TravelCenters of America to close deal on Russell’s Travel Center next week

TravelCenters of America will acquire Russell’s Travel Center along Route 66 near Endee, New Mexico, effective Oct. 11, though it will keep the Russell’s name and its museum for a few years. Russell's opened in 2010 on the ruins of the long-closed Longhorn II restaurant along Interstate 40 and a 1952-1980 alignment of Route 66. … Continue reading TravelCenters of America to close deal on Russell’s Travel Center next week

Marijuana dispensary opens in Glenrio, just west of Texas where pot is illegal

An anticipated marijuana dispensary called Glenrio Smoke Stop opened last week in the Route 66 ghost town of Glenrio in New Mexico just a few yards west of Texas, where pot remains illegal. I packed a lot of details in the Quay County Sun (my day job) about the first new business in the town … Continue reading Marijuana dispensary opens in Glenrio, just west of Texas where pot is illegal

A look back at Vice TV’s “Abandoned” episode in 2016 about Route 66

I remember when Vice TV's "Abandoned" episode about Route 66 first aired in 2016, but the full 43-minute program was uploaded to YouTube just a few weeks ago. The gist is two skate punks travel Route 66 from west to east, seeking assorted abandoned places to use their skateboards (natch), talk to the locals, and … Continue reading A look back at Vice TV’s “Abandoned” episode in 2016 about Route 66

Flash flooding closes Old Route 66 between San Jon and Endee

A severe storm Thursday night into Friday morning washed out a new bridge on Old Route 66 between San Jon and Endee, New Mexico, prompting the closure of the road indefinitely. That's part of the 17-mile gravel-road alignment of Route 66 between the border ghost town of Glenrio and San Jon. An estimated seven inches … Continue reading Flash flooding closes Old Route 66 between San Jon and Endee

Texas version of American Truck Simulator videogame includes sections of Route 66

The developers of the Texas DLC of American Truck Simulator videogame will include old Route 66 in Texas and a small part of eastern New Mexico in a forthcoming update. SCS Software reports the game will include the 15 miles of gravel-road Route 66 from San Jon to Glenrio in New Mexico. In the Lone … Continue reading Texas version of American Truck Simulator videogame includes sections of Route 66

Coffee shop, gift shop and possible motel planned at Longhorn Cafe and Motel in Glenrio

The Route 66 ghost town of Glenrio at the Texas-New Mexico border suddenly is showing life again for the first time in more than 40 years. Glenrio Properties bought land on both sides of the border in the town and plan to build a coffee shop, gift shop, RV park and possibly a motel using … Continue reading Coffee shop, gift shop and possible motel planned at Longhorn Cafe and Motel in Glenrio

Route 66 matchbook cover database is looking for more submissions

A group of Route 66 enthusiasts has amassed an online image collection of about 650 matchbox covers from businesses in Texas that existed along the Mother Road, and they now looking for submissions from the other seven states. Phil Gordon stated in an email that contributors who scanned and uploaded images of the matchcovers have … Continue reading Route 66 matchbook cover database is looking for more submissions

Charlie Nixon, a native of Glenrio who was interviewed in documentary, dies at 89

Charlie Nixon, a native of Glenrio at the Texas-New Mexico border who was interviewed in a documentary about the Route 66 ghost town, died on New Year's Eve in nearby Vega, Texas. He was 89. If you have a few minutes, read the colorful obituary on Nixon's life. It's apparent he enjoyed his time on … Continue reading Charlie Nixon, a native of Glenrio who was interviewed in documentary, dies at 89

“Two for the Road” episode on PBS-TV features the Texas Panhandle

A PBS-TV show titled "Two for the Road" recently aired a special episode that features the Texas Panhandle, of which a prominent portion includes Route 66 country. The show generously showcases the Route 66 towns of Shamrock, McLean, Groom, Amarillo, Vega, Adrian and Glenrio, along with Palo Duro Canyon, a popular side trip south of … Continue reading “Two for the Road” episode on PBS-TV features the Texas Panhandle

“CAFE” window panes apparently stolen from Glenrio landmark

It's a relatively small loss in the scheme of things. But many Route 66 enthusiasts still were deeply disappointed to learn Monday four window panes that spelled "CAFE" at the long-abandoned Longhorn Cafe in Glenrio, Texas, recently were stolen. Nick Gerlich noticed the missing glass during a visit to the Route 66 ghost town along … Continue reading “CAFE” window panes apparently stolen from Glenrio landmark