The centennial of Route 66 is celebrated this year, with author Larry McMry reflecting on his childhood experiences growing up near the iconic road. He recalls growing up with a small house near Baxter Springs, Kansas, where he was surrounded by the constant stream of vehicles on the highway. The National Park Service has described the 2,400-mile long route as “an agent of social transformation” by the National Association of American Activities (NPS). The author recalls his own childhood experiences with the highway, which represented a whole world for him. He also recalls racing cars on a section of the old concrete Route 66 just outside town where his father briefly owned a service station. McMry, author of “The Last Picture Show” and “Lonesome Dove” noted that the American road was often dangerous with traffic and often more traffic than it could handle.