AN AFTERNOON ON THE DOUBLE SIX
Today’s post is a tale of tragedy and triumph, of adventure and lost treasures on Route 66. For those who follow the blog on a regular basis, and while chained to a desk have imagined how nice it would be to change places with the starving artist on Route 66, the Lincoln Highway, and the road less traveled, it is also an opportunity to give that idea a second thought.
A few days ago I noted how ironic it was that with every book, as the deadline presses in, the proverbial dog doo seems to hit the fan. With Ghost Towns of Route 66, book number six, a new record has been set for just how many triumphs and tragedies can be encountered in a six week period.
We had a miraculous family event that in ten days went from the depth of tragedy to rejoicing. Joe Sonderman and Laurel Kane, as well as the research staff at the Mohave Museum of History and Arts and the Oklahoma Historical Society, resolved the lack of historical images for the book that was weighing very heavy on the mind.
On Wednesday, I was working on a trailer at work and snapped myself on the chin right under the lip with a chain. With the exception of embarassment and a sore chin there was no harm done, or so I thought.
As it turns out I beaned myself rather well but as usual did not realize it until several days later. By Friday afternoon I had an abscess forming but by this point there were no dentists available.
With prayer, asprin, and ample use of Anbesol I made it through work this morning and, by noon, another miracle – the pain pretty much vanished even though there is still a lot of swelling and tenderness. So, we celebrated with the afternoon adventure on Route 66 we had planned, enjoying the warm spring temperatures and the shadows cast by deepening storm clouds.
Now, I can add dentist to what was already going to be a busy Monday that included haircut, picking up the photos from the Mohave Museum of History & Arts, a photo assignment for a commerical client, and writing the captions for the book. I also have an interview with the Kingman Daily Miner, arrangements to conclude for the Saturday book signing at Hastings Books, Music & Videos, and arrangments to be made for the trip to Burbank at the end of the month.
We used our Route 66 adventure this afternoon to gather a few photos for the new book. This also gave us the excuse to take the National Old Trails Highway rather than Route 66 into Hackberry past the historic cemetery.
Many who stop at the Hackberry General Store don’t realize that the town itself was south of the tracks. Even fewer realize this was once a mining boom town that came just a few votes short of becoming the county seat.
After Hackberry we continued east as far as Truxton and took a few photos of the Orlando Motel as Laurel Kane supplied a vintage post card of this establishment and I thought it might be nice to have a “now and then” for the book.
We took a few photos of modern attractions in Truxton such as Cowgills store and then, on the return leg, stopped by the Hackberry General Store. Here are a few of the sites but more photos will be posted on the Destination Kingman group page on Facebook by Monday.
