Meadow Gold Sign Dedicated

The restored Meadow Gold sign is finally "official". Although I was about 10 minutes late for the ceremony (dialysis, y'know), I managed to get there for all the significant speeches. Lots of speeches. LOTS of speeches! There was a good crowd, most of whom are people I know, familiar faces from the OK Route 66 Association, Tulsa city government, reps from the Tulsa Foundation for Architecture and the Historical Society. Kaisa Berthuli from the National Parks Service traveled here from Albuquerque to make presentations. I was glad to meet up with a few people I haven't seen for ages, which is always fun.

I took a few pictures and Ron M., who is taller, took a few with my camera since I was in the back row. Ron Warnick of Route 66 News (http://rwarn17588.wordpress.com/) was on the front row (actually, on the ground in front) so you might want to check out his pictures later, as I'm sure they'll be much better than mine.

They're going to light the neon tonight, so if I can stay up until dark, which is not always easy for me, I'll drive down there and get the much-anticipated night shots. Meanwhile, here are a couple for now.....

Kaisa Berthuli of the National Parks Service addresses the crowd

I like the skyline of downtown Tulsa slightly visible in this picture.

ADDED ATTRACTION

Brad Nickson just sent me this picture that he took this morning. That's yours truly, looking rotten in red, and Julie Miner, LaSandra Nickson, and Marilyn Emde, all friends from the OK Route 66 Association.

One of "those" days

I can't really complain about the day at Afton Station, but it was one of those days that exhausted me, although I can't quite pinpoint the reason. It started out gently enough, with this beautiful sunrise. (Can you tell I love to photograph sunrises?)I had another lip smackin' breakfast at Clanton's and got to Afton around 9. David arrived shortly thereafter, both to put finishing touches on the 2CV and to meet with me about some business matters. He brought along our incorporation folder, which contained a set of insurance photos taken when we first bought the Station, before restoration. I'd forgotten what a horror the place was! Check these out. The first picture is of what is now David's work room. The other shows just one of many electrical nightmare areas. I'm surprised the place hadn't burned down long before we bought it.

There are many similar pictures in the packet, but I'll spare you the ugliness. David and Marly worked all day, and the 2CV is really taking shape. The cream colored fenders on the red body are make it incredibly distinctive and pretty. The hood needs to be installed (obviously) and there are a few more touches, but it looks like David will have it finished in time to take it to the Greenwich (CT) Concours d'Elegance in early June. I'll be sure to get a full photo of it before it disappears.

Visitors came in and out all day, 13 in all. They hailed from Paola KS, Northern CA, Chicago IL, Overland Park KS, Kokomo IN, and Ardmore OK, among others. There were a couple of highlights. These three guys from California (near San Diego, I think, but I forgot to make a note of it) are all over 70 years old and members of a traveling softball team! Yeah! They were extremely cool guys taking a partial Route 66 trip and apparently having a ball (no pun intended). They were the kind of people I hate to see walk out the door. They've played softball in the U.S. and several foreign countries. Obviously, they were in great shape, both mentally and physically. Go for it, boys!

Shortly before I had to leave, and before David and I had been able to sit down and discuss the business stuff, a lady from Ardmore, OK came in. She was born and raised in Afton in the 40s, and was chock full of stories to tell. Oh, how I wanted to be able to pick her brain for a few hours! In just the 15 minutes we were able to talk, I learned so much. She said she might be able to come back in on Sunday for just a few minutes before heading for home, and I hope she does. I just know she's a wealth of information. However, talking about what Afton was, compared to what it is today, left her in tears. I must admit, I was sniffling right with her as she described the vitality and beauty of the "old" Afton. It's a crying shame what it's become.

Another sad note. Once again, a dog was killed in the road in front of the Station. This time, we didn't see it happen. It wasn't there one minute and then, simply, it was. Marly went out and moved it to the side of the road in the event that the owners wanted to find it. It had no identification. People drive too fast through Afton, and the townspeople allow their dogs to run unleashed all over town. It was inevitable and yet still sad.

On a much happier note, Marly brought a dozen of those INCREDIBLE donuts he gets in Miami. I managed to hold my consumption down to one, but David had three (unheard of, in our married days!) and Marly had the rest.

A visitor yesterday when I wasn't there was Mike Wallace from Ohio, an author and true roadie (but not to be confused with Michael Wallis from Tulsa). I've communicated with Mike previously via email. David said he was a most interesting guy, and I regret missing him.

That's a wrap.

Shameless Self-Promotion

Ron M. is a computer genius, but he doesn't like to admit to that. He is, at the very least, a lot more computer savvy than I am. Remember that article about Afton Station in the University of Kentucky magazine I told you about yesterday? He was able to add the PDF file to my website, so now anyone who might enjoy reading it can do so. Just go to http://tinyurl.com/pn99pt. Thanks, Ron.

I just spoke to David at Afton Station, and he said there were quite a few visitors there today. He also said that the roof is finally being painted! 'Tis another great day in Paradise!

People. . . people who need people

I remember how people used to tell me "It's the people that make Route 66 exciting and wondrous". And I'd think to myself that it was just another trite phrase, like "I'm a people person". Yeah, I'd say, but really it's the nostalgia, the architecture, the old diners and motels that interest me the most. Well, all those trite, silly people were RIGHT. I was wrong. So wrong. Having a business on Route 66 has taught me that, and continues to teach me that every day.

I was thinking today about how moved I've been, and how my life has changed, by meeting the PEOPLE of Route 66. There are so many of them, and I'm probably making a big mistake by listing any of them by name here, but I just started jotting down names until I had to stop when my first guests came in. (Disclaimer: If your name isn't here, don't be insulted. There are many more, I assure you.) There's Ron and Ron and Ron and Ron (I know a lot of Rons!) and Betty and Mike and Lulu and Brad and LaSandra and Marilyn and Melba and Jim and Jim and Shellee and Kathy and McJerry and Jeff and Denny and Steve and Croc and Becky and Jacson and Mark and Emily and Pat and Jennifer and David and David and Jane and Blaine and Michael and Suzanne and Carolyn and Linda and Julie and Larry and Peter and Carol and Trevor and Trudy and Frank and Ramona and Dean and Scott ... and Mary Lou, Lucille, and Fran (may all three rest in peace) and Kathryn and Jeanne and Cole and Kara and Joe.... and I could go on and on. These are just a few of the awesome collection of friends I've made from all parts of the world through my Route 66 connections, and there are so many more I've not yet met in person but hope to meet very soon.

Kara and Joe are my newest friends. After they visited Afton Station on Sunday, we went out to dinner together in Tulsa that evening. What an incredibly charming young couple. I had a wonderful time (and a pretty remarkable Cuban Sandwich, too!).

Another wonderous thing happened today, which is probably the catalyst for my rhapsodizing about Route 66 people today. I received a snail mail note from some people who visited Afton Station a few weeks ago. It was a nice thank you note, but the best part was that they had made the stationery, which included a picture of the modern Afton Station on the front, and a pic of the 1948 Station on the back. I was moved by the time and effort they put into this creation, and if they happen to be reading this post.... thank YOU, David and Karen. You rock!

A lengthy and very good article about Afton Station has been published in the University of Kentucky Alumni Magazine. It's online, but only accessible there to U.K. grads. When I get my hard copy in the mail, I'll scan it and put it here. I'm thrilled by the article, particularly the care taken with accuracy . Of course, I'm also quite flattered that the article even exists.

My visitors today were true roadies. There were 14 in all, not including Betty, who came bearing the most sweet-smelling roses. The whole Station was infused with their wonderful scent, which was a welcome treat in this ordinarily musty old place.Visitors were a couple from North East, MD on their 50th anniversary Route 66 trip, a trucker from Hancock, WI who finally got time to come in after making several passes here in the past, and a guy from Denver, CO on a very cool trike with an equally cool trailer (Picture below... eat your heart out, Tattoo Man!). The gentleman travels continually with no particular destination and buys antiques along the way. Additional visitors included a couple from Marion IN, some friends of Betty's from right down the road, two extremely handsome young men from near London, England (I should have taken their picture, but I was too smitten ), a couple from Shawnee, OK and finally a mother and 4-year-old son from Lakewood, CO. A good, good day in every way.

Oh, I forgot.... while at breakfast in Claremore this morning, a huge gleaming new bus pulled in and across the whole side was "UNITED STATES OF AMERICA". As you can imagine, there was much buzz about what it might be or who it might contain. Several very well-dressed people came in and went straight to a back room. Was it a high government official? If so, why a bus? Buzz... buzz... buzz... So, when I left, I drove up close to it, so I could read the writing on the very official-looking shield. Oh well.....

Last things first

As an explanation of why I'm in a big rush again today, I'll start by telling you that our final visitors at Afton Station were guests we've been anticipating for a long time (and whom some of you who read this blog have communicated with in the past), Kara Lincoln and her boyfriend Joe Fisher from Iowa. Kara has been thoroughly researching their trip for a long time and has asked those of us on the Yahoo eGroup a lot of intelligent questions. Ron Jones and I had been very much looking forward to meeting Kara in person. After a lengthy visit, including Kara's pressing some pennies for her collection, lots of picture taking, and a ride for Kara in Tattoo Man's car, they left for Tulsa, I closed up the Station, and raced home because I'm planning to meet Kara and Joe again at the 5 & Diner for dinner tonight. Yippee! They're super folks and I look forward to seeing them, but I have to hurry to get everything done first.

Now, back to the beginning. First of all, because it's not quite dangerous enough to take pictures from a moving car (while driving!), this morning I decided to park on a railroad track to take this picture. :-) Actually, I didn't get out of the car, and I didn't turn off the car, but I was in a railroad mood this morning, so I had to do it.

It was a slow morning at Afton Station. Tattoo Man and I were both there early, and our first guests were a delightful couple from France, with enthusiasm for America and Route 66 the strength of which I haven't seen for a long time. The guy in particular was bubbling over with excitement about their 3-week trip, despite having very little English. It was a joy to see this kind of enthusiasm. Then followed a long period of no visitors, right up until 12:30 when Betty arrived. Shortly thereafter guests started to come in the door, from Joplin MO, Siloam Springs OK, various towns in Texas, and Spavinaw, OK -- 13 visitors in all. It was also a great day for sale of merchandise.

I rushed home in record time, but must admit to using the Interstate. Door-to-door in 1 hour and 25 minutes. Yikes, second dumb thing I've done today!

Oops, forgot this....

There was a nice pictorial article in the local paper about the Vintage Rally at Afton Station last month, and the photos are great. You can check it out here:
http://www.grand-chronicle.com/2009-04-30secB05-08.swf

Scroll to the 4th page.

Abbreviated poker run, but lots of visitors

------The Crew -------

Once again, the weather interfered with activities at Afton Station, but not too much this time. It rained all night, but today turned out to be quite nice, although apparently not nice enough for most of the drivers of the custom cars who had signed up for in Darryl Starbird's poker run. Of the 40-something cars which were entered, only five actually showed up. So, handing out playing cards to the entrants turned out to be the easy part of our day. There were lots of others out on the road, and in total we visited with 30 people today (maybe more... I lost count after a while.) Ron M., Tattoo Man Ron, and David were all there to help out, which was very nice.

Guests hailed from all over the map: Edmonton, Alberta, Topeka KS, Maple Valley WA, Eudora KS, Lee's Summit MO, Billings MO, Branson MO, Springfield MO, Dallas TX, Houston TX, Bella Vista AR, and Vero Beach FL, as well as several local folks. Some were on motorcycles, some in classic cars, some in the family vehicle. That red, white, and blue beauty is Tattoo Man's '56 Chevy. The other car is visiting. David's dog Black Jack made a new friend when some of the local Afton kids came in with their weenie dog!

Since we had several visitors come in just as we were closing, we got a late start coming home. Tomorrow I'll be going back early to meet Kara Dean, a new friend from the Route 66 Yahoo group who will be passing through in the morning. I look forward to meeting this young woman, who has done her homework before taking to the road.