Series from 2007
It began in the 1920's with the vision of a paved highway that connected Chicago with Los Angeles and the West, rolling through 2,400 miles, 8 states …
We'll begin our cruise along Route 66 where it all begins, or ends depending on your direction of travel, in Chicago's Grant Park. From there we travel south and west past the cornfields and tourist spots of Illinois, visit Ted Drewes Frozen Custard stand and the Coral Court motel in St. Louis, and much more. Then it's on to Kansas.
Once a busy highway, Route 66 is now relegated to second-class status by the super-slab Interstate. But instead of falling into obscurity, the Mother Road soldiers on as a 2,400 mile tourist attraction. Join us as we skirt the southeast corner of Kansas, cross Oklahoma and dive into Texas. Along the way we'll play with Devil's Rope and try to down a 72 ounce steak at the Big Texan.
Michael Wallis has come to know and love old highway 66, with its special towns and quaint attractions. Join Michael as he cruises west out of Amarillo into the Texas Panhandle, with its own share of oddities. We visit the Cadillac Ranch, the ghost town of Glenrio and the neon motels of Tucumcari. We meet a former Harvey Girl and go on a photographic tour of Santa Fe. Then, it's on to Arizona.
Route 66 is the quintessential blue highway, the one you take to slow down, savor life, and begin a great adventure. In this episode we visit the Grand Canyon, take in a custom car show in Seligman, get a haircut with a famous barber, take a trip over Sitgreaves Pass where we visit a hotel said to be haunted by Clark Gable and Carole Lombard, and then on to California.
Taking historic Route 66 gives the traveler the perfect opportunity to escape the Interstate and return to the way America used to be. From his study in Tulsa, Oklahoma, author Michael Wallis recounts his memories of the old road, the people and places that are still there along both flanks of the historic highway- unique hotels and motels, historic cafes and bars, and a look at Mother Road autos.
In episode six, author Michael Wallis relives more of his nostalgic childhood memories of the Mother Road. He explores a mining museum in Galena, Kansas, the Devil's Rope Museum in Texas, the withered up and blown away ghost town of Cuervo in Eastern New Mexico, and the hot Mojave oasis of Needles, California. Plus, we meet some unique travelers celebrating the 75 anniversary of Route 66.