Moriarty takes a shot at beautification

Here's another Route 66 town in addition to the previously mentioned Victorville, Calif., that's trying to spruce itself up -- Moriarty, N.M., east of Albuquerque. A firm presented a master plan to the Moriarty City Council, reported the Mountain View Telegraph. "The big idea behind it is looking at ways to use landscaping and public … Continue reading Moriarty takes a shot at beautification

Victorville’s Old Town tries to lure artists

This is rather bold. Tired of vacant storefronts in the Old Town area, the City of Victorville, Calif., recently purchased a laundry business so it can tear it down and erect a complex of 10 artist-friendly lofts in an effort to spark residential and retail development, the Victorville Daily Press reports. Developers already are showing … Continue reading Victorville’s Old Town tries to lure artists

Hamel launches Web site

The Route 66 town of Hamel, Ill., recently launched an Internet site. It's not only touting the town to potential future residents, but also is playing up its Route 66 heritage, reports the Belleville (Ill.) News-Democrat. Hamel also is holding a biannual festival. This year's Hamel Heritage Days is June 10, with much of the … Continue reading Hamel launches Web site

Huge crowds expected for buried-car excavation

Organizers of the unearthing of a buried 1957 Plymouth Belvidere expect at least 50,000 visitors during the event on June 15, reported the Tulsa World. One fellow from Norway is shipping his '57 Belvidere from Norway is driving Route 66 to the time capsule's unsealing. About 1,000 tickets for the car's "unveiling" on the evening … Continue reading Huge crowds expected for buried-car excavation

So strange, it’s cool

It's Hungarian rappers with an Elvis impersonator, singing a new song, "Route 66," on the Mother Road in Newberry Springs, Calif. I have no idea what they're rapping/singing, but it's funky and sounds good. So strange, it's cool. The rap group is Ganxsta Zolee & Kartel, with guest star Nagy Edmond singing in the jumpsuit. … Continue reading So strange, it’s cool

Yet another travel story about Albuquerque

Beverly Beyette of the Chicago Tribune writes about Albuquerque as a travel destination. I swear, this is the third or fourth story in the past year about the larger, less-sexy sister city to Santa Fe suddenly becoming a belle of the ball. I'm not knocking it. After all, Albuquerque was once seen as a rather … Continue reading Yet another travel story about Albuquerque

Last of the Breed

Chicago Sun-Times columnist and Route 66 roadie Dave Hoekstra was in Prescott Valley, Ariz., for the first show of the Last of the Breed tour, the lucky dog. In case you haven't heard, the Last of the Breed tour features country-music legends Ray Price, Merle Haggard and Willie Nelson with Western swing band Asleep at … Continue reading Last of the Breed

Wigwam Motel makes “Quirky sleeps” list

Gary A. Warner, travel editor of the Orange County Register, gives out his personal list of "the funniest, funkiest and most wonderfully strangest places I've visited." Not surprisingly, the Wigwam Motels made the list, with kudos to the one on Route 66 in Rialto, Calif.: Wampum required: Wigwam Motels.There are three surviving Wigwam motels. The … Continue reading Wigwam Motel makes “Quirky sleeps” list

The summit of La Bajada Hill

Even though video can never quite do it justice, this 360-degree clip from the summit of La Bajada Hill gives you an inkling of what this primitive alignment of Route 66 is like. For a more Route 66-oriented viewpoint, go here. The road on La Bajada was Route 66 from 1926 to 1932. It contains … Continue reading The summit of La Bajada Hill