Architecture building inspired by Mother Road

The Albuquerque Tribune today has a story about architect Antoine Predock and his latest project, the new University of New Mexico School of Architecture and Planning building. The project broke ground last month on the university campus, just east of the UNM Bookstore. Terraced and carved and slathered in glass, the building will hang out … Continue reading Architecture building inspired by Mother Road

Rivett’s Route 66 Cafe changes hands

Ken and Glenda Rivett of the Rivett's Route 66 Cafe in Sapulpa, Okla., are taking off their aprons and giving them to Allen and Susan Shamburg of Grand Junction, Colo., on Tuesday, according to the Sapulpa Daily Herald. The Rivetts are retiring after operating the breakfast-and-lunch restaurant for seven days a week for 10 years. … Continue reading Rivett’s Route 66 Cafe changes hands

Fix ‘er up, roll ‘er out

A couple fellows with Petersen's 4 Wheel and Off-Road magazine were getting cabin fever in Los Angeles. So they acquired a frighteningly dilapidated Jeep pickup free of charge, repaired it and took it out into the Mojave Desert. Their excursion closely paralleled Route 66, as they rolled past Newberry Springs, the Bagdad Cafe, Daggett, Victorville … Continue reading Fix ‘er up, roll ‘er out

“Culinary heritage” on Route 66?

Nicole Weston of the Slashfood blog writes about the Food Network's Alton Brown hitting Route 66 this spring for a new show, "Feasting on Asphalt." Brown will ride the Mother Road on his motorcycle to find good food on the road's truck stops, obscure diners and barbecue shacks. Weston remains a bit skeptical about the … Continue reading “Culinary heritage” on Route 66?

Gallop to Gallup

The Salt Lake Tribune has two features in its weekend travel section about the Route 66 town of Gallup, N.M., with emphasis on the El Rancho Hotel, Red Rock State Park, the High Desert Trail System, Mentmore Rock Climbing Area and Earl's Restaurant.

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

Grand Canyon Caverns

Hesperia Star columnist Richard Doornbos writes a nice summary about Grand Canyon Caverns, on old Route 66 near Peach Springs, Ariz. You also can learn about the caverns at its Web site here.

The magic of the Magic Lamp Inn

Here's a column by David Allen of the Inland Valley Daily Bulletin about the Magic Lamp Inn steakhouse along Route 66 in Rancho Cucamonga, Calif., including plenty of details about its history. Here are some good pictures of the Magic Lamp's big neon sign and striking architecture. Here's a nighttime view of the Magic Lamp's … Continue reading The magic of the Magic Lamp Inn

This is bizarre

OK, try to follow me here. Hurra Torpedo is a Swedish band that wears matching sweatsuits, uses kitchen appliances for its music (reminding me of noise-rock band Einstürzende Neubauten) and is famous for a wacky cover of Bonnie Tyler's "Total Eclipse of the Heart" (I didn't even like the original all that much). Ford makes … Continue reading This is bizarre

Fat Man meets the Pain Walker

Yeah, the title sounds like one of those superhero battles from Marvel Comics in the 1960s and '70s. Actually, Dennis Kinch, who is walking west on Route 66 for the National Pain Foundation, met in Vinita, Okla., with Steve Vaught, who is walking east on Route 66 in an effort to lose weight. Vaught and … Continue reading Fat Man meets the Pain Walker