Book review: “Things to Look Out for on Route 66 in St. Louis”

It became apparent while reading Kip Welborn's self-published book that it's not just a guidebook about Route 66 in St. Louis. It's also a love letter to his city. It's that enthusiasm about the Mother Road and his town that lifts "Things to Look Out for on Route 66 in St. Louis" (60 pages, spiral-bound … Continue reading Book review: “Things to Look Out for on Route 66 in St. Louis”

Trailer for “Route 66: Ten Years Later”

Here's the clip, posted today, of the trailer for the Jim Luning and Tim Steil documentary, "Route 66: Ten Years Later." Steil and Luning joined forces in 1999 to write a book, "Route 66." In 2009, they decided to revisit those places on the Mother Road. More clips from the video shoot can be seen … Continue reading Trailer for “Route 66: Ten Years Later”

New products galore at festival

With a bunch of roadies coming from all over the nation to attend the Tri-State Route 66 Festival near Quapaw, Okla., the folks in the Authors and Artists vendors area took the opportunity over the weekend to introduce very new products. Here are the ones I found to be of interest. The first is photographer … Continue reading New products galore at festival

Notes from the road

(Editor's note: This is my Catch Up from the Memorial Day Holiday Edition.) Actor and director Dennis Hopper died over the weekend after a long bout with prostate cancer. He was 74. A memorial service and burial was held Wednesday at a church in his beloved Taos, N.M., where he lived for years. Although a … Continue reading Notes from the road

Michael Wallis elected to Tulsa Hall of Fame

Michael Wallis, author of the seminal "Route 66: The Mother Road" and 14 other nonfiction books, was elected to the Class of 2010 for the Tulsa Hall of Fame, according to an article in the Tulsa World today. "Route 66: The Mother Road" became a best-selling book shortly after it was published in 1992 and … Continue reading Michael Wallis elected to Tulsa Hall of Fame

Book review: “Riding America’s Backroads”

Here's an idea that I can get behind: a motorcycle travel magazine compiling articles on 20 of its top U.S. tours, including Route 66, into one well-illustrated book. Motorcycle tourism has steadily grown as baby boomers approach retirement, so the market for such a book is there. RoadRunner Motorcycle Touring & Travel magazine, on its … Continue reading Book review: “Riding America’s Backroads”

Book of short stories, essays, poems focus on Route 66

Gondwana Press, based in Oklahoma, has just released a new book, "Lost on Route 66," consisting of short stories, essays and poems about Route 66, according to a news release. Eighteen authors from three countries and many states contributed to the book. Katelyn Bohl and Eric Wilder, author ofBig Easy, edited the manuscript. r. r. bryan, author … Continue reading Book of short stories, essays, poems focus on Route 66

Book review: “Appetite for America”

The last of the Harvey Houses closed more than 40 years ago, and they barely register a blip in the current public consciousness. But author Stephen Fried makes a compelling case in "Appetite for America" (Bantam, 544 pages, $27) that Fred Harvey and his restaurants and resorts made an impact on tourism, dining and the hospitality … Continue reading Book review: “Appetite for America”

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

Notes from the road

A final meeting for public comment will be Monday at 5:30 p.m. at Clinton Middle School in west Tulsa about the Route 66 Master Plan: Red Fork Streetscape Improvements, according to Greater Tulsa Reporter Newspapers. The project area includes Southwest Boulevard between 25th West Avenue and 27th West Avenue. [...] Citizens are welcome to comment … Continue reading Notes from the road