Well, that was interesting. I wonder what is next?

This past year was a swirl of emotions, opportunites, shared adventures, frustrations, triumphs, and milestones. And it looks like 2026 will be an even wilder ride.

As a good old boy once told me, “Enjoy today no matter how bad things are. Next week might be worse and you will look back on this as the good old days.”

Well, That Was Interesting

At the end of last year, for the first time, the Jim Hinckley’s America had a reach and engagement of more than 300,000 people in one month. And Coffee With Jim, our weekly podcast on Podbean described as a virtual diner where folks gather to talk road trips and the diverse American story, had 20,000 downloads. That was a definite high point.

As our work with the YouTube channel have been hit and miss, we made that a priority in 2025. That has been the weak link in the Jim HInckley’s America network. So, we revived the Decade With Jim series and began the regular posting of road trip inspiring reels.

Replacing an aging Dell computer with a state of the art system and larger screen should have been a high point. It wasn’t. And it isn’t. Issues encountered are ongoing and Jim is not a happy camper.

Fielding a growing tsunami of questions about confusion over new national park fees, concerns about safety in regards to American travel, ICE, and incoherent TSA policies was a low point. When linked with the rising tide of dark news about America’s dramatic societal upheaval broadcast daily, there was a definite dark cloud over 2025.

Coming Soon

So, what is on the horizon for 2026? Well, I wrapped up 2025 with a new book to promote. And as Route 66: 100 Years is a Route 66 centennial anthology this led to lots of requests for interviews. And more are being added to the calendar daily.

We had some great guests and delightful conversations on Coffee With Jim last year. But 2026 is shaping up to be epic.

The season kicked off with an interview with illustrator, photographer, mural artist, and journalist J C Amberlyn. Next, Steve from the popular Sidetrack Adventures YouTube channel. And on the schedule, author Roger Naylor that recently published Arizona Route 66 Road Trip.

As exciting as this is, the program that I am eagerly looking forward to is scheduled for February. Our guest is a fascinating fellow that is not old evnough for a drivers license. And yet he is a passionate fan of road trips and Route 66.

And we finally completed arrangements for the official Coffee With Jim mug. It is available exclusively on the Kingman Main Street Kingman Tours website gift shop.

Beating My Gums

And as many you know, I can stories for hours even if no one is in the room. And it has been said that I would still enjoy myself.

Most of the early 2026 programs will be local. I will be speaking at a scholarship fund raiser (thank you to the supporters on Patreon that makes these programs feasible). I will also be speaking at the Route 66 Info Fair in Needles, California on February 14.

The California adventures will continue in March. I will be speaking at the Lake Elsinore Historical Society in Lake Elsinore, California on March 25.

The list of tentative engagements is lengthy. As they are confirmed, I will provide updates.

Sharing Adventures

Jim Hinckley’s America is a shared adventure. And we look forward to sharing the adventures with you in 2026.

As always, we value you input, comments, and suggestions. Keep ’em coming.

And we would like to ask that you become a part of the Jim Hinckley’s America community. Subscribe, follow, and share.

Adios 2025. Hello 2026!