Rolf Potts, of Yahoo! News' "Traveling Light: The Art of Independent Travel," sits down for an interview with travel writer Jamie Jensen, who just released his fourth edition of "Road Trip USA." Jensen also has a good Road Trip USA Web site.

Route 66 is among the book's recommended journeys.

The White House presented its Preserve America Presidential Awards in the Rose Garden today. Hampton Inns was one of the recipients for its work with helping preserve historical landmarks, including on Route 66.

Here is the relevent excerpt from the White House transcript of President Bush's remarks:

Our fourth award recipient is Hampton Hotels. Probably surprises you, doesn't it? Under their "Save a Landmark" program, Hampton Hotels is helping communities rehabilitate roadside attractions along America's great highways. Their efforts have helped preserve landmarks along Route 66, to restore the Jesse Owens Park in Alabama, to refurbish one of the country's classic theme parks in New Jersey, and save the world's largest Santa Claus in Alaska. (Laughter.) Each of these landmarks represents a piece of cultural and regional history. By saving them for future generations, they are helping to celebrate the diversity of America — and provide educational opportunities for families as they travel across our great land.

Jim Conkle of the California Route 66 Preservation Foundation, who was involved with some of Hampton Inn's efforts, was scheduled to attend. I've seen no photographs yet from the ceremony, but I'll keep an eye out for them. 

The last time we were through Grants, N.M., in September, we were disappointed to discover that the historic Uranium Cafe on Route 66 had closed.

I've since recently discovered that the Uranium Cafe reopened in March under new ownership and rechristened it Five Brothers Uranium Cafe, in tribute to the five sons that help owner Rosalinda Stewart run the place.

Talking to one of the five brothers this morning, I was informed that the previous owner decided to sell Uranium Cafe after a divorce. The restaurant still serves traditional American breakfasts and diner food, but has added Mexican-American dishes to its menu, using the family recipes.

However, one of the big hits is the Five Brothers Burger, a 2-pound hamburger "about the size of a pizza," served with fries. One of the brothers told me that not many people tackle this behemoth alone; most who order it are groups who split it. The Five Brothers Uranium Cafe also sells the original Route 66 Root Beer.

The restaurant is preparing for a Mother's Day special, in which it will serve prime rib.

Route 66 roadie Paul Samway, who shot the above photo above less than two weeks ago and e-mailed it to me, tells me the cafe "was very clean and tidy, the service was spot-on, and the food great and the people really nice and friendly."

The Uranium Cafe's expanded hours are 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, and 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday. Its new phone number is (505) 285-4550.

Rick McKinney, the evangelist who is walking across America with his wife Jane in their Walk to Reclaim America, has provided more details about his second-degree burns and other injuries he suffered during a coffee-spill mishap.

He's back to walking after some touch-and-go moments in which his injuries might have required more extensive treatment. But they've been able to cover only about half their usual distance.