The weekend was quiet and restful, which in my world meant the phones didn’t ring, I had ample time for evaluating the amount of work the homestead needs (ALOT), and to contemplate the future from the standpoint of a proverbial crossroads. There was also time spent on the current book, soliciting work for 2015, winterizing the evaporative cooler and preparing the heater for another winter of service (just in time as the temperature this morning is 39 degrees).
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| U.S. Highway 66 Association caravan 1952 (courtesy Oklahoma Route 66 Museum) |
I also found time for a nice walk in the brisk fall air along the old wagon road and a movie shared with my dearest friend, a bit of reading (David Dickinson’s The Old Car Nut anthologies), final preparation for the pending trips to Los Angeles and Albuquerque, and some old fashioned pen and paper correspondence. We also entertained ourselves with another valiant and comedic attempt to learn basic Dutch words and phrases, and watched related travel videos that stoked the excitement for the pending adventure.
As noted, November is shaping up to be quite hectic but in an enjoyable way as most of the schedule is filled with Route 66 related endeavors. It seems a suitable way to wind down a year, especially one as busy as this one.
Assistance provided to organizers of the Route 66 International Festival solidified my conviction that the Route 66 community needs development of representative leadership, as well as comprehensive promotion. In short, we need a rebirth of the U.S. Highway 66 Association. That is an idea that is beginning to dominate my Route 66 related thinking.
A related line of thought is that I might be able to lend assistance to communities looking to develop events or promotion that is supported by the international passion for iconic Route 66. In turn, that leads to thoughts about the possibility that a chamber of commerce or community would like to retain a fellow with a reputation for telling folks where to go in such a manner that they eagerly anticipate the trip.
While we are on the subject of trips, I was a bit surprised by the response received to the question posed about a Route 66 tour led by me. Later this week I will discuss this with the folks at Open Road Productions, and the keep you apprised of updates. Lets see if we can transform an idea into a reality.
In a somewhat unrelated note, it seems that Kumar Patel of the Wigwam Motel in Rialto has been busy, again. I am referring to the recent Eye on LA program. I know that he had assistance in this but it seems that Kumar is on the fast track to becoming the publicity agent for Route 66 west of Kingman.
As I fretted over the growth of Kingman when we got the fourth stop light, the Route 66 corridor in the greater Los Angeles area has only been explored in segments. Unfortunately I think a number of Route 66 enthusiasts are in the same camp.
A goal in 2015 is to rectify that obvious shortcoming, albeit in small doses resultant of tight schedules, and a lifelong aversion to places where the air is cut with a knife and highways are occasionally confused with parking lots. Kumar and Scott Piotrowski will receive credit for patient encouragement to move further from the shore and into deeper waters.
On the weekend of November 15, this new adventure will commence. First there is the book signing in Burbank, and then on Sunday morning, some exploration in the area of the original terminus of Route 66. Time constraints and a foot that is not quiet ready for long walks will ensure the exploratory tour is relatively short.
Still, I am rather excited about the whole affair. Adventure into uncharted waters is the stuff of legend, or have you forgotten the tales of Jason and his intrepid Argonauts.
Meanwhile, I just noticed the time and so until tomorrow…
