The fall promotional tour kicked off last weekend with an
Surprises abound along Route 66 in southern California.
adventure to the original western terminus of Route 66 in the heart of the historic theater district in Los Angeles. Next week the tour heads east to the Miles of Possibility Conference in Carlinville, Illinois, with a detour to Jackson, Michigan.
These annual odysseys are one part research and two parts business but it is work that I enjoy immensely. My son I and hit the road long before first light cleared the music Mountains to the west, and we were deep into the Mojave Desert when a glorious sunrise unfolded. The first stop was Rancho Cucamonga where I made a presentation about Route 66 in western Arizona at a fund raising breakfast for the Route 66 Inland Empire Association, and signed copies of 100 Things to Do on Route 66 Before You Die.
Then I backtracked to San Bernardino for a visit with members of the Historic California Route 66 Association. Afterwards we drove Route 66 with its endless miles of stoplights to Pasadena, and gathered photos of fading remnants from the highways glory days for a new book being written by Joe Sonderman. It was a relaxing evening; a nice dinner at the venerable old Cameron’s Seafood on Colorado Boulevard chased by a couple of beers and leisurely walk along through the old business district.
The next morning it was an adventure in the historic theater district of Los Angeles. Breakfast at the century old Grand Central Market, a walking tour led by Scott Piotrowski, the newly appointed president of the Historic Route 66 Association of California. This district has survived decades of abandonment and neglect but as it is an architectural treasure trove that is experiencing a renaissance. The sense of excitement and vibrancy is palpable. It was an ideal setting for a Jim Hinckley’s America Adventurers Club Facebook live program with Scott.
The first stop next week is Albuquerque. I will meet with the president of the New Mexico Route 66 Association, and have dinner with a small group from New Zealand that is traveling the storied old road using the innovative self drive tour developed by Gilligan’s Route 66 Tours. Along the way I will be distributing an array of Kingman area promotional materials, and picking up more as I head east.
The primary destination is the Miles of Possibility Conference in Carlinville, Illinois where I will attend a symposium on Route 66 tourism, and make a presentation on the origins of Route 66. Along the way I will be hosting some live programs, including one at Uranus, Missouri during the official ceremony to light the impressive new neon sign. The following day I will be signing books between noon and three at this quirky roadside attraction. There is a reception at the Wagon Wheel Motel in Cuba, Missouri for me, and authors Joe Sonderman and Riva Echols on the evening of the 19th to kick off Cuba Fest. The next day, as a part of the festivities, Joe and I will be making presentations.
Then, before the conference in Carlinville on the 26th and 27th, I make a detour north to Jackson, Michigan where I am to make a presentation at a fund raising event for the Hackett Auto Museum. I am honored to be able to contribute to the development of this exciting museum, and excited for an opportunity to revisit some old stomping grounds. I graduated from high school and trade school in Jackson more years ago than I care to count.
The odyssey is made possible through the support of the City of Kingman, the City of Cuba, and partners of our crowdfunding initiative on Patreon. We have also support through contributions via PayPal. To each and everyone of our supporters and sponsors, thank you.
So, it should be a grand adventure. I hope that you can me through the magic of Instagram or Facebook, or in person at an event. See you on the road my friends.
