“Cars” movie remains No. 1 in box office

According to box-office estimates from Box Office Mojo, Pixar's "Cars" movie was No. 1 for the second consecutive weekend, with total estimated grosses of $31.2 million. It beat out stiff competition from "Nacho Libre" ($27.5 million) and "Fast and Furious 3" ($24 million). "Cars" also has soared past the $100 million mark in total grosses … Continue reading “Cars” movie remains No. 1 in box office

Tucumcari motel has a new owner

Nita and John Berryhill of Globe, Ariz., are now the new owners of the Motel Safari on Route 66 in Tucumcari, N.M., reports the Quay County Sun. At Motel Safari, “We’re going to try and keep all the old 50s and 60s flavor and all the furniture,” said Nita, pointing to a decorative room divider … Continue reading Tucumcari motel has a new owner

Face Route 66; don’t turn your backs on it

There is an O'Neill's Pub being built on Central Avenue, aka Route 66, in Albuquerque. Ordinarily, this wouldn't be humongous news, as the Duke City's main drag is regularly a hustle and bustle of business activity. But Chantal Foster of the Duke City Fix blog says it's a lot more significant than that. I'll let … Continue reading Face Route 66; don’t turn your backs on it

“Cars” inspires others to take two-lane vacations

I perform blog searches nearly every day to see what's going on with Route 66. For about a week, since "Cars" opened wide, I've seen many entries like Mommy Life's: The effects of this movie will be long-lasting in this family. I've already told Tripp we need to save up to take a road trip … Continue reading “Cars” inspires others to take two-lane vacations

Triangle Motel in Amarillo avoids wrecking ball

This guy needs a big thank-you note. The Triangle Motel in Amarillo at 7954 E. Amarillo Blvd. in Amarillo, Texas, was built on Route 66 in 1945 as a tourist motor court. But the current owner hadn't used it as a motel since 1977 and hasn't even had water since 1984, reports the Amarillo Globe-News. … Continue reading Triangle Motel in Amarillo avoids wrecking ball

Oklahoma City’s Gold Dome finds new life

A few years ago, the geodesic "Gold Dome" on Route 66 in Oklahoma City once was slated for the wrecking ball. Now it's being used as a multicultural center and office complex, reports Preservation Online, a publication by the National Trust for Historic Preservation. The Gold Dome, built in 1958 as a Citizen's Bank, is … Continue reading Oklahoma City’s Gold Dome finds new life

McKinley Bridge in St. Louis will reopen next year

The historic McKinley Bridge, which connected St. Louis with Venice, Ill., for decades until its deteriorating condition forced its closure in 2001, is slated to reopen in September 2007, according to an article in the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. Built in 1910 for railroad use and later was opened for automobile traffic, the McKinley was an … Continue reading McKinley Bridge in St. Louis will reopen next year

So much for the Route 66 Rendezvous boycott

Lyman Stucky held his small rally Wednesday to protest San Bernandino, Calif., not draping a 30-by-22-foot flag on the side of City Hall, reports the San Bernardino County Sun. The city council has turned down a request for the giant flag because of logistical and expense reasons. There are, by the way, plenty of standard-size … Continue reading So much for the Route 66 Rendezvous boycott

A pickin’ party in Victorville

The Route 66 town of Victorville, Calif., is hosting one heck of a Huck Finn Jubillee this weekend. Not only is the festival going to try to set a world record with the world's biggest bluegrass jam session, but it will have a special Father's Day show of country legend Mel Tillis and talented daughter … Continue reading A pickin’ party in Victorville

A pricey tour for a good cause

There's a group that's organizing a motorcycle tour in the Southwest, including Route 66, for about $18,000 a head. Before you say it's a ripoff, it's a fundraiser for the Prostate Cancer Research Foundation, based in the United Kingdom. There's a pre-trip motorcycle training on Sept. 2, with the actual trip on Oct. 16-24. The … Continue reading A pricey tour for a good cause