by jimhinckleysamerica | Mar 10, 2024 | Adventure, community development, ghost town, Hollywood history, Lifestyle, National Old Trails Road, Route 66 authors, Route 66 centennial, Route 66 Events, Route 66 history, Travel, Travel Tips, Uncategorized
California here we come. An early alignment of Route 66 in Needles.
California, here we come! That was a common cry for the OKies and the people displaced by the Great Depression and the Dust Bowl. And after WWII it became the motto for GI’s with new family’s that were chasing dreams. That was followed by the era of the family vacation, station wagons and trips to Disneyland.
California Here We Come
California figures prominently in the Route 66 story. The U.S. Highway 66 Association promoted Route 66 as the road to the 1932 Olympics in Los Angeles. California was the hope, the promise and dream of the mythical Joad family in The Grapes of Wrath. And it was the destination for Lucy, Desi, Fred and Ethyl as they motored west along U.S. 66 in several episodes of the popular television program I Love Lucy.
So, in the era of Route 66 renaissance a new generation of traveler should be shouting, California here we come. But, surprisingly, aside from Santa Monica many enthusiasts skip Route 66 in the Los Angeles metropolitan area. Why?
In Search of Answers
That was a focal point of the conversation with Scott Piotrowski, President of the California Historic Route 66 Association on the March 10, 2024 episode of Coffee With Jim, the podcast from Jim Hinckley’s America. It was an eye opening, road trip inspiring, and thought provoking discussion.
The program descriptor reads, “How do you explore, and survive, the Route 66 corridor in the Los Angeles metropolitan area? Will Route 66 in the Mojave Desert ever reopen? On today’s program we answer these questions and talk with Scott Piotrowski, President of the California Historic Route 66 Association, about a neon sign museum, exploring Route 66 via use of the light rail, ghost towns, the National Old Trails Road, and much, much more.”
Sharing America’s Story
Aside from promoting road trips, we share America’s story. And what is more American than road trips, Route 66, and a rich blending of cultural diversity? So, even though I have had discussions about Route 66 in California with Scott on numerous occassions, I was inspired by this program to see Route 66 in LA a bit differently.
I felt the stirring, the hunger for a road trip and some exploration as Scott talked with passion about Route 66 in the LA area. And the discussion about Mojave Desert ghost towns such as Daggett further fueled my passion for new Route 66 adventures.
I wrote about Daggett in Ghost Towns of Route 66. But since that time I have learned more about the town’s rich and colorful history. And Dries Bessels, a good friend that is with the Dutch Route 66 Association, recently gained access to long shuttered buildings, and provided picture. So, today’s podcast definitely provided incentive for another Route 66 adventure in California.
Sharing The Adventure
Jim Hinckley’s America was conceived as a shared adventure. That is our starting point for the podcast episodes, the YouTube channel videos, the books, and the presentations. So, your input is appreciated, and encouraged.
Are you enjoing the podcast episodes and the video series? What can we do to improve our programs and road trip inspiring outreach?
by jimhinckleysamerica | Mar 7, 2024 | Adventure, Lifestyle, Route 66 centennial, Travel, urban exploration
The free Ultimate Route 66 Guide, available in eight languages, is a first step in planning a Route 66 trip.
Ready, set, go. In this weeks blog post about the gear we use, and recommend, it’s planning guides and tools, and some of the things you need to get the most from your Route 66 adventure.
The Basics
Planning a Route 66 trip begins with two basics. The first item that I recommend is EZ 66 Guide For Travelers by Jerry McClanhan. McClanahan is an author, an internationally acclaimed artist, and a pioneer in the Route 66 renaissance movement.
This guidebook is a throwback to the 1950s. But the simplicity, the attention to detail, and the trivia make this book ideal for planning the trip. Even though I have been traveling this old road since 1959, and make an annual end to end trip, we still travel with this guide.
Next
Next, download the free Ultimate Route 66 Guide from the Route 66 Navigation app. Availabe in eight languages the guide book is designed with the first time Roue 66 traveler in mind. But even the seasoned adventurer will find tips that they can use.
Then, while you are on the website, get a subscription to the Route 66 Navigation app. The point of interest file, and event calendar is free, but there is a small cost to use the navigation features. So, the app is ideally suited for planning the trip, and for ensuring that you stay on Route 66 while following the storied old highway. Trust me, that can be a challenge. Route 66 followed several different alignments in its history, and in some places it is not well signed.
Ready, set, go. This guidebook is a first step towards planning, and enjoying, a Route 66 adventure.
The app can be used offline. That is another plus as there are dead zones in the Mojave Desert and in rural areas. And that is another reason why this app is given the Jim Hinckley’s America seal of approval.
Don’t Forget The Passport(s)
Several state Route 66 associations have created passports that highlight select stops, provide some trivia and tips, and other information. These are highly recommended.
But I also suggest picking up a copy of the Mother Road Route 66 Passport. All of the passports make great customizable souvenirs. But this is the only passport for the entire route from Chicago to Santa Monica.
Created by the developers of the Route 66 Navigation app, the Mother Road Road Route 66 Passport was conceived as a means to increase foot traffic at visitor centers and enhance the travelers experience. This passport is indicative of the developers passion for the Route 66 community.
Finish The Tool Kit
- Pick up a copy of 100 Things to Do On Route 66 Before you Die. As with the first edition, my greatest challenge in writing this book was determining what to include. After all, I have several thousand places and events on my list of Route 66 favorites.
- Become a follower of Coffee With Jim on Podbean, the audio podcast from Jim Hinckley’s America. Guestson the live, interactive Sunday morning program include tourism directors, business owners, author, and event organizers. Archived programs are available on the Coffee With Jim website as well as on Spotify and most major podcast platforms. There is also an embedded player on the Jim Hinckley’s America website.
- In advance of your trip contact the state Route 66 associations. Most of them offer free guides that updated annually.
That about does it. Ready, set, go.
by jimhinckleysamerica | Mar 3, 2024 | Adventure, community development, Lifestyle, PRODUCT REVIEW, RECOMMENDED LOCATIONS, Route 66 authors, Route 66 centennial, Route 66 Events, Route 66 restaurant, Travel, Travel Tips, urban exploration
The stunning Rialto Theatre in Joliet, Illinoi is home to the Duchess, one of the largest handcut crystal chandeliers in the country. ©Jim Hinckley’s America
The Duchess, one of the largest hand cut crystal chandeliers in the United States, in the renovated Rialto Square Theatre is an example of the gems and treasures awaiting discovery in Joliet, Illinois. This stunning movie palace that dates to 1926 is one more reason to set aside at least a day on your Route 66 odyssey to explore this amazing city.
Joliet, the Duchess, and the story of the Illinois Rock & Roll Museum on Route 66 were a few of the highlights in this mornings conversation with Ron Romero on Coffee With Jim. Romero is the visionary CEO and the Board of Directors Chairman at the Illinois Rock & Roll Museum on Route 66.
Coffee With Jim
Coffee With Jim, the Podbean based podcast from Jim Hinckley’s America, is another way that we share America’s story. And it is another manifestation of our focus on inspiring road trips by telling people where to go. The comments received from guests as well listener’s leave little doubt.
We have been successful on both counts. And that has inspired us to focus on reaching a bigger audience for the podcast. It has also given added incentive to further develop our YouTube channel with new video series.
What I didn’t expect was how the program would transform my perspective. This mornings program is just one example. Ron Romero’s infectious enthusiasm for the museum, for building a sense of community, and the story how that is transforming Joilet led me to look at my adopted hometown of Kingman, Arizona just a bit differently.
Coming Soon
With that said, these are few things that we have on the schedule. On Sunday, March 10, our guest on Coffee With Jim will be Scott Piotrowski. Piotrowski, president of the California Historic Route 66 Association, has updates on highway closures in the Mojave Desert, and on plans for the Route 66 centennial.
Then on March 17, we will be talking with the folks from the Texas Route 66 Visitor Center in Amarillo, Texas. This promises to be another road trip inspiring program as there are big things happening in the Lone Star State.
And for the In Search of Lost Highways series on YouTube, work is under way on an exciting episode. We will sharing a drive, and a bit of time travel, along Route 66 in the Black Mountains. This promises to be our best episode yet and as this drive in western Arizona has a personal touch. In addition to sharing the history of the road and communities in these picturesque mountains, I will introduce viewers to the remote desert homestead my pa and I built more than fifty years ago.
Come Along For The Ride
Roadrunner Lodge, Tucumcari, New Mexico, a Jim Hinckley’s America sponsor.
The best adventures are those that are shared with friends. So, I encourage you to become a follower of our blog posts, of Coffee With Jim, and our YouTube channel. Then invite your firends. And feel free to share ideas, thoughts, and suggestions.
One more item on today’s agenda. If you or a friend are planning an adventure on Route 66 or another back country highway, start here at Jim Hinckley’s America. The list of recommended businesses and attractions, and our sponsors all come with the Jim Hinckley’s America seal of approval. You are assured that before we make that recommendation, we have tested the pillows, tasted the enchiladas, and walked that trail.
by jimhinckleysamerica | Mar 2, 2024 | Adventure, Fashion, Lifestyle, Miscellaneous, PRODUCT REVIEW, Route 66 authors, Travel
Recommending the Hi Tech Yosemite is more than selling the sizzle. Screenshot, Amazon –
Sell the sizzle, not the steak. That adage was one I heard often when working on used car lots years ago. It was a favored line of the sales staff and a concept that seemed to underpin many a sales meeting.
But the idea of selling the illusion is not something I was very good at, and so my career as a used car salesman was brief. Instead I worked in the garage with things that were a bit more tangible.
With that as an introduction, I have a few recommendations. This is in response to questions I receive about walking shoes, cameras, walking sticks, and the various gear used at Jim Hinckley’s America. If you find this blog post helpful, please let us know in the comments and perhaps it will become a regular feature.
Sell The Sizzle
Let’s start with hiking boots. I am not selling the sizzle or the steak, but I am giving the Yosemite by Hi Tec A Jim Hinckley’s America tested product seal of approval.
It took me a bit of time to move on from the old fashioned thick soled, full leather boot. And it took a bit longer to find a boot that was reasonably-priced as well as durable. Well, I am on my third pair of these boots by Hi Tec and so feel confident about making the recommendation.
The morning walkabout ensures that I can do more than just sell the sizzle when it comes to hiking boots.
As followers of the Decade With Jim series on our Instagram page know, the morning walkabout is a big part of the Jim Hinckley’s America experience. An ankle broken several times still gives me problems so I appreciate the ankle support that these boots provide.
In the course of a year I walk nearly 1,000 miles over some pretty rough terrain. And as these boots are my primary shoe, I probably add another four or five hundred miles in just regular daiily walking.
I replace these boots about every 12 to 14 months. The old pair is kept as a work shoe for yard work and home repair. So, these boots survive at least 18 months of pretty rough duty.
Jim Hinckley’s America Seal of Approval
Surprisingly I haven’t spent a lot of time recommending or endorsing products. I have, however, given the Jim Hinckley’s seal of approval to museums, motels, restaurant and a few businesses.
I take each recommendation seriously. After all, my name is on the line. But I also feel a certain responsibility to followers of our YouTube channel, podcast, and blog posts.
So, I made the decision to step up to the plate and share some products that have been given real world testing by me. As noted, I receive numeorus inquiries about things such as hiking boots. My response is usually private correspondence.
Now, however, I am going be sharing them with a wider audiencce. So, if you have questions about the gear we use, let me know. I will provide honest reviews. And if I am not familiar with a product, or haven’t tested it, I will try and rectify that shortcoming.
So, now I have a couple of questions. First, did you find this blog post helpful or informativve? Two, would you like to see similar blog posts on a regular basis? If so, drop a note in the comment section and let me know what you want tested.
