FROM MY CORNER OF ROUTE 66
As I savor my dinner, and watch the traffic and tumble weeds roll by on Route 66, it seemed a good time to share a few Route 66 related developments and other news.
Laurel Kane of Afton Station continues to recover from a nasty bout of pneumonia. I for one miss her musings posted on Thoughts From a Route 66 Business Owner. If you have the opportunity, drop her a note as I am quite sure hearing from fans in the Route 66 community would serve as a powerful elixir.
Kevin and Nancy Mueller, the amicable proprietors at the Blue Swallow Motel in Tucumcari, have posted a wonderful half hour video of the year 2012 at this historic motel. Pull up a chair and be prepared for some inspiration as this video captures the very essence of the Route 66 experience.
Across the street, the charming Motel Safari, another roadside gem is now home to the Route 66 studio for Douglas and Sharon Quarles. These talented artists have lent their efforts to transforming Tucumcari with colorful murals and homes with their detailed paintings.
I understand that Mark Fletcher of the Classic Restos program in Australia will be airing the six part Route 66 series this month. He filmed this during his adventure with Dale Butel’s Route 66 Tours spring trip.
If anyone in the land down under would like to report on the show I would be most interested. As I don’t get this channel, or have a television, chances are that I will miss it. Knowing Mark Fletcher and the quality of work he produces, I am quite sure it will be well worth watching.
I learned this morning that our friend and Route 66 amigo, Dries Bessels of the Dutch Route 66 Association in Amsterdam is down with the flu that has been plaguing a number of us this winter. If you have the chance, and catch him on Facebook, drop a note of encouragement.
It has been brought to my attention that historian and author John Weiss has a new guide book available. The one is of the triangle formed by Route 66, the Lincoln Highway, and the Dixie Highway. So, I now have another addition for the book shelf to order, and another road trip to dream about.
On our photography site, Jim Hinckley Studio, we have a wide array of prints available for international order. While our earlier limited edition prints are still being sold through the Lile Art Gallery in Amarillo, work is under way for the opening of a gallery of our own this spring in the historic Brunswick Hotel in Kingman on Route 66.
To that end we are ordering limited editions of Giclee processed prints, and are selecting suitable hardwood framing for others that will be displayed in the lobby. This should also provide us with a great venue for meeting friends and fans of the double six this year.
As a bonus, we will be located mere blocks from the big attractions such as Locomotive Park, the new railroad museum, and the Powerhouse Visitor Center with its award winning Route 66 museum. Even better, good food is also a short stroll away as Mr. D’z Route 66 Diner and El Palaciao is just down the street, and one block over on Beale Street, you have the Cellar Door, Redneck’s Barbecue, and Dora’s Beale Street Deli.
I do not have details as of yet but friends in Cuba, Missouri say plans for the 2013 edition of Cuba Fest are well underway. Our calendars are marked as we had such a wonderful time last year a return visit, if at all possible, will be made this fall. As they become available details will be posted.
Last but not, least, don’t forget that Friday evening we will be kicking off the Ultimate Route 66 Contest. Details are found on the corresponding page linked in the upper right corner.