The Blue Hole of Santa Rosa, New Mexico, will remain closed indefinitely after an underwater boulder broke off last week and reduced the water flow at the site. According to the Friday print edition of The Communicator newspaper in Santa Rosa, Mayor Nelson Kotiar said a large rock broke off and sank to the bottom … Continue reading Blue Hole in Santa Rosa is closed indefinitely due to the collapse of a wall
Category: Attractions
What’s the holdup on opening the Route 66 Visitor Center in Albuquerque?
It's coming up fast on the second anniversary of a ribbon-cutting for the Route 66 Visitor Center on Nine Mile Hill in west Albuquerque. The $13.8 million center was supposed to open a few months after the September 2022 ceremony. But it's never officially done so, despite its website claiming it was open from 10 … Continue reading What’s the holdup on opening the Route 66 Visitor Center in Albuquerque?
Big Texan Slug Bug Ranch officially opens in Amarillo
The Big Texan Slug Bug Ranch officially was christened and opened Friday after the original Volkswagen Beetles were moved to Amarillo from their original home in Conway, Texas. The Facebook excerpts below include photos from Visit Amarillo, a video from the ceremony, more images from Dora Meroney of the Old Texas Route 66 Association and … Continue reading Big Texan Slug Bug Ranch officially opens in Amarillo
Albert Okura’s son tries to keep his father’s dream alive at Amboy
A few days ago, the Los Angeles Times (via AOL) published a lengthy story about how the son of the late Albert Okura, owner of the Route 66 town of Amboy, California, is trying to keep that dream alive. The story by Alex Wigglesworth is worth reading in its entirety. But a few nuggets stand … Continue reading Albert Okura’s son tries to keep his father’s dream alive at Amboy
Amarillo City Council gives initial approval for Bug Ranch being in tax-increment finance zone
The soon-to-open Bug Ranch in Amarillo likely will be eligible for tax-increment financing for its move from Conway, Texas, and other improvements at the site. According to the Amarillo Globe-News, the City Council approved the development of the Big Texan Slug Bug Ranch project on its first reading as part of the East Gateway Tax … Continue reading Amarillo City Council gives initial approval for Bug Ranch being in tax-increment finance zone
Painted Desert Inn in eastern Arizona marks its 100th year
The Painted Desert Inn is celebrating its 100th year this month, though it started under another name and was in danger of being torn down during the mid-1970s. To celebrate the centennial, the surrounding Petrified Forest National Park in eastern Arizona will offer free activities for families on June 21-23 along with moonlight-guided tours of … Continue reading Painted Desert Inn in eastern Arizona marks its 100th year
Cadillac Ranch in Amarillo marking its 50th anniversary this month
The landmark Cadillac Ranch on Amarillo's west side is celebrating its 50th year this month, with a show at the Amarillo Museum of Art through Aug. 15. Texas Highways published a terrific article about the Cadillac Ranch art installation off Route 66, including its genesis back in 1974 and photos from that time. I commend … Continue reading Cadillac Ranch in Amarillo marking its 50th anniversary this month
Grand opening and christening for new Bug Ranch in Amarillo set for June 14
The newly formed Bug Ranch Association has scheduled a grand opening and christening for the new Bug Ranch location in Amarillo later this month. These free events will be at 6 p.m. June 14 at 1415 Sunrise Drive in Amarillo (map here) at the Starlight Ranch Event Center and near the Big Texan RV Ranch. … Continue reading Grand opening and christening for new Bug Ranch in Amarillo set for June 14
American Giants Museum erects another Muffler Man during its grand opening weekend
The American Giants Museum in Atlanta, Illinois, erected a second Muffler Man -- a rare Texaco Big Friend -- during its grand opening on Memorial Day weekend. In addition, the event included the Gemini Giant, reclining on a flatbed trailer, paying a visit to the museum before it's restored and reinstalled at a park in … Continue reading American Giants Museum erects another Muffler Man during its grand opening weekend
Company proposes musical roads in all eight Route 66 states before centennial in 2026
Route 66 Musical Roads LLC has submitted plans to make musical roads on all eight states of Route 66 before the highway's centennial in 2026. The company has submitted the proposals to the U.S. Route 66 Centennial Commission, which has been requesting ideas. For the uninitiated, the musical road concept is to create specially designed … Continue reading Company proposes musical roads in all eight Route 66 states before centennial in 2026