Route 66 is merely a road. For me and countless others, however, it is something more. It is a special place, a link to the past and to the future, to friendships and friendships yet made. It is a grand adventure of epic proportions, and the gateway to odysseys that surpass the wildest imaginings of Jason and his legendary Argonauts.
There are few places that inspire reflection on the brevity of life like a ghost town or town that has been suffering from a downward spiral for a few decades. Stroll a street lined with empty storefronts, walk a sidewalk lined with foundations and tile entries enshrouded with weeds, or explore a long abandoned hotel where the rich and famous once stayed and see if you are not challenged to give thought to the finite number of years that we have here on earth. All of these empty places were once vibrant manifestations of a dream, of plans for a bright future.
I have long had a fascination for the empty places that are a stage where dreams and hopes, tragedies and disaster, life and death unfolded. They keep me grounded and from taking myself or my contributions to the grand scheme of things to seriously. They inspire me to dig for answers, to share forgotten stories, and take time for much needed reflection. (more…)
You meet the most fascinating people on a Route 66 adventure. That, I suppose, is the magic that makes this old road so popular. This is why the iconic double six is so appealing to an international audience.
This past Sunday my dearest friend and I set out on a date. We never need an excuse for a road trip or for a date but the pretext for the little adventure was to deliver signed copies of books to the Antares Point Visitor Center about 20 miles east of Kingman on Route 66. In recent years this old place has become internationally recognized as the home of Giganticus Headicus that was created by Gregg Arnold. The misplaced Easter Island Head has become quite an attraction.
A year or so ago John McEnulty of Grand Canyon Caverns acquired the property and has slowly been rolling back the hands of time. The old restaurant and gas station that opened in 1964 now houses a delightful cafe as well as tasteful gift shop that features my books as well as my dearest friends photography. Also on display is a model of the Twin Arrows Trading Post created by Dutch artist Willem Bor. And of course, just as when it first opened, the major attraction is a dining room with million dollar views of the sweeping Hualapai Valley. (more…)
