EZ UPDATES
For readers of the EZ 66 Guide for Travelers, I have provided free online updates to help keep your Route 66 experience as current as possible. As you might imagine, Route 66 is constantly undergoing changes, some good, others not so. Businesses open and close, roads are re-routed and street names change.
Please check back here just before your trip for the latest info. Entries are dated as to when they were added.
If you wish to purchase your own copy of the EZ Guide, please go
here.
EZ 66 readers have been helpful in keeping me keep the guidebook updated in between my own road trips, so if you discover something that needs to be addressed while on your journey, please let me know!
[Print All]
Tucumcari NM on
Jul 20, 2013 at 2:14:53 am
[Print]
If you want to experience a genuine western ranch supply store and eat some great BBQ then detour just a few blocks north of 66 to 502 S Lake St and visit TUCUMCARI RANCH SUPPLY. (They also have a great mural on 66). Even if you don't have a ranch! They have great Rte 66 and Western gifts, plus baked goods for breakfast. Friendly folk! In association is Watson's BBQ...GREAT food in a cool, vintage atmosphere. The eatery is usually only open on Saturdays ...call ahead for hours!
http://tucranchsupply.com/watsons-bbq.html
(575) 461-9620.
CA page-18 on
Jul 12, 2013 at 3:47:21 pm
[Print]
The annual Route 66 Rendezvous is moving to another city.
Chain of Rocks Bridge safety reminder on
Jun 18, 2013 at 4:03:18 pm
[Print]
Just a reminder to an earlier update about the MO side of the chain of Rocks bridge. DON"T park on the MO side! Your car may get broken into.
The Illinois side is usually safer. Its at the end of a couple mile dead end section, with only one way in or out...this deprives the crooks of a quick getaway. Still, please be careful even here. Trust your gut feeling.(and be careful in the whole area on both side of the river in St Louis and surrounding cities).
Had some visitors first week of May 2013 who also had their car broken into on the MO side. DO NOT PARK THERE!
OK page-25 on
Jun 15, 2013 at 3:08:42 am
[Print]
Awww, they put a different type of jet fighter at the entrance to the Stafford Museum! I'll have to get the scavenger hunt answer changed on the Federation website!
IL-page-19 on
Jun 14, 2013 at 8:25:59 pm
[Print]
I finally stayed at the Route 66 Hotel on 6th Street in Springfield. They have great roadside Americana decor in the lobby and public areas. They even carry this guide. I just wish it was a totally NON smoking establishment. I had to walk a long smoke-smelling hallway to my room, the first of which, supposedly a "non-smoking" room, was too smoky to tolerate. The clerk kindly allowed me to switch rooms. The second room was still smelly, but "just" tolerable.
Its a good place to stay if you don't mind the smell of smoke.
2015 UPDATE: A few folks have reported no smoky smell recently. good!
2019 UPDATE: I got more bad reports. Bad communications from manager to unhappy guests. More smoke.
Supplimental Giant Alert! IL page-26 on
Jun 14, 2013 at 8:21:22 pm
[Print]
I need to mention the fiberglass "muffler man" style giant at Pink Elephant Antiques in Livingston. This was a later alignment of 66, so he counts as a brother to the 3 other Illinois giants! This huge antique emporium is fantastic.
IL page 5 on
May 26, 2013 at 7:54:02 pm
[Print]
OPTION: The map and text for the option refer to W Lawndale Ave. This is WEST of Harlem Ave/IL Hwy 43. Do NOT confuse this with S Lawndale Ave, which is 5 miles EAST of Harlem/IL 43 (closer to Chicago).
You only need be concerned with W Lawndale Ave IF you take the option.
Vinita, OK on
May 26, 2013 at 7:44:07 pm
[Print]
, some visitors reported to me today that their room at the Relax Inn was infested with bedbugs, and that the management did not provide proper assistance. Even the best places can get bedbugs...but I would suggest to all motel owners that they do everything they can to make their guests happy if this happens (or for any other problem).
New mexico on
May 10, 2013 at 11:25:45 pm
[Print]
just heard (on Route 66 news) that the Bobcat Bite restaurant on old 66/85 east of Santa fe will close June 9th...but may reopen under new management.
Big cities on
May 08, 2013 at 6:28:08 pm
[Print]
Just a reminder to be careful where you park in the bigger cities, and keep an eye on your car and belongings. Some recent visitors reported that they possibly averted a car-break in downtown Joliet, for example. They parked and began walking towards the majestic Rialto Theatre. It was a Sunday, so most businesses were closed, and downtown was empty...except for one suspicious individual with a cut down hockey stick (who suddenly pretended it was a cane when spotted). The tourists saw him head back towards their parked car, so they turned back. When he spotted them he quickly disappeared in an alley!
Not casting any disparagement on Joliet (a city I really enjoy)...this is an issue in all cities...so just be careful, OK?
And IF you see someone with a hockey mask and chainsaw..run! oh wait...that was a movie I saw......