ROUTE 66 MUSINGS

by jimhinckleysamerica | Oct 13, 2009 | Uncategorized

As I draw closer to putting pen to paper, figuratively as this is the digital age, and begin weaving a tapestry of words and photos that will become my next book, Route 66 Ghost Towns, a wide array of thoughts and musings fill my head. In an effort to formulate these into coherent patterns long walks along forgotten alignments and correspondence with those who delve into the history of this legendary highway consume more of my spare time.Along this portion of the old road west of Peach Springs it came to me that Route 66 is truly unique. In a relatively short span of time it has gone from abandonment to icon, from lost highway to living shrine that encapsulates the American experience in the 20TH century. It has become a monument to the wide array of abandoned highways, roadways, and byways that are the threads that tie together our national identity and heritage.

Ruins and forgotten alignments have been an integral part of the Route 66 experience since its inception. In the now classic guide book written by Jack Rittenhouse he noted Fig Springs station was abandoned and that empty gas stations in the deserts of California were a common site.