Ace Jackalope of The Lope blog continues to post some fine photographs from his trip across the Mojave Desert. The latest entry includes a lot of nice images of neon signs and vintage motels, including the El Rancho, in Barstow, Calif. The Lope, thanks to his quick trigger finger on the camera, also effectively busts … Continue reading Images from Barstow
Category: Motels
American Inn Motel in Albuquerque condemned
I was watching the video online of the Albuquerque City Council's meeting of Jan. 18, searching for any mentions of the introduction of the Landmarks Commission's recommendation to designate El Vado Motel a city landmark. Since it was just an introduction, councilors didn't discuss it and won't until at least their Feb. 6 meeting. But … Continue reading American Inn Motel in Albuquerque condemned
El Vado Motel owner’s appeal is a big zero
Baseless. That was the conclusion I reached after reading a copy of the formal appeal filed by new El Vado Motel owner Richard Gonzales. He's protesting the Albuquerque Landmarks Commission's recommendation to designate El Vado at city landmark. I'll address Gonzales' complaints one by one briefly: That El Vado is not economically and socially viable. … Continue reading El Vado Motel owner’s appeal is a big zero
Better book your room now near Grand Canyon
This is a press release, but it probably contains good advice for winter and early spring travelers. Because the 250-room Maswik Lodge near the South Rim of the Grand Canyon is closed for renovations until March, tourism officials recommend booking alternate lodging now. Some of those alternates sit on Route 66: Want to “get your … Continue reading Better book your room now near Grand Canyon
A visit to Roy’s
This fine photograph is from Roy's along Route 66 in Amboy, Calif. It comes from The Lope's blog, in which Ace Jackalope continues his trip on the Mother Road through the Mojave Desert. In addition to plenty of shots of Roy's, there also are good photos of nearby Amboy Crater. Roy's is being slowly restored … Continue reading A visit to Roy’s
Newspaper reports El Vado being up for sale
The Albuquerque Tribune is reporting what we reported Saturday -- that El Vado Motel on Route 66 in the Duke City is sale by new owner Richard L. Gonzales for $3.25 million. A few things in the article stick out: Last month, the city Landmarks and Urban Conservation Commission voted to recommend that the City … Continue reading Newspaper reports El Vado being up for sale
El Vado owner appeals landmarks recommendation
I got an e-mail from the City of Albuquerque this afternoon informing me that El Vado Motel's new owner, Richard L. Gonzales, has appealed the Landmarks Commission's recommendation to make El Vado a city landmark. The appeal will be introduced Feb. 6, the same day the city council was to decide the landmark issue. A … Continue reading El Vado owner appeals landmarks recommendation
Blogger decries El Vado owner’s greed
Jon Knudsen of Albloggerque, a blog site based in the Nob Hill neighborhood of Albuquerque, says El Vado Motel being put up for sale for $3.25 million is "sad lesson in greed." It sure seems like the owner is not only asking the city to bail him out of an idea that wouldn't fly with … Continue reading Blogger decries El Vado owner’s greed
Wigwam hospitality
Sockgirl of the glitter & the gleam blog has been thinking about driving Route 66. Her desire to hit the Mother Road further inflamed after receiving this e-mail from the Wigwam Motel in Holbrook, Ariz., about reservations. Hello, Yes, we have availability for those dates. We have kept the same original furniture since our father … Continue reading Wigwam hospitality
“Disgusting” El Vado for sale for $3.25 million
Owner Richard Gonzales testifed under oath during Landmarks Commission hearings that El Vado Motel on Albuquerque's Route 66 was "disgusting" and "not viable." But I got word today from an Albuquerque source that I trust implicitly that Gonzales has put the "disgusting" and "not viable" El Vado up for sale with an asking price of … Continue reading “Disgusting” El Vado for sale for $3.25 million