It has often been said that I think about things way to much. As an example, why does candy have artificial lemon flavor but furniture polish is made with real lemon?
When this type of thinking is applied to Route 66, and then to seeing the world from the perspective of Route 66, things can get quite interesting.
Consider the forlorn old folk art masterpiece that is the Trail of Tears monument east of Arlington, Missouri. Why did someone feel that the statues head would make for an interesting souvenir? Is it me or is there something eerily symbolic about a monument created with passion and a sense of history that is now viewed as merely an overgrown roadside oddity?
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| The iconic Blue Swallow Motel, home of the Mueller clan and a true family operated business. |
In an era where job security, two weeks paid vacation, and thirty years to full retirement are almost as rare as seeing Big Foot in a bikini riding a purple unicorn along the road between Galena and Joplin under a blazing summer sun during a toad strangling downpour, why aren’t there more young folk like Chris and Katie Robleski’s of Fading Nostalgia or Cameron and Jessica Mueller?
At the present time, and for the foreseeable future, there is ample opportunity for carving out a pretty decent life along Route 66 for young folks with imagination and vision that aren’t afraid of a bit of hard work. As Katie and Chris have proven, some of the opportunities linked to Route 66 can be successfully modified and applied to other venues.
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| Bob Lile at his gallery on 6th Street (route 66) in Amarillo. |
Late last week it was announced that a steering committee had formed in Amarillo with the goal of establishing a cultural district. It looks as though the tenacity of folks like the irrepressible Bob Lile, and the passionately enthusiastic Dora Meroney of Texas Ivey are starting to pay off.
However, when one looks at the amazing and relatively rapid transformation that communities such as Atlanta, Pontiac, Cuba, Seligman, Williams, Shamrock, and Galena have experienced resultant of their ability to harness the resurgent interest in Route 66 as a catalyst for development, one wonders why it has taken the City of Amarillo so long? Of course, that same question could be posed for Kingman, Grants, St. Louis, and at least several dozen communities along the Route 66 corridor.
Here is another riddle. Why is that our neighbors in Europe, in Australia, in Japan, in New Zealand, and China seem so much more passionate about Route 66, its history, and its future than Americans? I am quite glad that they do but am curious as to why we, in general, don’t seem to have the same zeal.
Of course, now that I think more about it, when considering who the top candidates are for president at this time, it might be understandable.
Well, I suppose I had best get back to work. Obviously, it is most likely best that I don’t spend to much time meditating on the puzzles that surround.
