Michael Wallis
 All pictures by Jeremiah Crim and Shekar Davarya. Michael Wallis was born and raised on Route 66 and has lived and travled along it ever since. He has authored 11 best-selling books, including "Route 66: The Mother Road" (1990), which is a main source of information for Route 66 enthusiasts. Wallis' book has been credited with igniting the Route 66 revival in the early '90s. He can still be found at all sorts of "Mother Road" events, including at the head of a Harley tour each year on Route 66. For more about Michael Wallis, visit http://www.michaelwallis.com/bio.html. |
Interview questions: How should people go about trying to preserve Route 66? What should and shouldn't be done? audio video Were you trying to start a revival of Route 66 when you first wrote "Route 66: The Mother Road"? audio video As the road becomes more popular, do you feel that there is any danger that the larger chains will take over and force the small businesses to disappear? audio video Introduction, and how did you get interested in Route 66? audio video What's next for Route 66? How is it going to continue to evolve and change? audio video Some of the old ruins along Route 66 are being fenced off to prevent people from damaging them. How can these ruins be preserved without preventing people from exploring them? audio video Why Route 66? Is it really Route 66, or is it small-town and back highway America that you're interested in? audio video How do you feel when something you know on Route 66 disappears? When something new appears? audio video What kind of culture has grown up around Route 66? audio video Is Route 66 dated? audio video What were some of the bad things about Route 66 that people have forgotten? audio video How do you teach people about Route 66? audio video How do you tailor a tour of Route 66 to a large group of people? Can it be done as a group? audio video Is 66 a different experience on a motorcycle? audio video How has the Internet helped or changed the revival of Route 66? audio video Do you miss any of the Route 66 experience by driving the Interstate and getting off only at major 66 sights? audio video What is the "heart" of Route 66? audio video How representative do you feel Route 66 is of America today? Or is it representative of what America used to be? audio video What are some things people might miss by driving the Interstate for much of the way? audio video How was it trying to write a book on a highway that wasn't signed any more? audio video What are some of the things that have changed on Route 66 since your book was first published 13 years ago? What have you done to contribute to this change? audio video What do you think about people who try to follow every alignment and hit every piece of Route 66? audio video How do you choose projects on Route 66 to get funding? How do you decide what should go into a museum? audio video How do you get the best experience out of Route 66? Any tips for travelers? audio video |