In reading the superbly crafted David Crockett by Michael Wallis, I discovered that this famous American and I share something in common. When push comes to shove, like David Crockett, I will spend long hours in the saddle even in a pouring rain if that is what it takes to get the job done but would rather be doing something a bit more enjoyable.
For the illustrious Mr. Crockett it was hunting. For me it is the road less traveled, lost highways, empty places, sharing those places with others, and encouraging folks to become adventurers.
As a result, on occasion the old homestead will start to look a bit ragged around the edges as it takes little to encourage me to forgo painting eaves or installing a new floor if the opportunity is presented for a road trip, a chance to talk about road trips, a chance to write about road trips, or a chance to share pictures of road trips. After more than two full years of burning the candle at both ends, running the wheels off the Jeep and a rental car or two, to create the Route 66 Encyclopedia and Ghost Towns of the Southwest there is the slightest lull that seems almost unnatural.
I have three book deals pending and full scale promotion of the ones written is still weeks away. So, it would be quite easy to paint those eaves that were supposed to be painted last year, or to replace the carpet with a hard wood floor like I was going to do in 2010, or to fix the bathroom that has been on the “to do” list for the past couple of years, or to put in that garden.
Instead I find myself chomping at the bit and making all manner of plans for a very, very busy spring, summer, and fall. As of yesterday, I added camping and deer hunting to those plans that already include opportunities for filling most every weekend between the first of May and the end of October as well as all available vacation time. And that is before signing the next book deal.
Lets see, on the first weekend in May I will be signing copies of Ghost Towns of Route 66, Backroads of Arizona, Route 66 Backroads, and Ghost Towns of the Southwest in the Powerhouse Visitor Center at the Route 66 Fun Run. That will be after a half day at the office.
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| Cuba Fest will provide the opportunity for another stay at the delightful Wagon Wheel Motel and at least an evening or two of hospitality. |
Saturday evening it will be dinner with Dale Butel, Route 66 Tours, his group from Australia, and John and Judy Springs of 66 The Mother Road. Evenings such as these are the perks and the reward for writing as that is what provides the foundation for some wonderful evenings filled with international fellowship.
Then as noted previously, I will be at Kabam, Wheels on 66 in Tucumcari on June 7, Victoville on August 9, and Cuba Fest on the 20th of October. Today I added the Chloride Old Miners Day celebration in Chloride, Arizona on the 30th of June, and initiated plans for a trip to Detroit and Chicago.
At this rate I may just have to give up the day job to free up a bit more time for the things that need to get done, and the things I like to do. Of course that would present a whole new bushel of problems.
As I told my dear wife, if were to win the lottery (she informed me that first I would have to buy a ticket) I would keep writing until a day job was a necessity. From that perspective it seems a lot like old times.
Back then my thinkng was that if, by a quirk of fate, I found the Lost Dutchmans gold chances are I would work ranches and chase rodeos until I was broke. As it turns out there is another similarity between then and now.
I am cinched down tight and can feel that horse wound up like a spring under me. Soon the chute will open and …
