THE INTERSECTION OF YESTERDAY AND TOMORROW

Lets begin with updates on tomorrow and then we can resume our adventure on Memory Lane. First, I am still not able to provide details at this time as things are only in the early stages of discussion but in response to your inquiries, I can say with a degree of certainty that there will most likely be an honest to goodness Route 66 convention in 2015 complete with a conference, entertainment, workshops, and exhibitions.

The Road Crew performing in Galena, Kansas.

I apologize if this seems cryptic or as if it appears as one of those all to common Route 66 pipe dreams that never seem to materialize. The simple fact is that we want to avoid making promises that can’t be delivered on so I ask for just a bit of patience and that the rumor mill be held in check for a little while.
As the general concept behind the convention is to provide a venue for the development of cooperative partnerships, business networking, and work shops to assist with marketing, this convention is not envisioned as a replacement for the annual Route 66 International Festival. That takes us to the next item of the day.

Over the course of the past few months the tone of emails received pertaining to the role of the Route 66 Alliance in this years festival has been a bit disturbing. The people behind this organization have made tremendous contributions to the Route 66 community and are deserving of respect.

As I am not affiliated with the Route 66 Alliance it would be unfair for me to speak on their behalf, or to criticize. However, there is no indication that a festival is currently being planned for 2015 or that the Alliance is an active organization at this time. Perhaps that is something Michael Wallis will address during his presentation as he is scheduled to open the Route 66 Crossroads of the Past and Future conference at this years festival in Kingman.

That takes us to this years big event in Kingman. Here are a few updates gathered from last nights organizational meeting.

Even though the fund raising initiative for the Road Crew is still a bit short (see the sidebar at the right), this delightful band (the musical ambassadors of Route 66) will be performing twice during the festival. Lets make up that shortfall soon and give Rick Zimmer a rousing applause for his fund raising efforts.

The pre 1952 alignment of
Route 66 west of Oatman.

The authors, artists, collectors, and Route 66 exhibition hall is now filled. A secondary adjoining building is being pressed into service. Available vendor spaces in Metcalf and Locomotive Park are filling fast. If you want a space at either venue, contact Dora Manley as soon as possible. Her number is (928)279-4560.

Now, lets continue our adventure on Memory Lane. This morning its views of the road.

This first photo of the old road west of Oatman generated such a degree of interest we began considering ways to offer prints. This lead to an arrangement with Legends of America for the sale of images in a variety of sizes through a gallery labeled as Jim Hinckley’s America.

This scene has been captured by a number of photographers over the years. However, few notice that just to the west of this roadway, below the shoulder where an old gravel road sweeps toward a set of ruins, is a wonderful example of early highway engineering and development that is almost artistic in nature.

This is not the only example of such intricate stonework on this section of pre 1952 Route 66. However, it remains as one of my favorites. If the response the initial posting received, you are in agreement.
The old double six presents almost endless opportunities for capturing unique views of a road that spans decades as well as a continent.
One section of the old road that we really enjoy is between San Jon in New Mexico and Glenrio in Texas. We have fond memories of this road as my dearest friends first visit to Texas began with this road and a stop at the ghost town of Glenrio.

The ghost town of Endee, New Mexico

There is a haunting sense of timelessness in this section of road. In the ruins of Endee and the wildlife seen along the road early in the morning there is an illusion that you are actually driving from the present into the past. If Kevin Mueller was to come bouncing down this road in his Model A truck the illusion would be complete.
The ghost towns of Route 66, the abandoned alignments, and the empty places are always popular subjects.

The ruins of Two Guns.

When you add stunning western landscapes as a backdrop to stories or to frame photos, these places seem to take on an almost magical quality.
On several occasions stories and photos have been posted about Two Guns, Arizona. The allure of this empty place with a very violent history is difficult to explain.
As with Route 66 itself, Two Guns is one of those places that needs to be experienced. To close out this mornings adventure I leave you with this view of John’s Modern Cabins in Missouri. In the era of resurgent interest in Route 66, these fast fading cabins have become a surprising destination for a legion of international enthusiasts.

My suggestion is to visit in the fall when the fall colors provide delightful contrast. It also makes it a bit easier to avoid encounters with snakes and poison ivy.

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