Author: Ron Warnick

I'm the editor and publisher of Route 66 News, a clearinghouse of events, information, and entertainment pertaining to historic U.S. 66, the Mother Road.

Water lines made of … wood???

The Quay County Sun in Tucumcari, N.M., has this report about the city receiving federal grants to help replace aging water lines, including along Route 66. Yeah, it's not a sexy story. But then there's this snippet here: (Charlie) Sandoval did point out, however, he and his crew came across some really ancient waterlines down … Continue reading Water lines made of … wood???

Fat Man hustling to St. Louis

Steve Vaught of thefatmanwalking.com has updated his journal here (scroll down to the Dec. 16 entry). He's trying to walk as close to St. Louis as possible before he flies home to San Diego to be with his family at Christmas. After that, he'll resume his trek.

Pain Walker updates his journal

Dennis Kinch, the man who's walking Route 66 for the National Pain Foundation, made an overdue update on his Notes from the Road, including his time so far in Oklahoma and meeting with Steve Vaught of thefatmanwalking.com. Kinch also has posted new photographs from Missouri.

See? El Vado wasn’t in that bad of shape after all

A report by the Albuquerque Tribune about the Landmarks Commission recommending that El Vado Motel be designated as a landmark was published this afternoon. I won't repeat it here, since most of the basic facts were reported on this site earlier today. But there's this interesting snippet: While public comment was made for and against … Continue reading See? El Vado wasn’t in that bad of shape after all

Landmark status for El Vado Motel recommended

Here's the short version of this: Route 66 wins. On Wednesday, the City of Albuquerque's Landmarks & Urban Conservation Commission unanimously recommended that El Vado Motel on Route 66 be designated a city landmark. A city staffer told me today that the landmark recommendation has to receive final approval from the city council in the … Continue reading Landmark status for El Vado Motel recommended

Yukon’s historic grain elevators endangered

Route 66 travelers driving west into Yukon, Okla., typically have been greeted by the huge grain elevators and a big lighted sign, "Yukon's Best Flour." Now the Daily Oklahoman reports that the elevators are up for sale for $1.75 million. The reason? Urban sprawl around Oklahoma City has greatly reduced wheat acreage in the region. … Continue reading Yukon’s historic grain elevators endangered

A reading list — 30 years ago and now

Lynne Murray, who's an author based in San Francisco, kept a spiral notebook journal 30 years ago on what she was reading. She uses her blog to re-examine what she read three decades ago and what she's reading now. Murray is reading two books that have Route 66 connections. She gives summaries of both: Lost … Continue reading A reading list — 30 years ago and now

Help the big doughnut

The Route 66 Mother Road Museum of Barstow, Calif., is raising money to move the historic 1948 Winchell's Donut sign to the Museum of Neon Art of Los Angeles. The sign is being displayed at Soutar's Dodge in Barstow until Dec. 21. A small story about the fundraising effort is here. There's a good picture … Continue reading Help the big doughnut

What’s that doing there?

People ask me how I can repeatedly drive familiar stretches of Route 66 and not get bored with it. My reply usually is 1) it's a relaxing, pleasurable drive; and 2) you always see something new. Here's a good example of the latter. This comes from the Yet Another Small Town Moment blog, in which … Continue reading What’s that doing there?