by jimhinckleysamerica | Jun 10, 2016 | Uncategorized
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| Photo courtesy Historic Vehicle Association |
On the road again. That is the theme for this weekend as I head for the Route 66 festival in Holbrook. It also happens to be the underlying theme of the Armchair Tour of Route 66, a presentation I am scheduled to make at 7:00 tomorrow evening.
Since January of this year when I made the initial presentation for a Route 66 Association of Kingman fund raiser, there has been ample opportunity to hone it a bit and add some polish.
A few weeks ago a similar presentation was made for a contingent of French travel journalists. Then, for Lon Haldeman’s tour group, I just made a presentation on the Arizona segment. Last week it was a presentation for a sizable Good Sam group at Grand Canyon Caverns.
The event in Holbrook is the true test as it will be before a group of dedicated Route 66 enthusiasts. After this, we really take the show on the road as we head for Germany. I have always enjoyed sharing the allure of Route 66, its history, and encouraging people to make their own voyage of discovery along the old double six. Designing and delivering these presentations is a new venue for artistic expression aside from writing.
Another interesting turn of events is in regard to economic development in rural communities. Specifically, utilization of the Route 66 renaissance as catalyst for economic development and revitalization.
On the the 23rd of this month, I will be speaking on this subject in Needles. Needles in late June, this should be interesting.
Well, I hope to see you in Holbrook. Indications are that it will be quite a weekend.
by jimhinckleysamerica | Jun 4, 2016 | Uncategorized
As an author I often compare life to a book. From beginning to end it is a series of chapters – some keep you on the edge of the seat with anticipation, some are dull enough to lull you to sleep, and others are tragic and sad.
Last summer a new chapter began. As it is still unfolding, I am unsure if it is the most exciting chapter to date. I am, however, sure that is one of the most satisfying, the most challenging, the most frustrating, and the most enjoyable.
This evening its a presentation at Grand Canyon Caverns and next week, at the Route 66 Festival in Holbrook. The following week I will speak on harnessing the resurgent interest in Route 66 as a catalyst for development as well as revitalization in Needles. In a few weeks, its off to Germany for the first European Route 66 festival, and another presentation.
Who could have guessed that a presentation about murder, mayhem, disasters, celebrities, colorful characters, good pie, and friendly folk would be this popular?
Plans are already underway for attendance of Cuba Fest this fall, and a presentation at the Wagon Wheel Motel. It is shaping up to be a spectacular weekend, especially as I have learned that the Road Crew will be performing at Belmont Winery.
The latest chapter in my story began last summer with a bit of eye trouble (I couldn’t see any reason to continue working for an employer who had absolutely no respect for me and they couldn’t see any reason to employ someone who had the audacity to express frustration with a complete lack of communication or respect).
The encouragement that followed actually became a part of the story in a previous chapter. Suffice to say, last summer when the chapter that had drug on for to long came to an abrupt end, my dearest friend nudged me to cut loose and make a valiant effort to pay bills, and eat on a regular basis, by doing what I enjoy most; writing, helping people plan adventures, inspiring people to take the adventure that they plan, sharing adventures, and in general, tell people where to go.
In retrospect, my dearest friend has been gently nudging me forward for more than three decades. For that, I am truly grateful.
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| Author Jim Hinckley with a Chinese tour group |
As the summer of 2015 was the first time in our more than thirty year relationship that I wasn’t bringing home a steady paycheck or two, and as I have worked for the brand for more than forty years, the very idea of living life without that steady pay check was a foreign concept. concept. However, I further encouragement to step out of the old comfort zone came with the discovery that at my age many employers would prefer that you quietly await the arrival of a social security check, or become a greeter at Walmart, and that those who will hire you seem to be graduates of the modern school of economics (hire only part time employees and pay them top wages, for 1979).
To date, in this latest chapter, I have been privileged to play a role in the transformation of a decrepit mid 1960’s Holiday Inn into a Route 66 resort (thank you Joel Zubaid), and to assist John McEnulty, and his son Sean, in adding some shine to the formerly tarnished gem that is Grand Canyon Caverns. I was able to pen my first self published book (a guide to the Kingman area) with some invaluable assistance from a volunteer in Pennsylvania, and write a book on the Route 66 renaissance and the people behind it.
Even better, there has been time for friends, and time to help people live their dreams. This chapter isn’t without its worries, frustrations, and high anxiety, but these are overshadowed by the invigorating sense of adventure.
by jimhinckleysamerica | Jun 1, 2016 | Uncategorized
In 1926 when it was first designated U.S. 60, and latter in the year U.S. 66, it was a mere highway, a partially paved road connecting two of the nations largest cities. Today, however, more than three decades after it officially ceased to exist, U.S. 66, reverently known to legions of fans and enthusiasts as the Main Street of America, the Mother Road, and Route 66 has transcended its original purpose. It is an American icon enshrined in the pantheon of larger than life folk heroes and landmarks such as Paul Bunyan, the Alamo, and Jesse James.
It is also America’s longest attraction. It is a living time capsule where the entire history of 20th century American societal evolution is preserved. Intertwined with this long and colorful history are links to and vestiges of the 19th, the 18th, and even the centuries before the “discovery” of America in 1492 when modern cities were thriving along the Pecos River.
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| The one and only Octauto |
When I launched into uncharted waters more than two decades ago (with the gentle encouragement of my dearest friend) and decided to try my hand at trading stories for money (or food or gas or tires or …)the focus of my published work was the evolution of the American auto industry between 1885 and 1940, and the changes wrought upon the world by this industry.
At some point between writing about the prolific blind inventor of cruise control, a Swiss immigrant named Louis Chevrolet and the role avid bicyclists played in the establishment of an American highway system, I began writing on a road that I knew rather well – U.S. 66.
In recent years sharing the road, its unique culture, and its colorful history have dominated my work as an author. Now, it seems, a new venue for sharing these tales is unfolding.
Public speaking was not something I aspired to. In fact, it was something I avoided, like snow or generic restaurants.
Then I was asked to speak on Route 66. Then I was asked to speak about this road in the Netherlands. Then I survived a technical glitch that left me stumbling and fumbling in front of a very large audience.
Somewhere along the line, with the provision of historic photos from Joe Sonderman, Mike Ward, and Steve Rider, and photographs that my wife and I gathered on our adventures, a series of presentations entitled an Armchair Tour of Route 66 was conceived.
In January, at a fund raising initiative for the Route 66 Association of Kingman, this presentation made its debut. As I am not a polished professional in this sphere there was some concern about its delivery.
Well, as it turns out, as is often the case, it wasn’t quite as bad I thought. That presentation led to the request for others; this weekend for a large group at Grand Canyon Caverns, the following weekend at the Holbrook Route 66 Festival (don’t forget to sign up for the one of a kind relics tour).
Then there is the first European Route 66 Festival. Also on the list a school in Germany, and Cuba Fest in Cuba, Missouri this fall followed by another at the Missouri History Museum in St. Louis and one at a school in that city. Now there is discussion about making one at the 90th anniversary celebration of Route 66 in Los Angeles.
It does appear that my God given gift for telling folks where to go has been given a new outlet. Are you looking for a tall tale telling gum beater for your event, festival, or fund raiser?
The event in Holbrook is the true test as it will be before a group of dedicated Route 66 enthusiasts. After this, we really take the show on the road as we head for Germany. 
