling up to it, he’ll probably be drawing there as well.
In typical Waldmire fashion, the flier tells well-wishers to “come as you are; leave different.”
(Hat tip: Kathy Miller)
State fair victory spices up Gallup business November 1, 2009
Posted by Ron Warnick in Food, Restaurants.2 comments
The Gallup (N.M.) Independent reports that business has boomed at Badlands Burgers of Grants, N.M., since the Route 66 restaurant won the Governor’s Green Chile Cheeseburger Challenge at the New Mexico State Fair in September.
On a recent Monday the parking lot was packed, and the line to order a now-famous burger was pushing the door as late as 2 p.m.
“It’s overwhelming. I wasn’t expecting to win,” Chavez said. “My whole crew was in shock the first few days.” [...]
Folks are coming from places like Los Lunas, Gallup, Socorro, Albuquerque and other towns [...]
Badlands Burgers owner Daniel Chavez said his brother encouraged him to enter the competition, telling him that his green chili cheeseburger was better than much of the competition’s.
The burger gets its inspiration from Chavez’s mom, Millie, who ran Chili Kicks on Route 66 for years until a death in the family induced her to close the restaurant. Chavez’s prize-winning dish of green chile, guacamole, tomatoes, lettuce, bacon, cheese, sliced onions on top of the burger, with a large side of fries, is called The Millie Burger.
Wayne the Train November 1, 2009
Posted by Ron Warnick in Music.1 comment so far
Here’s Wayne “The Train” Hancock doing a Western swing version of Bobby Troup’s most famous song “Route 66.” The gig was at the famous Lee’s Liquor Lounge in Minneapolis two days ago.
An avowed road warrior, Hancock performs this song a lot.