Lonely Planet's new book, "Blue List," includes Route 66 as one of the best road trips, according to an Associated Press article. Strangely, the Lonely Planet's Blue List Web site doesn't list the Mother Road anywhere. Guess they want you to buy the book.
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.
Water lines made of … wood???
The Quay County Sun in Tucumcari, N.M., has this report about the city receiving federal grants to help replace aging water lines, including along Route 66. Yeah, it's not a sexy story. But then there's this snippet here: (Charlie) Sandoval did point out, however, he and his crew came across some really ancient waterlines down … Continue reading Water lines made of … wood???
Fat Man hustling to St. Louis
Steve Vaught of thefatmanwalking.com has updated his journal here (scroll down to the Dec. 16 entry). He's trying to walk as close to St. Louis as possible before he flies home to San Diego to be with his family at Christmas. After that, he'll resume his trek.
Pain Walker updates his journal
Dennis Kinch, the man who's walking Route 66 for the National Pain Foundation, made an overdue update on his Notes from the Road, including his time so far in Oklahoma and meeting with Steve Vaught of thefatmanwalking.com. Kinch also has posted new photographs from Missouri.
See? El Vado wasn’t in that bad of shape after all
A report by the Albuquerque Tribune about the Landmarks Commission recommending that El Vado Motel be designated as a landmark was published this afternoon. I won't repeat it here, since most of the basic facts were reported on this site earlier today. But there's this interesting snippet: While public comment was made for and against … Continue reading See? El Vado wasn’t in that bad of shape after all
Landmark status for El Vado Motel recommended
Here's the short version of this: Route 66 wins. On Wednesday, the City of Albuquerque's Landmarks & Urban Conservation Commission unanimously recommended that El Vado Motel on Route 66 be designated a city landmark. A city staffer told me today that the landmark recommendation has to receive final approval from the city council in the … Continue reading Landmark status for El Vado Motel recommended
Yukon’s historic grain elevators endangered
Route 66 travelers driving west into Yukon, Okla., typically have been greeted by the huge grain elevators and a big lighted sign, "Yukon's Best Flour." Now the Daily Oklahoman reports that the elevators are up for sale for $1.75 million. The reason? Urban sprawl around Oklahoma City has greatly reduced wheat acreage in the region. … Continue reading Yukon’s historic grain elevators endangered
A reading list — 30 years ago and now
Lynne Murray, who's an author based in San Francisco, kept a spiral notebook journal 30 years ago on what she was reading. She uses her blog to re-examine what she read three decades ago and what she's reading now. Murray is reading two books that have Route 66 connections. She gives summaries of both: Lost … Continue reading A reading list — 30 years ago and now
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