Buddhist monk walking much of Route 66

If you're in the western half of Route 66 and see what appears to be a orange-clad Buddhist monk walking on the side of the road, it probably because it is a Buddhist monk. The Arizona Daily Sun in Flagstaff caught up with Sutham Nateetong when he was in town last week. The Thai Buddhist … Continue reading Buddhist monk walking much of Route 66

Globetrotter Lodge in Holbrook put up for sale

The owners of the Globetrotter Lodge in Holbrook, Arizona, announced Tuesday they have put the Route 66 motel up for sale after eight years there. Peter and Mona Hoeller posted on Facebook: WE ARE READY TO MOVE ON ! In 2010 we arrived from Europe in Holbrook and transferred an abandoned Motel into our nice … Continue reading Globetrotter Lodge in Holbrook put up for sale

Woman worked for two Route 66 icons in Arizona

Here's an obituary you don't read every day -- an Arizona woman who died earlier this month worked not for one, but two bona fide Route 66 icons during her lifetime. Dorthy “Dottie” Ann Hatch Hansen, 83, of St. Johns, Arizona, died Oct. 19. She was born in Pinedale, Arizona, but spent most of her … Continue reading Woman worked for two Route 66 icons in Arizona

A look at the Wigwam Motels almost 25 years ago

Anthony Reichardt recently uploaded videos he shot during the early to mid-1990s at the Wigwam Motel in Holbrook, Arizona, and Wigwam Motel in Rialto, California. Reichardt has uploaded dozens of videos from that era on his 1959 Cadillac on Route 66 channel. They hold a lot of historic value, as not a lot of videos … Continue reading A look at the Wigwam Motels almost 25 years ago

Best sake made outside of Japan is in Holbrook

If you want to drink high-quality sake (a rice wine) with sushi, the best way is to get it straight from the original source in Japan. However, if you're in the United States, the best sake there is made right in the Route 66 town of Holbrook, Arizona, at a place called Arizona Sake. Fox … Continue reading Best sake made outside of Japan is in Holbrook

Fire ravages Magnuson Hotel in Holbrook

Fire heavily damaged the Magnuson Hotel Adobe along Route 66 in Holbrook, Arizona, and likely is a total loss. It was the city's second hotel fire in a week. The hotel at 615 W. Hopi Ave. (aka Route 66) caught fire Sunday morning after a nearby trailer reportedly went ablaze. Seven fire departments fought the … Continue reading Fire ravages Magnuson Hotel in Holbrook

Route 66 featured on NPR’s “Weekend Edition Saturday”

National Public Radio's "Weekend Edition Saturday" program spent about four minutes on Route 66 and the uncertain fate of the Route 66 Corridor Preservation Program, which expires in 2019. The segment by NPR affiliate KNAU focuses on Holbrook, Arizona, which features Joe and Aggie's Cafe and the Wigwam Motel, both along the Mother Road. The … Continue reading Route 66 featured on NPR’s “Weekend Edition Saturday”

Scenes from the Holbrook Route 66 Festival

Frank Kocevar, the former co-owner of Historic Seligman Sundries in Seligman, Arizona, went to the just-completed Holbook Route 66 Festival and Route 66 Gearhead car show in Holbrook, Arizona, and shot some video. Here's the finished product: https://vimeo.com/221205304 Kocevar wrote in an email: The center of town was blocked off for the festival. It was … Continue reading Scenes from the Holbrook Route 66 Festival

Deep background on the Wigwam Motel in Holbrook

The Arizona Republic newspaper recently published several articles about the Wigwam Motel in Holbrook, Arizona, and revealed details about the Route 66 landmark even longtime roadies may not know. It's worth reading the articles in full, starting here. But a few things stood out, plus a couple of observations from me: --- The motel closed … Continue reading Deep background on the Wigwam Motel in Holbrook

Visits with Lillian Redman at the Blue Swallow Motel

Anthony Reichardt recently uploaded several more videos from Route 66 trips he took in the early to mid-1990s in a 1959 Cadillac. The highlight video of this bunch is several visits with Lillian Redman, longtime owner of the iconic Blue Swallow Motel in Tucumcari, New Mexico. It's the most extensive video I've seen of her. https://youtu.be/TS9fp-Tndq0 Reichardt's … Continue reading Visits with Lillian Redman at the Blue Swallow Motel