SUNSETS, VINTAGE CARS, AND ROUTE 66 - WELCOME TO MY WORLD

I thought the title of this post made for a fair summary of my world at this point in time. To illustrate this mixed bag I selected three photos.

First, the sunset. Well, that is something I never tire of and that is one of the many things that endear me to the desert southwest.

This particular sunset has a Route 66 connection and as this iconic highway is a thread that ties so many aspects of my life together it seemed appropriate for this post. This sunset was shot from the hills above Route 66 to the east of the historic district in Kingman, Arizona.

Located just west of the parking lot for the Quality Inn this ridge is another often overlooked little gem in the Kingman area. As the views from this lofty perch are nothing short of stunning I often wander up there when I just need a break and a place to meditate on the latest Route 66 related project.

Now, an explanation for the photo of the 1921 Hamlin-Holmin. On Thanksgiving, I took a deep breath and began clearing up the office as preparation for commencement of the next project, the book profiling the ghost towns of Route 66.
Buried amongst the various files, notes, and books was a folder pertaining to the development of front wheel drive automobiles in America, remnants of a project that never materialized. In addition to this rare photo the file also contained three photos of the racers built by J. Walter Christie between 1906 and 1910. I posted these on the Memory Lane Garage page of the companion website, www.route66infocenter.com.

The development of front wheel drive is just one aspect of the early years in the American automotive industry that seem to have been lost in the mist of time. Another would be the development of alternative energy vehicles and hybrids.

That is a story for another day but suffice to say that before 1912 there were many locations where it was easier to have the batteries charged for your electric automobile than it was to buy gasoline. During the same period it was steam powered automobiles that shattered all speed records and before 1920 the Woods Dual Electric, a hybrid, was being driven on the streets of Los Angeles.

Now as to the last photo. This imposing brick structure is one of the last remnants from the Truxton Canyon Indian School in Valentine Arizona. The empty structure cast its shadow over Route 66 but few who pass by are aware of its colorful history. That too is a story for another day.

The last position of today's post title is "welcome to my world." So, let me tie these threads together and you have a better understanding of the strange world in which I reside.

The front wheel drive vehicle piece is being resurrected in several parts. There will be a feature for the website, an installment of the Independent Thinker for Cars & Parts magazine, and sharing as well as gathering information via the forum on the Antique Automobile Club of America website (www.aaca.org).

The Indian School and its history is on going research project that is used to satisfy my curiosity, to add depth to the next book, and to help me develop a deeper understanding of the Hualapai people. Questions as to the buildings future ties in with an ongoing discussion about what to preserve and what let go of along Route 66 in the Kingman area.

The sunset is wishful thinking. For the first time in weeks we have a chance of rain and the clouds are building. So, perhaps, we will be blessed with a spectacular sunset this evening.

All of this, plus a morning spent at the office, is just another average day for me. Welcome to my world.

MORE FROM THE YEAR IN REVIEW

A few posts ago I began looking back at the past year in the hope of learning from past mistakes, getting a handle on what direction to head in 2010, and finding a little encouragement in regards to my progress as a writer.
Followers of the blog may have noticed the subheading changed in mid year. April was the month that sparked the decision to chronicle the life, times, and adventures of a starving artist on Route 66 and the road less traveled with the emphasis on the latter.
The first day of the month was spent at the office followed by a series of meetings pertaining to the Route 66 Association of Kingman and improvements to the historic district. At the time there was no way of knowing the long term ramifications of those meetings.
The following week was what folks with a lick of sense call normal; work, home to my dearest friend and errands for mother. The only blip was writing another installment of The Independent Thinker, an enjoyable and profitable venture.
This column profiled Ralph Teetor, an amazing and inspirational figure. His primary claim to fame was the invention of cruise control. However, his legacy as an inventor is a lengthy one that includes developmental work on the electric razor, gyroscope development for World War I torpedoes, the largest piston ring manufacturing company in the world, and work on automatic transmissions in the 1920s. What really makes this story amazing is that Mr. Teetor was blinded in an accident at age five!
As I had plans for the next several weekends I also wrote another feature for the following month. This one profiled another inspirational character, Charles Nash.
On the 12Th, after initial work on the Jeep and a several week test drive of a hundred miles or so around town, we decided to give the Jeep a long distance trial run. The initial idea was to cruise north on US 93 and then up Big Wash Road to the Windy Point campground in the Cerbat Mountains above the old mining town of Chloride. This would allow for about forty miles of highway travel and twenty five miles of moderately rough roads and hill climbing.
What we didn't count on was being struck with a bout of mid life crisis resultant abandonment of common sense and an adventure entirely void of any semblance of maturity. In short it was a most delightful day, an opportunity to revisit that rare moment in time when we were free of responsibility or care with nothing but the simple pleasure of being together in the desert that we so love.
After a brief stop at Windy Point to enjoy the view and check the Jeep we decided to continue to the hiking trail at Cherum Peak. A long walk amongst the scrub oak and along the ridges where we rewarded with awe inspiring views seemed to only whet our appetite for adventure.
So, upon our return to the Jeep we began discussing the return trip and decided to try the old road that entered Chloride past the murals and the remnants of the legendary Tennessee-Schulyhill mine. At this juncture it should be noted that the last time I drove this road, in 1978 with a 1942 Chevy p.u., it was almost impassable.
It hadn't improved. In fact there were two clear indicators, as we started down the mountain, that his might just border on silly. One, the ground squirrels stood in the road unafraid as though they had never seen a motorized vehicle. Two, there were no tracks indicating a wheeled vehicle had passed this way in some time.
With my wife at the wheel and vintage rock blaring from the speakers we set off on our grand adventure. After we survived the first steep down grade and hair pin curve with an eroded edge that dropped into the depths of a very rocky canyon we stopped for pictures and a hearty laugh or two.
We were now committed to our brief expedition into insanity. There was no way on God's green earth the Jeep was going back up.
We took turns driving with numerous stops to create a road by filling in huge gaps with rocks, to move rocks, to explore, to laugh, to savor the wonderful desert solitude, and to take a deep breath of the clean mountain air. It was a drive of less than 15 miles but as we neared our second hour we had only covered half of that, partially a result of the road and partially the result of our near constant stopping to explore old mines or small waterfalls.
My wife and I are simple folks who prefer to live life uncluttered with many things that most people take for granted, like vehicles manufactured after 1970 with air conditioning. This often leads me to quip that we are the Hinckley hillbillies. Hopefully that will better explain the joke that accompanied the last leg of the journey.
Well, we were in site of the murals which meant we were less than two miles to town when the road vanished amongst a veritable sea of rocks and boulders. As forward was truly the only option I got out and walked to pick out a possible route that would inflict the least amount of damage and that had the best chance of success.
I was half way across the stream of potential disaster when the wheels began to slip as the Jeep attempted to climb up and over a particularly large rock. It was at this point I heard this small voice in my head whisper, "Its a Jeep, you have four wheel drive."
With a laugh that might have scared anyone listening I slipped it into four wheel drive and the stalwart Jeep made the reminder of the trip into Chloride without missing a beat. We had made this arduous journey without the benefit of the Jeep's primary attribute because we were so busy enjoying ourselves we had forgotten!
It was about this time we turned on the air conditioner. It was also about that time we began laughing with the delightful abandonment of teenagers who didn't have the sense to pour out of a boot with directions on the heel.
It was truly a grand day. We were able to enjoy each others company completely unburdened from the cares of day to day life We became wholly confident of the Jeep and its capabilities. We made memories that still bring a smile to our face.
The remainder of the month was quite anti climatic after that stunt. I began negotiation for a new book, the current project, profiling ghost towns of Route 66, finalized arrangements for a television interview, wrote several ghost town side bars profiling Hachita, Chloride, Shakespeare, and Vulture City for True West magazine, and received some encouragement about Backroads of Route 66 from members of the Czechoslovakian Route 66 Association.
I ended the month with the realization that I still had a long ways to go if I were going to be an overnight success as a writer. I also confirmed the fact that life is a grand adventure made all the more enjoyable when you have a best friend to share it with.

AND SO ANOTHER DAY BEGINS

Shortly after this mornings quick Thanksgiving post I stood at the front window and watched the sky, brighten, turn pink, and the first rays of the morning sun cast shadows of the rosemary and sage on the drapes in whimsical patterns.
Breakfast and coffee with my dearest friend were followed by a little blast from the past music, Phil Collins and Cindy Lauper, as I finished preparing for the new day. This included gathering lunch items, fresh pumpkin pie and bean soup, and warming up the Jeep as the temperatures were just a hair under the freezing mark.
I so wanted to ride the bicycle this morning as I love the brisk morning air. However, as I need to drive to my mothers this evening via Route 66 it seemed best to take the Jeep.
The drive was wonderful. I took the long way which allows for a few miles of driving on the historic old highway and by the time I arrived at the office the sun had crested the Hualapai Mountains casting them in a wild pattern of shadows.
What a great way to start a day!

A ROUTE 66 THANKSGIVING

I end most every day on a thankful note but there is something reflective about Thanksgiving. I know that this is largely an American thing as we have set aside a day for this reflection even though traditions such as football have created just a bit of deviation from original intent.

Even though in many aspects it has been a tough year I have a great deal to be thankful for. As last year ended with a stay in the hospital I suppose the fact that all is well on the health front would be the first thing to be thankful for.

Next would have to be my dearest friend. I had no clue that it was possible to enjoy this level of intimacy with another human being. Over the years we have chosen to weather storms, some seen in today's society as deal breakers, rather than part ways and this is the fruit. For my dearest friend I am truly thankful.

I have a job. As an added bonus it is really a pretty good one even though in recent months time off has been a bit scarce. In these trying times that is something to be truly thankful for.

Even though my dream of becoming a full time writer and photographer has alluded me for almost twenty years I am grateful that it has been possible to share my fascination with history, passion for vintage automobiles, and love for the road less traveled with others through numerous books as well as several thousand feature articles.

All of this ties in to being thankful for where I live, at the very heart of some of the most beautiful real estate on earth and dead center on the longest remaining uninterrupted stretch of historic Route 66. For a fellow with my interests does it get better than that?

There is a bit of a cloud on my day of reflection and thanksgiving. On this it might be best to let Abraham Lincoln explain it.

"We have been the recipients of the choicest bounties of heaven. We have been preserved, these many years, in peace and prosperity. We have grown in numbers, wealth, and power, as no other nation has ever grown. But we have forgotten God. We have forgotten the gracious hand which preserved us in peace, and multiplied, enriched, and strengthened us; and we have vainly imagined, in the deceitfulness of our hearts, that all of these blessings were produced by some superior wisdom and virtue of our own. Intoxicated with unbroken success, we have become too self sufficient to feel the necessity of redeeming and preserving grace, too proud to pray to the God that made us. It behooves us then to humble ourselves before the offended power, to confess our national sins, and to pray clemency and forgiveness upon us."

The sun turning the sky pink and the first rays of daylight twinkling through the sage and rosemary outside the window tell me it is time to get my backside in gear. So, it is my sincere hope that each and everyone of you have a delightful Thanksgiving holiday and that you can find a few things for which to be thankful in these trying times.

AND ANOTHER WEEK BEGINS

It is Tuesday, the first day of a new work week for me. Though I am quite grateful for having a good job it has become a very heavy burden in recent months.

First, there is the increasing sense of desperation in my customers as they move in or move out. People starting over at fifty plus years of age, people selling most everything to afford to move, people moving in the hope that somewhere else is better, people moving on the slim hope of a promise of work by a friend.

Then there was the thrice canceled vacation. This in turn has added to the stress associated with the new book project, Ghost Towns of Route 66.

Last but not least has been the near impossibility of having a weekend off as I train a fill in. This past weekend was the best one since mid September work till noon on Saturday, called back to the office at four, Sunday off, Monday open and close the office.

As usual I try to never waste a moment. So, I used the weekend for a delightful walk along an old mining road that climbs high into the Cerbat Mountains with my dearest friend, work on the website project (www.route66infocenter.com), research, writing, and reading as well as the usual errands for my mother.

As I edited photos for size to ensure fast load time for the website I cam across this shot and was immediately transported to a delight three day weekend last year. It was our 25Th anniversary celebration.

I had arranged for a three day weekend and as the old Ford wagon was suffering from severe oil leaks had also arranged for a rental van from work as well as made reservations at the historic Copper Queen Hotel in Bisbee. I have to add at this juncture that Bisbee needs to be experienced at least once.

It was a long but relatively pleasant drive of just under four hundred miles to Bisbee. Along the way we stopped in Tombstone where we visited some sites associated with my wife's family as her father was born there. These included the Rose Tree Inn and the courthouse where her grandfathers picture hangs in the gallery of Cochise County sheriffs.

The return trip was a long drive as I decided to by pass Phoenix. So, we rolled north through the old mining towns of Globe and Superior, into the bedroom community of Payson, and to I40 at Flagstaff. What a wonderful trip!

Well, its always nice to visit the past but there is the future to plan. So, its off to work I go.

ROUTE 66 ADVENTURES IN THE ELECTRONIC AGE

Followers of this blog, or the books and feature articles I write, know that adventures on the road less traveled are how we choose to spend most every moment of free time. In fact it was this love for adventure and the difficulty in finding travel information geared towards those on a restrictive budget that initially led to moving behind my specialty, automotive history, to pen travel books and features.

Well, that coupled with insatiable curiosity led to toying with the idea of creating a website where I could provide all manner of material to assist in planning a trip on Route 66. As my imagination often runs faster than I can keep up this idea soon morphed into envisioning a website that provided this information about Route 66 as well as other great highways. Then it became a virtual clearing house for travel information including reviews of books, hotels, and restaurants, maps, original features, and links to approved sites as well as a place to share my fascination with automotive history.

In typical fashion I read a couple of books and set up an account with Go Daddy. Then I proceeded to build a website that became a sink hole for time.

Still, it was an educational endeavor if not a rewarding one. The most frustrating aspect is that it do not come anywhere near meeting its intended goal of providing travelers with needed information.

So, as my schedule is so full I am currently working 26 hours out of every 24 the decision was made to abandon the website. I toyed with the idea of selling the domain name but just could not get the vision for the website out of my head.

A few weeks ago I took a deep breath, adjusted the schedule and decided to give the website an honest effort. First, I erased everything. Next, I revamped the entire format.

To be honest I am rather pleased with the general site. Now, I will begin trying to flesh it out in an effort to manifest the dream of creating a Route 66 adventure in the electronic age, a site for the armchair traveler as well as those planning to take to the legendary highway.

Suggestions, ideas, and thoughts are always appreciated. So, please take a gander at the site, http://www.route66infocenter.com/, and drop me a note.

Now, an explanation of the photos.

This photo of the Jeep was taken south of Williams, Arizona, near White Horse Lake. There are miles of forest service roads in this area making it a delightful escape from the summer heat for fishing, camping, or merely cruising dusty back roads.

This area is accessed by taking Fourth Street south from Route 66 in Williams. I should note that if this main road is followed south for about forty miles you will arrive above the stunning red rock country of Sedona in the amazing ghost city of Jerome.

This second photo is Barney the wonder truck in the Cerbat Mountains near the ghost town of Stockton Hill last fall. It is amazing how much things can change in a mere twelve months. We visited the same location a week ago in the Jeep and the road had deteriorated to such a point we actually had to use four wheel drive.