Standard Diner in Albuquerque closes, will convert to Range Cafe

The Standard Diner closed Monday after 14 years along Route 66 in Albuquerque but will be converted into a Range Cafe later this week. The Albuquerque Journal reported the restaurant's conversion into a Range Cafe will be complete by Friday. The Standard Diner announced the closing and conversion to a Range Cafe in a Facebook … Continue reading Standard Diner in Albuquerque closes, will convert to Range Cafe

Route 66 Association of Missouri raising money to restore Red Cedar Inn sign

The Route 66 Association of Missouri has launched a fundraiser to help restore the neon sign for the former Red Cedar Inn restaurant. The city of Pacific, Missouri, eventually will convert the Route 66 landmark into a history and visitors center. Association President Rich Dinkela launched a Facebook Pay campaign for the neon sign restoration. … Continue reading Route 66 Association of Missouri raising money to restore Red Cedar Inn sign

Classen Inn in Oklahoma City reopens with a colorful, restorative makeover

The Classen Inn in Oklahoma City reopened three weeks ago after undergoing a $2 million face-lift that accentuates its Googie design and early 1960s roots. The 17-room motel sits at 820 N. Classen Blvd. (map here), about a mile south of the 1926-1930 alignment of Route 66 on Classen. According to The Oklahoman newspaper, owners … Continue reading Classen Inn in Oklahoma City reopens with a colorful, restorative makeover

Turquoise Room chef at La Posada in Winslow to depart on Oct. 1

You only have a few weeks left to enjoy the Southwest cuisine of longtime chef John Sharpe at La Posada's acclaimed Turquoise Room restaurant in Winslow, Arizona. Sharpe and his wife, Patricia, stated in the restaurant's email newsletter last week titled "TIME TO SAY GOODBYE!!!!" that "the time has come to hand the space back … Continue reading Turquoise Room chef at La Posada in Winslow to depart on Oct. 1

Annual bloom of endangered Pecos sunflowers in Santa Rosa is happening now

The annual bloom of endangered Pecos sunflowers in a nature preserve just off old Route 66 in Santa Rosa, New Mexico, is occurring now and should continue for the next 10 days or so. The sunflowers congregate along desert wetlands. The ones in Santa Rosa are fed by the overflow waters of the nearby Blue … Continue reading Annual bloom of endangered Pecos sunflowers in Santa Rosa is happening now

Pasadena restaurant’s makeover reveals a vintage facade and neon

A restaurant renovating a building along an alignment of Route 66 in Pasadena, California, found a long-forgotten facade. The restaurant plans to preserve it and has "some cool plans in the works." Howlin' Ray's, which serves Nashville hot chicken, was doing a face-lift on the building at 800 Arroyo Parkway (aka Route 66) when it … Continue reading Pasadena restaurant’s makeover reveals a vintage facade and neon

Whispering Winds Motor Hotel in Flagstaff undergoing renovations with new owner

The Whispering Winds Motor Hotel along Route 66 in Flagstaff, Arizona, is undergoing a full renovation, including its sign. Ascend Capital Management of Flagstaff purchased the property at 922 E. Route 66 for a little less than $1 million in June, reported Flagstaff Business News. The newspaper talked to Ascend sales and marketing director Jose … Continue reading Whispering Winds Motor Hotel in Flagstaff undergoing renovations with new owner

FBI investigates deaths of South African men found dead during Route 66 trip

The FBI is investigating the deaths of two former South African mining executives found lifeless in a hotel in Springfield, Missouri, during a Route 66 trip in 2015. Initial reports indicated Gerrit Strydom, 45, and James Bethel, 44, died of cerebral malaria before their bodies were found in separate rooms at La Quinta Inn, according … Continue reading FBI investigates deaths of South African men found dead during Route 66 trip

Galaxy Diner in Flagstaff reopens after a one-year closure

The historic Galaxy Diner in Flagstaff, Arizona, recently reopened after it shuttered in August 2019 during a supposedly temporary closure for renovations. The restaurant's longtime manager, Will Pillen, reopened the diner after previous owner JB's Family Restaurants Inc. declared bankruptcy and shut it down. The Arizona Daily Sun, based in Flagstaff, reported: Pillen continued managing … Continue reading Galaxy Diner in Flagstaff reopens after a one-year closure

Latest RoadTrip OK video takes in a trio of sites on Tulsa’s Route 66

The latest in a series of Oklahoma Road Trip videos delves into three sites along Route 66 in Tulsa. They are: Tally's Good Food CafeBuck Atom's Cosmic Curios on 66Route 66 Historical Village Here's the video: https://youtu.be/G1UHkvmC6m0 The Oklahoma Tourism & Recreation Department and Broken Arrow-based Retrospec Films about a year ago announced about 50 road-trip films, including Route … Continue reading Latest RoadTrip OK video takes in a trio of sites on Tulsa’s Route 66