THE ROAD BACK
The old adage that the cemetery is full of men who didn’t have death on their busy schedule has taken on a new relevance and deeper understanding this past two weeks. I suppose there is a blessing of sorts to be found in this visitation from the ghost of Christmas future that has allowed me to see the world through the eyes of the aged whose infirmities mute the fear of death that haunts their every waking moment.
Right up until Tuesday evening a week ago, my schedule was filled with all manner of pressing business, obligations, and schedules. In less than a dozen hours the priority list was whittled down to how best to ensure care of my wife after my departure and how to keep the faith in a very dark time.
Well, I am on the road back but it looks as though it may be a long drive. In the mean time there is a contract deadline looming on the horizon and a much anticipated adventure to Amarillo in June for the international Route 66 festival.
Yesterday, I recorded the postponed interview with Norman Fisk for the upcoming documentary on Route 66 in Arizona. I hope his editorial skills are good as my performance was well off the mark.
Earlier in the week, I met with John Springs, the ambitious visionary that is behind the first on line magazine about Route 66. Perhaps the most exciting aspect of this project is the incredible potential for promotion and advertisement of the mom and pop shops that are the heart and soul of this legendary highway. For more information check out http://www.66themotherroad.com/.
I am to meet with John again Saturday after work but this will be dependant on how much energy is left after the office and a bit of tour guide time postponed from last week. As always, updates on both will be provided.
As additional income would be greatly appreciated by the book keeper at this time, and as it is a golden opportunity to promote Ghost Towns of the Southwest http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?t=1968adventurer&o=1&p=8&l=bpl&asins=0760332215&fc1=000000&IS2=1<1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifras well as introduce folks to the wonders of southern New Mexico, I have agreed to work with Kerrick James and write a feature on ghost town photography for that state’s AAA magazine. Needless to say, this and the illness are really cramping the schedule in regards to the current project, a Route 66 encyclopedia.
I have written more than 80,000 words of concise text for that book but it seems each entry opens the door to a multitude of unanswered questions and a litany of things to add. So, my list of people and places to include is now longer than when I started!
With that said does anyone have information on –
Henry Pierce, Pierce Petroleum, and the visionary establishments along Route 66 in Missouri during the early 1930s –
The history of Pecan Joe’s –
The history of the Abbylee Motel near Springfield, Missouri –
Deer Lodge near Hyde Park in Arizona –
Information about Joe Sekakuku –
Background on Rimmy Jim Giddings –
Thanks again for the prayers, cards, and notes of support. They have been greatly appreciated.