Get your kicks

One thing that you might not know about the Inland Empire is that Route 66 passes through here. As you head in from Kingman and Barstow, you go through San Bernardino...and Rialto...and Fontana...and Rancho Cucamonga...and Upland...and Claremont...and a bit of Pomona...and La Verne...

But Route 66 speaks of freedom. The freedom to ride on the open road. The freedom to do it in a teepee. The freedom to generate revenue:

When the 19th annual State Bros. Route 66 Rendezvous motors into town Thursday evening, it will present a contrast unprecedented in its history: The convivial blend of big, thirsty engines and sweet nostalgia teetering on the edge of an economy that has the federal government as concerned as it has been at any time since the Depression.

I guess you can say it's an Edsel of an economy. But people are still celebrating:

The four 2008 inductees into the Cruisin' Hall of Fame are accomplished customizer, Bill Hines, aka "The Leadslinger,"; the Justice Brothers, quality car care products since 1936; the 1968 Ford Mustang, "California Made it Happen;" and Inland Vans Berdoo, since 1969 bound by a love for customizing vans and cruisin' E Street.

In addition, a special Cruisin' Hall of Fame Lifetime Achievement Award will be presented to drumming icon Hal Blaine, who performed on thousands of hit records over a quarter of a century.

A complete list of Hall of Fame members can be found here. Depeche Mode has not yet been inducted.