Author Jim Hinckley, Kristi-Anne Butel (right), and a tour group from the land down under.

Then I encountered a string of issues that necessitated a delay in the penning of the milestone post. In turn, as some of these items pertain to important updates, there was a need to include these as well. 
So, this will be a rather lengthy entry. Perhaps that will make up for the delay. Grab a cold one, get comfortable, and lets begin.   

Left to right, Jeroen Boersma, Jim Hinckley, and Maggie Boersma.

To Zdnek Jurasek and his charming wife, friends from the Czech Republic, we are counting the days until we can again share a breakfast and tales from the road.   
Now, we also have some southerly neighbors that we count as friends. However, even though we are getting better at understanding the language, learning to speak Australian may be more of a challenge than mastering Dutch. 
On a serious note, Dale and Kristi-Anne, Steve, Daniel, Anthony, and Mark Fletcher, thank you for the memories, the good times, the support, and the camaraderie. We hope to see you again soon.
Then there is Sam Murray from the land down under and to the left (New Zealand). Our Route 66 adventure added a new dimension to the Route 66 Fun Run. 
The stateside list of friends and neighbors is rather lengthy. Thank you Joe Sonderman and Mike Ward, Steve Rider and Kumar Patel and Michael Wallis, Bob and Ramona, Laurel and Ron, Kevin and Nancy, John and Judy, Buz and Richard, Ed and Angel, Scott and Ian, Vickie and Allan, Melba and Renee, Gary and Rich, Kathleen and Debra, Rich and your rabbits, and everyone else that makes our adventures so enjoyable, and ensure our blog posts are as lively as the road itself.
Here is to each of you and the years of shared adventures. Thank you. Lets hope that we are blessed with many more. 
Now for a few festival updates. The official t-shirt for the Route 66 International Festival is available. Here is the link for ordering. 
It is official, the Road Crew will performing at the festival even though the fund raising initiative is still short. The hope is that the goal will be met before the festival. A link for the fund raising endeavor is in the right column.
Next, to close out this milestone posting, a couple of important press releases. First, one from the Kingman Chamber of Commerce, and then one from Holbrook. 

For more information about the Walk of Fame, deadline for nominations and funding, or to nominate an individual and fund a brick, please contact Julie Lowe, the project coordinator, at TNT Auto Center, (928)753-1477. For general information about the festival contact the Kingman Area Chamber of Commerce at (928)753-6253 or Dora Manley at (928)297-4560. 


You are cordially invited to attend our first “Route 66 Trading Post Tour” of nine locations within the Petrified Forest / Painted Desert National Park.  This V.I.P. Tour is being presented in conjunction with the 1st Annual “Holbrook Route 66 Festival” which will be held on August 8th and 9th  in Holbrook, Arizona.
Two tours of up to 20 people each are scheduled for Friday morning August 8th before the Festival, and Sunday morning August 10th, the day after the Festival, from 8 AM to about 1 PM.  The tours will be conducted by Park Paleontologist Bill Parker and other knowledgeable members of the Park Staff.  
Both tours will focus upon historical Route 66 trading post sites that reside within the boundaries of the Park, and which in some cases are now mostly inaccessible to the general public.

Stops on the tour will include:
•    Painted Desert Point Trading Post
•    Rocky’s Old Stage Station
•    LA-A Airway Beacon #51
•    Petrified Forest National Park Visitors Center
•    Painted Desert Tower Trading Post (optional, ½ mile hike required)
•    Painted Desert Inn
•    Petrified Desert Park (The Lion Farm)
•    Dead River Bridge
•    Painted Desert Trading Post (which many consider to be the “Holy Grail” of  Route 66 roadside attractions.)

Transportation for the tour will be provided, but those attending are advised to bring bottled water, a wide-brimmed hat, sunscreen lotion, comfortable walking shoes, cameras and extra batteries, and to be prepared to spend approximately five hours on the tour.    

Reservations for this first V.I.P. tour are begin taken on a “first-come-first-served” basis and are limited to a total of 40 people over the two days, though we may open up additional tours later on, should the demand require it.

Additional information will be provided with your reservation confirmation. If you’d like to reserve your place in this historic event, please contact Kathleen Gardner Smith at the Holbrook City Offices at 928-524-6227 or by e-mail at kathleens@ci.holbrook.az.us .

Kathleen Smith

Community Development Director
City of Holbrook
465 First Ave Holbrook, AZ 86025
Office: 928.524.6227
Fax: 928.524.2159