Chasing ghosts on Route 66 is now in high gear as the goal is to begin writing on January 1 and to finish the rough draft by mid March. As Ghost Towns of the Southwest is scheduled for release before April 1, I am hoping to be able to devote the lions share of my energies to its promotion beginning with an appearance as a speaker at the Adventure in Travel Expo in Chicago in late March.

After months of endless frustration and the feeling that I was dropping pebbles into a well in my quest for information about the empty places along the old double six there are encouraging glimmers that persistence is paying off. I should also note that along the way great resources for those planning a trip on Route 66 have been found.

Topping this list is the detailed Trip Guide provided by the Oklahoma Route 66 Association. I would rate this as a must have addition to a travel kit. The guide is available upon request:

Oklahoma Route 66 Association

P.O. Box 446

Chandler, OK 74834

I would be remiss if a note of thanks was not given to a few of those who have responded to my desperate pleas. Tom Huber in Springfield transformed Illinois from a blank into an exciting chapter. Debra Holden of the Route 66 Museum in the Barstow Harvey House has been an endless source of leads and encouragement.

A quick call to Tommy Pike with the Route 66 Association of Missouri turned into an hour and a half discussion on the future of the old road as well as its role in the years to come. Laurel Kane with Afton Station in Afton, Oklahoma, exudes unbridled enthusiasm for the old road and is a well spring of information.

One aspect of Ghost Towns of Route 66 that I have found to be quite fascinating is the discovery of gems hidden in plain site. As an example I leave you with this photo of the Babbit Brothers trading post in Flagstaff, Arizona, just a few blocks from historic Route 66.