AND SO IT BEGINS
Our year started off on a rather leisurely pace; a few visits with friends, a couple of Sunday adventures, a little correspondence, tax preparation, etc. Still, after more than thirty years my dearest friend knew it was just the calm before the storm.
I just can’t seem to help myself. There is always a project to start or finish, people to visit with, friends to share a dinner with, road trips, meetings, weekend adventures, or a litany of other activities competing for our time. Few are profitable but most all are exciting and enjoyable.
The momentum is gathering this month. Looming on the horizon is a whirlwind of adventure that stretches toward December with THE big event being the Route 66 International Festival.
Yesterday afternoon I spoke with Rick Zimmer about the fund raising endeavor to have Joe Loesch and the Road Crew perform at the festival. I was quite pleased to learn that the initiative is moving forward and that the Hampton Inn in Kingman has offered to comp rooms for the band.
I also received confirmation that a group of tear drop trailer enthusiasts are planning on attending the festival, confirmation that a collector will be bringing a 1928 Autocar, and that about 500 VW owners will be here for the festival, specifically the Saturday Bugfest. The film festival is also on the fast track as McDonald Productions is discussing the showing of Pipes and Sticks on Route 66.
I will be offering my services as a guide during the festival. This will take the form of an early morning walking tour of the historic district.There is also the possibility I will be joining a group on a drive to Oatman and Topock to provide historic background on select sites. One of these would be Fig Springs Station that closed in the early 1940s, a relatively obscure spot that can be difficult to pin point.
Next week I will attend two key meetings pertaining to the festivals development now that the chamber of commerce is assuming the point position. Rest assured that updates will be provided.
This weekend will be spent reworking caption correlation for the Route 66 Illustrated Historic Atlas. As frustrating as this is, it has become situation normal with these projects.
For reasons unknown, each of the past few books has required a similar endeavor. For the Route 66 Encyclopedia there was a last minute editorial change that resulted in having to rewrite every caption as an entirely new photo file was created and selected!
In my spare time there is a meeting of some importance to attend in Wickenburg. This could preclude a very important Route 66 related development but I am taking a wait and see approach.
Things are moving forward on the outline and negotiation for a book about the violent evolution of the taxi industry. This project could lead to the Hinckley Hillbillies first trip to New York City. Stay tuned for details.