Route 66 among top foreign destinations for British

The Chicago and Illinois Tourist Office reported on a Tweet yesterday that Route 66 was voted by British citizens as "the most iconic road trip in the world." That's not terribly surprising. But a follow-up report this morning shows how powerful Route 66's allure is: According to a recent study by the Chicago and Illinois … Continue reading Route 66 among top foreign destinations for British

French president, first lady want to cruise Route 66

Tucked into a story from Forbes.com about French President first lady Carla Bruni-Sarkozy's visit to America this week is a snippet that caught my eye: The couple went around the room to greet each of their guests and spent about 10 minutes chatting with those in attendance. Bruni-Sarkozy charmed a group of besotted women, telling … Continue reading French president, first lady want to cruise Route 66

“Nothing But the Wheel”

Here's a good highway song by Peter Wolf, formerly the singer for the J. Geils Band. And the backing vocalist is a fellow by the name of Mick Jagger. For the record, Mr. Wolf seems to favor U.S. 41 -- not that it's a bad thing.

FedEx takes electric vehicle down Route 66

FedEx has decided to demonstrate its new all-electric urban delivery van with stops along Route 66 from Monday through April 6. It's part of the "Charge Up Route 66" tour. The tour is planning stops  in St. Louis, Joplin, Oklahoma City, Amarillo and Albuquerque, in addition to the Mother Road's bookend cities of Los Angeles … Continue reading FedEx takes electric vehicle down Route 66

More than 400 race to the Rocker

More than 400 runners participated Saturday in the 4-mile Race to the Rocker that went on Route 66 from Cuba, Mo., to the World's Largest Rocker at the Fanning 66 Outpost and General Store in the tiny hamlet of Fanning, Mo., according to the Cuba Free Press. Proceeds for the second annual event went to … Continue reading More than 400 race to the Rocker

Barbecue restaurant honored by magazine

Missouri Hick Bar-B-Q in Cuba, Mo., was named the best barbecue restaurant in southwest southeast Missouri by Rural Missouri magazine, according to the Viva Cuba blog. From the blog: The restaurant at 913 East Washington, which is also Route 66, offers BBQ, smoked meats, a 5-6 pound loaded baked potato, five homemade BBQ sauces, and … Continue reading Barbecue restaurant honored by magazine

It’s Them

Here's a spirited version of Bobby Troup's "Route 66," performed by Them and featuring a very young Van Morrison on vocals.

A burger place to watch (and taste)

This part of a profile from the Arizona Daily Sun about the Mama Burger restaurant on Route 66 in Flagstaff, Ariz., got my attention: "I think it reminds them of a burger either they would make at home for themselves or someone dear to them would make for them," said Bernadette Chavez, who owns Mama … Continue reading A burger place to watch (and taste)

Notes from the road

The neon sign of the historic Tower Theater in Oklahoma City will be relighted during a ceremony Friday evening. The theater, at 425 NW 23rd St. in Oklahoma City, will see its restored neon blazing away again at 6:30 p.m. that day after decades in the dark. Here's more about the theater, according to records … Continue reading Notes from the road

The way of Waldmire

A YouTube poster by the name of "dguerraphoto" just uploaded this moving short film about Route 66 artist Bob Waldmire, when he was dying of abdominal cancer in November. I commend it to your attention: I'll post more information about the filmmaker as soon as I get it. UPDATE: I got this message from the … Continue reading The way of Waldmire