El Vado announcement possibly coming

Jerry Ueckert of the Edgewood (N.M.) Advocate told the Route 66 yahoogroup that an announcement is rumored to be coming later today from Albuquerque Mayor Martin Chavez regarding El Vado Motel. As many of you readers know, El Vado has been the subject of a lengthy battle between a developer who wants to raze the … Continue reading El Vado announcement possibly coming

Corporation acquires Animal Paradise

Animal Paradise Family Fun Park on old Route 66 near Strafford, Mo., has been purchased by Great American Family Parks Inc., according to a news release today. Animal Paradise is a longtime drive-through zoo that had seen troubled times lately. Revenues fell enough at the former Exotic Animal Paradise that the owner auctioned off many … Continue reading Corporation acquires Animal Paradise

Roadside America updates

We periodically get e-mail updates from the good folks at Roadside America, including the tantalizing announcement that its Web site will "soon" be redesigned. Among the latest visitor tips pertaining to Route 66: Henry's Rabbit Ranch in Staunton, Ill., including a photo of Rich Henry's latest attraction -- a replica of Cadillac Ranch using Volkswagen … Continue reading Roadside America updates

Dancing cars

I know very little about the background of this video, except it appears to have originated in Germany. The music is a version of "Route 66" by the Rolling Stones. Nevertheless, you'll see outstanding choreography with these vehicles. The whole exercise sort of reminds me of the famous scene with Marilyn Monroe in "Diamonds are … Continue reading Dancing cars

Route 66 promotion wins three awards

The Joliet (Ill.) Visitors Bureau and its "gateway to Route 66" campaign won three awards at the Illinois Governor's Conference on Tourism, reports the Joliet Herald News. The bureau was recognized last month for: "Joliet Kicks of Route 66" Directional Signage; a brochure on "Driving and Walking Tours on Route 66"; and an integrated marketing … Continue reading Route 66 promotion wins three awards

Route 66 — the final frontier

OK, get this. Someone on YouTube has taken the original opening-credits footage of the original "Star Trek" TV series, but replaced the soundtrack with Nelson Riddle's "Route 66" theme from the TV show. It sounds like an odd mashup, but it works.

City gives wish list to Eagle Hotel owner

Or is it an ultimatum? Clearly becoming impatient, the city council of Wilmington, Ill., issued a list of requests to Bill Scales, owner of the historic Eagle Hotel in town, reports the Joliet Herald News. Wilmington wants a response by 4 p.m. Friday. Scales' agreement to have the Eagle Hotel restored and fully functioning as … Continue reading City gives wish list to Eagle Hotel owner

Easy times in Winslow

Carolyn Burns Bass, in a special story to the Inland Press-Enterprise in California, heads to the Route 66 town of Winslow, Ariz., and takes a look around. Naturally, the Standin' on a Corner Park and La Posada play a sizable role in the story.

Photo exhibit dedicated at Route 66 museum

Michael Campanelli's exhibit of photographs of Route 66 sights was dedicated at the Route 66 Hall of Fame and Museum in Pontiac, Ill., on Friday, reports the Pontiac Daily Leader. Campanelli wanted a permanent place on Route 66 to display his work, and Pontiac successfully wooed the exhibit, thanks to tourism director Ellie Alexander. "Pontiac … Continue reading Photo exhibit dedicated at Route 66 museum