I’m not sure who’s doing this, but it’s pretty cool.

Someone has mounted a dashboard video camera and cruised Route 66 from its eastern starting point in Chicago. Some stoplight stops are edited, but it’s mostly real-time footage of driving west on the Mother Road. It’s darned near like being there.

Both videos are about an hour apiece. Part 1 starts in Chicago. Part 2 starts in Romeoville.

I have no idea whether the individual is planning on posting videos of his drive of the entire 2,200 miles. I’m eager to see.

Bob Moore, editor of Route 66 Magazine and emcee of the Route 66 Radio Show at KTOX in Needles, Calif., says that the Internet broadcast of the show has changed from Saturday morning to 8 p.m. EDT Friday on Bounce Radio.

The Mule Trading Post near Rolla, Mo., blessed by energetic new owners, tracked down an old hillbilly sign that once graced the Hillbilly Store and brought it back from the dead, reports the Rolla Daily News.

The hillbilly sign now stands in front of a new tobacco barn they opened Memorial Day weekend, just next door to the Mule Trading Post. He stands close to two stories tall, and his arms rotate in a circular fashion.

I thought the Hillbilly Store sounded familiar. Sure enough, I leafed through Quinta Scott’s book “Along Route 66″ and found an image of the original sign at the Hillbilly Store on old Route 66 near Devils Elbow, Mo. Here is an excerpt of an image of the original hillbilly sign:

The photo is not the sign that the Mule Trading Post has restored. The Mule fixed up a bigger sign that the Hillbilly Store commissioned after it moved closer to the interstate. The store eventually closed in 2000, and the sign lay in neglect until recently.

It sounds like Carl and Zelma Smith, owners of the Mule, aren’t done in rescuing old Route 66 signs.

“We’re members of the Route 66 Association,” said Zelma. “We’re all trying to buy the signs and keep them on Route 66. I try to collect everything I can find.”

Originally from Nebraska, Zelma didn’t fully realize the popularity of the historic highway until her and her husband became owners of the Mule Trading Post.

“During our first year, we had people from 39 different countries sign our guest book,” said Zelma. “They said they were following Route 66 from Chicago to California. A lot of people ship vintage cars and motorcycles over here to follow it — they’ve also been showing the Route 66 television program from the ’60s in foreign countries.”

The road is lucky to have business owners like the Smiths.

The city of Joliet, Ill., is holding a big bash downtown Saturday to celebrate its connection to the Mother Road, according to the Joliet Herald-News.

It’s an all-day block party with a classic car show, a sock hop, an ice cream parlor and outdoor showings of “Cars,” a movie based on people and places along The Mother Road, and a showing of “Grease.” All of the events will be held in the city’s downtown. […]

So the new museum exhibit, the permanent roadside displays — including statues of Jake and Elwood from “The Blues Brothers” on top of the Rich and Creamy stand, 920 N. Broadway — and special signs will enhance the experience while drawing more tourists to Will County […]

The highlight of Saturday’s celebration will be a live, star-studded re-creation of “You’re the One That I Want,” the final number in “Grease.” Local VIPs will do the number around 6:45 p.m. or immediately after The Blooze Brothers performance beginning at 5 p.m. Both acts will play on a stage in the Ottawa Street parking lot between Benton and Webster streets and near the Renaissance Center.

Smartly, the city hired Route 66ers John and Lenore Weiss to help plan the event. The city has a Web site touting the event.

In other Route 66 events:

• The Rolla (Mo.) Daily News has articles about a beauty pageant and a car show during the town’s Route 66 Summerfest, which is this weekend.
• The St. Louis-Post Dispatch tells about the preparations for the annual Festival 66 in Edwardsville, Ill., on June 8-9.

The Keepers of the Wild, once located near Hoover Dam, moved to 175 acres about 25 miles northeast of Kingman, Ariz., just off Route 66 and will open to the public on Thursday, reports the Mohave Daily News.

The sanctuary is for exotic animals that were neglected or abused. The park contains more than 150 animals, including tigers, lions, leopards, reptiles, wolves and monkeys.

In three to four months, the installation of added fencing will allow visitors to walk through the sanctuary but for now visitors must go on guided tours through the park. The animals live in a natural spacious habitat with waterfalls, rock formations, vegetation and natural springs, Lewis said.

Residents of Mohave County can enjoy a pre-opening special until June 30. Tickets for county residents are $12 for adults and $8 for children. Keepers of the Wild is a nonprofit organization.

Normal general admission is $15 for adults and $10 for children. For more information, call 928-769-1800.

Guided tours will run every hour on the hour. The park will be open from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesday-Sunday with the first tour staring at 10 a.m. and the last tour starting at 4 p.m. The park will be closed Monday-Tuesday.

Keeper of the Wild’s Web site is here.

The Sapulpa (Okla.) Daily Herald has a preview of this coming weekend’s Route 66 Blowout. Among the new events with the myriad activities is a salsa-tasting contest and a sock hop dance.

This is a compilation of images from Tokyo photographer Hiroshi Hanamura.

People who know of my fascination with Route 66 occasionally ask me whether I would have preferred to live in an era when the Mother Road was more vibrant, where I could see long-gone motels and businesses open and prospering again.

I admit that if a time machine were available, I would visit the 1950s for a short time. But never would want to live in that era because of this.

As a soldier in World War II George Yancy Johnson served with the “Ladies From Hell.” He did covert work in France several weeks before D-Day. He participated in the liberation of the Dachau concentration camp. During the Korean War he suffered so much from the cold that doctors considered amputating his feet.

But all the medals, and all his war stories, meant nothing in summer 1951, when he and his wife, Phyllis, and their infant son, Reggie, were on historic Route 66 at a motel in Winslow, Ariz., looking for a room.

“The woman in the office was curt. ‘No coloreds,’ ” he recalled.

“That night, as with many other nights, we slept in the Studebaker under the stars,” he wrote recently, when he put his memories on paper.

This is the reason you don’t see but one or two black faces at annual Route 66 gatherings. If you’re a white person, Route 66 generally brings up fond memories. But if you’re a black person who traveled the Mother Road up until about the 1970s, your experiences likely bring bitterness.

That history can’t be changed, but we can do something about it now by treating all races hospitably when they’re traveling America’s Main Street. A few months ago, I saw a black woman with her boyfriend greatly enjoying a meal at the Rock Cafe in Stroud, Okla. Decades ago, that would have been an impossible sight. That’s because the Rock Cafe served blacks only through the back door. But now, owner Dawn Welch and her crew welcome everyone.

Route 66 can’t erase those old, hurtful memories of discrimination. But it can create good memories now.

We thought we’d pay homage on Memorial Day to soldiers from Route 66 towns who have died in Iraq and Afghanistan. I first started this tribute on Veterans Day 2006. Since then, about another 30 soldiers have been added.

Route 66 is often described as the “world’s longest small town.” So when one of its own dies, those who feel an affinity to the Mother Road feel the loss more. One of the latest Mother Road communities to feel this loss is Winslow, Ariz., when Sgt. Christopher Gonzalez died after an attack in Iraq.

I can attest that small towns are more appreciative of their veterans and fallen soldiers. I grew up in a small town where Memorial Day was reverently observed at the local cemetery. There, the name each military veteran who had died was read, which took almost 20 minutes and staggered listeners with its enormity.

Since I am a resident of the Route 66 community, here is my attempt at a tribute to fallen Americans who hailed from the Mother Road.

ILLINOIS
Chicago

• Staff Sgt. Oscar D. Vargas-Medina, died May 1, 2004
• 1st Sgt. Edward Smith, died April 5, 2003
• Sgt. Ivory L. Phipps, died March 17, 2004
• Pfc. Torry D. Harris, died July 13, 2004
• Sgt. Sirlou C. Cuaresma, died June 21, 2006
• Cmdr. Adrian Basil Szwec, died April 12, 2004
• Machinist’s Mate Fireman Apprentice Bryant L. Davis, died Nov. 7, 2001
• Master Sgt. Wilberto Sabalu Jr., died May 6, 2007

Countryside

• Spc. John R. Sullivan, died Nov. 15, 2003

Cicero

• Sgt. Pedro J. Colon, died Feb. 19, 2007

Dwight

• Lance Cpl. Raymond J. Holzhauer, died March 15, 2007

Lincoln

• Staff Sgt. Daniel G. Gresham, died Feb. 24, 2005

Normal

• Spc. Jessica L. Cawvey, died Oct. 6, 2004

Bloomington

• Capt. Ryan Anthony Beaupre, died March 21, 2003
• 1st Lt. Debra A. Banaszak, died Oct. 28, 2005

Springfield

• Spc. Jacob C. Palmatier, died Feb. 24, 2005

Virden

• Staff Sgt. Gary R. Harper Jr., died Oct. 9, 2005

Edwardsville

• Pfc. Ryan C. Garbs, died Feb. 18, 2007

Granite City

• Sgt. 1st Class Shawn Christopher Dostie, died Dec. 30, 2005
• Sgt. Steven P. Mennemeyer, died Aug. 9, 2006

MISSOURI
Florissant

• Pvt. Lavena L. Johnson, died July 19, 2005

St. Louis

• Maj. William F. Hecker III, died Jan. 5, 2006
• Sgt. Amanda N. Pinson, died March 16, 2006
• Pfc. James F. Costello III, died April 11, 2006
• Lance Cpl. Leon Lance Deraps, died May 6, 2006
• Petty Officer 2nd Class Christopher Walsh, died Sept. 4, 2006
• Cpl. Jacob R. Fleisher, died Nov. 24, 2004
• Spc. Christopher M. Katzenberger, died Aug. 9, 2005
• Maj. Gloria D. Davis, died Dec. 12, 2006
• Lance Cpl. Matthew W. Clark, died Dec. 14, 2006
• Sgt. Milton A. Gist Jr., died Jan. 30, 2007
• Sgt. Brandon L. Wallace, died April 14, 2007

Wildwood

• Spc. Peter J. Navarro, died Dec. 13, 2005

Pacific

• Cpl. Riley E. Baker, died June 22, 2006

Lebanon

• Sgt. Lawrence Parrish, died Oct. 7, 2006

Marshfield

• Spc. Michael C. Campbell, died May 19, 2004

Springfield

• Pfc. Jesse Alan Givens, died May 1, 2003
• Sgt. Timothy J. Sutton, died July 11, 2005
• Sgt. 1st Class Randall L. Lamberson, died April 10, 2006

Carthage

• Master Sgt. Thomas A. Wallsmith, died Oct. 26, 2005

Joplin

• Sgt. Philip J. Svitak, died March 4, 2002

KANSAS
Riverton

• Pvt. Dustin L. Kreider, died March 21, 2004

OKLAHOMA
Miami

• Civilian Fern L. Holland, died March 9, 2004
• Tech. Sgt. Jason L. Norton, died Jan. 22, 2006

Vinita

• Sgt. Justin Noyes, died July 2, 2006

Claremore

• Staff Sgt. John G. Doles, died Sept. 30, 2005

Tulsa

• Pvt. Jason M. Ward, died Oct. 22, 2003
• Spc. James E. Marshall, died May 5, 2004
• Lance Cpl. Jordan D. Winkler, died Nov. 26, 2004
• Cpl. Nathaniel T. Hammond, died Nov. 8, 2004
• Cpl. Jared M. Shoemaker, died Sept. 4, 2006
• Cpl. Derek A. Stanley, died June 5, 2006

Edmond

• Pfc. David J. Martin, died Oct. 31, 2005

Oklahoma City

• Spc. Sonny Gene Sampler, died July 8, 2004
• Sgt. Carl W. Lee, died Nov. 28, 2004
• Cpl. Jeffry A. Rogers, died Nov. 16, 2005
• Staff Sgt. Lance M. Chase, died Jan. 23, 2006
• Chief Warrant Officer Lawrence S. Colton, died April 11, 2004
• Sgt. Danton K. Seitsinger, died Jan. 29, 2004
• Lance Cpl. Trevor A. Roberts, died March 24, 2007

TEXAS
Amarillo

• Capt. Eric Bruce Das, died April 7, 2003
• Chief Warrant Officer Johnny Villareal Mata, died March 23, 2003
• Spc. Taylor J. Burk, died Jan. 26, 2005
• Staff Sgt. Tommy Ike Folks Jr., died Oct. 19, 2005
• Chief Warrant Officer Miles P. Henderson, died Nov. 6, 2006
• Pfc. Troy D. Cooper, died Dec. 3, 2006

NEW MEXICO
Las Vegas

• Lance Cpl. Shane P. Harris, died Sept. 3, 2006

Santa Fe

• Lance Cpl. Jonathan Walter Grant, died May 11, 2005

Albuquerque

• Pfc. Christopher Ramos, died April 5, 2004
• Pfc. Christopher S. Adlesperger, died Dec. 9, 2004
• Spc. Jeremy E. Christensen, died Nov. 27, 2004
• Spc. Christopher A. Merville, died Oct. 12, 2004
• Sgt. 1st Class Christopher J. Speer, died Aug. 7, 2002
• Spc. Eric Vizcaino, died Nov. 21, 2006
• Tech Sgt. Scott E. Duffman, died Feb. 18, 2007
• Spc. Clifford A. Spohn III, died April 9, 2007
• Maj. Douglas Zembiec, died May 10, 2007

Belen

• 1st Lt. Tamara Long Archuleta, died March 23, 2003

ARIZONA
Holbrook

• Spc. Damien M. Montoya, died July 9, 2006

Winslow

• Sgt. Christopher N. Gonzalez, died May 14, 2007

Flagstaff

• Lance Cpl. Marty G. Mortenson, died April 20, 2005
• Spc. Alyssa R. Peterson, died Sept. 15, 2003

Kingman

• Hospitalman Joshua McIntosh, died June 26, 2003
• Staff Sgt. William T. Latham, died June 18, 2003
• Spc. Coty J. Phelps, died May 17, 2007

CALIFORNIA
Barstow

• Sgt. 1st Class James F. Hayes, died Nov. 6, 2005

Victorville

• Lance Cpl. William J. Wiscowiche, died March 30, 2004

San Bernardino

• Cpl. Sean R. Grilley, died Oct. 16, 2003
• Cpl. Nicanor Alvarez, died Aug. 21, 2004
• Spc. Timothy D. Watkins, died Oct. 15, 2005
• Pfc. Alex Oceguera, died Oct. 31, 2006

Rialto

• Staff Sgt. Jorge A. Molina Bautista, died May 23, 2004
• Spc. Luis D. Santos, died June 8, 2006

Azusa

• Pfc. Leroy Harris-Kelly, died April 20, 2004

Arcadia

• Sgt. Kyle A. Colnot, died April 22, 2006

Fontana

• Sgt. Bryan A. Brewster, died May 5, 2006
• Lance Corp. Fontana S. Tamayo, died Dec. 21, 2006

Glendora

• Spc. Elias Elias, died Dec. 23, 2006
• Lance Corp. Blake H. Howey, died Feb. 18, 2007

Monrovia

• Lance Cpl. Raul Mercado, died Jan. 7, 2006

Rancho Cucamonga

• Capt. Mark C. Paine, died Oct. 15, 2006
• Sgt. Lawrence J. Carter, died Dec. 29, 2006

Pomona

• Petty Officer 2nd Class Cesar O. Baez, died June 15, 2005
• Sgt. Shaker T. Guy, died Oct. 29, 2005
• Spc. Sergio Gudino, died Dec. 25, 2005

Pasadena

• Lance Cpl. Sergio H. Escobar, died Oct. 8, 2005
• Spc. Adam J. Rosema, died March 14, 2007

Los Angeles

• Staff Sgt. Juan de Dios Garcia-Arana, April 30, 2005
• Staff Sgt. Eddie E. Menyweather, died Nov. 23, 2003
• Lance Cpl. Benjamin R. Gonzalez, died May 29, 2004
• Staff Sgt. Abraham D. Penamedina, died April 27, 2004
• Sgt. 1st Class John Winston, Marshall, died April 8, 2003
• Pfc. Francisco Abraham Martinez-Flores, died March 27, 2003
• Cpl. Jorge Alonso Gonzalez, died March 23, 2003
• Lance Cpl. Victor R. Lu, died Nov. 13, 2004
• Sgt. Trinidad R. Martinezluis, died Nov. 28, 2004
• Lance Cpl. Luis A. Figueroa, died Nov. 18, 2004
• Spc. Omead H. Razani, died Aug. 27, 2004
• Sgt. Edgar E. Lopez, died Aug. 28, 2004
• Sgt. 1st Class Joselito O. Villanueva, Sept. 27, 2004
• Lance Cpl. Felipe D. Sandoval-Flores, died April 2, 2006
• Lance Cpl. Salvador Guerrero, died June 9, 2006
• Cpl. Roberto Abad, died Aug. 6, 2004
• Pfc. Geoffrey Perez, died Aug. 15, 2004
• Lance Cpl. Veashna Muy, died June 23, 2005
• Cpl. Carlos Pineda, died June 24, 2005
• Lance Cpl. Dion M. Whitley, died June 15, 2005
• Sgt. Milton M. Monzon Jr., died July 24, 2005
• Sgt. Alejandro Carrillo, died Jan. 30, 2007
• Spc. Christopher D. Young, died March 2, 2007

(Sources: CNN.com, icasualties.org)

Max Nichols, a history columnist for the Daily Oklahoman, tells about the past and present attractions of Route 66 in Oklahoma before the National Route 66 Festival in Clinton in June.