The title for todays post was inspired by a series of photos shared by Rich Dinkela. They are amazing for a wide array of reasons including the clarity, the detail, the fact that they are in color, and that they were taken along the National Old Trails Highway in Arizona in 1917.
After a bit of research, and input from members of the Antique Automobile Club of America, it was determined that the car is a 1917 Studebaker. So, this would have been a new car at the time the photos were taken. Amazing. Truly amazing.
On a somewhat unrelated topic, work is progressing on the creation of the Wold’s Largest Route 66 Museum. The project received a real shot in the arm today with receipt of a disc containing more than sixty images of historic businesses along the Route 66 corridor in Kingman. Thank you, Mike Ward!
Next is finding information about these businesses. This will be followed by printing and then mounting at the respective locations.
If you would like to be a part of this exciting new project, and have images or information about businesses along Route 66 in Kingman, please let me know. Additionally, if you have photos of billboards or advertisement on buildings in this area during the Route 66 era please drop an email or note as there is a chance we will bring these back to life to ensure our proposed museum is multi-dimensional.
Further indications that Kingman is on the cusp of real transition can be found at the El Trovatore Motel. First the neon was refurbished.
Now, the owners, Sam and Monica, have initiated a mural program as a part of their continuing effort to rennovate this historic property. I will have photos of this project tommorrow evening and should have them posted by Tuesday.
On the personal front I am awaiting the revised and edited galley proofs for the Route 66 Encyclopedia. Unless there are some serious errors to address this should be the last stop before it is sent to the printer. In the right column is a Route 66 Encyclopedia Update page where you can be kept apprised of progress.
Meanwhile, I have initiated work on the new project and am striving toward establishing a habit of working at least one hour each evening. After months of negotiations and false starts resultant of the current economic climate, the project was finally given the green light based on my ability to have the completed work, with illustrations, in the publishers hands by March of 2013. Hence the need to accomplish something every evening.
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| The historic Blue Swallow Motel in Tucumcari, New Mexico. |
In this afternoons mail I was surprised to find a beautiful thank you note from Kevin and Nancy Mueller, the owners of the landmark Blue Swallow Motel in Tucumcari. The heartfelt expression of gratitude received from this community for our support and participation in the first annual Wheels on 66 event has been almost overwhelming.
Even though making money from writing and photography is a manifestation of my goal to become a writer when I grow up, this not our only incentive. My dearest friend and I are of the opinion that if our sole focus is the money, even astounding success and acclaim will be counted as a loss.
Almost from its inception we have viewed our work as a means to help promote the people and the places that make legendary Route 66 truly unique. This should explain why we will be introducing the Route 66 Encyclopedia at Cuba Fest in Cuba, Missouri rather than in Los Angeles, Chicago, or New York City.
So, with that said, it is time to sign off and go to work.
