Tour de Route 66

Here's an item from lifestyles columnist Alan Peppard of the Dallas Morning News: For former Grand Prix of Dallas executive director Buddy Boren, the 1994 discovery of 30 tumors in his body was the crucible that moved him from the speedway to the slow lane. Since 2000, he has been making long-distance bicycle rides to … Continue reading Tour de Route 66

Long live the (Dairy) Queen

Here's an interesting story form the Naperville (Ill.) Sun about the Dairy Queen restaurant chain in 1940 in Joliet. What many people don't know is that the first DQ was a mom-and-pop restaurant born on Route 66, on North Chicago Street. The story has a photo of that first one. It now has more than … Continue reading Long live the (Dairy) Queen

Another roadie gets attention for “Cars”

The Casper (Wyo.) Star-Tribune interviewed Becky Ransom of the Big Texan Steak Ranch in Amarillo about her role in meeting the Pixar crew during its research for its "Cars" movie and her attendance at the world premiere in North Carolina last month. Ransom is a native of the Jackson Hole area.

“Kid, go out and get a story about Route 66”

That's how Brent Hopkins of the Los Angeles Daily News essentially ended up on the Mother Road in Southern California driving his old Mustang. It's a good article, and it's especially intriguing to read about the the improvement of the Green Spot motel: The Green Spot, just a bit off the slice of the route … Continue reading “Kid, go out and get a story about Route 66”

Planning a trip out west

The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette has a story about Route 66 attractions from Albuquerque to the Mojave Desert just outside of Los Angeles. Included is a list of recommended lodging.

Advice for future host hotels

I spent a night at the Hotel Albuquerque, which was the host hotel of the Route 66 Festival. Based on what I saw and heard, I have advice for future hotel hosts of Route 66 festivals: If you have to shut down an elevator for cosmetic remodeling, please do it at a time when dozens … Continue reading Advice for future host hotels

Duke City barbecue

During the Route 66 Festival, I was hoping to find a great restaurant that I hadn't visited before in my half-dozen excursions or so through Albuquerque. The Frontier was pretty swell, with its unique atmosphere and combination of health food and stick-to-your-ribs diner fare. But the real find for Emily and me was Powdrell's BBQ … Continue reading Duke City barbecue

Oklahoma proposes tourism funding cuts

I've received word that proposed state funding for about 30 Oklahoma Historical Society sites, including the Route 66 Museum in Clinton, has been cut from $3.1 million to a mere $700,000. The state is working out its yearly budget and has less than a week in which to do so. It seems ludicrous to cut … Continue reading Oklahoma proposes tourism funding cuts

President’s executive order doesn’t mean much

I read with interest on the newswires this morning that President Bush issued an executive order that limits the federal government from seizing private property via eminent domain. The order came on the anniversary of a controversial Supreme Court decision that upheld the use of eminent domain for private development. A story about the order … Continue reading President’s executive order doesn’t mean much

“Cars” director John Lasseter wins Will Rogers Award

John Lasseter, director of Disney-Pixar's summer blockbuster movie "Cars," was given the highest honor at the Will Rogers Awards Evening on Friday in Albuquerque, capping an emotional event that marked the 80th anniversary of historic Route 66. Lasseter was unable to receive the Will Rogers Award because he was on an overdue vacation in Europe. … Continue reading “Cars” director John Lasseter wins Will Rogers Award