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.

City staff urges rejection of El Vado Motel rezoning

Talking to the Deborah Nason of the City of Albuquerque's Planning Commission gave me some hope for the future of El Vado Motel.The Planning Commission's staff reviewed the application to rezone the El Vado, and its report, which was finished yesterday, has urged the denial of the rezoning request and subsequent demolition of that Route … Continue reading City staff urges rejection of El Vado Motel rezoning

Rio Grande Botanical Garden

I've never been to this Albuquerque attraction, but here's a nice article about it here.And it provides another reason to preserve the El Vado Motel: It's close to the garden. And the Rio Grande. And Old Town. And Albuquerque Country Club. In other words, it's close to where the action is.

How to help the El Vado

One way to shine a spotlight on the El Vado Motel's value to Route 66 (and its plight) is to write a letter to the editor to the local newspaper. The daily Albuquerque Journal has a handy submission form here for writing letters to the editor. I encourage you to use it and to follow … Continue reading How to help the El Vado

Claire’s Diary from “Elizabethtown”

Surfing the film's Web site, I didn't see any stills or video that screamed "Route 66!!!" but some of the scenery in the clips suggests that part of the film takes place in Oklahoma, Texas and New Mexico.The best part of the site for roadies is "Claire's America," which is the character portrayed by Kirsten … Continue reading Claire’s Diary from “Elizabethtown”

It looks grim for the El Vado Motel (maybe)

There was a brief AP report by a TV station in Albuquerque today that said the historic El Vado Motel's demolition is all but a done deal. However, I found another new report from a local Albuquerque newspaper that clarifies it better. However, there is this cryptic quote from the motel's new owner, Richard Gonzales: … Continue reading It looks grim for the El Vado Motel (maybe)

“Elizabethtown” has Route 66 ties

Apparently the new Cameron Crowe road-trip film, "Elizabethtown," has some Route 66 references. Check out the item from this review. In fact, Crowe captures many beautiful moments, from a widow's eulogy to her beloved spouse to the sensation of zooming down historic Route 66. I'll post more as I learn about the movie.

Ghosts on 66

I found a large site today that lists all the supposed ghost sightings in Oklahoma, including one in particular on 66: El Reno - Route 66 to Weatherford - Sightings of an old humped over man in a brown trench coat wearing Bogie style hat pulled down over his eyes walking on Route 66 between … Continue reading Ghosts on 66

Roll out the wheelbarrow …

... to put my belly in after eating at the new 5 & Diner restaurant associated with Route 66 Harley Davidson near the Broken Arrow Expressway and Memorial in Tulsa.My wife and I both had the meatloaf sandwich, which is the house specialty and has to be seen to be believed. It's a large meatloaf … Continue reading Roll out the wheelbarrow …

I couldn’t agree more …

... with Karen and Bob Pinkaney, who told the Quay County Sun in Tucumcari, N.M., their opinion of the Blue Swallow Motel: This is better than the Holiday Inns where we’ve been staying,