On Tuesday, I met the new owners of the Blue Swallow Motel in Tucumcari, N.M., for the first time. I can tell you with a fair amount of certainty that a lot of changes are in store at the Route 66 establishment. Many Route 66 aficionados view changes at a historic property with trepidation. However, … Continue reading Blue Swallow Motel seems to be in good hands
Revving up for the Fire & Ice Rally
The Cibola County (N.M.) Beacon has a story about the Route 66 Fire & Ice Rally on July 14-16 in Grants, along with details about the schedule and events.
Barbecue in Tulsa
Red Fork Hippie Chick here, typing with greasy fingers, in between sips of sweet tea and bites of buttermilk pie ... Wilson's BBQ ("U Need No Teeth to Eat Our Beef") is a North Tulsa institution. Ron and I ventured up to its Apache Street location in search of properly cooked pig shortly after we … Continue reading Barbecue in Tulsa
“Cars” movie remains No. 1 in box office
According to box-office estimates from Box Office Mojo, Pixar's "Cars" movie was No. 1 for the second consecutive weekend, with total estimated grosses of $31.2 million. It beat out stiff competition from "Nacho Libre" ($27.5 million) and "Fast and Furious 3" ($24 million). "Cars" also has soared past the $100 million mark in total grosses … Continue reading “Cars” movie remains No. 1 in box office
Tucumcari motel has a new owner
Nita and John Berryhill of Globe, Ariz., are now the new owners of the Motel Safari on Route 66 in Tucumcari, N.M., reports the Quay County Sun. At Motel Safari, “We’re going to try and keep all the old 50s and 60s flavor and all the furniture,” said Nita, pointing to a decorative room divider … Continue reading Tucumcari motel has a new owner
Face Route 66; don’t turn your backs on it
There is an O'Neill's Pub being built on Central Avenue, aka Route 66, in Albuquerque. Ordinarily, this wouldn't be humongous news, as the Duke City's main drag is regularly a hustle and bustle of business activity. But Chantal Foster of the Duke City Fix blog says it's a lot more significant than that. I'll let … Continue reading Face Route 66; don’t turn your backs on it
“Cars” inspires others to take two-lane vacations
I perform blog searches nearly every day to see what's going on with Route 66. For about a week, since "Cars" opened wide, I've seen many entries like Mommy Life's: The effects of this movie will be long-lasting in this family. I've already told Tripp we need to save up to take a road trip … Continue reading “Cars” inspires others to take two-lane vacations
Triangle Motel in Amarillo avoids wrecking ball
This guy needs a big thank-you note. The Triangle Motel in Amarillo at 7954 E. Amarillo Blvd. in Amarillo, Texas, was built on Route 66 in 1945 as a tourist motor court. But the current owner hadn't used it as a motel since 1977 and hasn't even had water since 1984, reports the Amarillo Globe-News. … Continue reading Triangle Motel in Amarillo avoids wrecking ball
Oklahoma City’s Gold Dome finds new life
A few years ago, the geodesic "Gold Dome" on Route 66 in Oklahoma City once was slated for the wrecking ball. Now it's being used as a multicultural center and office complex, reports Preservation Online, a publication by the National Trust for Historic Preservation. The Gold Dome, built in 1958 as a Citizen's Bank, is … Continue reading Oklahoma City’s Gold Dome finds new life
McKinley Bridge in St. Louis will reopen next year
The historic McKinley Bridge, which connected St. Louis with Venice, Ill., for decades until its deteriorating condition forced its closure in 2001, is slated to reopen in September 2007, according to an article in the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. Built in 1910 for railroad use and later was opened for automobile traffic, the McKinley was an … Continue reading McKinley Bridge in St. Louis will reopen next year