The Albuquerque Journal had a story about the city's Landmarks and Urban Conservation Commission's decision Wednesday to recommend El Vado Motel be designated a City Landmark, thus protecting it from redevelopment. (Note: I would have posted the story Thursday, except the Journal has the most difficult-to-navigate newspaper Web site I've seen, so I missed it.) … Continue reading More about El Vado hearing
Unanimous decision in favor of El Vado Motel
I don't have many of the details. However, William Dodge, vice chairman of the Landmarks and Urban Conservation Commission at the City of Albuquerque, confirmed to me this morning that the panel voted 7-0 Wednesday night to again designate El Vado Motel as a City Landmark. Dodge told me the hearing lasted five hours, and … Continue reading Unanimous decision in favor of El Vado Motel
That California trip
TrickyNic and a male companion of the United Kingdom traveled Route 66, and put together a collage of still photos and video in three parts. Part 1 goes from Chicago to Amarillo, Texas. It's funny to watch him tentatively eat the calf fries, then think: "Hey! These aren't half-bad!" Part 2 goes from Amarillo to … Continue reading That California trip
“The Grapes of Wrath” online
Holy cow. The Academy Award-winning film "The Grapes of Wrath" has been posted in its entirety at Google Video. You can see the Route 66 footage in the film for yourself, including the Beckham County Courthouse in Sayre, Okla., in the background as the Okies drive west on "the road of flight." (Hat tip: Tim … Continue reading “The Grapes of Wrath” online
Seaba Station to become a motorcycle museum
Many roadies were disheartened to learn that the ever-affable Sue Preston, proprietor of the Seaba Station antique and crafts store on Route 66 near Warwick, Okla., had moved and put her historic building up for sale. However, Seaba Station's two new owners intend to restore its original appearance as a 1930s D-X gas station and … Continue reading Seaba Station to become a motorcycle museum
Buy a T-shirt, get a membership
Vintage Roadside, an apparel company that features retro artwork from defunct roadside businesses of the 1930s to '60s, is providing free one-year memberships to the National Trust for Historic Preservation for every T-shirt it sells. Most of Vintage Roadside's shirts run $20 apiece. The National Trust membership's value is $20. As the news release says: … Continue reading Buy a T-shirt, get a membership
Book review: “Legendary Route 66”
There are certain authors who have such a good track record, you know their books are good even before you pick them up. Michael Karl Witzel is on that short list. He's written books about drive-in theaters, drive-in restaurants, gas stations, diners, Americana and barns. "Route 66 Remembered" remains a classic of the Mother Road … Continue reading Book review: “Legendary Route 66”
The best checklist for “Cars” toys
I've long quit trying to keep up with all the die-cast toys Mattel has released since the release of the Disney/Pixar film "Cars" in June 2006. But this entry in the 2 a Day blog has done a better job of keeping track than any I've seen. He says there are now more than 80 … Continue reading The best checklist for “Cars” toys
Listen, don’t watch
This version of Bobby Troup's "Route 66," performed by the 1970s pub rock band The Count Bishops, is aces. However, I wish the video maker would have limited the double- and triple-vision effects to a few seconds, instead of the whole video. It looks like the Mother Road after a five-day bender. Sigh.
Veterans Day tribute
Here's our tribute to the soldiers from Route 66 towns who've died in the Iraq and Afghanistan wars. ILLINOIS Chicago Staff Sgt. Oscar D. Vargas-Medina, died May 1, 2004 1st Sgt. Edward Smith, died April 5, 2003 Sgt. Ivory L. Phipps, died March 17, 2004 Pfc. Torry D. Harris, died July 13, 2004 Sgt. Sirlou … Continue reading Veterans Day tribute