Down Da 66

A few things going on along the Mother Road.

1. NORMAL, ILLINOIS- Plans are afoot to turn the structure at 305 Pine Street into a Route 66 visitor and education center and bed & breakfast. Terri Ryburn-Laymont has secured some grant money and is asking the city council for $400,000 more for the project. Normal's mayor is in support of it.

I'd sure like Normal and Bloomington to do something with their Route 66 heritage. Of all the Illinois towns, they seem to have done the least.


2. SAN BERNARDINO, CALIFORNIA-- The annual Stater Brothers Route 66 Rendezvous has ended. It took place this past weekend, Sept 13-16th. Last year, they had 1900 pre-1973 cars at the show.

This year, Candy Clark from the movie "American Graffiti", Ed "Kookie" Burns from the TV show "Sunset Strip" were in attendance.


3. TUCUMCARI, NEW MEXICO- So you missed out on buying the Blue Swallow. Here's your chance to get a bona fide piece of Route 66 heritage. The Motel Safari is for sale with that great old neon sign. It was reopened after extensive repairs in 2006. They feature 24 rooms with coffeemakers. Price is $250,000, a low-end price for a single family home here in the Chicagoland area.

Over the past 12 months, $262,000 in room revenue was made, with the average daily room going for $30.

Here's your chance. Go buy a motel.

Keep on Down that Two Lane Highway. --RoadDog