First episode of “American Giants”

Some months ago, Joel Baker promised he would produce a series of episodes about Muffler Men in America and post them to YouTube. The first episode, which runs about 15 minutes, was posted this week. https://youtu.be/eHfmus-H2Bo You'll see a couple of Muffler Men on Route 66, including the Gemini Giant in Wilmington, Ill.

Two Tucumcari motels earn TripAdvisor awards

Not just one, but two motels in the Route 66 town of Tucumcari, N.M., were given 2013 Traveler's Choice Awards by TripAdvisor.com for being rated among the top 25 bargain hotels in the United States. The Blue Swallow Motel was ranked No. 3 in its category, and the Motel Safari was No. 20. Both motels sit … Continue reading Two Tucumcari motels earn TripAdvisor awards

A look under the hood at Route 66 News

About a year ago, I moved Route 66 News from WordPress.com to a self-hosted setup. This gave me a lot more freedom to set up advertising and other controls for the website. Being self-hosted also gave me access to a lot more data about who was visiting the website, courtesy of AWStats. Reviewing the information … Continue reading A look under the hood at Route 66 News

Mobile site launched featuring historic Oklahoma Route 66 locations

The Oklahoma Historical Society launched a smartphone-optimized Oklahoma's Historic Route 66 Mobile Tour website this week. The website provides information, maps, photos, audio clips, global-positioning system alerts, and other features of 72 historic sites along Route 66 in Oklahoma. The site was developed by OnCell, which specializes in mobile tour programs. The OnCell app can be downloaded … Continue reading Mobile site launched featuring historic Oklahoma Route 66 locations

A little housekeeping

If you noticed slow loading times this morning, it was probably because I was making changes on the site to make it more efficient. I'm anticipating a traffic surge in the coming days, and any bit of streamlining I can bring will help. First, I've closed comments to Dining, Attractions, Lodging, Events and other pages. … Continue reading A little housekeeping

A gift that keeps giving

In an effort to boost tourism in Kingman, Ariz., roadie Jim Hinckley and several city officials assembled a Route 66-themed gift basket worth $600 to be given away through 66: The Mother Road, an Internet-only magazine. The Kingman Daily Miner reported: Contents include a two-night stay at the El Trovatore Motel, gift certificates to local … Continue reading A gift that keeps giving

Jim Ross wins top award at Victorville Route 66 festival

Story and photos by Elrond Lawrence Jim Ross, the accomplished Route 66 writer, cartographer, speaker and photographer, was honored with the 2012 Will Rogers Award at the International Route 66 Festival awards dinner Saturday at the Green Tree Inn in Victorville, Calif. Ross, who has been exploring, mapping, photographing and writing about the Mother Road … Continue reading Jim Ross wins top award at Victorville Route 66 festival

A new Route 66 website worth watching

It's not often you see a new Route 66 website with a fresh angle to hook travelers. However, Route66MC.com has one -- it's to attract and guide motorcyclists onto the Mother Road. The "MC" part of the site's URL stands for Motorcycle Club. The website aims to provide bikers this information: Turn-by-turn directions both east … Continue reading A new Route 66 website worth watching

Road Trip Route 66 app is updated

Kelly Ludwig's Road Trip Route 66 app, initially released for iPhones in early 2011, recently received an extensive update. Those who already have the app should simply update it through their iPhone or iTunes account. Those who don't have it ought to get it soon -- it's been discounted to 99 cents through the month … Continue reading Road Trip Route 66 app is updated

Tourism center in Springfield, Mo., sports Route 66 theme

The city's tourism center in downtown Springfield, Mo., will include a new Route 66 theme, reported KY3-TV in Springfield. The television station reported: The center at 815 St. Louis St. will sport window graphics reflecting the heyday of Route 66 – the historic byway upon which the center is located – and scenes from Springfield … Continue reading Tourism center in Springfield, Mo., sports Route 66 theme