Ask Rhonda - Page 2 of 3 - Roadrunner Lodge Motel

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The Roadrunner Lodge Motel has been voted the #1 BEST ROADSIDE MOTEL in USA Today’s annual 10best Readers’ Choice contest for “BEST ROADSIDE MOTEL” in America!

“During the early years of the 20th century, Americans took to the nation’s brand new highways, and roadside motels (a portmanteau of “motor hotel”) popped up to accommodate these travelers. Many of these historic properties have gotten retro-chic makeovers, blending their vintage charm with modern amenities. The restored Roadrunner Lodge motel on Route 66 blends mid-century style with modern conveniences, like premium mattresses, plush towels, free wifi and HD TVs with more than 120 channels. The historic property is truly a mom-and-pop operation.”Share a pic and caption on our Facebook page that you took when you stayed at the Roadrunner Lodge

What’s the craziest recipe you’ve ever tried?

14 July 2021/0 Comments/in Rhonda /by Rhonda

Sandy asks: What’s the craziest recipe you’ve ever tried, Rhonda?

My favorite special occasion recipe from my Betty Crocker’s PICTURE COOKBOOK is MOCK DUCK… and my family absolutely LOVES IT.

MOCK DUCK: A “Happy substitution for a bird”

Use a 5-lb shoulder of lamb with the foreleg on. Cut off below the knee to form a duck neck and head. Have shoulder boned and mold it and sew it in the shape of the body of a duck, leaving hollow for stuffing. The foreleg should stand up to give the effect of a duck head and neck. Split leg bone 1′ to form a mouth. Remove a few stitches and stuff, then resew. Rub with fat. Roast. Serve hot surrounded with molds of mint or cranberry or orange slices.

What pop culture were we listening to in July of 1964?

25 June 2021/0 Comments/in Rhonda /by Rhonda

Kevin asks: What sort of pop culture was happening around the time the Roadrunner Lodge was first built?

Pop Culture News from 1964, when the Roadrunner Lodge Motel was just a youngster of a motel and in the week of the 4^th of July, people in the US were listening to “I Get Around” by The Beach Boys” and in the UK, “It’s Over” by Roy Orbison was in the top 5 hits. The movie, “A Hard Day’s Night,” a Beatles musical comedy was one of the most viewed movies released in 1964. And, famed Beatle, John Lennon published “In His Own Write” a collection of off-kilter poems and stories with line drawings that made it to the best sellers list.

What could be better than driving Rt 66 in a vintage car?

20 May 2021/2 Comments/in Roadrunner Lodge /by Rhonda

Rhonda asks: Since it’s Route 66 Road Trip Season, what could be better than driving Rt 66 in a vintage car? Rhonda wants to know… if you could drive Route 66 in a classic car, what would that car be? Tell us the year, make and model!

The History of the Easter Bonnet

14 March 2021/1 Comment/in Roadrunner Lodge /by Rhonda

Carol asks: How did the tradition of wearing an Easter Bonnet begin?

Little girls love wearing Easter Bonnets

The Easter Bonnet was first worn at what was to become the traditional Easter Parade. The Parade began in New York City in the 1870s, on the first Easter after the end of the Civil War. The event was celebrated with crowds carrying flowers, clothed in uplifting pastel colors to signal the “renewal of life”. Eventually, the Parade became a yearly ritual for the social elite to attend Easter church services and afterward parade down 5^th Avenue in hopes of onlookers, and each other, to be granted a chance to show off their new Easter hats and bonnets.

1960s Convenience Foods

18 January 2021/0 Comments/in Roadrunner Lodge /by Rhonda

Great question, Sue! Being a mom and homemaker in the 60s gets easier every day with new and innovative items we discover on our grocer’s shelves. I only buy the very best NEW convenient foods from the 60s for my family of 4. We start our day with choices my kids ask for. Have you tried the new super-sugary breakfast cereals for that extra energy BURST in the morning, like Froot Loops, Honeycomb, Cap’n Crunch, and Lucky Charms? And, for after-school snacks, Pringles, Bugles, Ruffles, Pop-Tarts, Doritos, and Chips Ahoy are a real treat! I recommend you try the newest soft drinks, Gatorade, Tang, or Sprite too. They go perfect with the new Squeeze Cheese (aerosol cheese is my new best friend) and let’s not forget spaghetti-os!

What exactly is a Lava Lamp?

2 December 2020/0 Comments/in Roadrunner Lodge /by Rhonda

Lava Lamps can still be purchased today, and come in a variety of colors.

Mickey asks: What exactly is a Lava Lamp?
The original lava lamp was designed by the inventor of lava lamps and founder of the company “Mathmos”, Edward Craven Walker, revealed the invention of the Lava Lamp in 1963 and 1964 and has been in continuous British production since then. A classic lava lamp contains a standard incandescent lamp which heats a glass (traditionally tapered) vessel of a specific liquid and “lava”. The “lava” formula from a 1968 US patent consisted of water and a transparent or opaque mix of mineral oil, wax, and carbon tetrachloride. The clear water or mineral oil can is typically colored with bright shades of transparent dye. It is presumed that Walker came up with the idea for the lava lamp after watching a homemade egg timer as it was bubbling on a stovetop in a pub. He hired British inventor, David George Smith to develop his vision as well as the chemical formula, and the idea took off.

Who Gave Us Mini Skirts?

18 July 2020/0 Comments/in Roadrunner Lodge /by Rhonda

Bettie asks: Who invented the mini skirt and when?

Hello Bettie, Hemlines are starting to creep up in the mid 60s, born from the world-wide youth culture’s longing for fresh, fun and flirty styles. Up until now, teenagers were much like their parents. They dressed and acted like their parents and for the most part started raising families when they were right out of high school. As a result, teen culture before the Vietnam war started was practically non-existent.

We are seeing drastic changes in culture, politics, tolerance during the 60s and it is leading the way for the liberation of women! The mini skirt was most widely associated with Mary Quant, a London boutique owner and fashion icon. Quant herself is hesitant about the claim that she invented the mini skirt, rather to give credit to her customers as they actually have been driving the hemlines higher through requests.

Do you know Twiggy? The fashion model rising to fame in 1965 was most likely the movement’s figurehead. Her pixie haircut, large eyes, thick lashes and childlike frame were contrary to the mature female icons of the previous decade. What a decade of change!

Toys and Games of the 1960s

20 May 2020/0 Comments/in Roadrunner Lodge /by Rhonda

Ahh...A nice relaxing game with the boy while mom and sis clean up. — Ahh…A nice relaxing game with the boy while mom and sis clean up.

Mariah asks: Rhonda, could you remind us of what kids are playing with in the 1960s?

A: If I had a crystal ball I’d predict a large percentage of the toys introduced in this decade will surely stick around for several years. Toys and games like G.I. Joe, Twister and Operation are new. The well-known high-fashion doll, Barbie, once waned in popularity until a creative Christmas approach was dreamt up. The adding of a new family member, Skipper was recently introduced as Barbie’s little sister. Electrically powered racing cars are challenging the popularity of the electric train. And children all over the country are learning how to ride skateboards, an alternative to the current roller-skating trend. Board games like parcheesi are being played by ages anywhere from 7 to adults and canasta, a card game, is enjoyed by teens and adults. Girls are still playing jacks in the 60s, but they are becoming less popular. Additionally, model planes made from balsa wood are very popular as a craft as well as a toy. Kids are making them and flying them just like paper airplanes, but they fly so much better. (Oops! We have learned some kids are sniffing the glue used to make the planes, so I’m sure several companies will stop making them. Kids will be kids!)

At Roadrunner Lodge Motel we have a fun selection of games to keep the whole family engaged in the evenings. Come stay with us and ask us about Operation, Battleship, even the popular View-Master with a few different disc sets. We also have Lawn Bowling, and Blockbuster to be played outdoors.

Meet Rhonda

24 April 2020/0 Comments/in Roadrunner Lodge /by Rhonda

Meet Rhonda – Our energetic, vivacious, life-loving 60’s expert advice columnist! Rhonda lives in Tucumcari, NM, in the 1960s… is 34 years old and is employed at the Roadrunner Lodge Motel as CAO (Chief Advice Officer). She is a native Tucumcarian, having attended Tucumcari High School, (GO RATTLERS!) now a mother of two, and factitiously serves on the School PTA Board of Tucumcari Elementary. Her hobbies include playing bridge, bowling, and ceramics. She drives a 1962 Ford Country Squire Woody station wagon but dreams of owning a 66 Ford mustang convertible… Her favorite afternoon snack is a refreshing bottle of Tab with Kraft Pineapple Cheese spread on a Ritz cracker and she subscribes to Ladies’ Home Journal and Cosmo. Each month Rhonda will comment on Tucumcari “Life in the 1960s” and answer questions her followers may be curious about. She is looking forward to what you will “Ask Rhonda!” Post your questions or comments here or email her at Rhonda@RoadrunnerLodge.com !