by jimhinckleysamerica | Sep 23, 2009 | Uncategorized

This mornings post is really more a series of loose and even rambling thoughts and notes. I am sure that there is a theme here somewhere.
The current economic climate, my position with Penske truck leasing here in Kingman, my long association with Route 66, and a tad bit of historical hindsight have led to an interesting train of thought lately. Even though the southwest still is experiencing growth, in this are it is but a trickle of what it was a few years ago.
In fact it seems there is a growing trend towards reverse migration to points in the Midwest and the southeast. I wonder who will be the Steinbeck that will chronicle this era in the history of Route 66 and life on the American highway?
A few days ago, just after sunrise, I was rolling west on Route 66 through Kingman Canyon when I stopped for some time of reflection. As I perched on the rocks above the original alignment of that highway a Penske truck and a Uhaul headed east drove by on the newer alignment. I suppose that was the catalyst for culminating these thoughts about changing times.
Now, this next shot is of me in my native habitat, the quiet places in the desert southwest. This photo was taken on a early morning hike high into the Hualapai Mountains above Kingman.
This area is veritable forested island in a sea of desert. I rate the park and lodge here, a dozen or so miles south of Route 66, in the top ten list of great detours often overlooked by travelers on the old double six. It is also one of the places that really make Kingman unique and special.As regular readers of this blog may have noted the Fort Beale area is another one of our favorite places. As with the Hualapai Mountains it is also another overlooked treasure only found with a short detour, this time less than five miles round trip.
I am not sure exactly why this scene captured myimagination. Perhaps it was the full moon rising above the clouds or the way the sun struck the buttes.

I suppose the moral of this disjointed story is don’t rush. Savor the adventure that is life. Last but not least don’t become so focused on the destination that you miss some of the best the journey has to offer.