OHAYO FROM ARIZONA
Even though the weekend was largely consumed with work at the homestead and on vehicles, there was ample time for some Route 66 adventures of a delightful nature, and a movie night with my dearest friend. In short, it was a most productive and enjoyable weekend.
It included adding a few basic greetings in Japanese to the ever growing vocabulary that consists of similar phrases in Dutch, German, French, Chinese, and a few whole sentences in Spanish. Now, if could just learn a bit of Australian, but that might prove to be a real challenge.
On Friday afternoon, I met with a delightful group from New Zealand traveling Route 66. As always it was delight to be able to answer questions, and to provide a bit of history to enhance their adventure.
I dedicated Saturday morning to playing tour guide for Toshiyuki (Toshi) Goto, a fascinating and passionate young man who, with assistance from equally passionate friends, plans to launch a Japanese Route 66 association.
We kicked off our morning of exploration under a clear blue Arizona sky with breakfast at Rutherford’s Route 66 Family Diner. The business itself is a recent addition to the Route 66 landscape but the building dates to the 1960’s when it opened as a Denny’s.
Good food, friendly service, and fascinating conversation always ensure a great start for a day. Afterwards I provided a running commentary on Kingman and area Route 66 history, and a tour of the Powerhouse Visitor Center.
Toshi’s passion for, and curiosity about Route 66 leave little doubt that a Route 66 association in Japan will have far reaching ramifications for the entire international community of enthusiasts. I wonder if this association will have representation at the 2016 European Route 66 Festival?
Insightful conversations with Toshi, and lengthy discussions with Mazel Zimmerman, owner of Waterhole #2 in Texola, and Rosie Ramos of Fenders Resort in Needles this weekend helped flesh out my developing report on the state of the Route 66 community in 2015. In short, it is becoming quite obvious that on Route 66 it is the best of times and the worst of times.
I will commence the writing of the report in the next week and hope to have it finished in thirty days, somewhere around May 1. The hope is that it will inspire a few grassroots initiatives, provide community leaders with ideas on how to harness the Route 66 renaissance as a catalyst for development as well as redevelopment, and that it will foster the development of some productive cooperative partnerships.
I will commence the writing of the report in the next week and hope to have it finished in thirty days, somewhere around May 1. The hope is that it will inspire a few grassroots initiatives, provide community leaders with ideas on how to harness the Route 66 renaissance as a catalyst for development as well as redevelopment, and that it will foster the development of some productive cooperative partnerships.
I know these are rather lofty goals but what else can you expect from a man possessed of a rather well developed Don Quixote complex?