The Desert Dispatch of Barstow, Calif., caught up with Gary Long, who’s another obese man who’s walking Route 66 to lose weight.

On his first walking leg, he went from St. Louis to New York City. He lost about 80 pounds, and is down to 300. He’s now walking from Los Angeles to St. Louis. You can keep up with him at afatmansjourney.com.

Long told about a hair-raising experience in Ohio:

During his journey, Long has encountered a rattlesnake and a bear and has been covered in ticks and leeches, he said. One night on the first leg of his trip, he was in Ohio and had walked 20 miles that day. In the early evening, there was a flash flood, and he was soaked. He started to get cold, and hypothermia set in; the right side of his body went numb, and his legs started to give out.

Then, an older man and woman stopped their car and after talking to him handed him a key to their nearby cabin. If it weren’t for the cabin, Long said, “I would have died that night.”

Long was inspired by Steve Vaught of thefatmanwalking.com, who walked across America for the same reason as Long. It didn’t work as well as he’d hoped — he didn’t lose as much weight as anticipated, his marriage dissolved, and a book deal went bust. But in the past few days, Vaught wrote that he is preparing to walk across the globe and document his journey on his Web site more throughly. He’s planning on expanding the site’s offerings and use income from it to help support his family.

The eighth annual Tour of the Ozarks, a Sept. 16 bicycle ride through scenic Missouri (including Route 66) to benefit the Diabetes Education Fund, may be the last one, reports the Rolla Daily News.

That’s because the organizers are set to begin new jobs at the National Geospacial Intelligence Agency in St. Louis.

“When we found out we would be moving, we thought a lot about how it would affect the Tour of the Ozarks,” Morgan said. “We’re looking for people who want to do it and can handle it.”

If you want to participate in the event, you can register online clear up to the morning of the event.

If you’re planning to stop for a bite to eat at Al’s Route 66 Cafe in Sapulpa, Okla., on Thursday afternoon, don’t be surprised if you shake the governor’s hand.

Gov. Brad Henry is scheduled to visit Al’s about 3:30 p.m. Thursday, according to the Sapulpa Daily Herald. Henry, a Democrat, is running for re-election and is campaigning across the state in an RV.

It’s OK if Henry wants to have a bite at Al’s. The food is swell. However, he’s advised to avoid ordering the Big Daddy — unless he wants to feed his entire staff.

Regardless of how you feel about politics or Henry, it’s cool that Al’s Route 66 Cafe is getting the exposure.

Maybe Henry’s chief challenger, Ernie Istook, can stop there, too.

The Old Chain of Rocks Bridge, a section of Route 66 that spans the Mississippi River in St. Louis, was spruced up last week with the addition of red, orange and yellow banners designed by Kansas City artist James Woodfill, reports the Belleville (Ill.) News-Democrat.

The creation is called “Ultragate.”

Woodfill said the placement of the banners was inspired by walking the bridge.

“The structure seems dense in the distance, and as you move through it, the steel trusses slowly spread out into a light skeletal framework,” he said in a statement issued about the artwork. “With the massive structure overhead, the experience feels like a slowly decompressing gateway across the river.”

The report goes on to say the display will be up for at least one year. You can see the effect by clicking on the News-Democrat’s link, which has a photo.

The bridge carried Route 66 over the river for many years until the interstates bypassed it. It was closed for a number of years, then reopened by Trailnet in 1999 as a pedestrian and bicycle trail.

The Nut House, a pecan and roadside business on Route 66 between Claremore and Catoosa, Okla., will be sold at a liquidation auction starting at 1 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 24.

Here’s the home page for the auction, which will be conducted by Williams & Williams.

It’s not only going to be attractive for people wanting to invest in a piece of prime Route 66 real estate, but a lot of interesting memorabilia will be on the block, too. There are vintage vehicles, a bunch of antique toys, other antique and novelty items, and, well, lots of other stuff. Be sure to peruse all of the photos, as they’re sorted a bit randomly.

This item might be a hot bidder.

The Disney-Pixar film “Cars,” part of which takes place on old Route 66, has passed the $400 million mark for total box-office receipts, reports Box Office Mojo.

“Cars” has grossed $240 million domestically, which is No. 2 for all of the year 2006, and at least $160 million internationally. I say “at least” because there are several countries that haven’t even reported their grosses yet.

At this point, “Cars” probably will end up with total reported grosses of around $450 million to $500 million.

Seamus Malone of the From Hollywood to Harlem blog is embarking on a Route 66 journey from west to east, instead of the more traditional Chicago-to-L.A. direction. You can read about the first day of his adventures here.

I recently switched search engines, from Google to Technorati, while surfing for Route 66-related blogs. So I’m finding all sorts of new stuff I haven’t seen before.

This includes the Route 66 Spots blog, written by Syskia. Today’s post shows a photo of a very old alignment of 66 in McLean, Texas. I’m pretty sure it’s the same Syskia who posts on the Historic 66 forum.

Anyway, there are plenty other things to see on that blog. Check it out.

The historic Tri-County Truck Stop on old Route 66 in Villa Ridge, Mo., is known by roadies for its good grub, especially its country ham, not paranormal activity.

But Missouri Paranormal Research this month conducted what appears to be two extensive investigations of the truck stop for ghostlike activity. If nothing else, you can read a surprisingly well-researched report on the group’s site about the restaurant’s history.

There’s been alleged reports of an apparition sighted at the restaurant, and of another presence nicknamed George who supposedly has gotten a little touchy-feely with the restaurant’s female help. (Sounds like George needs to be slapped, or at least reported to H.R.)

The investigative team reportedly captured photos that contained unexplained blurry spots. Then there’s this video sequence shot in the restaurant’s basement that shows some sort of blueish figure going across the frame. This video was posted on YouTube; you can see it here:

I’m skeptical. But KTVI-TV, a Fox affiliate in St. Louis, did a story Monday about the group, which either gives it some credence or shows how much KTVI’s credibility has plummeted.

We report; you decide.

Ordinarily, a home fire without injuries is nothing I would get too concerned about on Route 66 News.

But this home fire was on the main drag of the isolated Route 66 desert town of Oatman, Ariz. Fires are a huge concern in Oatman because the businesses are packed together, and firefighting help is about 30 minutes away. One blaze in Oatman has the potential to make the whole village go up in smoke.

“If one of those fires ever occurred in the middle of town, we’d all be in trouble,” said Jerry Love of the Oatman Chamber of Commerce, whom I spoke with on the phone.

According to this report in the Mohave Daily News, the home of Cat and Willard Smith on Route 66 in Oatman burned to the ground Friday. They weren’t hurt, but they lost a pet cat and jewelry-making equipment and supplies used for their two Little Bear’s businesses in town.

Oatman’s brush-fires unit initially responded to the blaze, which was on the south end of Oatman, but they were hampered by high winds. At least three other area fire departments assisted in controlling the blaze that threatened other structures up the hill.

Love said the fire wasn’t deemed as suspicious.

The town has pitched in to help the Smiths get back on their feet. If you want to help, call the Oatman Chamber at 928-768-6222.

The Chelsea Motor Inn, a small motel on Route 66 in Chelsea, Okla., that had been closed for two years, acquired new owners in March who reopened it and are enthusiastic about the Mother Road.

Frank and Trudy Jugler, formerly of Edmond, saw the lodging complex for sale during a family reunion about a year ago. The Chelsea Motor Inn is the only motel on Route 66 between Vinita and Claremore.

The Juglers told me on the phone that they intended to remodel the six rooms of the motel into theme rooms, including Route 66. They’ve been busy enough with the business this summer that they’ve been unable to do so.

Also, they intend to convert the 1890s house that’s on the premises into a bed-and-breakfast. They eventually will set up an Internet site for the business.

The Juglers also have a pet buffalo in a three-acre parcel behind the complex, named Chelsea.

Room rates are $35 to $40 a night at the motel. Its phone number is 918-789-3437.

Road warrior Tim Steil was in Washington, D.C., last week with his kid to see the Smithsonian’s “America on the Move” exhibit before that part of the museum closes Sept. 4 for a two-year renovation. He e-mailed me a few photos from it.

Here’s a 1930s section of Route 66 from western Oklahoma. Steil wrote:

“That OK 66 sign is projected from a light above. … I was standing there looking at the exhibit, trying to figure out where the slab of 66 was … and my son pointed down at the sign and said, ‘You’re standing on it, Dad.’ Pretty cool the way you just step onto it without realizing it.”

Here’s the old Hamons Court sign that was part of the motel of the Lucille’s complex near Hydro, Okla.

Here’s a Route 66 exhibit.

Johnny Mango of Albloggerque has attempted to re-create the old-fashioned postcard look of Route 66 in downtown Albuquerque. It’s available as desktop wallpaper here.

Five Austin Sevens, dating from 1929 to 1938, were taken off the oceanliner and made their way through the Big Apple’s streets a couple of days ago.

They group, sponsored by the British-based 750 Motor Club, is on its way to Chicago, where they will start their Route 66 trip.

A travel blog of the journey is here, which includes the group’s itinerary and other information.

UPDATE: The Daily Item of Sudbury, Pa., had a report about the Sevens passing through Lewisburg on Sunday

OpenThreads, who like me has an account on Flickr, attempted to re-create Ernst Hass’ famous photograph of Central Avenue, aka Route 66, that was published in Life magazine in 1969.

Here’s the original:

Here’s OpenThreads’ re-creation, in the year 2006:

Not bad, huh? Here’s OpenThreads’ full-size version of the image.

In case, you’re wondering, that dark Albuquerque sky and vivid colors on the ground in the images are from thunderstorms that had just passed through the Duke City, with sunshine breaking through the other side. This summer, there has been no shortage of rain or thunderstorms in Albuquerque.

(Hat tip to Duke City Fix.)

UPDATE: OpenThreads has elaborated on his re-creation attempts in the comments section of this post.

In the past few days, Charlie Moret of Simsbury, Ct., has created his Jabopper and Fajzia blog, aka Route 66 by Motorcycle.

He’s going to take his son on a road trip down Route 66 by motorcycle. There’s no mention on when this trip will occur. But you can read about how he got the Mother Road bug in the meantime.

Here’s an article from the Alton (Ill.) Telegraph about nearby Edwardsville being named host of the national Route 66 Festival in 2008, which has already been reported here and several other newspapers.

Here’s the quote from the story that bugged me, however:

“It’s going to put us on the map,” said Carol Foreman, director of the Edwardsville/Glen Carbon Chamber of Commerce. “We’re going to be one of those cities that you’re going to have to be sure to stop at when you’re on the route.”

Well, maybe. I’m certain some Route 66 travelers will stop in Edwardsville because it has amenities: gas stations, good places to eat, a smattering of hotel rooms. It’s a clean-looking town, boasts low crime rates and has an active chamber of commerce.

But, frankly, as a Route 66 town, Edwardsville is not all that impressive. The city, which has seen tremendous growth in the past decade because of sprawl from St. Louis, has nearly obliterated the history that made it attractive to roadies. A longtime roadie favorite, an old A&W Root Beer stand, was razed years ago.

I think it’s telling that the city’s list of historic landmarks has many from the 19th century, but few from the 20th century. Just one — the Coles Monument — dates to the Route 66 era. Edwardsville prizes a certain type of history, but ignores another.

To be fair, all towns on Route 66 have suffered with historical losses. But it seems that prospering suburbs, such as Edwardsville, have lost the most. Quirky, fascinating businesses that were built in the 1930s through the 1960s often are the first to feel the wrecking ball when gentrification arrives.

To me, Edwardsville is similar to Edmond, Okla. Edmond also has a university in town and is one of the fastest-growing cities in its metro area. But I’m hard-pressed to think of one Route 66 attraction in Edmond because so much of it has been redeveloped. In contrast, Arcadia, a town one-twentieth of Edmond’s size, has two very good Route 66 attractions and soon will get a third.

Don’t get me wrong: I’m looking forward to the Route 66 Festival in Edwardsville. I’m fairly certain that with the city’s chamber and the involvement of the active Illinois Route 66 Association, it will be a well-run event. But if I’m going to check out local Route 66 sites, I’m going to drive west to the Luna Cafe in Mitchell or east to Scotty’s Route 66 Grill in Hamel. I’m not going to find roadside history in Edwardsville.

Mark Hughes of the Tuscaloosa (Ala.) News writes about the 50th anniversary of the interstate highway system.

Despite the success of the interstate, he says, travelers never will get much romanticism from it. Ken Smith, senior editor of RoadsideAmerica.com, explains why tourists are as attracted as ever to the quirky roadside attractions on our nation’s two-lane highways.

“It’s exotic. You work at your job 50 weeks a year, you want to get out and see something new, something different,” Smith said.

“You could go to Disney World, but where’s the sense of accomplishment? If you go out to Nebraska and track down the grave of King Neptune the Pig, that’s something you can brag about back home.”

As an example, Stewart’s Petrified Wood in the Route 66 town of Holbrook, Ariz., is cited. His shop has big, handmade dinosaurs in front, eating female mannequins. The business also includes an ostrich farm.

Stewart explained to the Roadside America folks that he intended to display animals from “close to the beginning of time” up to now, which explains dinosaurs to ostriches to humans.

To him.

And why are the dinos eating women?

“Well, they got to be doin’ something,” Stewart said.

It’s also observed that in an age of billboards being more tightly regulated or frowned upon, the Internet is now one of the main sources of promotion.

The whole article is well-researched and thought-out. Go read it.

In the last few weeks, Studiobrian of Chicago has set up a Route 66 blog to highlight the photographs he’s taken along the Mother Road, which he has Photoshopped nicely into art-quality images.

Studiobrian writes:

the artwork here was inspired from my travels along route 66…I assume that those who find their way to this site will also have a fondness for all things route 66…for those who have not traveled the old route it is hard to describe what it means and how it feels to do so…and for those who have, it’s more than just stepping back in time…in some ways I think it is about discovering who we are as a society; where we came from, how we got here and even a bit of what it means to be an american…so many of the things we take for granted have their roots here…we are a society built around a relationship with the car…if the pioneers were the infancy, then our parents came of age on route 66 and the rest is history…our collective history…they say you can’t go home again, but no one said you couldn’t visit…and I’m always ready for another visit…

Quite a few Route 66ers are unaware of the RS&K Railroad Museum on North Sixth Street in the Route 66 town of Sayre, Okla.

That’s because it’s been there only 16 years, is located in a private residence, keeps somewhat irregular hours, and there aren’t many references to it on the Internet. The museum gets about 500 visitors a year.

Fortunately, Ray Killian’s collection of model trains and real railroad memorabilia recently received some publicity from KFOR-TV in Oklahoma City.