Tuesday, February 23, 2016

Trivia Tuesday: Route 66 Edition

I've mentioned several times that I'm part of the Learned League trivia league. I'm clearly one of the worst players in the league, but I enjoy it. That's not what this post is about though. There was a recent One-Day quiz about Route 66. I borrowed several questions from this quiz for today's Trivia Tuesday. I expect Eric, a Route 66 enthusiast, to do well.

1. Which American author coined the term “The Mother Road” for Route 66, in his depiction of the Dust Bowl of the 1930s?

2. Beginning in Chicago, Illinois and ending in Santa Monica, California, Route 66’s 2,000+ miles go through how many states, inclusive of the two termini?

3. Sheryl Crow could “drive up to _________ for the night, find some crossroad trucker to demonstrate his might.” Glenn Frey was “standing on a corner in __________, Arizona, such a fine sight to see.” While neither song is about Route 66, they each contain the name of a town along it. Complete the lyrics by naming both Route 66 towns.

4. What movie, whose setting was inspired by the small towns that were bypassed when Route 66 was replaced by interstates, was the highest grossing film of Paul Newman’s career? It was also his last feature film credit as an actor.


5. When President Dwight Eisenhower signed the Interstate Highway Act in 1956, it was the beginning of the end for the “Main Street of America.” As the new system was built, no single interstate was designated to replace Route 66; instead, 5 different interstates now make up the route that most closely parallels it. Name any 3 of those 5 interstates.

6. “Get Your Kicks on Route 66” has been recorded by Bing Crosby, Chuck Berry, the Rolling Stones, Asleep at the Wheel, and Depeche Mode, among others. However, it was first recorded in 1946 by what crooner and jazz musician?

7. Route 66 was established in 1926 as one of the original highways in the U.S. Highway system. It was decertified and officially ceased to exist in what year? Other significant events to occur that year include Mikhail Gorbachev becoming leader of the Soviet Union, a Stanley Cup win for the Edmonton Oilers, and the release of New Coke.

8. In the summer of 1997, my Dad and I were stuck in this Arizona town on route 66 due to car problems. The part that we needed wasn't in this town and could not be delivered for several days due to a UPS strike. We ended up renting a car and visiting the Grand Canyon and Las Vegas. We also ate at the same diner in this Arizona town, also home of Northern Arizona University, at least three times.

9. Although he may not have ever driven on any portion of Route 66, this #66, one of the greatest hockey players of all time, won his second Stanley Cup against Chicago.

As always leave your answers in the comments section below. In addition, don't use the internet for assistance. Good luck!

3 comments:

Eric Freed said...

Oh, Sean, you're tossing softballs to a Route 66 fanatic! Actually, there are a few tough ones, but let's give this a try...

1. John Steinbeck, in his epic, "The Grapes of Wrath."

2. 8 - Illinois, Missouri, Kansas, Oklahoma, Texas, New Mexico, Arizona, and California.

3. Not sure about the Sheryl Crow song... Winslow, AZ is in the Eagles song, "Take It Easy," sung by Glenn Frey.

4. CARS - a modern classic!

5. I-55, I-44, I-40, I-15, I-10

6. Bobby Troup, who can also be seen in the classic TV show, EMERGENCY!, on MeTV, as Dr. Joe Early.

7. I'm probably wrong on this one, but I think it's 1984?

8. Flagstaff, AZ

9. Super Mario

Thanks for having a Trivia Tuesday that I can actually answer!

Sean said...

Nicely done, Eric!

I won't give the answer to the Sheryl Crow portion of #3 yet to see if anyone else answers.

For #6, the answer I have is Nat King Cole/King Cole Trio. Is this wrong?

Very close on 7.

Eric Freed said...

Thanks, Sean. RE: #6, you're right. I misread the question. Bobby Troup wrote the song, but he wasn't the first to record it. Fun quiz!