California Route 66 Association asking for letters of support for scenic byway

The California Historic Route 66 Association is asking for letters of support -- especially from international Route 66 fans -- regarding its nomination for a national scenic byway between Needles and Barstow. Lynne Miller, byway liaison for the association, sent Dries Bessels of the Dutch Route 66 Association a letter that he posted on Facebook. … Continue reading California Route 66 Association asking for letters of support for scenic byway

Route 66 Navigation creators working on a Route 66 Passport

The folks who created the Route 66 Navigation app for smartphones are working on a Route 66 Passport project with two Mother Road enthusiasts. Touch Media, which developed the app, stated in a news release: The “Route 66 Passport” with illustrations by artist Joyce Cole will provide Route 66 travelers with a fun, informative and … Continue reading Route 66 Navigation creators working on a Route 66 Passport

Dutch Route 66 guidebook published

Longtime Route 66 enthusiast Dries Bessels recently published a Dutch Route 66 guidebook as a fundraiser for the Dutch Route 66 Association. The book, which is in the Dutch language, contains more than 700 photographs and is 220 pages. Bessels wrote in an email: The book is a perfect complement for Jerry McClanahan's EZ Guide … Continue reading Dutch Route 66 guidebook published

Congresswoman tours flood-stricken Devil’s Elbow

U.S. Rep. Vicky Hartzler this week took in a firsthand view of the damage inflicted by a record flood in the Route 66 town of Devil's Elbow, Missouri. To date, she is the only non-local politician to go to the town after the disaster. She posted on her Facebook page later in the day: As … Continue reading Congresswoman tours flood-stricken Devil’s Elbow

Route 66 artist Willem Bor dies

Willem Bor, a co-founder of the Dutch Route 66 Association best-known for his detailed miniatures of Route 66 landmarks, has died after a battle with cancer. He was 61. This message was left on his Facebook account Wednesday morning: The words within the shape of a Route 66 shield were no doubt intentional. Knowing Bor … Continue reading Route 66 artist Willem Bor dies

Fundraiser aims to ship dying artist’s Route 66 miniatures to U.S.

An artist of Route 66 miniatures is dying, and Dries Bessels, chairman of the Dutch Route Association, is raising money so he can ship those miniatures to the United States. Willem Bor of the Netherlands, who in recent years has made astonishing replicas of Route 66 landmarks, has been battling cancer for months. In recent days, … Continue reading Fundraiser aims to ship dying artist’s Route 66 miniatures to U.S.

Scenes from the Best of the West on 66 Fest Parade

Frank Kocevar, former co-owner of Historic Seligman Sundries in Seligman, Arizona, recently uploaded this from the Best of the West of 66 Fest in Kingman, Arizona. Grand marshals for the parade were Dries Bessels and Marion Flimm of the Dutch Route 66 Association. Music for the video is "Kings of Kingman" by The Road Crew. … Continue reading Scenes from the Best of the West on 66 Fest Parade

A chat with Dries Bessels

KC Keefer's Genuine Route 66 Life video series released its latest clip, an interview with Dries Bessels. Bessels co-founded the Dutch Route 66 Association in the Netherlands and guides motorcycle tours down Route 66 annually. https://youtu.be/gAB19-HYuSY It probably is safe to say Bessels has the most interesting footwear on Route 66, as well.

Dutch couple honored with brick in Kingman’s Route 66 Walk of Fame

Dutch tour operator Dries Bessels and his wife Marion this week were officially honored as Route 66 Walk of Fame in Kingman, Arizona, as Dries brought a group of 50 of his fellow countryman on a cross-country journey on the Mother Road, according to the Kingman Daily Miner. The Walk of Fame was created, Dora … Continue reading Dutch couple honored with brick in Kingman’s Route 66 Walk of Fame

Kingman Route 66 Walk of Fame inductees announced

Four inductees for the Route 66 Walk of Fame in Kingman, Arizona, during the Best of the West on Route 66 Festival on Sept. 25-27 recently were announced. The inductees also will be recognized as King of the Road, an honorary position that includes being as grand marshal of the festival's parade. The inductees are: … Continue reading Kingman Route 66 Walk of Fame inductees announced