Short and (I hope) Sweet

I admit it. I got home late and I'm tired. It was a really big day at Afton Station, especially for a Tuesday! Ron M. and Marly were there with me, and Betty W. helped out near the end of the day. Nonetheless, I'm exhausted. I made it home in just about 90 minutes though, meaning I wasn't too tired to put the pedal to the metal on the (sorry 'bout this) evil Interstate.

The morning started out slowly, then things exploded around 1 p.m. By day's end, we had 35 visitors. They came from Noblesville IN, Mesa AZ, Brentwood MO, Oro Valley CA, Madrid Spain, Syracuse NY, Aukland New Zealand, Saginaw MI, Boston MA, Milwaukee WI, Freiburg Germany, Springfield MO, and Grove, Bartlesville, Tulsa, Sapulpa, Cleora, and Tahlequah, OK! Whew!

This quartet from Aukland, New Zealand arrived in a sporty convertible. Three gorgeous and vivacious girls and a guy who explained that traveling with them was "a tough job, but somebody had to do it!" :-)
These ladies from various OK cities are taking a little break. They've been here before, and they knew their husbands were going to spend a lot of time in the auto showrooms, so they decided to
have a seat and wait until they emerged.
I got the results from the four days I was in Amarillo, when Robin, Phil, and Marly took good care of the Station. They had visitors from the following: Kansas, Iowa, Indiana, Australia, Texas, Switzerland, Brazil, Pennsylvania, and North Dakota. Additionally two groups, 19 from the NE Kansas Hot Rod Club and 70 bikers from the Mother Road Rally kept the folks jumping! Thanks to my wonderful workers!!!
___________

I forgot to post this photo after the Amarillo Festival. It's our own Tattoo Man being presented by Brenda St. Clair with a "Toilet Tattoo", sporting a picture of himself. I'm sure it's pasted on his potty by now. Funny, funny, funny!

Messing With Texas!

I've just arrived home from the annual International Route 66 Festival, this year held in Amarillo, TX. The committee responsible for putting the event together this year did a fantastic job! As always, it was great fun to reunite with so many of my Route 66 friends. There were banquets, breakfasts, meetings, tours, displays, vendors, all the usual convention stuff, but all dedicated to the love of Route 66 and the preservation of the Mother Road, both physically and as a memory of past days of slower travel and greater appreciation for the little things along the road.

Ron M. and I squeezed in a couple of shorts trip -- to Palo Duro Canyon on Friday, and out to the Texas/New Mexico border on Saturday. Palo Duro, the second largest canyon in the U.S., is a mere 30 miles outside of Amarillo. I love the vastness and flatness of the High Plains as old Route 66 heads out to Glenrio, a ghost village on the TX/NM border. Photography wasn't a priority on this trip, but I did snap a few pictures, and here they are.
Each year we have a special breakfast just for members of our Yahoo eGroup. If you're reading this, and you're a Route 66 Fan, please consider joining this group of avid and darn near militant Route 66 supporters. We're a lot of fun, too. :-) http://groups.yahoo.com/group/route66/

Chatting with dear friend David Knudson from Lake Arrowhead, CA and great postcard collecting friend Steve Rider from Albany, NY at the Artists, Authors, and Accumulators area of the convention.

Ron M. looking over Palo Duro Canyon. Better pics of this magnificent place at www.palodurocanyon.com/. A natural wonder not to be missed.Everyone's favorite Route 66 ghost town, Glenrio, on the TX/NM border. This is the former cafe, with a motel behind.

Here's how it looked in its heyday.

Once a bustling Texaco station on the High Plains west of Amarillo.The famous Cadillac Ranch just west of Amarillo.

Amarillo's Golden Spread Chorus serenaded us prior to dinner at our big Saturday night banquet, attended by about 300 Route 66 roadies from all over the world.My friends and favorite country band, The Road Crew, won the first-ever Bobby Troup award for excellence in Route 66-related arts. Lots of photographers in front of me, but I managed to catch all four of the guys. Artist Jerry McClanahan and Dean "Crazy Legs" Walker, went all out for the banquet.

I think I'll have more to say about this event when I have time to digest it all. As always, a great time was had by all!

Holy Cow!

I didn't expect such a mob scene this early in the traveling season! They came from everywhere to Afton Station today, 41 in all, and I was alone for most of the day, too. It was fun, but I'm exhausted. Marly and Phil stopped in early and helped me to open up, and Betty W. came at the end of the day and helped with closing. In between, I met some lovely folks.

They came from Powder Springs GA, Cologne Germany, Freehold NJ, Howell NJ, Estore FL, Jackson MS, Perth Australia, New Zealand, Neosho MO, Brockton MA, Rockwell TX, Collinsville IL, and Elk City, Vinita, Yukon and Grove, OK.

Here's a BIG family from Jackson, MS. They're in the area visiting relatives and decided to see what Route 66 is all about. I think the kids loved it!

Four guys from Cologne, Germany came by on Harleys they bought when the arrived in the States and will ship back to Germany at the end of their tour. A New Zealander was in a rented Mustang convertible, and although he said that he was at the head of a group of 5 other Kiwi mustang drivers, the others never showed up, nor did they drive past. I guess he was WAY ahead! Terry Hembree, whom I know from the past, came in to let me know that he's set up a website for the Joplin tornado. I just took a look at it, and it's quite comprehensive. Check it out and www.joplinmotwister.com.

On my way home this afternoon, I drove past the Admiral Twin Drive-In site, and I'm pleased to report that land clearing and excavation is finally beginning for the new screen. I believe I recall that the owner said it should be ready for reopening in July. Remember, it burned down last summer.

I'll be missing in action here at the blog for a few days while I take off for Amarillo, TX to attend the annual International Route 66 Festival. I look forward to seeing my Route 66 friends from all over the country, and I'll return to Afton Station (and blogging) next Tuesday.

A bit off the track. . .

Yesterday, because I had to be at Afton Station, I missed a very interesting and historic event which was taking place in Tulsa. For some time now, Tulsa's Red Fork neighborhood has been anticipating the arrival of a train -- yes, three cars of a full-size train -- to be displayed in the Route 66 Station park there. The park already houses a model of an oil derrick and a sapling cut from the historic Council Oak tree, with more to come. Thoughts from a Route 66 Business Owner: Withdrawals

In order for the train cars to be moved from the tracks across the street to the park itself, it was necessary to lay a temporary rail line across Southwest Blvd., which is Route 66. This had to be done in an expedient and professional manner in order not to hold up traffic on this main artery for any longer than absolutely necessary.

It was my great fortune to have a friend, Susan Yates, attend the event and furnish me with photos and her narrative. Some of her thoughts are below in italics, along with a few of her photos. "I arrived at 8. This train runs on time (its own time). The first transfer—the little red caboose and the pullman car came down the track around 9. It took about half an hour to move the cars inch by inch across Southwest Boulevard and park them behind the derrick. Then there was a very long wait for the engine and coal car to be brought from its storage place at the Holly Refinery. That move across SWBlvd/66 took about 2 hours. "The engine is much heavier than the other cars and if I understand correctly the ties in the temporary spur line were depressed by the engine’s weight and one (or more?) of the smaller guide wheels wasn’t making proper contact with the track. They didn’t dare move it more until that problem was resolved. The railroad guys were very careful about this, greasing wheels and using a caterpillar front loader to push the engine from the side. The last dozen yards took more than an hour—breath holding time for most of that hour.

"So there you are—the day that traffic stopped on Route 66 in Red Fork, Oklahoma to let a train cross the road. I believe that for much of 66 through Oklahoma there’s a train track or two running parallel to the highway, but at this point on this day a train took a relatively gentle 90 degree turn (maybe more like 45 degrees) and crossed the Road. It was a sight to see."

I must add that it was a very, very hot day yesterday, and Susan actually required medical attention for the effects of the heat. She said that despite the weather, there were several hundred spectators who stayed for hours to take in the spectacle.

More good articles and videos can be found at Train arrives at Route 66 Station « Route 66 News and Video Landing Page - KTUL.com - Tulsa, Oklahoma - Coverage You Can Count On.

We're Rolling Now

It occurs to me that I haven't posted a sunrise photo for a while, so here goes!
The tourist season is upon us, and things are really rolling now at Afton Station. Today, we hosted 23 guests, who hailed from Crescent FL, Chateauroux France, Portland OR, Muskogee OK, Broken Arrow OK, Thornton CO, Mascoutah IL, W. Lafayette IN, Chicago IL, and Monroe WI.

Herb and Diane, from Crescent FL, packed up their lives and headed for Route 66 on their motorcycle/trailer rig which they call "Herb and Diane's Dream". Their dog rides with them in his little crate and despite the heat wave, they are indeed following their dream. They can stay on the road until September if they so desire, since they've just retired. Although their rig was chock full of their travel needs, it was all very well organized. We really enjoyed the high spirits and enthusiasm of this couple.


We also greeted a number of families with children today. That's such a good sign! Among the guests were a gentleman from Japan who recently moved to Chicago and wanted to explore the rest of the U.S. via the Mother Road. Some great grandparents came in and brought along their 4 cute great grandchildren. Two men from Portland are escorting two visitors from France along Route 66. Lots of variety today. On top of that, Robin and Phil spent the morning with us, and Betty W. came for the afternoon. It was really a great day in Afton, Oklahoma!

Ron M. stole my camera again and took a number of pictures. Here are a couple of them. Tripper is getting ready a bit early for the Fourth of July. Here he is in his Uncle Sam hat.
Meanwhile, here I am with my beloved magnet making machine. My helpers sold so many magnets while I was gone that I am struggling to make more so that the display board doesn't look so bare.

Whew, I'm tired tonight so I'll stop gabbing and hope for an early bedtime!

You go away for a week. . .

. . . and so much happens in your absence! I was back at Afton Station today, and it was great to be there. Ron M. was with me, and Marly and Phil were there even before we arrived. They were entertaining our first four guests while I got my wits together and tried to remember what I was supposed to do first. Eventually Marly and Phil left to go on another job, and I got my brain (and some bookwork) organized and settled in to what turned out to be a relatively quiet and enjoyable day.

Our visitors today came from Newcastle Australia, Springdale AR, Bothall WA, Davenport IA, and Oklahoma City, OK. The Aussies were a father and son duo who are doing their second Route 66 trip, having been on the Route last year as well. They plan to come back next summer for one more round. Good on them!

This couple, the Zanzigs from Bothall, WA are traveling with a quilt which their daughter made. They're having photos of the quilt taken at each of their stops. The quilt is beautiful, and its theme is the State of Washington. I guess their daughter wants them to be constantly reminded that eventually they're going to have to go home!
The showrooms are looking great! Marly and Phil must have been doing a lot of polishing while I was gone. Ron M. took this super photo of most of the front showroom today. Nice!

While I was gone, we had a visit from Anne Slanina, a professor of early childhood education at Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania. She was here once before, on her trip across Route 66 doing research for her new book ,"Annie Mouse's Route 66 Adventure". She dropped off a copy, and I'm enchanted! What a great, and extremely comprehensive, book for young children who are anticipating a trip on Route 66, or for parents who want to encourage such a trip. It's illustrated with both photos and drawings. Check it out at www.anniemousebooks.com. It's one of several children's books that Anne has written.

Well, now. . . go away for a week and a potential competitor sets up shop next door! We were met with this sign in the vacant lot just west of Afton Station. Marly tells me the proprietors, two women who have had businesses in town in the past, are putting the two freight containers (visible in the photo) together and stretching a roof between them. Inside, according to the sign, they will have coffee, cappucino, sandwiches, BBQ, souvenirs, memorabilia, gifts, etc. etc. Looks like it might take some time to put the whole thing together, but we were impressed by the nice sign. A store in two freight containers sounds like it could be awfully hot, but I wish them well in their endeavor. Notes from last week left by Robin, Phil, and Marly, as well as guest book entries, indicate that we had visitors from Brazil, Finland, Germany, Canada, Switzerland, Michigan, California, Georgia, W. Virginia, Pennsylvania, Nebraska, Iowa, Kentucky, N. Carolina, Indiana, Kansas, Illinois, Massachusetts, Missouri, and a number of towns in Oklahoma. There were also bicycle riders and their chase vehicle who are going from Amarillo, TX to Chicago, 1216 miles in 15 days. I'm so very sorry to have missed all these fine folks!!!

My Interstate Vacation

I arrived home about an hour ago. I'm still a bit dizzy from driving. . . and driving. . . and driving. Now that I'm home, I'll unveil my whereabouts for the past 9 days. I drove to Bloomington, IN to meet up with daughter Sarah, who drove down from Chicago, and then we traveled together to Richmond, VA to attend the wedding of a lifelong family friend.
My pretty daughter Sarah

Because of scheduling considerations -- my dialysis appointments in different cities, Sarah's need to get home in time for work today, etc. -- we found it necessary to use the Interstate system for the majority of the trip. I resisted this like the plague, of course, but a few lessons emerged from the monotony of the drive, and I'm now willing to concede to the fact that it's a mighty handy little road when you 'gotta get there and you 'gotta get there fast.
The Mystery Hole, Ansted WV.

We did take a lovely, mountainous non-interstate (Route 60, the Midland Trail) across West Virginia and Virginia one day and stayed in charming and mega-historic Lexington, VA overnight at a Hampton Inn in which there was a log cabin just a few feet from the door to our room! This was like no other Hampton Inn you'll ever see. We also visited Washington and Lee University in Lexington, a college that, way back when, Sarah had hoped to attend until the admissions officer told her she just might be a bit too liberal for the likes of them. LOL!

Taken from the door to my room at the Hampton Inn, Lexington, VA!

The famous Greenbrier, White Sulphur Springs, WV

The West Virginia Capitol in Charleston - from the Interstate

The only Route 66 town I veered off the Interstate to see was Cuba, MO. It was just a quick drive-thru, but I can never resist a visit to one of my favorites!

One of Cuba's great murals

After living in Oklahoma for 10 years, it was good to see mountains again, and the Blue Ridge are some of the prettiest. Richmond, VA is a nice city and Sarah and I had most of one full day to explore it. The remainder of our time there was taken up with wedding activities, which of course was the reason for the trip. We took very few photos other than those which I'll post here. It's good to be home, and on Saturday I'll be back at Afton Station.

The reason for the trip -- Dana and Shakir Turton, Newlyweds.