Here’s the ninth episode of Japanese television’s “Yamashita Tomohisa Route 66,” which documents the singer and actor’s trip down the Mother Road last fall. This one goes from his Monument Valley side trip to Williams, Ariz. https://vimeo.com/38299907 The 10th episode coming up looks promising -- he's going to meet the Guardian Angel of Route 66.
The Rock Cafe, circa 2009
Here's a video shot in 2009 by Channeling Media when it was pitching Dawn Welch and her Rock Cafe in Stroud, Okla., for a possible Food Network show. It was about a year after the historic Route 66 restaurant was gutted by a fire and rebuilt. The cable channel passed on the idea, but Welch … Continue reading The Rock Cafe, circa 2009
The Macca Effect
Phyllis Payne, former manager of the Ambassador Hotel in Amarillo, Texas, has gone into a new venture -- Cowgirls & Cowboys in the West, which provides Route 66 tours and western-style vacations at nearby Palo Duro Canyon. Dude-ranch vacations in the Amarillo region are nothing new. In fact, Japanese singer and actor Yamashita Tomohisa spent a … Continue reading The Macca Effect
More sneak previews of Cars Land
The Disney Parks Blog posted this video of Disney's California Adventure Park and the adjacent Cars Land, both which are set to open to the public on June 15. https://youtu.be/ffmuOefRWV0 Cars Land is inspired by the fictional Route 66 town of Radiator Springs, as depicted in the 2006 Disney-Pixar film "Cars." And the blog also … Continue reading More sneak previews of Cars Land
Route 66 in 3-D
Well, this video from France isn't really in a three-dimensional format. But it does contain a few images that use subtle motion -- especially with clouds -- to create a 3-D effect: SUR LA ROUTE 66 EN 3D by christophe-geral (Hat tip: The Motels on Route 66)
Luna Lodge in Albuquerque soon will be reborn
The nonprofit NewLife Homes has scheduled a groundbreaking ceremony for noon March 23 for a project that will reuse the historic Luna Lodge motel in Albuquerque into a 30-unit mixed-use development and apartments for low-income families and special-needs people. The redevelopment will preserve the Luna Lodge's Pueblo-style architecture. The Luna, at 9119 Central Ave. (aka Route … Continue reading Luna Lodge in Albuquerque soon will be reborn
Wildfires destroy remnants of Beacon Hill Motel near Rolla
Brush fires Wednesday west of Rolla, Mo., destroyed what was left of the long-closed Beacon Hill Motel that operated on old Route 66, reported The Rolla Daily News. The newspaper reported: A handful of homes were threatened by the fire in the later stages of the battle, but firefighters were able to save them all. … Continue reading Wildfires destroy remnants of Beacon Hill Motel near Rolla
Grant sought for Route 66 Village in Tulsa
The City of Tulsa has applied for a $949,000 grant form the National Scenic Byways program to build an interpretive center, restrooms, and sidewalks at the Route 66 Transportation Village in southwest Tulsa, reported the current print edition of the Tulsa County News. The newspaper said it should be known by summer of fall whether … Continue reading Grant sought for Route 66 Village in Tulsa
State awards grant to help rehab Santa Rosa warehouse
The governor of New Mexico signed legislation Wednesday that awards $325,000 to the city of Santa Rosa to help plan and rehabilitate the historic Ilfeld Warehouse so it can eventually be converted into a Route 66 museum. Gov. Susana Martinez had promised to veto any item in the Legislature's capital-improvement measure that she deemed as pork. Good … Continue reading State awards grant to help rehab Santa Rosa warehouse
Meet the Midpoint Cafe’s new owners
When Dennis Purschwitz and his wife, Donna, started a Route 66 trip in May 2011, little did they know that journey would lead to them owning the Midpoint Cafe in Adrian, Texas. Traveling in a 2009 Ford Mustang GT, the couple from Thompson Station, Tenn., started their trip in St. Louis and motored west. "We … Continue reading Meet the Midpoint Cafe’s new owners