Harley and Annabelle Russell of the Sandhills Curiosity Shop in Erick, Okla., perform “Route 66″ for a camera-toting tourist.

Other videos of Harley and Annabelle’s schtick can be found here and here.

If you never visited the Blue Whale of Catoosa, Okla., this video provides the next-best thing to being there. The camera operator even provides a rare look inside the whale’s second level, in the head.

For more history about the Blue Whale, go here, here and here.

This article by the St. Louis Post-Dispatch is the first I’ve seen since the Route 66 Bike Trail-Breaking event in Illinois on Saturday.

The article also provides hints on the trail’s potential popularity and its possible future:

Marla Gursh, a trails planner for the department, said at the event in Edwardsville that the bike trails “are another way to experience Route 66.”

She added that riders from Europe come to Illinois to ride the whole distance, beginning with the Buckingham Fountain in Chicago and ending with the old Chain of Rocks Bridge.

The Route 66 Trail is a mostly an on-road route for bicyclists. The state’s long-term plan is to develop a Route 66 trail system of off-road paths and comfortable roads for bicycles, equestrians and hikers.

On Saturday, I received word from prominent Route 66 author Michael Wallis that Walter “Doc” Mason, former owner of the fabled Best Western Trade Winds Motor Hotel in Clinton, Okla., has died.

The Trade Winds is best-known for hosting Elvis Presley for at least four overnight stays during his occasional cross-country drives from Memphis to Hollywood or Las Vegas. The Trade Winds still has an Elvis Room (No. 215), where The King stayed, to this day.

Mason and his motel were listed in the closing credits as “Route 66 inspirations” in the 2006 Disney-Pixar animated movie “Cars.” The Pixar crew, guided by Wallis, conducted research on Route 66 during the summer of 2001 and encountered Mason.

I also found this June 2006 article in the Clinton Daily News (it’s near the bottom of the linked page) by Scott Mason, Doc’s grandson, about Pixar’s visit to Clinton. It’s worth reading the whole thing, but this excerpt stands out:

As I watched the movie opening night and saw the character “Doc Hudson,” a pillar of wisdom and leadership in the fictional town of “Radiator Springs,” it reminded me of my grandfather, a pillar on 66 and in his community. It would not surprise me if the character was not loosely based off of my grandfather, Doc.

The best surprise came at the end of the movie. As I sat there, I saw my grandfather’s name, Dr. Walter S. “Doc” Mason, Jr., listed as special thanks in the film’s credits. If my granddad didn’t have Alzheimer’s right now, he would be so proud.

So, to John Lasseter and his Disney/Pixar crew I sincerely say, “thank you,” on behalf of my grandfather, “Doc” Mason.