The Albuquerque Journal reports that Fred Rael is building what is tentatively called Sedillo Hill 66 in the East Mountains between Edgewood and Albuquerque.

Rael pointed out that the travel center site has a lot of history.

Not only was the store once used as a truck stop and rest area back in the 1930s, but an uncle of Rael’s, Procopio Rael, used to own and operate a similar business just across the highway. He ran a service station that included a bar and dance hall until the freeway came through and forced him out of business at the age of 71.

The Raels say they are are picking up a family tradition and they hope to preserve a “traditional mountain ambience” with their operation.

The travel center project has been four years in the making, Rael said, and has been a “work of joy” for the couple, who were named outstanding citizens of the East Mountains four years ago. They get a kick out of the many people who already stop by to ask if they are open yet, and point out where the counter or cash register used to be in the existing building that is being renovated and expanded for the convenience store.

One man even claimed to have spent his honeymoon on the site, although to Rael’s knowledge there has never been a hotel or motel on the property before.

“But he ought to know where he spent his honeymoon,” Rael said with a laugh.

Bakpakchik writes on her blog that she’s thinking seriously about taking a trip down Route 66. Some of her friends, however, are less than enthusiastic.

“Have you NOT seen ‘The Texas Chain Saw Massacre’?!!!!” is what most people say when they find out I want to do Route 66.

Or Jeepers Creepers
Or House of Wax
Or Detour
Or Freeway
Or Hitchhiker
Or any of the dozens of episodes of X-Files decicated to the follies of the underbelly of America: hicksville, THE BOONIES.

I think she’s going to take the Mother Road despite her friends’ misgivings, but it wouldn’t hurt to send some encouragement her way.

Steve Vaught of the fatmanwalking.com hasn’t updated his journal in a few days. But he’s received his share of newspaper coverage as he trudges across Indiana in his quest to lose more weight. Here are stories about him from the Terre Haute Tribune-Star, WTHR-TV in Indianapolis, and Fox59 TV in Indianapolis.

Rick and Jane McKinney, the evangelist couple who are walking east on much of Route 66 as part of their Walk to Reclaim America crusade, updated their Web site after a nearly two-week hiatus.

I had feared their arduous task had gotten the best of them. But they are averaging about 20 miles a day as they expected — despite sore feet and close calls with trucks.

According to their map, they’ve made it as far as Laughlin, Nev., which is on the border with Arizona. You can read about their latest adventures on the front page of their site.

The writer for the justeastofeden blog visited the historic Round Barn on Route 66 in Arcadia, Okla. Butch kept them laughing, and I admit he’s a colorful and watchful caretaker.