Learning to use our calendar puts the fun and adventure of Route 66 at your fingertips. It's easy to discover the when, what and where of events along the road.
Watch Route 66 evolve into The Mother Road with maps and highway guides from 1917-1992 courtesty of the official 
My Good Friend Bob Waldmire - A Story and Memorial
Submitted by Editor Gina on February 18, 2010 - 1:44pm.Ken Turmel gave us his permission to print the following story he wrote about Route 66 Artist, Icon and Friend, Bob Waldmire. Here is Ken's story in its entirety, as originally published on TwoLane Adventure:
Greetings Fellow Route 66'ers and those of you who are a personal friend of my dear and close roadie buddy Bob Waldmire. It pains me to be the messenger of most unfortunate news. Bob has passed away this morning on Wednesday, December 16, 2009, at 8:30am. This is a solemn day for me. We will all surely miss him dearly.
Stilt Crazy After All These Years
Submitted by Editor Gina on January 31, 2010 - 11:33pm.Here is an AMAZING story of Frenchman, Manu Cuadra, who is a "stilt traveler."
Manu will be arriving in Chicago from France on April 12, 2010 to begin his journey along Route 66 ON STILTS!!! Manu asks for our support and any help we can provide along his journey.
Click here to watch a very enjoyable video of Manu's travels on high.
Click here to go to Manu's blog about his upcoming Route 66 adventure.
Email Manu to wish him luck or lend your support: manu-40@live.fr
Bon chance, Manu!
Walldogs Museum Planned in Pontiac
Submitted by Editor Gina on January 21, 2010 - 2:35pm.This Summer the city of Pontiac, IL will have yet another tourist attraction: A Walldogs Museum!
The Walldogs are a worldwide group of artists who continue the historic tradition of painting outdoor advertising signs. They met in Pontiac in 2009 to grace the city with 18 murals painted on buildings in just four days time.
According to an article published in the Pontiac, Illinois Community Times, the new International Walldog Mural and Sign Art Museum will provide these elements:
Bob and Me
Submitted by Editor Gina on January 12, 2010 - 4:12pm.
Bob and Me
A Photo Gallery About Bob Waldmire and Friends
There has been such an outpouring of stories and jokes and pictures of Bob Waldmire and his fans since his death that the Museum Committee is starting up a photo gallery at the museum simply entitled, “Bob and Me.”
These photos will be on display on the 2nd floor of the Route 66 Hall of Fame and Museum in an alcove next to the Preservation Exhibit.
Send us a photo or photos by mail or email to be placed in our new exhibit.
We’re not sure how long the exhibit will last so if you are sending a photo you would like returned, please put your name, address and phone number on the back of the photo for our future reference.
We will be posting all the pictures received of you and Bob, or Bob and your family, or Bob with your dog, etc. This amazing man quietly affected everyone he met. We all gained something knowing Bob, and we think Bob would be genuinely amused at a gallery of photos of himself with his “people.”
So share your Kodak moment with the rest of the Route 66 community!
Photos can be emailed to Cathie Stevanovich at cathiesb@earthlink.net
Regular photos can be mailed to:
Bob And Me
Route 66 Association of Illinois Hall of Fame & Museum
110 W. Howard
Pontiac, IL 61764
Go Fly a Kite!
Submitted by Editor Gina on December 31, 2009 - 12:47pm.Our thanks to Vince Lindstrom at the Joplin Convention & Visitors Bureau for submitting the following information.
This sounds like so much FUN!
KITES OVER ROUTE 66
Joplin Missouri is in the process of organizing a Route 66 “Fly Over."
Our second annual event is called “KITES OVER ROUTE 66." We are asking communities, along Route 66 to gather groups together and fly kites over The Mother Road on Saturday April 24th. It is our intention over the next 10 years to have enough kites flying over the road to be able to see kites to your left and right during the fly over the fourth Saturday in April all along the 2,400 miles of Route 66.
New Web Site Feature! Route 66 Slideshow
Submitted by Editor Gina on December 29, 2009 - 11:11am.
Winter weather in Illinois can be inclement and downright unpleasant for driving - even along Route 66. We here at the Route 66 Association of Illinois would like to help you beat the Wintertime "blahs" by beginning a Cabin Fever busting project here on our web site.
Starting early in 2010 we'll begin a new slideshow feature so you can view photos of Route 66 events and attractions any time you want. So, even if you can't get out and enjoy the Mother Road for yourself, you can enjoy a virtual trip from the warmth of home.
Editor Gina is busy assembling and labeling the slideshows with photos already in our archives.
We invite and encourage anyone with Route 66 photos you'd like to share on the web site to submit them soon so we can incorporate them into the slideshow.
Click to go to our "Submit Content" page to submit your photos.
More details are coming soon about our new Route 66 slideshow. Stay tuned to a computer near you.
His "Feat" Were Made for Walkin'
Submitted by Editor Gina on December 28, 2009 - 4:57pm.
In an update to a previous story, which you can read by clicking here, 71-year-old Emery Duick of Des Plaines, IL has accomplished his amazing feat: He has succeeded in WALKING the entire length of Route 66 from Chicago to Santa Monica, CA! It took him 209 days to make the journey.
According to Journal & Topics Newspaper, he arrived at his destination on the Santa Monica Pier at 11:00 AM today.
Click to read the story in its entirety, "He Made It! DP Man Walks Route 66 In 209 Days" at the Journal & Topics Newspaper Online.
Mr Duick is truly an inspiration!
Bob Waldmire "Celebration of Life" Planned
Submitted by Editor Gina on December 17, 2009 - 8:00pm.This was released from Sue Waldmire, Cozy Dog, via the Route 66 (Ron Warning) website:
The family asked that I let everyone know that there will be a Celebration of Life on Sunday December 20th from 12-2 p.m. at Wilson Park Funeral Home in Rochester, Illinois. In lieu of flowers memorials made be sent to the “Robert Waldmire Trust” and sent to the Rochester State Bank 133 N. John St. Rochester, Illinois, 62563. Thank you for all your prayers and support in our time of need.
RIP Bob Waldmire
Submitted by Editor Gina on December 16, 2009 - 3:16pm.Today we sadly report that Route 66 artist and icon, Bob Waldmire, has passed away.
The Springfield Journal Register has the complete story. Click to read, "Route 66 legend Bob Waldmire reaches end of road."
Click to read more about Bob Waldmire.
In this time of sadness, we can hopefully find solace in the fact that Bob knew how beloved he was.
Rest in peace, Friend.
Riviera Roadhouse Re-Opens this Weekend!
Submitted by Editor Gina on December 11, 2009 - 11:27am.Breaking News!
Our thanks to Kathy Miller for the following announcement...
The Riviera Roadhouse in Gardner, IL will reopen for business this weekend (December 12 and 13, 2009). Everyone's favorite waitress Becky who has been serving you for 26 years will be on staff. Managing and cooking the Riviera is the same cook for the last 29 years.
They will be open New Year's Ever serving thier famous BBQ Ribs, make your reservation soon!
We welcome your Route 66 news, stories, photos and events for publication in our newsletter or on our web site!
