It looks as though we will be enjoying another Chamber of Commerce moment in Kingman today. It has been an unusual winter, just a touch of cold in the mornings but pleasant and warm most every afternoon. Of course the real concern is the lack of rain or snow.
This has been an issue here for several years but I believe this may be the driest winter yet. I am really starting to wonder if we will be hunting jerky instead of deer.
There is ample evidence to support the claims of climate change. Still, I just have trouble accepting the theory currently being marketed with fear mongering by a few folks who stand to profit greatly. Perhaps this is resultant of my years spent in close contact with used car salesmen.
In theory it is a day off, at least from the job that pays the bills. Numerous errands will consume a big chunk of the morning but the afternoon will be spent at the desk writing captions for the new book.
Before the arrival of my son and his family yesterday, I completed the “A’ through “F” segment. In the process I became even more appreciative of the contributions to this project made by Steve Rider, Mike Ward, and Joe Sonderman.
I must confess, there is a little something very special and very personal in this book. I dedicate each book to my dearest friend. Without her patience, encouragement, support, and advise, I really doubt if the first book or feature article would have been written, let alone seven books and more than a thousand feature articles.
My dearest friend has always been my partner but with this project we took this partnership to a new level. This time the photography was a joint effort. Here is a little something from our visit to the Blue Swallow Motel.
If all goes as planned, which would be a unique experience, my plans are to celebrate completion of the book, and say thank you for keeping me fed and supported through a month of twelve and fourteen hour work days, with a quick weekend trip to the coast. My dearest friend enjoys our visits to the beach so, perhaps, we can take off after work on Saturday, and drive to Kumar’s (the Wigwam Motel in Rialto). That is roughly 350 miles and as I get off at noon, that would be just about right.
Then we can do a little inner city Route 66 exploration on the way to Santa Monica. The primary obstacle is the fact that the crushing traffic congestion and high speed demolition derby from Hysteria (Hesperia) to the coast really makes it difficult to relax or enjoy anything.
I received notice on Friday that my potential service as a federal juror had been postponed until April. That will relieve a great deal of the pressure this month. However, it may create another issue as Ghost Towns of Route 66 has been nominated for an award at a prestigious Oklahoma event in mid April.
As it stands now, attendance would mean taking a Friday off, driving 1,000 miles in two days, and then getting back in 24 hours for work. Jury duty would add some complications to that tight schedule.
Well, its time to get the day going. I have captions to write for some great photos from the 1920s, 1930, and 1940s.
