Emily and I recently updated a couple of sections of for an upcoming revised edition of the Route 66 Dining and Lodging Guide, which published by National Historic Route 66 Federation.
One thing that I noticed is that wireless Internet is fast becoming the norm even with the most basic mom-and-pop motels. As little as 18 months ago, that wouldn’t have been the case. But in our recent travels, we estimate that 80 percent to 90 percent of even the independent motels now have Wi-Fi, and more are getting them every day.
One of these days, we’ll look at free Wi-Fi as a basic motel service, such as free ice and soap. And that’s a good thing.
- They must be doing something right. A few days ago, a group from Belarus visited Pontiac, Ill., to see how the town developed its tourism attractions and how its small-town charm is maintained. The Belarusians were particularly interested in Abraham Lincoln and Route 66.
- It’s worth checking out blogger Amy Graff’s The Mommy Files during her family’s trip on Route 66. She was hoping to do the Mother Road on $250 a day and was doing well for a while. But an expensive room near the Grand Canyon and a splurge of Route 66 souvenir buying recently busted her budget by nearly $200. Ouch!
- The Route 66 Business League of Tulsa has disbanded after months of inactivity. The group is considering donating the money left in its treasury to the Oklahoma Route 66 Association.
- Jim Michalec, publisher of the Route 66 Advertiser, married Dawn Ditzler on June 28 in Webb City, Mo., with all of the road-appropriate decor. That’s a 1966 Oldsmobile 88 in the background of one of the photos after the ceremony.
(Photos courtesy of Rod Harsh.)