Parade of friends, new and old

The Tri-State Festival began today, but I chose to keep Afton Station open instead of going there, and I'm glad I did. I'll go tomorrow, but for today I was fortunate enough to meet and greet some old friends on their way to the Festival, as well as some new and interesting folks from here, there, and everywhere.

Allow me to elaborate. . .

The guests came from New Braunfels TX, Coatesville PA, San Francisco CA (actually from France, but recently transplanted in SF), Liberty KS, Kobe Japan (and here they are). . .
Japanese friends


. . .Chamonix France, Olathe KS, Los Angeles CA, Euclid OH (photographer and Facebook friend David Schwartz,who is traveling to the Festival and will be selling his cool Route 66 calendars and other photos there). . .
David Schwartz lines up a shot

. . .Vinita OK (the curator of the Eastern Trails Museum there), Fall River MA (in their neat '69 Barracuda heading for the Festival) . . .
The cool Barracuda which will be in the Festival car show

. . .Tahlequah, OK (third visit by Jon Edwards, brought me one of his CDs, which is excellent -- he's a fine musician). . .
Jon Edwards album cover

. . .Chandler, OK (my friend, author of the iconic EZ66 Guide and awesome artist Jerry "McJerry" McClanahan on his way to the Festival), and Gravois Mills, MO (Bob Swengrosh, also heading for the Festival.

McJerry and Bob chatting about . . .?

The Station looks great. Kenny worked all day washing windows and scrubbing floors, and Marly came later and supervised the pouring of concrete out back. Tattoo Man stopped in briefly on his way to the Festival, and Betty W. spent some quality time with me today, too. Wonderful day at Afton Station!

I'll be away from this blog until Sunday night, at which time I'll have a Festival report. Have a great weekend. I intend to do the same.