Is the Big Texan Steak Ranch on Route 66?

The answer: Yes. It sits on an obscure and short-lived alignment of Route 66 from the 1920s. More on this later. While recently reporting the Big Texan Steak Ranch in Amarillo, Texas, likely will begin building a bigger complex soon, I wrote this bit: Although the Big Texan no longer sits on Route 66, it began on Amarillo Boulevard … Continue reading Is the Big Texan Steak Ranch on Route 66?

DVD review: “The Missouri Maze”

Unoccupied Route 66 continues its mix of history and atmospheric images of forlorn Route 66 sites in its latest documentary, "The Missouri Maze." The 26-minute film ($14.95 list, shipping included), directed by KC Keefer and hosted by Nick Gerlich, tells about a mid-Missouri area where Route 66 ended up realigned, realigned again, then abandoned by Interstate 44. Here's … Continue reading DVD review: “The Missouri Maze”

Trailer for “The Missouri Maze” film released

Filmmaker KC Keefer and host Nick Gerlich of Unoccupied Route 66 recently released this trailer for "The Missouri Maze," an area of the Show Me State where Route 66 was rerouted several times. The ruins of John's Modern Cabins near Newburg, Missouri, play a prominent role, although other landmarks of the region also appear. https://youtu.be/E_91r4gqDe0 "The Missouri … Continue reading Trailer for “The Missouri Maze” film released

DVD review: “Exit Zero”

The new 26-minute film "Exit Zero" doesn't so much explore the history of the Route 66 ghost town that straddles the Texas-New Mexico border as give an atmospheric look of what's there now and glimpses of what was there before. Here's the trailer for the film: https://youtu.be/0ClyUztE_FM Like Unoccupied Route 66's previous film about the deserted Painted Desert … Continue reading DVD review: “Exit Zero”

“Cultural Heritage Tourism: Why People Travel Route 66”

A marketing professor revealed a little-known word -- anemoia -- he'd discovered only in the past year that probably explains why many people explore Route 66. Nick Gerlich, a professor at West Texas A&M and an avid explorer of old Route 66, explained during his presentation Oct. 31 at the Miles of Possibility Conference in Edwardsville, Illinois, that anemoia … Continue reading “Cultural Heritage Tourism: Why People Travel Route 66”

“Painted Desert Trading Post” documentary is online

KC Keefer's 18-minute documentary, "Painted Desert Trading Post," about the long-closed Route 66 landmark of the same name in eastern Arizona, went live on YouTube at midday Sunday. The film, hosted by Route 66 researcher Nick Gerlich, is part history lesson and part contemplative atmosphere. And be sure to see the final few minutes of … Continue reading “Painted Desert Trading Post” documentary is online

“Painted Desert Trading Post” trailer

A few days ago, Nick Gerlich and KC Keefer revealed a trailer for "Painted Desert Trading Post," a short documentary about the long-abandoned property in eastern Arizona near the Petrified Forest National Park. The trailer is long on atmosphere, which I like a lot. https://youtu.be/swTWrpX9qNw Gerlich, a professor of marketing at West Texas A&M University, … Continue reading “Painted Desert Trading Post” trailer

Roadie will lead a “Breaking Bad” tour on Saturday

Nick Gerlich, a West Texas A&M marketing professor who is a big fan of Route 66 and the acclaimed "Breaking Bad" television drama, will lead a "Breaking Bad" motor tour of Albuquerque on Saturday. The tour will include more than 30 locations in Albuquerque where "Breaking Bad was filmed, including more than a dozen on … Continue reading Roadie will lead a “Breaking Bad” tour on Saturday

“Genuine Route 66 Life” video series launched

This has been in the works for a while. But on Monday, Denver-based photographer KC Keefer launched his "Genuine Route 66 Life" channel on YouTube. The channel is subtitled "American Stories from the Route," and this is what the series is about: "Genuine Route 66 Life" is a celebration of people from around the world … Continue reading “Genuine Route 66 Life” video series launched