Bill Geist 1991 segment on Route 66 finally goes online

Back in 1991, about the time the renaissance of Route 66 was starting, "CBS Sunday Morning" correspondent Bill Geist traveled a section of the Mother Road from Albuquerque westward for a nine-minute segment on the weekly program. Those nine minutes had never made it online -- until now. The occasion was prompted by Geist's retirement … Continue reading Bill Geist 1991 segment on Route 66 finally goes online

Axing of bus deal brings another delay to Albuquerque Rapid Transit

Albuquerque's mayor announced this week he is yanking 15 BYD electric buses off the street and will replace them with 10 nonelectric buses, bringing another delay to the troubled Albuquerque Rapid Transit project. Mayor Tim Keller recently grounded the buses after city inspectors found myriad problems with the vehicles. The Albuquerque Journal listed the problems … Continue reading Axing of bus deal brings another delay to Albuquerque Rapid Transit

Sod Poodles chosen as name of Amarillo baseball team

The new Amarillo minor-league baseball team, an AA affiliate of the San Diego Padres, announced Tuesday afternoon the name of its club will be the Sod Poodles. Sod Poodles is another name for prairie dogs, an animal native to the Texas Plains. The team also will be called the Soddies, for short. Other finalists for … Continue reading Sod Poodles chosen as name of Amarillo baseball team

Book review: “66 on 66: A Photographer’s Journey”

 Terrence Moore has documented Route 66 with his camera for more than 40 years, giving him a lot a props simply because you'll be hard-pressed to find anyone who's done it that long. The huge majority of photographers became drawn to the Mother Road after it was decertified during the 1980s, not before. But … Continue reading Book review: “66 on 66: A Photographer’s Journey”

Painted Desert Trading Post gets a more level look

Take a look at this days-old photograph of the front of the remnants of the Painted Desert Trading Post in eastern Arizona. Notice anything different? If you're not seeing it, here's a photograph from a few months before: Those straighter lines you now see along the roof line are not an illusion. Volunteers with the … Continue reading Painted Desert Trading Post gets a more level look

Rockin’ Route 66 festival in Tucumcari will have key differences from predecessor

Some details about the Rockin' Route 66 festival in Tucumcari, New Mexico, on June 27-30 were released last week, revealing a few key differences from the festival's predecessor, Rockabilly on the Route. -- First, Rockin' Route 66 will not feature just rockabilly music, as its forerunner did. According to an email from Brian Whitcomb, president … Continue reading Rockin’ Route 66 festival in Tucumcari will have key differences from predecessor

Albuquerque repeals anti-cruising ordinance

The Albuquerque city council this week unanimously repealed a 2005 cruising ordinance, allowing Route 66 enthusiasts to take a slow journey down Central Avenue in their classic cars without flouting the law. The move was expected. The city council a year ago formed a task force to revisit the issue. According to the Albuquerque Journal, … Continue reading Albuquerque repeals anti-cruising ordinance

More about the short-lived Little Beaver Town near Albuquerque

A few days ago, Albuquerque television station KRQE produced a story about Little Beaver Town, a long-gone western-themed amusement park on the city's east edge on Route 66 that went bust after just three seasons during the 1960s. Roland Penttila, who has done a lot of research on Little Beaver Town, figures prominently in this … Continue reading More about the short-lived Little Beaver Town near Albuquerque

T-shirt sales aim to restore Threatt Filling Station near Luther

David Threatt a few days ago launched a T-shirt sales campaign to help restore his family's century-old Threatt Filling Station near Luther, Oklahoma. The family wants to reopen the long-closed gas station on Route 66 as a historical museum. As of Wednesday night, 55 of the long-sleeved shirts had sold, raising more than $1,400. The … Continue reading T-shirt sales aim to restore Threatt Filling Station near Luther

Globetrotter Lodge in Holbrook put up for sale

The owners of the Globetrotter Lodge in Holbrook, Arizona, announced Tuesday they have put the Route 66 motel up for sale after eight years there. Peter and Mona Hoeller posted on Facebook: WE ARE READY TO MOVE ON ! In 2010 we arrived from Europe in Holbrook and transferred an abandoned Motel into our nice … Continue reading Globetrotter Lodge in Holbrook put up for sale