Down Da 66-- More on Route 66 Motels

The October 9th Arizona Republic had an article by Scott Craven titled "Vanishing Route 66 motels."

He cites the two major reasons for the decline of them to be the freeways and the hotel chains offering continental breakfasts and "comfortable sameness."

Arizona's motor courts are fast vanishing. "Only a handful survive thanks to proprietors who cater to the few travelers who still prefer the country's byways to its soulless highways." Well, "soulless highways" might be putting it a bit harsh, but it makes a point.

Emily Priddy blames this on the "homogenization of society where people prefer the convenient and predictable." Liz and I always try to stay in the old mom and pops, but sometimes we worry that we just might be getting into some situation that we don't want to be in. You never know with these mom and pops.

The article talked at length about Winslow, Arizona's Marble Motel on Route 66, dating back to the fifties. In 1974, Lee and Floranel Earl bought it and did some repairs before reopening it as Earl's Motor Court. I-40's bypassing of Winslow really hurt them. Fortunately, both had other jobs, which helped pay the bills.

Last summer's release of the animated movie "Cars" caused them to dig out the old neon signs, repair them, and put them up. They also returned to a policy of nightly rentals instead of weekly and monthly. Right now, they are at the break-even point. Let's hope they are able to make a go of it. I know where I'm going to stay the next time through, perhaps for the fun "Standing on the Corner Festival."

The article also talked about Allan Affeldt who bought the deteriorating La Posada Hotel ten years ago and have returned it to its former glory. We'll visit it, but it might be a bit too expensive for us. We walked through it at last year's Corner Festival and were impressed. They have done a great job to that historic place.

ONE OTHER THING, the Rt 66 News says that Albuquerque, New Mexico's La Posada Hotel might be reopening next year. Good news.

Save Those Old Motels!!! --RoadDog