YOU ARE CORDIALLY INVITED TO ….

Now, things are really starting to get very interesting, as if they weren’t already. Lets see, I installed an electric motor in the “swamp” cooler last Saturday even though temperatures were stuck somewhere around eighty degrees. My best guess at this point is that a bearing went out in the squirrel cage on Sunday evening, just in time to enjoy some late summer days in the mid nineties.
I refuse to allow this or the fact that the undergrowth in the back yard and around the side gate is now near chest high or pressing deadlines or work on the ultimate Route 66 celebration in 2014 before next Fridays organizational meeting (more on that in a moment) to deter me from something of great importance. That, of course, is something a little special for my dearest friend, a celebration as well as a token of my appreciation for thirty amazing and wonderful years. 
So, tonight we turn the care of the homestead over to an able caretaker (aka our son), and in the morning we will take to the open road. The secret destination can not be disclosed at this time.

I just received an advance copy of the latest endeavor from the Jim Hinckley writing academy, Route 66 Treasures. In a nutshell this book is a bit different in that it chronicles the evolution of Route 66 from highway to icon through the materials developed to promote it. I won’t spoil the surprise but suffice to say there is a treasure inside the back cover. 
Now the focus can turn toward finishing the Route 66 Historic Atlas, and the final touches on the Route 66 travel guide that is scheduled for release next spring. For your convenience I am adding an Amazon.com carousel at the top of this post that features the entire Jim Hinckley collection, including the travel guide now available for pre order.
Meanwhile work to ensure the 2014 Route 66 International Festival in Kingman, under the auspices of the Route 66 Alliance, the sanctioning body for the event, is enjoyed by all who attend is well underway. With a goal of showcasing the wide array of attractions in the Kingman area, and to foster a sense of community along the entire Route 66 corridor, development is moving beyond the host city and the Grand Canyon State. 
Discussions are underway to organize a classic car and classic sports car cruise to Kingman from the Los Angeles area. Likewise with the Chicago, Phoenix  and Las Vegas area. 
Even though the spotlight will be turned on a century of alternative energy vehicles at the auto show segment of the event on Saturday evening, the hope is that there will be a full display of automobile history on Beale Street during this special edition of Chillin’ on Beale. As we have a full nine blocks to fill with cars, and more if need be, there should be room for everyone.
So, bring your rental car, classic car, vintage tractor, motorcycle, steamer (please), or bicycle and join the fun. More information is available through the tourism office at 928-753-6106.
As the event schedule includes a film festival, arts and crafts fair, barbecue, car show, two cruise nights, a concert, a Native American and western art exhibition, an exhibition of Route 66 authors, photographers, and collectors, spirit tours to the wineries and distillery, a model car contest, and special events all along the 180 mile Route 66 corridor in western Arizona, concerns about lodging have been expressed. So, I would be remiss if it were not noted that Kingman has more than 1,500 motel rooms, several excellent camp grounds, and even cabin rentals at Hualapai Mountain Park. However, within a forty mile radius there are literally thousands of motel and hotel rooms available, as well as a few very unique bed and breakfast locations.
So, you are cordially invited to …