Join discussion about El Vado

I'm a member of the Duke City Fix blog collective based in Albuquerque, and I posted the latest news about El Vado Motel. Considering it's iffy on whether El Vado can return as a motel if it's saved, I asked for suggestions on other ways El Vado can be re-used, yet keep its historic look. … Continue reading Join discussion about El Vado

City wants nativity on Route 66 removed

Those who drive Route 66 in Illinois know of the Our Lady of the Highways shrine on a farm near Raymond, Ill. Many a person on the Mother Road has stopped at the well-tended landmark to pray or give it a moment of respectful silence. A second sort of shrine -- a nativity scene -- … Continue reading City wants nativity on Route 66 removed

Hot riffs on “Hot Rod Lincoln”

Bill Kirchen is the former lead guitarist of Commander Cody and his Lost Planet Airmen, and that's his playing that anchors the band's biggest hit, "Hot Rod Lincoln," from 1972. Kirchen is now a solo act, and he usually tours with his band, Too Much Fun. Kirchen has his own version of "Hot Rod Lincoln" … Continue reading Hot riffs on “Hot Rod Lincoln”

A glimpse of the past

Here's an all-too-brief clip of an 8-mm movie of three 16-year-olds driving from Arizona to Chicago to visit a girlfriend at Christmastime in 1957. They're in a '53 Ford, and they have to stop on Route 66 somewhere in New Mexico to put snow chains on the tires.

City Council will decide on El Vado on Jan. 7

A few weeks ago, Albuquerque's Landmarks and Urban Conservation Commission unanimously recommended that the historic El Vado Motel on Route 66 be designated a city landmark to protect it from demolition. Today, I learned the Albuquerque City Council will decide whether to officially designate El Vado as a city landmark during its Jan. 7 meeting. … Continue reading City Council will decide on El Vado on Jan. 7

Route 66 Rendezvous producers organizing a motorcycle show

The San Bernardino (Calif.) Convention and Visitors Bureau, producers of the massive Route 66 Rendezvous classic-car extravaganza, is announcing the formation of the Berdoo Bikes & Blues Rendezvous on May 2-3. According to the news release: The San Bernardino Convention and Visitors Bureau is partnering with the San Bernardino City Professional Firefighters, Local 891, to … Continue reading Route 66 Rendezvous producers organizing a motorcycle show

Rezoning approved for Cool Springs Camp

The restoration and revitalization of Cool Springs Camp between Kingman and Oatman, Ariz., will continue after the county's Planning and Zoning Commission approved the historic Route 66 site's rezoning, reports the Kingman Daily Miner. Sounds like the commission is enthusiastic about owner Ned Leutchner's efforts: Commissioner Joe Bibich said he thought the project was great. … Continue reading Rezoning approved for Cool Springs Camp

“I’m gonna buy me a Mercury and cruise it up and down the road”

Country star Alan Jackson sings the "Mercury Blues." And there are some fine-looking rides in this video. And playing lead electric guitar is a fellow by the name of Keith Urban.

“Magic” superhighways

Here's a fascinating excerpt from "Magic Highway USA," a 1958 film from when Disney had its own TV show. It imagines what the nation's highway system might look like in the future. I saw this film as a child in the early 1970s, and it seemed overly fanciful even then. As the film fast approaches … Continue reading “Magic” superhighways

McKinley Bridge opens to traffic

For the first time in more than six years, the McKinley Bridge in Venice, Ill., on Monday reopened to vehicular traffic. According to the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, Venice Mayor Avery Ware was the first to drive across about 3 p.m. after more than $50 million was spent to rehabilitate the bridge that once connected Route … Continue reading McKinley Bridge opens to traffic