tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17825587953303572022024-03-12T21:52:00.881-07:00Destination Route 66Your Blog for Route 66 Family Fun and the Fresh Perspective of a Younger GenerationTheGrandEmperorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07396547301730209393noreply@blogger.comBlogger89125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1782558795330357202.post-9691684186789970982017-02-14T14:51:00.002-08:002017-02-14T14:51:58.255-08:00The Chicago Cubs & Route 66: America's Team and Americas Road<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Admittedly neither the Cubs Wrigley Field, the White Sox US Cellular Field or the Bears Soldier Field are on Route 66, although the latter is pretty darn close. Chicago is and has been for a long time known as a big sports town, and that is an absolute truth. Not only are Chicagoan's sports lovers, but they are known for their team loyalty, and downright bleed their teams colors.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRHVECwob93MPPFTtvu0PTOhSxkrWJxJfpbA11xLq-MV1CBHTl59nbU5wsStd4GtQIngAy-w6NOikslLSuXPY_r4fQSfAqbbnDk9nTY6A2HWa4DJlhrPe4N5nKZD4fCDcz9k3r2yKGqFAI/s1600/Cubs.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRHVECwob93MPPFTtvu0PTOhSxkrWJxJfpbA11xLq-MV1CBHTl59nbU5wsStd4GtQIngAy-w6NOikslLSuXPY_r4fQSfAqbbnDk9nTY6A2HWa4DJlhrPe4N5nKZD4fCDcz9k3r2yKGqFAI/s320/Cubs.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
No case is this more true then with the Chicago Cubs, who on the night of Wednesday November 2, 2016 clinched their first World Series win in 108 years. This 108 year ultimate title drought, is the longest any major sports team (and I mean in any sport) has gone between major victories, and in essence has become part of the enduring nature of who the Chicago Cubs are, and what it means to be a true fan, and bleed "Cubby Blue". To actually win the World Series, and break that 108 year stalemate is simultaneously a victory of the soul and heart of the average Chicago sports fan, and cause to pause and reflect on finding new definition for ourselves in the world of major sports.<br />
<br />
You see coming up against the Cleveland Indians in this World Series, I myself was given food for thought on what a Cubs victory would mean, as well as what I had as a Chicago sports fan. You see until June of 2016 with the Cleveland Cavilers NBA Championship, Cleveland hadn't won any major sports victories since the Browns won the Super Bowl in 1964. This fact made me take stock of my Chicago sports fandom, as I began to realize that in the past 30 years we here in Chicago haven't actually had it that bad. My way of looking at it is that the Chicago Cubs 2016 World Series win is a culmination of a 30 year cycle in Chicago sports championships, one that started with the Bears winning the Super Bowl in early 1986. In this 30 year period every one of our major sports teams has claimed at least one major championship. Five years after the Bear's Super Bowl victory the Chicago Bulls would claim the first of three NBA championships between 1991 and 1993, and would repeat their "three-peat" title runs again between 1996 and 1998, making the Chicago Bulls one of the greatest teams in NBA history. Seven years later in 2005 the Chicago White Sox, who nearly rivaled the Cubs in time since World Series wins, would claim their first World Series win since 1917. Only five years after that the Chicago Blackhawks would start their near dynastic playoff runs claiming the NHL's famed Stanley Cup in 2010, 2013, and 2015 with things looking good for 2017 as well. You see even though it's been 108 since the Cubs last World Series victory we definitely have not had a 52 year dry spell between major sports wins here in Chicago.<br />
<br />
If your not a Chicagoan then your next question probably is; how do the Chicago Cubs play into the psyche of the average Chicago sports fan and their outlook on major sports? To be honest I have no idea why the Cubs represent the heart and soul of the average Chicago sports fan. The Cubs are, and always have been a very special baseball team, perhaps because there is something lovable and identifiable about being the under-dog. I think that's really the true spirit of it all, and in a way why the team itself is identifiable to many outside of Chicago earning the name "Americas Team".<br />
<br />
As Spring training has kicked off this year many of us are keeping our fingers crossed that the Cub's repeat their World Series run, and perhaps change that 108 year drought into small dynasty building on last years win. As to whether or not my, or the hearts of many other Chicagoans can take it again, I don't know, but what I do know is I will be wishing them luck in 2017.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA2dVZl5NqXnAOJf6LlfxcBkUvjeprcNy93N9BtvnxdraD9-kQGQtIJyD6OUN_UnIfEmyp4eRmqZTUMgWMA3Xn1V1_myTC8L37RQZgkKUh2hyj6si3qKeY2K4viK2wgqHjDRPwmz_3EhRl/s1600/Route+66.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA2dVZl5NqXnAOJf6LlfxcBkUvjeprcNy93N9BtvnxdraD9-kQGQtIJyD6OUN_UnIfEmyp4eRmqZTUMgWMA3Xn1V1_myTC8L37RQZgkKUh2hyj6si3qKeY2K4viK2wgqHjDRPwmz_3EhRl/s1600/Route+66.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
If your heading to Chicago for a Route 66 trip keep in mind that Cub's tickets are at a premium now, and you want to buy them as soon as possible to get decent seating. Please also keep in mind seats are going for a lot more than they use to as well, and even a few years ago seats weren't cheap to begin with. Last but not least Wrigley Field is actually pretty far North about 7 miles, of where Route 66 begins in Chicago's downtown however, if your staying downtown there are many public and even private transportation options for getting to Wrigley Field, and trust me ditching the car to travel down there is actually a pretty good idea since parking is at a premium. </div>
TheGrandEmperorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07396547301730209393noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1782558795330357202.post-82890510977992735852016-08-30T03:00:00.000-07:002016-08-30T03:00:06.937-07:00Howard Johnsons Route 66 Connections<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I’ve more or less been catching rumblings about Howard Johnsons restaurants for the past week, but it wasn’t until this weekend I finally had a chance to sit down and read what's been going on. As it turns out Howard Johnsons after all these years are down to one final restaurant in Lake George, NY. Although the motel chain has survived thanks to a buyout by Wyndham Hotels in 2006, the restaurants that were formerly part of the Howard Johnson experience weren’t as lucky and have eked out their survival although unsuccessfully ever since. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<b id="docs-internal-guid-8d8e3bb7-d959-b807-24fc-6374477d7659" style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUwGonqOb4q5ujm5Zi1BI7oOn5eenz9XvAoRO2ozccjpQQXSqQnw_Ct9SD0xEM7WZOYR3JS2A8BPekSeeRI8Uogl2N3P7pYXJsB_p0g_W7Q9t92z2gkjrvRn1IDlVUeByyWtHtX9KH61Hr/s1600/ho-jo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="198" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUwGonqOb4q5ujm5Zi1BI7oOn5eenz9XvAoRO2ozccjpQQXSqQnw_Ct9SD0xEM7WZOYR3JS2A8BPekSeeRI8Uogl2N3P7pYXJsB_p0g_W7Q9t92z2gkjrvRn1IDlVUeByyWtHtX9KH61Hr/s320/ho-jo.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">In many ways Howard Johnson’s was a mid-20th century equivalent to what Harvey Houses where in the late-19th to the early mid-20th centuries. Essentially a chain of restaurants and hotels aimed at serving travelers. Although one could partake in either a stay or a dining experience, many road weary travelers often chose to do both grabbing dinner and/or breakfast along with a stay. Of course Howard Johnson’s wasn’t the only chain doing this at the time, Best Western, Holiday Inn and even Route 66’s own Whiting Brothers offered such full services to travelers, nor was this anything new since cabin court hotels offered such services as far back as the 20’s. What really separated Howard Johnsons from the crowd though was that it was considered the gold standard for eating and lodging by the 1960’s and 70’s. The bright orange roofs of the motel/restaurant combo was a market branding ploy that hit home with families as meaning a quality place to stay and eat, and escape the ever more prevalent fast food establishments getting a foothold on the nation.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmvG2rF7jRr_u_ZWPj_kd75-JmOfo2TTkK0sMzBtpHljV7DNoWSYinzaDUnHj7Jbj9hjZVtJ7FqH-dssud25gdza8ol9qU89tJ0Xzadyn9a3KK-8qrihq-ms6WKJhUpMWPInSAr73ibpLt/s1600/16290747115_fa4b2551df_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmvG2rF7jRr_u_ZWPj_kd75-JmOfo2TTkK0sMzBtpHljV7DNoWSYinzaDUnHj7Jbj9hjZVtJ7FqH-dssud25gdza8ol9qU89tJ0Xzadyn9a3KK-8qrihq-ms6WKJhUpMWPInSAr73ibpLt/s320/16290747115_fa4b2551df_b.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">For many, Howard Johnson’s has been is often viewed as an East Coast franchise, but they did have a myriad of establishments across country including a number of them on Route 66, averaging at least one per state (minus Kansas) along the route. Many of them like the Flagstaff Route 66 location are still in business but now under different names, for instance this Flagstaff location is called the </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Crown Railroad Cafe</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">, and is a family favorite of ours. Of course it’s good to know some of these restaurants are still around and in business, but the sad part is that the association with their heritage, orange roofs and all, is long gone and that the Howard Johnson brand name is no longer associated with family dining along the road. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The big question is what is the future of the last remaining Howard Johnson’s in Lake George, NY and with it the Howard Johnson’s name associated with restaurant hospitality services. Will it close as originally intended sometime in September of 2016, or will it live on as a reminder of a lost brand name? This means of course that the next question to be asked is, how did Howard Johnsons fail? With many establishments down Route 66 we can often point out the shift in traffic from Route 66 to the interstates, bypassing small towns and their dining and lodging establishments. Howard Johnson's however hit its stride in the era of the interstate, during the 60’s and 70’s, and didn’t just occupy Route 66 but dominated the East Coast and appeared mostly in larger towns everywhere else. Much as Denny’s and McDonalds are today so to was Howard Johnsons in its heyday set up strategically near interstate exits. So just what happened?</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihz6sSP0UJzdG0-htlETIZKzQ6ykj68ivZrhAiRdQz7pdNpMMKD6LyU9LOsNPHWHF-9IjV-ByOGonvRveiBUgdNxnkYE59rx8Kf4AAx7c7xdePRIWwmujs-spjKKRfMJXHCiZ6sP4tE97k/s1600/07a94c8665b8efc68f5ed5e2f24e5df7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihz6sSP0UJzdG0-htlETIZKzQ6ykj68ivZrhAiRdQz7pdNpMMKD6LyU9LOsNPHWHF-9IjV-ByOGonvRveiBUgdNxnkYE59rx8Kf4AAx7c7xdePRIWwmujs-spjKKRfMJXHCiZ6sP4tE97k/s400/07a94c8665b8efc68f5ed5e2f24e5df7.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The fact of the matter was that Howard Johnsons was victim of its own success, as it set a gold standard many were quick to follow. Best Western Motels for instance has many such motel/restaurant combinations such as Gila Bend, Arizona’s </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Space Age Cafe and Motel</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> and Mount Carmel, Utah’s </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Thunderbird Restaurant and Lodge</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">. As far as stand alone restaurants of similar faire, IHOP took a note out of Howard Johnsons book and used blue roofs on their restaurants to catch the eye of passing travelers, and Denny’s has had that famous yellow sign. On top of that the continued growth and variety of fast food restaurants in the 1980’s also dug into Howard Johnsons market of passing travelers. By the late 80’s though, with the Howard Johnson restaurants now divested from the Howard Johnson brand it became clear the restaurants as a chain were failing and franchise owners set adrift to sink or swim. Many choosing to save their businesses eventually cut ties with the Howard Johnson brand and set out to attach themselves to new franchises such as Denny’s or IHOP, or set out on their own independently like the aforementioned </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Crown Railroad Cafe</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> in Flagstaff. As owners jumped ship, or just lost their restaurants entirely the number of Howard Johnson restaurants dwindled till we are where we currently stand with one last restaurant. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbbP0IculFDr020BpXLapBbEClvUxjwY2PVreBV3hkZ7eHqR71jv5Iu82_DkaPgMlwAAHF_EJ5xnkqQFeONRwwLkosNuNp2b9URRrJ3W72RfcG5jMEY_oDVyE6nLVS-O4H5-8_VCnpmXRm/s1600/thunderbird-restaurant.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbbP0IculFDr020BpXLapBbEClvUxjwY2PVreBV3hkZ7eHqR71jv5Iu82_DkaPgMlwAAHF_EJ5xnkqQFeONRwwLkosNuNp2b9URRrJ3W72RfcG5jMEY_oDVyE6nLVS-O4H5-8_VCnpmXRm/s320/thunderbird-restaurant.jpg" width="239" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Unlike Whiting Brothers or the abandoned traveler town of Conway, TX which were victims of changing times and of the interstate, Howard Johnson restaurants were just a victim of a mismanagement of a brand name, and of the franchise in general. With that said it’s still sad to see the brand name pass, especially if you remember having eaten at Howard Johnsons while traveling as a kid. Not all is lost though since the motel chain, at least for now, lives on under Wyndham Hotels careful management. </span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">By the way, if I peeked you interest with Howard Johnson's and their history be sure to check out http://www.hojoland.com/ its a great website full of memorabilia and historical info about HoJo's in their heyday. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.6667px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></div>
</div>
TheGrandEmperorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07396547301730209393noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1782558795330357202.post-60419708158381588902016-08-05T07:30:00.000-07:002016-08-05T09:33:24.479-07:00Healing on Route 66<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
It had been a very long September, and we finally found ourselves heading east and back to Chicago in early October. The one week trip to California for my wifes mothers funeral had turned into three, and left us drained both physically and mentally. So with no rush to return home and needing time to switch gears in between, we decided to try to follow Route 66 home where we could.<br>
<div>
<br></div>
<div>
The second day out we left Needles, CA and made our way into Arizona. We slowly lost the morning clouds and fall haze, as the sky opened up and gave us beautiful light blue skies with little puffy white clouds. In a way such skies seem to be natures definition of the happiness one gets when hitting the open road. Even though our hearts where still pretty heavy from what we had gone through in California, and what we were heading back to in Illinois, we felt as if we had some time to smile, laugh, and just enjoy being on the journey itself and being together as a family.</div>
<div>
<br></div>
<div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN1UCSNH-qP_SCrCma1hnh60o-37Wyg5VrUDARjwYja-tHrUgvprTF49rFCWLNCl2FEJ14N18lhPrZaYQ5mXzPat-r4PUNLEidf1RkdbEk9bwBdvLSppg5Sbx7JQvmp4T5YIgiOhXhDjkN/s640/blogger-image-2090847459.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN1UCSNH-qP_SCrCma1hnh60o-37Wyg5VrUDARjwYja-tHrUgvprTF49rFCWLNCl2FEJ14N18lhPrZaYQ5mXzPat-r4PUNLEidf1RkdbEk9bwBdvLSppg5Sbx7JQvmp4T5YIgiOhXhDjkN/s400/blogger-image-2090847459.jpg" width="300"></a></div>
<br>
<br>
When we got close to Winslow, AZ it was clear that we needed to stop somewhere for lunch and it was at that point I made the suggestion we stop off at the La Posada Hotel's, Turquoise Room. Even though we had stayed at the La Posada before, we had yet to eat at the Turquoise Room and not having done so had always haunted my wife and I. We pulled off I-40 and stopped to fill our tank up at a local gas station, and as I climbed out of the car my legs felt as they usually do after hours behind the wheel, stiff, shaky and needing a good stretch, and that meant it was definitely a good time for lunch. So with my duty to my Jeep fulfilled it was time for my family and I to do our duty to ourselves and get a bite to eat, so off to the La Posada and the Turquoise Room we went. At that point it had been over five years since we had been to the La Posada last, and we were stunned by the changes we saw. True to their word the hotels owners had restored Mary Jane Colters crown jewel to its Harvey House days glory, and even improved upon it. The dirt parking lot was now paved in the section closest to eastbound Route 66, while the section closest to the hotel itself was now the home to one of the most beautiful examples of a Southwestern garden we had ever seen.</div>
<div>
<br></div>
<div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM5lzC2ARwZy5DvJJVb_oVZnEArxhfh-xy11RkDgpwOxO9dRh9-2AykY8aTN9zvp-2yrTewaCWIf87z-UqmlXuY1sFSXQJFo_ScWuiLrETQ__8CIaWk021vwPkQb0KDhzs7rzgxhW0E8pq/s640/blogger-image-1052281402.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM5lzC2ARwZy5DvJJVb_oVZnEArxhfh-xy11RkDgpwOxO9dRh9-2AykY8aTN9zvp-2yrTewaCWIf87z-UqmlXuY1sFSXQJFo_ScWuiLrETQ__8CIaWk021vwPkQb0KDhzs7rzgxhW0E8pq/s400/blogger-image-1052281402.jpg" width="400"></a></div>
<br>
<br>
In many ways the restorations and improvements seemed to fulfill Colters original vision of the hotel, and the fictionalized history she assigned to it, to assist her in its architecture and design. In Arnold Berke's <i>Mary Colter: Architect of the Southwest</i> the author gets in depth with Colters original concept of the hotel, and its fictional mythos. For her backstory for the La Posada, Colter envisioned the hotel as a sprawling hacienda estate started by 17th century Spanish settlers, who in future generations would rise to prominence by raising cattle on the Northern Arizona plains. Each generation and century would add to the grand hacienda, turning it from a simple ranch home into and impressive mansion estate fit for the families lavish lifestyle, and many visitors. This fictional backstory gave Colter the guidance she needed in planning everything from the general layout of the hotel, to the fine details within it's decor, furnishings, landscaping, and even down to the Turquoise Rooms china patterns.<br>
<br>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTMNpPSmt61kpD-fNy8agYHxHsYyguLC0KraYkfZ9FMAY-pPNA_9imZEOUXpdWIr2uSSDD2BMxqWZGkbME0ncAsWD0sxxzUJxztTzEAos-taRCoWM-yN0yOLOZGHCI0ggmsOemcRHyB_YW/s640/blogger-image-1453295825.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTMNpPSmt61kpD-fNy8agYHxHsYyguLC0KraYkfZ9FMAY-pPNA_9imZEOUXpdWIr2uSSDD2BMxqWZGkbME0ncAsWD0sxxzUJxztTzEAos-taRCoWM-yN0yOLOZGHCI0ggmsOemcRHyB_YW/s400/blogger-image-1453295825.jpg" width="400"></a></div>
As we got into the Turquoise Room, it all came back to us from our prior visit how grand this grand dinning room really was. The Spanish Revival decor, rich with its Talavera, tapestries, bright colors, and red Spanish tile truly evoked the Southwestern spirit of design, that gives one a sense of grandeur, and openness. In many ways it also evoked feelings of warmth and welcoming, that made it clear the Turquoise Room would be more like an experience than just a meal. Despite hosting a larger event the staff still welcomed us in, sitting us in back near a window overlooking the active BNSF tracks, and panoramic plains beyond. Sitting there at that particular moment and time we got the feeling of being where we were suppose to be, and a sense of being home while away came over us.<br>
<br>
<br>
<br>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_kQgXCWLLnBJwhQ0GNfGYjmRvNjl3K_3217gEVDcP41lKU43nMRRrlnI4449HLx9o5fZnu3FR5LraJDNb5gIqA8vOor_3X5BUS6zjFSQDj-qRgzNcJBn8M-iKoaGm-JUsmhtxdbm-0b6D/s640/blogger-image--266478047.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_kQgXCWLLnBJwhQ0GNfGYjmRvNjl3K_3217gEVDcP41lKU43nMRRrlnI4449HLx9o5fZnu3FR5LraJDNb5gIqA8vOor_3X5BUS6zjFSQDj-qRgzNcJBn8M-iKoaGm-JUsmhtxdbm-0b6D/s400/blogger-image--266478047.jpg" width="368"></a></div>
It wasn't to much longer before we had food in front of us, starting with the Turquoise Rooms unforgettable corn bread. My wife dug into the scrumptious agave, honey, and butter topped corn bread and began to tear up a little. Not only was it a wonderful tasty delight, but it had reminded her of something her mother would have loved, and something of she had shared with her once before. As lunch carried on my wife's sadness began to fade and a smile came over her face, as she realized the meal reminded her of so many good times the two of them had together. In a way it was far more than just corn bread, ice tea, braised beef, and a Ceasar salad, but a healing experience. The warm sunshine, good food, the Turquoise Room, and the La Posada itself helped to remind my wife that even in mourning, the right circumstances, and environments could heal.</div>
<div>
<br></div>
<div>
<br>
<br>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhndteF6yRR1mHc75MacHo03EHVKW5eUJwXBxgHdiycINrDy7yBkwf3iw7kjVYUIryUgAjlPck5uEyqwDrHS-CfAGxhNrO6mEsgB3Aswcsy3XdmsBT8cTcGY42CxuNacDuTt0JKAx5imSmC/s640/blogger-image-989649485.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhndteF6yRR1mHc75MacHo03EHVKW5eUJwXBxgHdiycINrDy7yBkwf3iw7kjVYUIryUgAjlPck5uEyqwDrHS-CfAGxhNrO6mEsgB3Aswcsy3XdmsBT8cTcGY42CxuNacDuTt0JKAx5imSmC/s400/blogger-image-989649485.jpg" width="300"></a></div>
With our bellies full, we bid the Turquoise Room farewell and walked around the La Posada for a bit. The mixture of southwestern decor and creative fine art details helped to temporarily remove us from everything, and we lost ourselves for a bit. Mentally we all became a little more relaxed, and accepting of our situation, yet also optimistic. Now, I'm not going to claim the La Posada is a place for healing or closure, but for us on that trip two days out from a dark event in our lives the La Posada, and Turquoise Room helped bring us closer to healing.</div>
<div>
<br></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4EtS4suiJ-A-o_w27tHc92X30EsGPntiHgZyCTMKvrql0sxIivIgGBiM1AFp22B3e7OpXbOuL2aOEapgK8p5T7MK_VRrV51PCzEuZM_xvaKg4EoQ4y-QKjbkyRJMHLalwj_Kxu-IYJfmF/s640/blogger-image--1592483077.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4EtS4suiJ-A-o_w27tHc92X30EsGPntiHgZyCTMKvrql0sxIivIgGBiM1AFp22B3e7OpXbOuL2aOEapgK8p5T7MK_VRrV51PCzEuZM_xvaKg4EoQ4y-QKjbkyRJMHLalwj_Kxu-IYJfmF/s400/blogger-image--1592483077.jpg" width="266"></a></div>
<div>
<br>
As we set out on the road again we continued to travel Router 66 where we could. As we visited some of our old haunts along the way we continued to come together as a family remembering better times when we traveled the route together, and healing through that. The day after the La Posada and Turquoise Room, we would reach Amarillo, TX by mid to late-afternoon. For my wife, one site she always loved along Route 66 was Cadillac Ranch, a place she had photographed extensively on our first trip and a place she could recollect her mother always wanted to visit upon seeing those photos. Wishing to leave her mark in memory of her mother my wife decided that she too would like to add some graffiti of her own to the site. So we dropped into a Home Depot a few miles up the road to buy bright red spray paint, something the staff there seemed accustomed to seeing by the smile on their faces when we told them. We must have spent a good hour and a half walking around the six derelict and half buried road yachts as my wife photographed them again, and left graffiti in memorial to her mother on a few of them. Again the healing process kicked in and although my wife did cry a little while there and after, the ability to bring some part of her mother to Cadillac Ranch did seem to help.<br>
<br>
<br>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmT-RFRWgsqoc_27lJVg42r-fFdFozSq18ve25EIj5EYOfZjMs9ZZraX9ehMEvuFqbpFoqoxFvBsFyNOS94xn-K2-tl6yXS8PnPzQcS9kJBwa89x8ZXuih_mmae4DhV8nOzFxGTf2iSd-w/s640/blogger-image--849245858.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmT-RFRWgsqoc_27lJVg42r-fFdFozSq18ve25EIj5EYOfZjMs9ZZraX9ehMEvuFqbpFoqoxFvBsFyNOS94xn-K2-tl6yXS8PnPzQcS9kJBwa89x8ZXuih_mmae4DhV8nOzFxGTf2iSd-w/s400/blogger-image--849245858.jpg" width="365"></a></div>
<br>
The day after that we would see the Blue Whale of Catoosa, a place my son had always loved along the route. After fighting traffic through Oklahoma City, and Tulsa we hit the giant blue whale and former waterpark around late morning/earlier afternoon, or to put it another way in time for an impromptu picnic which had to take place in the car do to early fall winds. For some strange reason every time we visit the iconic Route 66 landmark we tend to be there by ourselves, or maybe briefly with one other group of people. After geocaching the site, we took our pictures of ourselves in the whale recreating our stances and poses from previous visits and than took a few moments to sit and talk at the whale themed tables placed around the site. It's a quiet spot actually despite the noise from the road, a former stretch of Route 66 and now busy county road, nearby. The sun, fresh air and sound of wind blowing through the trees was a much needed respite and gave us the energy to push forward on our attempt to make it home that day, but also made us smile and laugh a bit as we revisited old memories from previous visits there. Again a healing moment bought on by the uniqueness of a site on Route 66.</div>
<div>
<br></div>
<div>
<br>
<br>
The reminder of our trip would be uneventful at best, and hours after leaving the Blue Whale of Catoosa we would make it home in the early AM hours. Being home again would be surreal for the first few days, especially as we made very little contact with anybody, and mainly rested up from the long trip, and before catching up with the real world. As the next few months would roll out things would be hard for us in many different ways, but the healing and memories we had on our trip back would often carry us through.<br>
<br>
<br>
<br>
<br>
</div>
</div>
TheGrandEmperorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07396547301730209393noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1782558795330357202.post-32816107205446760922014-07-11T03:30:00.000-07:002015-05-28T07:38:27.633-07:00Are We There Yet? Part 3 -Route 66 Bound<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">So by now you should have narrowed down your trip to more
realistically fit your time and budget, if not let me know maybe I can help.
For now though let’s assume you know where you want to go, what you want to
see, and how much you have to spend. Now, its time to start those final steps
towards getting on the road.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiXHNwh_a8_C5DigkwTfY3Wm3_RgGiZIYewxOMHU90bnZC1zh_XxPocXwmTJuOH1Y2N2r9wKhCtu5jIsQTotUEH67EaYV92zB-I_0BCQsB97tvFNHq0SMbsHy6h8iKMuMJrcUI2_0FN9Kk/s640/blogger-image--1040156152.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiXHNwh_a8_C5DigkwTfY3Wm3_RgGiZIYewxOMHU90bnZC1zh_XxPocXwmTJuOH1Y2N2r9wKhCtu5jIsQTotUEH67EaYV92zB-I_0BCQsB97tvFNHq0SMbsHy6h8iKMuMJrcUI2_0FN9Kk/s320/blogger-image--1040156152.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span></b><br />
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Step 10 – Finalize
Reservations<o:p></o:p></span></b><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Now that you know where you want to go and what you want to do
its time to finalize your plans. Get your reservations at Hotels, Motels and
restaurants in now, but make sure you carry a list of all the names and numbers
with you, and p</span><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="_GoBack"></a><span style="font-family: Calibri;">ut a list together of contingency
destinations as well. You may find yourself needing all this data if you find
yourself running behind or even way ahead on the road. </span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Step 11-<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Plan what to bring<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">This is an important step to do as soon as possible, since
you want to give yourself time to get what need before packing begins. The
first step is to go family member by family member and make sure they have what
the need for themselves, you may want to start a checklist. Make sure everyone
has the clothes they need, swim trunks, a light jacket, good walking shoes etc.
Ideally you want to make sure that everyone has enough clothes for a week as
well since you can at least go that long between washes. You also want to check
on hygiene items as well, buying special travel tooth brushes, combs and
brushes, deodorant and whatnot will make sure that everyone has the basics, and
nothing will get forgotten at home the morning of. </span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">After personal items plan for what you need to support your
trip and vehicle. A family medicine cabinet, a car sick kit (see my blog on
these items), laundry items like an mesh (dirty clothes) bag and detergent, a
bag with maps and books, the GPS, laptop, and a car emergency kit with fix a
flat and fold away shovel, are probably all items you want to have. </span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Lastly don’t forget items for the little ones, you want to
bring as few toys as possible so they are more easy to track and put away. </span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">By planning early you have enough time to get the family to
the mall for new clothes, buy stuff online as you need it, and pick up whatever
else you need. This also gives you time to plan how and where to pack stuff,
and look for alternate items to pack stuff in or bring with if you don’t have
space as it is. </span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Step 12 – Time for
Car<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Unless you’re traveling in a rental car or brand new car,
you may want to bring your auto in for a checkup. You just want to see if there
is anything wrong with it you may be unaware of that could leave you stranded.
Just be careful not to get sold anything you don’t need. </span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">After the checkup you may want to get your car clean. On a
long road trip every bit of space may count, so cleaning out useless items in
the glove compartment, and the blankets piled up in the trunk may yield space
you need. Plus its nice traveling in a clean car.</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Step 13 – Talking
About Check Ups<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">About a week before leaving you may want to get yourselves
to the doctor. It’s a good chance to find out if you’re coming down with
anything, and get prescriptions you may need filled one more time before
leaving.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is also a good time to get
prescription motion sickness meds for any of your family members who may
require them. </span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Step 14 – Don’t
forget home<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">One worry to me when I leave on a long trip is my house.
Plan far enough advance as to what precautions you want to take to protect your
house. Now is the time to get timers, and other home security devices to make
it seem like you’re at home. It’s also a good time to inform you’re local police
department that you will be away. Also you may want to ask someone you really
trust to drop in from time to time and make sure everything is ok. Lastly,
don’t forget your mail and newspapers you may get, make sure you put holds on
both so neither is piling up indication that you’re not home. </span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Step 15 – Pets<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Cats can be pretty self-sufficient with multiday food and
water feeder, and clean litter box left behind but will still need someone to
stop in and check on them occasionally. As for Dogs, well they are different
all together, in my post <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“Appy to See
You”</i> I cover and app called <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Travel
with Pets</i> that will help you find pet friendly motels along your way, but
not all Route 66 staple Motels are going to be ok, with doggy. You want to get
this situation figure out as soon as your can and decide quickly whether to
take doggy with or board the dog for however long your gone. Boarding locations
can fill up quickly in the summer as other folks board their dogs too, so
getting arrangements made early will be a huge help. Also keep in mind that
boarders want you to have all your dog’s shots up to date so the earlier you
work on this the quicker you can get those done too. </span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">As for other pets you are going to have to make arrangement
for others to watch them, the earlier you can get to that the better. </span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">With all these steps done know we get down to those final,
of the final steps. </span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Step 16 – Pack and
repack. <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">A day or two before you leave you want to prepack. This is
going to give you a chance to make sure that everyone has everything they need,
and that your bags can hold it all. This is that one last chance to get new
luggage, clothing or toiletries so that you are completely prepared before
hitting the road. </span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">You also want to prepack the car as well, having suit cases
and bags to fit everything is great but if they don’t fit you may have an
issues, and you don’t want to be finding that out the morning of. Make sure
everything fits and move things around like a puzzle before deciding to dump
items. You want to make sure that items fit with some logic to their placement
and where items like the car sick kit, snacks, and map bag are easy to grab in
a hurry. This is a big step that really lets you know you are on your way. </span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">As a suggestion try to do your prepacking, and actual
packing out of sight if you can, perhaps in your garage, this way you aren’t advertising
you won’t be home.</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Step 17 – The Day
Before<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Between packing, washing the last laundry, putting timers in,
taking care of pets and all those last minute store visits the last day before
leaving can get really stressful. You may not be an advocate of it but my wife
and I have always chosen to go out to eat, gotten carryout, or have food
delivered for all meals the day before. This helps reduce the stress of making
meals, keeps everyone fed, and keeps a pile of dishes from being made. </span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Also, keep stress levels as low as you can. I have found
that all the running around can produce a long day and short tempers. Try to
make sure that everyone has a job to do, this may not include younger children
of course but the older kids can help out immensely. Not only can they get
themselves packed but they can help the younger kids too, and then help you
with additional jobs. </span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Overall, try to start on all your tasks as early in the day
as possible, so you have some time in the evening to bring things down and get
everyone rested and slept for the days to follow.</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Step 18 – You’re on
Your Way!!!<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Have fun, good luck,
and have a safe journey!!!!!!!<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
</div>
TheGrandEmperorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07396547301730209393noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1782558795330357202.post-47401078029462039442014-06-21T09:30:00.000-07:002014-06-21T09:37:42.517-07:00Are We There Yet? Part 2 - Reality Check<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue Light", HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">In part 1 I presented you with steps 1 through 4 and gave you the resources you needed to begin dreaming out your Route 66 trip. This time around I going to give you the steps you need to begin focusing and bringing your trip into reality. This is where you do your reality checks that will allow you begin combing your dream trip with what you can actually do. </span></div>
<div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue Light", HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; text-align: left;">
<br />
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><b>Step 5 - Get to Know Your Car</b></span></div>
<div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue Light", HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; text-align: left;">
<br />
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">Take as long as you can to get to know as much about the vehicle you will be traveling in. If its an everyday vehicle pay close attention to your gas mileage, and look for any potential mechanical issues. If its a vehicle your renting for the trip, or a new car or car that's new to you look online to find the average MPG for these vehicles, and at the kind of common maintenance issues that occur. Knowing your gas mileage will be key when it comes to planning the trip out and managing costs. Also doing as much preventative maintenance as you can at home will save you a lot of headaches on the road.</span></div>
<div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue Light", HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; text-align: left;">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue Light", HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; text-align: left;">
<b></b><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<b><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_ZmTrJ-9FZXu3ozyqoZBWNj9LE7QeWwwEPs30staq6T9HPSjBZS9hzwJvTZSFrdsElvyfQLDo3ty1v1OoQ3naEVeLChdDlI2qcZpDUP1v-fUxPpI9F5JTn2gilRK22b4e54bzdLHQax1D/s640/blogger-image--1655650348.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_ZmTrJ-9FZXu3ozyqoZBWNj9LE7QeWwwEPs30staq6T9HPSjBZS9hzwJvTZSFrdsElvyfQLDo3ty1v1OoQ3naEVeLChdDlI2qcZpDUP1v-fUxPpI9F5JTn2gilRK22b4e54bzdLHQax1D/s640/blogger-image--1655650348.jpg" /></a></b></div>
<b><br /><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span></b><br />
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue Light", HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><b>Step 6 – Computer Time – Cost Planning</b></span></div>
<div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue Light", HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue Light", HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">Step 6 and 7 are going to require you to spend some time on
a computer. For step 6 which we are on now you will need to find time to begin
creating an MS Excel sheet to drop your dream trip into, if you don’t have Excel,
try to use another spreadsheet program. If you find Excel intimidating, then
use Word or another such program, but make sure you have a calculator handy. If
you would like something to use as a template for Excel let me know, I might be
able to help you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It may also help to
put everything into Word first and drop it over to Excel from there. </span></div>
<div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue Light", HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue Light", HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">The goal here is to begin quantifying your dream trip, and
then breaking it apart to fit the reality of your vacation time, and money<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">.<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
<div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue Light", HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue Light", HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Hint: so you don’t totally rip apart your
dream trip make multiple revisions within the same spreadsheetbut on different
tabs. To do this right click on the tab</i>, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">go to Move and Copy->scroll to (Move to End), and check the Create
Copy box. This will take your original sheet and make a copy of it in the last
tab of your workbook, here you can add and subtract items without destroying
your original trip ideas, or creating 100’s of different spread sheets. <o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
<div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue Light", HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue Light", HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: left;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><o:p><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"> </span></o:p></i><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipAv0dd7QnB6Pc2Ga7kjrFbHAczs8UhKlTo4J0i-P-90wf5XRmMb_oeqyR8WWKcRvq6O8lhcZ-ORlcT9reRts7A15Q0iud6i0JF2-D1L5WSEq6ECi26bpprYRlGcmZZMZklCUvZAeKThSk/s640/blogger-image-631544049.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipAv0dd7QnB6Pc2Ga7kjrFbHAczs8UhKlTo4J0i-P-90wf5XRmMb_oeqyR8WWKcRvq6O8lhcZ-ORlcT9reRts7A15Q0iud6i0JF2-D1L5WSEq6ECi26bpprYRlGcmZZMZklCUvZAeKThSk/s640/blogger-image-631544049.jpg" /></a></span></i></div>
<br />
</div>
<div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue Light", HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue Light", HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><b>Step 7 – Research Time</b></span></div>
<div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue Light", HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue Light", HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">Although Google maps and Mapquest aren’t going to put you
onto 66 they will put you on to the interstates close by 66. Use these mapping
programs to give you a rough estimate of mileage between your stops or for the
day. I would place this data into the spread sheet you created in Step 6, and
then using your gas mileage from Step 5 determine how many gallons of gas a day
you will go to cover <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>that distance(Miles/Gas
Milage) . I would suggest then multiplying those gallons by your current gas
price +$0.50, to determine how much you will be spending on gas alone. The
extra $0.50 added in helps cover unexpected gas price hicks well on the road,
and also builds in a little cash for any oil changes, wiper blade replacements,
or other odd items you may need for your car on the road.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue Light", HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue Light", HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: left;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">Tip: When planning how
many miles to travel every day, figure that you will be traveling at about 40
MPH. This helps cover stops for site seeing, as well as the town to town stop
lights and traffic you will encounter on 66. Also when traveling with children
try not to exceed 10 hours a day on the road, keep it to 8 if you can. <o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue Light", HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue Light", HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">Next, look into all the sites you want to see and places you
want to stay. This is really fun, but it can also be a real eye opener as you
find out how much it cost to see this, or stay there. Most of these places have
websites, and also reviews scattered about online.</span></div>
<div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue Light", HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue Light", HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Also don’t forget to
look into restaurants you want to eat at as well, so you can get an idea as to how
much it may cost you and your family to eat at someplace like <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Big Texan</i>, or <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Turquois Room</i>. </span></div>
<div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue Light", HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue Light", HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">Now, its time to drop all these numbers into your dream trip
spread sheet.</span></div>
<div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue Light", HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue Light", HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><b>Step 8 – Whats for dinner, and What did you bring me on your
trip?</b></span></div>
<div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue Light", HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue Light", HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">Food and souvenirs can go overlooked. So make sure you plan
for both since they are uber important. </span></div>
<div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue Light", HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue Light", HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">Eating out a family of four can cost on average about $30
for breakfast (with tip), $40 for lunch (with tip), and maybe as much as $50
for dinner. Taking advantage of those continental breakfasts at hotels, can
save you $30 a day at least, and eating a late big lunch can save you a little
on dinner since you won’t feel as hungry. </span></div>
<div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue Light", HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue Light", HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: left;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">Tip: Many restaurants
offer lower lunch time pricing for their dinner items. On the road this works
out well since travel will leave you hungry at lunch time, and tired and not so
hungry in the evening especially if you have been site seeing and traveling in
the heat all day. <o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue Light", HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: left;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br /></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue Light", HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: left;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span></i><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGWwclcd0J6aTQkMf21QupFkV2Mcfe4KxK8GS6NiGphQgtKNtoOHYsu3zezG84-9C4F8Oomn3FIl2xPPjLg6mVwLezI6jbnH2GmfFWNjrjF_o6q8MOskrHoeBEDI-Fjss83wuTT7Tl6o0T/s640/blogger-image--2059192747.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGWwclcd0J6aTQkMf21QupFkV2Mcfe4KxK8GS6NiGphQgtKNtoOHYsu3zezG84-9C4F8Oomn3FIl2xPPjLg6mVwLezI6jbnH2GmfFWNjrjF_o6q8MOskrHoeBEDI-Fjss83wuTT7Tl6o0T/s640/blogger-image--2059192747.jpg" /></a></span></i></div>
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br /></span></i><br />
</div>
<div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue Light", HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue Light", HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">As many unique and wonderful little places there are to eat
along the route, you might also find it beneficial to pack a lunch too, so you
can enjoy a few unique places a little longer. The <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Blue Whale of Catoosa</i> for instance has a small picnic area on site,
which may make for pleasant stop. Don’t <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>worry grocery’s store are abundant along the
way in the form of everything from general stores, to small town supermarkets,
to big chain supermarkets like my favorite Safeway just a little up the street
from the <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Wigwam Motel </i>in Holbrook,
AZ. So finding packed lunch tidbits, drinks, and healthy snacks is a fairly
easy task. </span></div>
<div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue Light", HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue Light", HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">As far as souvenirs this is one of those little extra costs
that can knock you for a loop, and upset your budget quick. I’d love to give
you an estimate as to how much is a good rate per day, but I can’t. All I can
tell you is when picking up souvenir’s kids can often be distracted by the
silliest things, and a dollar store plastic dinosaur, can become a $10 mistake
at some gift shop. When traveling with my kids I have always tried to guide
them towards objects that both have some indication of the sites name on them,
and are objects that they can display for years. Besides the kids, we as adults
sometimes make impulse buys too, or just buy the wrong thing all together.
Before you leave on your trip you and your family members should decide on what
kind of items you as a family and/or individuals would like to collect along
the way, smooshedpenny’s, shot glasses, T-shirts, Coffee mugs….and so on. This
will help everyone stick to one thing along the way, and keep your car from
pilling up with objects that will be forgotten after the trip is over. </span></div>
<div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue Light", HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue Light", HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">For souvenirs a budget of $500 is a safe amount, barring no
amusement parks in in the plans. Also to keep the kids happy and not looking
and begging for useless souvenir’s,it helps to stop every so often at a Toy’s R
Us, or somewhere else toys are sold and buy your kids a few small toys along
the way This can keep the urge to buy junk at gift shops at bay, and treat your
kids for good behavior when traveling, especially if it’s a surprise.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue Light", HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue Light", HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><b>Step 9 – Pulling it Together</b></span></div>
<div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue Light", HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue Light", HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">You should have the basics of your budget together, Gas
mileage, hotel costs, entry fees, food costs, and souvenirs, and don’t’ forget
the throw a little in for the unknown too.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Now, it’s time to start entering it into your Excel sheet (or whatever
format you’re comfortable with). </span></div>
<div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue Light", HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue Light", HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">……..Let me guess using your dream trip it’s pretty high?</span></div>
<div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue Light", HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue Light", HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">That happened to me too I think I got a cost of about
$11,000+ for my dream trip down Route 66. </span></div>
<div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue Light", HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue Light", HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">This is the time when you move and copy (instructions
above)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>the dream trip tab and</span><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="_GoBack"></a><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"> start cutting stuff out. At first you’re going to know what
items are pure daydream and those are easy to cut out, but it gets a little
harder after that. This is going to require some soul searching and discussion
with your family. </span></div>
<div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue Light", HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue Light", HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">This is where I’m going to leave you for this part, since
what’s left is up to you. In the next part we’ll cover those final steps you
need to take before hitting the road.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue Light", HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue Light", HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: left;">
<o:p><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"> </span></o:p></div>
<div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue Light", HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span></div>
</div>
TheGrandEmperorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07396547301730209393noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1782558795330357202.post-39438131383617456152014-06-18T09:32:00.001-07:002014-06-18T10:21:44.773-07:00Saying Goodbye to the Creator of a Route 66 LandmarkThe Cadillac Ranch isn't an original Route 66 landmark, but it is one today. It's one of the must see's on the way through Amarillo, and on the trip itself. <div><br></div><div>If you have been a long time follower of this blog then you may remember I covered the Cadillac Ranch as part of one of my <i>Kids Picks</i> series (<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; font-size: 16px;">http://route66forfamily.blogspot.com/2013/06/route-66-kids-picks-4-cadillac-ranch.html)</span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"> some months back.</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_ffpm9ebx16NNRFGXCayzJqnDpYotGsTXZAu0NGGPBJbrk-KNqrcldGGJKil_JNxjgJIi-qxuVDa-g7k6xEiCqfkg4tda864FpAbMrww8ilmgjpA96YijWZFOjgOACITbyEC-WJ-B7oPd/s640/blogger-image--1541174155.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_ffpm9ebx16NNRFGXCayzJqnDpYotGsTXZAu0NGGPBJbrk-KNqrcldGGJKil_JNxjgJIi-qxuVDa-g7k6xEiCqfkg4tda864FpAbMrww8ilmgjpA96YijWZFOjgOACITbyEC-WJ-B7oPd/s640/blogger-image--1541174155.jpg"></a></div><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Today though June, 18th 2014 news came in that the Cadillac Ranch's creator Stanley Marsh 3, passed on. Marsh, was always known as a bit of a prankster, which is why his bazaar car sculpture was no surprise to residents of Amarillo, TX. </span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">But, Marsh whose money to finance such projects</span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"> came from his families oil fortune, was always a somewhat controversial figure.</span></div><div><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><br></span></div><div><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">Below, is a quick obituary and article about Marsh's passing. </span></div><div><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><br></span></div><div><a href="http://news.msn.com/pop-culture/stanley-marsh-3-creator-of-cadillac-ranch-dies?ocid=ansnews11&stay=1">http://news.msn.com/pop-culture/stanley-marsh-3-creator-of-cadillac-ranch-dies?ocid=ansnews11&stay=1</a></div><div><br></div><div>Say what you want about Marsh himself, but the Cadillac Ranch to me is one of the truly defining landmarks on Route 66 today. Although the landmark was created to be pure kitsch, and a nod to both I-40, and Route 66, the sculpture does have a poignant nature to it. The now rusted and half buried Cadillacs where once beautiful and shining examples of the American Dream, material symbols for wealth and success, and the "I Have Arrived" mentality. It's an ideal that seems to match Route 66, and even the United States in the era those vehicles where created in. </div><div><br></div><div>Today those Cadillacs, even back to when they where first buried, are like Route 66. Time has taken away the shiny paint, and chrome, and left a half buried rusted hulk. But, that hulk also like Route 66 survives and defies the elements literal and figurative that have taken its glitz and glamour and left it half buried. In a way it's what we as Americans are about we weather the storm(s) and defy what is thrown at us, and the graffiti painted on us will come and go, but we will remain. </div><div><br></div><div>If you can't tell I have a soft spot in my heart for the Cadillac Ranch. It was a spot where my family and I where able to do some healing, after the loss of someone close to us a few years back. We partially took 66 on the way back home from California, and with a couple of cans of spray paint from a Home Depot down the road, we created an artistic memorial to the person we lost. It was even more fitting that this person always wanted to travel Route 66 but never got the chance. </div><div><br></div><div>Love or hate Stanley Marsh 3, but what he gave the world in the way of the Cadillac Ranch won't be forgotten. </div>TheGrandEmperorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07396547301730209393noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1782558795330357202.post-36354896783908953622014-06-11T03:30:00.000-07:002014-06-11T03:30:00.409-07:00Where the Record Meets the Road<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">When I got my new record player for Christmas last year and saw that it could play 78's I knew that it would open up a whole new world for me. In many ways 78's are almost indicative of the big band era. At that time 45's were something that belonged in a jukebox and 33's although in existence by the 1940's were as common as DVDs were in 1995. So on the home scene 78's were pretty much the format of choice, and that dated back to the time when 78's replaced the first wax cylinders of recorded music.</span><br />
<div>
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Initially for me 78's weren't that easy to find. For the most part they where and somewhat still are pretty rare birds to find in thrift stores and resell shops. As for my local brick-and-mortar record store he has 78's but they are located in bins on the floor that are almost impossible to navigate due to the fact that there are so many 78's stuffed into them.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">For me the pain resulting from the inability to find 78's was only worsened by the memory of having given away all my grandmothers 78's after she had died. Many of these 78's were from the big band era and had some pretty great songs on them. But as the saying goes "if hindsight or 20/20". </span></div>
<div>
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">So as usual I found myself heading to eBay to find records that I really wanted. But the question became what song and/or what artist did I want to have in my collection first?</span></div>
<div>
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Being both a vinyl record enthusiasts and a Route 66 enthusiasts, as you know from reading my blogs, the answer came to me pretty quickly. The song I had to have on 78' was <i>Route 66 </i>by The Nat King Cole Trio.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicLj5q_-leHNPZlyBtH4U5VzCbTLQHS4osdDGLIko98NTxNDUmovj0uORfRIisKIevFyVXYFslDVICmAMuqkEIuqGaQB-9yrLfqtaGuM5PoKzGlh4u7bIKd1BggKSW6P5tANFF2xH4hqY/s640/blogger-image-319066626.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: black;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicLj5q_-leHNPZlyBtH4U5VzCbTLQHS4osdDGLIko98NTxNDUmovj0uORfRIisKIevFyVXYFslDVICmAMuqkEIuqGaQB-9yrLfqtaGuM5PoKzGlh4u7bIKd1BggKSW6P5tANFF2xH4hqY/s640/blogger-image-319066626.jpg" /></span></a></div>
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<div>
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">The song or this particular version of it is the one that inspired me the most to someday travel the route. This version by The Nat King Cole Trio, was made following the war and filled with the optimism the US had in the late 1940's. It was a song about traveling and discovering the United States as a whole. This version was made in an era when Route 66 was in its heyday and when the United States seemed to look towards the west specifically California and the Los Angeles area as the places to be and where hope could be found for the future. The Nat King Cole Trio delivers the song with such an incredibly upbeat feel good tempo that there's no way you can't possibly enjoy this particular version. There is also no way that you can deny the urge to travel Route 66 after you hear this version of the song.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">You see this version was actually the first big time the song <i>Route 66 </i>was performed. The song itself was only a few months old by the time it was handed over to The Nat King Cole Trio. It's writer Bobby Troup although known for sometimes performing his own works decided that he would give this song to The Nat King Cole Trio, who had achieved a great deal of success with their unique sound towards the end of World War II and immediately following the war. If you want to know more history about Bobby Troup and how the song was originally written please see my article (http://route66forfamily.blogspot.com/2013/09/route-66-song-and-introducing-your-kids.html?m=1). To say the least Troup's choice to allow someone else to record it led to the song becoming a huge success. </span></div>
<div>
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Although the Nat King Cole Trio would popularize the song and bring it to the top of the charts they would not be the last artist to do so. The Rolling Stones, and even more recently John Mayer would be just a few of the many artists to remake the song and keep it fresh with American and even international audiences.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">As for the actual record itself that I received it took me some time to get used to the way a 78 sounds. The song does sound quite good but I do believe that the needle arm and needle itself on my record player may perhaps be too light for the 78. Both the 45's and 33's have sounded phenomenal on this little record player but the 78 for some reason sounds a bit off and/or even a bit distant. Having studied 78's and having seen them being played in many a black-and-white movie I do believe that there might be something to the fact that this needle is just a little too light for 78's. </span></div>
<div>
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Overall though I am extremely happy to have <i>Route 66 </i>by The Nat King Cole Trio as the first 78 enter my collection. Now if I could only find a second one that I could put under glass and hang on my wall.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">If you're reading this on my Route 66 blog be sure to check out my vinyl record blog at http://amateurvinylrecordcollector.blogspot.com/?m=1</span></div>
<div>
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">And if you're reading this on my vinyl record blog be sure to check out my Route 66 blog at http://route66forfamily.blogspot.com/?m=1</span></div>
<div>
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Thank you again for reading!</span></div>
</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
</div>
TheGrandEmperorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07396547301730209393noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1782558795330357202.post-18785072709487410142014-06-08T14:30:00.000-07:002014-06-08T14:30:00.821-07:00Are We There Yet? Part 1 - The Journey Begins?<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
We here in Northern Illinois are in what is unofficially early summer or a close approximation of it. We're finally begining to see a lot of sun, and occasionally some really warm and dare I say it even hot days. Of course this time of year always brings a feeling of optimism and with it a case of the summer fever. It first strikes you as a need to get out of your house, and then begins to strike you as a need to hit the road and wonder blue skies, and new terrain.<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
For me the need to hit the road has been haunting me all day in the form of sudden memory flashes from places I have been, and many of them are places on Route 66. These memories and the urge to move have even made me grab a few moments of internet time from my within my busy day to peek at some of the places I've been to and want to see again. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
What it all reminds me of though is the fact that if I or let's say you "want to take that California trip" to qoute the song, now is the time to plan and plan well. </div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">You see for me nothing says summer vacation more then a good old fashion family road trip, and there can't be any place in the world better to road trip on then Route 66. </span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiygphvIRhVz5j2SlahJLca6F0ohj8vmzRJiumffGRVgvV_NQ9q-RhM-tmWwPG6lOe8zXg-1QCDxKoyRT3pE6sb649yg8lWYWofnC7bZOeoH-nsJ-GrUySYEjumN40wvcOUmQS2OPWLsYlv/s640/blogger-image-696395592.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiygphvIRhVz5j2SlahJLca6F0ohj8vmzRJiumffGRVgvV_NQ9q-RhM-tmWwPG6lOe8zXg-1QCDxKoyRT3pE6sb649yg8lWYWofnC7bZOeoH-nsJ-GrUySYEjumN40wvcOUmQS2OPWLsYlv/s640/blogger-image-696395592.jpg" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Now, I'm guessing your no neophyte to family travel, and that although you may have not traveled Route 66, you do know what's out there and on it. With that said though I know you maybe feeling a bit overwhelmed, there is so much to see and so little time. So I'm going to give you some step by step instructions that can help you plan the type of trip you want. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<b>Step 1 - Get a Guide</b></div>
<div>
<b><br /></b></div>
<div>
Jerry McClanahan's <i>EZ66</i>, and Route 66 Magazines <i>Complete Guidebook and Atlas of Route 66 </i>are two very good ones. I wrote an article covering both last year just see my older postings to find the one right for you. You will want one to help you plan, and to keep in the car along the way.</div>
<div>
<b><br /></b></div>
<div>
<b></b><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<b><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhk-Nez0A1JKzj4p3Gwax2f-bY6yCw-UNHhj8sFsP1GQ52t59NDwSQGQ2PkelQ3pb1rFNQw46KGQjZzU0QyfnIRiT3A5mvAj0jwxfOuDJ3mojI4vCVkqO77clgKoS_FKKaeHLkA6Ry5943R/s640/blogger-image--1914902097.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhk-Nez0A1JKzj4p3Gwax2f-bY6yCw-UNHhj8sFsP1GQ52t59NDwSQGQ2PkelQ3pb1rFNQw46KGQjZzU0QyfnIRiT3A5mvAj0jwxfOuDJ3mojI4vCVkqO77clgKoS_FKKaeHLkA6Ry5943R/s640/blogger-image--1914902097.jpg" /></a></b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<b><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWb8bWzf70Lp79w4sstvdYjVHWWm3ua9pCy1EJg6XIGr1yAOeXTTyKU8Se6FxEMvUjaq1birWXv4drMK9P_QqoyMny0Viwz_qBnZW_Oz3KGWnymPYbTjPeZtaxvvgFRN_Y2CaI3aorCN3y/s640/blogger-image--2000785244.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWb8bWzf70Lp79w4sstvdYjVHWWm3ua9pCy1EJg6XIGr1yAOeXTTyKU8Se6FxEMvUjaq1birWXv4drMK9P_QqoyMny0Viwz_qBnZW_Oz3KGWnymPYbTjPeZtaxvvgFRN_Y2CaI3aorCN3y/s640/blogger-image--2000785244.jpg" /></a></b></div>
<br />
<b><br /></b><br />
</div>
<div>
<b>Step 2 - Get a Wishbook</b></div>
<div>
<b><br /></b></div>
<div>
Remember getting the Sears or Penny's Wishbooks near Christmas as a kid? Do you remember going through the toy section and circling what you wanted so your folks would know what to get you. If your planning on traveling the route you may want to repeat this old custom as an adult. There are lot of great Route 66 books out there with some great insight into the Route and that cover the many landmarks with great story's and photos. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5vOJV7WzPSY3nUbcj8ZDXUPApu0PvTqvLJ-0qMRzQTg9xJqRSkVUFC6wXJogIhg4m7-YSqFjhihjE8IREoI9cihxqaDypJbuvEL1BEBpQXrr4YPyRWvXECYuqQHRznio7RdsQ0dyxQij8/s640/blogger-image--2021021358.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5vOJV7WzPSY3nUbcj8ZDXUPApu0PvTqvLJ-0qMRzQTg9xJqRSkVUFC6wXJogIhg4m7-YSqFjhihjE8IREoI9cihxqaDypJbuvEL1BEBpQXrr4YPyRWvXECYuqQHRznio7RdsQ0dyxQij8/s640/blogger-image--2021021358.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
One of my favorites is <i>Route 66</i> by Nick Freeth. This book goes state by state and covers a lot of great attractions. You need a book like this where you can mentally circle what you want to see and go plan it from there. If you don't want to buy this book you might be able to get it or some great books like it through your local library. Also if you need any suggestions just go ahead and contact me. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<b>Step 3 - Read My Blog</b></div>
<div>
<b><br /></b></div>
<div>
<b>http://route66forfamily.blogspot.com/?m=1</b></div>
<div>
<b><br /></b></div>
<div>
Shameless self promotion? Well, maybe a little, but I also have tons of great tips, and history's on my blog that are great for planning. I even have my <i>Route 66 Kids Picks </i>articles about authentically kid approved sites along Route 66, and my <i>Family Travel Must Haves </i>a great series about the road trip items every family must have to make life on the road easier. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<b style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue Light", HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Step 4 - Get A Notebook</b></div>
<div>
<b> </b></div>
<div>
This is simultaneously a fun and hard part. The first thing you want to do is plan your dream trip. Put down all the places you want to see and the amount of time you want to invest into each one. Want to see the Grand Canyon via the Grand Canyon Railway add two or three days in. Want to catch a Cubs game in Chicago, and do some shopping add a day or two there, and so on. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<i>Why plan a dream trip first?</i></div>
<div>
<i><br /></i></div>
<div>
The goal is to purge your system of everything you want to see and do on a Route 66 trip, then pear it down to fit reality. That may seem a bit depressing, but it's not as depressing as missing something you really wanted to see on the route becuase it wasn't planned in. We'll talk about doing a reality check in a later step. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
The goal here is to give yourself a written idea of what you want to see and do that has no constraints, and where you can cross stuff off and/or pencil other items in with very little effort. If you review your guides or Wishbook ahead of time it's also a great place to jot down notes about potential detours, other alignments, and off the beaten path landmarks. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Well this is where I'm going to end Part 1, becuase you probably busy getting together all these items. Watch for Part 2 coming out soon.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<b><br /></b></div>
</div>
TheGrandEmperorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07396547301730209393noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1782558795330357202.post-12285257816050440452014-05-29T12:19:00.001-07:002014-05-29T12:33:53.774-07:00#FamilyRoadTripTis' the Season!!<div><br></div><div>Here we are, it's late May and Summer or more importantly Summer vacation are now on the table. If your anything like me you are scratching your head in amazement that the school year is over, with diverging thoughts of both how quickly it passed and how you actually managed to get your kid through another year. These thoughts are met with both elation and anxiety. <div><br></div><div>With that said and done though it's now an issue of keeping the kids occupied for 2+ months, without driving your spouse and yourself to the point of insanity. Enter the road trip, a week of more away from the house on the road seeing, well anything you can. </div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBTic9rWlsOmePWHYflLRgD-Dlo8X9Cn4TyiJZDfgEv_QlkXJTgqiKvBuAb3eRO3ZeL5K5XSgiC3mzoL5F-QLN8zKStfpI_ae4BpPSbXQovpgwWUWsQqOt6GL0zQudb6nlArZ71PaQzWnB/s640/blogger-image--825591684.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBTic9rWlsOmePWHYflLRgD-Dlo8X9Cn4TyiJZDfgEv_QlkXJTgqiKvBuAb3eRO3ZeL5K5XSgiC3mzoL5F-QLN8zKStfpI_ae4BpPSbXQovpgwWUWsQqOt6GL0zQudb6nlArZ71PaQzWnB/s640/blogger-image--825591684.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Now, I should be telling you to hit Route 66, but I'm going to go a bit beyond that this afternoon when I say "just take a roadtrip". The fact of the matter is Route 66 is a great road trip, but what really matters when you get down to it is that time spent on the road with your family. If properly done its time spent together <i style="font-weight: bold;">Unplugged</i>, seeing new things. It's about bonding and making memories that happen outside of everyday life, away from the distractions, worries, and obligations of home. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgednGI5S7qz7VHs4LqflaLoIF_Z4F9ZpBw45lpVQC4csOz77RXIFb4Vl2IErzWxwfehXFo5yoSa7Hd4BqTU_4z2sUQwg_UcxGVBlMOuxYKhJ5FtpR8RbPF7UW17wyw4ky-90c98n_2Ghzr/s640/blogger-image-1185920527.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgednGI5S7qz7VHs4LqflaLoIF_Z4F9ZpBw45lpVQC4csOz77RXIFb4Vl2IErzWxwfehXFo5yoSa7Hd4BqTU_4z2sUQwg_UcxGVBlMOuxYKhJ5FtpR8RbPF7UW17wyw4ky-90c98n_2Ghzr/s640/blogger-image-1185920527.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">If you decide to take your family roadtrip down Route 66 don't worry I will be here with plenty of ideas for you including and upcoming planning article. But whatever you decide to do this summer get out there on the road as a family. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Here are a few great suggestions for a road trip.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><b>-Devils Tower, WY</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Americas first National Park, and background for the film <i>Close Encounters of the Third Kind</i>. I reality though it's a cool place with a lot of other cool sites nearby.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><b>-Mount Rushmore, SD</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Enough said</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><b>-Niagara Falls, NY/OT</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Breath taking and a lot of fun</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">-<b>The Lincoln Highway</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Route 66 older sibling traveled from New York City, to San Francisco covering a total of 13 states, meaning there is a section of it near you. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">The United States must have a million cool places to go and see along the road, so it won't take you long to find a cool suggestion that fits you and your family. Whatever you do, and wherever you go, just get out there and have fun. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><br></div></div>TheGrandEmperorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07396547301730209393noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1782558795330357202.post-91611604664265675472014-01-24T03:30:00.000-08:002015-05-31T16:46:55.491-07:00Experiencing the Dining Car as It Use To Be<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Train travel in the United States today is a far cry from what it once was. Only the long distance passenger trains have dining cars, and although the food is good and passengers are presented with a menu to choose from breakfast, lunch, and dinner much of the food comes semi-prepared. Dining on Amtrak is still a treat, and well worth experiencing both for its coolness factor and historical connection. Dining by rail though was once something completely different from what it is now. </span><br /><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"></span><br /></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;">Back before the disintegration of the great passenger trains, dining by rail was something that helped distinguish one railway from another. Some railways even became famous for particular items on their dining car menus. Food on the dining car wasn't just sustenance to eat while the train sped along for many miles but instead it had become a gourmet dining experience that was on par with some of the larger cities finest gourmet eating establishments.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"></span><br /></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;">It wasn't always this way though dining cars really didn't come into fully functional service until around the time of World War I. Before then various food service cars had been experimented with, railways tried everything from lunch cars to buffet cars to café cars, all of which came with varying results. Most of these experiments started back around the time of the transcontinental railway and lasted all the way through the late 19th century into the very early 20th century. For the most part though if passengers wanted to eat along the way in this time period it required passengers to deboard trains at towns where the locomotive was forced to stop to take on coal and water. One can only imagine the inconvenience of having to do such a thing especially with having to worry about weather or the possibility of missing ones train and/or meal. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"></span><br /></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;">It was during this same period time that the Santa Fe Railway entered into an agreement with the Fred Harvey Company. The Fred Harvey Company would provide eating establishments at larger whistle stops for the Santa Fe and the Santa Fe would agree to extend the time it took take on coal and water for their trains so that customers could have a leisurely meal at one of Harvey's restaurants. These restaurants became known as Harvey Houses, and I will take a deeper look at some Harvey Houses in postings to come. But Harvey Houses did something else they gave passengers a quality meal that was stress-free since Harvey Houses were located close to the Santa Fe tracks, the food was prepared in conjunction with trains that where stopped over, and managers would often wonder the Harvey House dining rooms notifying passengers of departing trains.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;">As a decades wore on locomotive's became more technically advanced which required them to stop less for coal and water. Eventually locomotives only had to make longer stops at larger cities meaning many of the whistle stops where they had previously allowed passengers to the leave the train in order get a meal where now totally bypassed as the train passed through them at high speed. For the railways it was time to finally have onboard dining facilities. By the 1910's advancements in onboard cooking, and refrigeration finally gave the railways the chance to produce effective dining cars. By the 1930s dining cars were at their peak, and so to was each railways need to brag that it had the best food. To say the least the battle between the railways for the best dining car would carry-on for 30 more years finally culminating in the 1960s with the Santa Fe Super Chiefs Turquoise Room, a special five-star dining room located in the Super Chiefs dining car and known for attracting the glitz and glamour of movie stars and other famous people of the era. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;">By the 1970s the railways, specifically the passenger lines would go into to decline and many of them would disappear from memory. However memories of the wonderful food on their dining cars still remain and some have dedicated themselves to maintaining the memory of this food.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWZmZo5tJI82ngVGxUuhDqel81hvdbxupPFHFiaYOsRkoWo2dh-7g6B7cVBIuO7qGpqAK2rPCgBCg25PHP-tfDLNh9_KcnkAVTeMyGPUk2UPr_0HPXLgO1pAkiAP1ZCmYl6wx17gEh-qd_/s640/blogger-image-870637741.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWZmZo5tJI82ngVGxUuhDqel81hvdbxupPFHFiaYOsRkoWo2dh-7g6B7cVBIuO7qGpqAK2rPCgBCg25PHP-tfDLNh9_KcnkAVTeMyGPUk2UPr_0HPXLgO1pAkiAP1ZCmYl6wx17gEh-qd_/s640/blogger-image-870637741.jpg" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br /></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn3f58pY0XK6NjdjmfUUsvVhrJGgdnk0eQVFKdzovTWJvlcZtgE4mvnxmf6LeU85CChGXsAi6yiZGSl14HoEAibeK2ufqkfceg5qa79Kf50ZqGLwQEG5nIxZzzQ9UTFIQPyrmlB5Rq29dS/s640/blogger-image-1720470056.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn3f58pY0XK6NjdjmfUUsvVhrJGgdnk0eQVFKdzovTWJvlcZtgE4mvnxmf6LeU85CChGXsAi6yiZGSl14HoEAibeK2ufqkfceg5qa79Kf50ZqGLwQEG5nIxZzzQ9UTFIQPyrmlB5Rq29dS/s640/blogger-image-1720470056.jpg" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br /></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;">The books above James D Porterfield's <i>Dining By Rail</i>, and George H Foster and Peter C Weiglen's <i>The Harvey House Cookbook</i> are two great books commemorating the railway dining experience.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>Dining By Rail </i>functions as both a great history book and cookbook. Porterfield gets in-depth with the evolution of dining cars on various railways and then also manages to get in depth with how the various railways came about designing some other most famous menu options. Porterfield carefully brings together some brief histories and recipes from over 40 different railways. One of my favorite parts of this book is when Porterfield mentions the great French Toast Battle in which the Northern Pacific, Soo Line, Union Pacific, Santa Fe, and Pennsylvania railways try to compete for the best French Toast recipe, and you can find the French Toast recipe for each of these railways right here in this book. There are hundreds of other excellent recipes from the railway dining cars listed in this book as well as a lot of great insight into life in the dining car. It's well worth the read in these recipes are definitely worth trying at home if you want to get a taste of how high-quality the food was I many of these dining cars.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>The Harvey House Cookbook </i>is another fantastic book to add to the overall experience of dining by rail. The book is dedicated to Harvey Houses, but is intermixed with recipes from various Santa Fe passenger trains. This is another fantastic book for gaining both historical insight into the operations of Harvey Houses and Santa Fe passenger trains and for just getting overall taste of what it must been like to actually have eaten at these places during their heyday. The book covers some of Fred Harvey's most notable resorts like the La Posada in Winslow, AZ, and the La Fonda in Santa Fe, NM, as well as some of it's other operations like Los Angeles, and Chicago Union Stations, and Chicago's Midway Airport. This book has a fantastic layout in which the historical text is in between the recipe sections which are themselves laid out by meal segments. All though this book isn't as in depth with Harvey House history as some other books it is a fantastic and should I say hands on or taste buds on introduction to Harvey House's which is extremely unique for any book on this subject. The book also allows us to see how dining cars where developed by giving us a peek into the period in which rail travel dining transferred from Harvey Houses to actual dining cars since some recipes in this book come from the California Limited, Santa Fe's precursor to the Chief and Super Chief, and the first of their trains to present onboard dining in a first class manor.</span><br /><br />I must own 2 dozen books on the Santa Fe, but of all of them these two are the only ones that give me a real feel for what it must have been like to have been there, and put this piece of history in such human terms through a connection to food.</div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div><br /></div></div>TheGrandEmperorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07396547301730209393noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1782558795330357202.post-57967644976070367272014-01-22T03:30:00.000-08:002014-01-22T03:30:00.424-08:00King of Route 66: The Crossover<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
You know I have been able to do a cross over between my Retro Video Gaming blog (http://retrovideogamingblog.blogspot.com/?m=1) and my Diary on an Amateur Vinyl Record Collector blog (http://briankeating1.wordpress.com) with a great deal of ease since when you get down to it both hobbies have the same dogma and goal behind them. But, I never thought I would see the day when I could do a cross over between the Retro Video Gaming blog and my Route 66 Family Fun blog (http://route66forfamily.blogspot.com/?m=1), but now that day has come.<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Today I am going to talk about a Playstation 2 game by Sega called <i>King of Route 66</i>. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlwO1yXc7r9Yy2B05lsLB6YNggkzrEc71yBMjAGlPEDTcu3y00f0eHzwxSWN3-qnYeVbJFRlAsfQZDuVBmWKQJktR1zUwQZwjC8ypi2LNogtAA_WVb4691GtDIuR-qiOOZcUzRQUczab8/s640/blogger-image-264797937.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlwO1yXc7r9Yy2B05lsLB6YNggkzrEc71yBMjAGlPEDTcu3y00f0eHzwxSWN3-qnYeVbJFRlAsfQZDuVBmWKQJktR1zUwQZwjC8ypi2LNogtAA_WVb4691GtDIuR-qiOOZcUzRQUczab8/s640/blogger-image-264797937.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
I think we all know that Route 66 has a huge international following, so it was only a matter if time till Japanese Sega would turn their attentions to Route 66 for a racing game. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Now, if you don't have a Playstation 2, and want to try it this game out you can find emulations out there. CoolRom.com and some other sites have it, just be aware that some versions may have viruses so try to go with a reputable emulation site. Also if you want to see what the game looks like and see it played you can find a lot of great videos about it on YouTube.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<i>The King of Route 66, </i>is essentially an arcade racer, in which you race 18-wheelers down Route 66 to beat your rival to the end delivery point. If you know anything about arcade racers then you know that they are pure silliness, with odd characters, power ups, vehicle upgrades, and all the goofyness you'd see in games like <i>Crazy Taxi</i>. So if you are looking for an actual 18-wheeler sim, don't look here.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">The game is rated T for Teen, so don't let the cliche naked lady mudflap cover, and "get you chicks on 66!" back cover fool you. All you'll see is a lot of bare midriffs and that's about it, as most of the game concentrates on its premise. </span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">The plot line is also very cliche as the cut scenes refer to an evil trucking group known as "Tornado", terrorizing the people of Route 66. Your job is to defeat them by taking business away and out racing their drivers to delivery points in every level. Lets just say it's not exactly <i>Final Fantasy</i> plot lines or anything so don't look to find Steinbeck or Wallis quality in the story</span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">. </span></div>
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><b>For the Route 66 Traveler</b></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Keep in mind that this game is just for fun and not an accurate depiction of Route 66. But that doesn't mean it isn't worth a look. The game depicts a lot of Route 66 landmarks, in a really fun way. For instance you can race big rigs down Chain of Rocks Bridge, and launch your semi-truck off a ramp through the screen of the Route 66 Drive-In. Plus there are a lot of other fun presentations of Route 66 landmarks in the game. It's also a great way to get you kids interested in Route 66 by pointing out the landmarks as you see them in the game, it will give your kids something to associate the actual places with. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><b>For the Gamer</b></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">PS2 still lives in the limbo realm between modern and retro system. So this games retro status is open to interpretation, and when it comes to the PS2 there is a lot of it. Like all arcade type racers skill and following the route may not be good enough, since your A.I. rival may have a short cut or two up his sleeve. This also means you will be repeating levels a lot until you get the fastest route possible down pat, so be ready for repeatitive play at times. This is also the kind of game where you choose your driver, and I have found that speed is a factor. With that said its a good, but not memorable game where the only thing that separates it from similar games is the 18-wheeler aspect.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">I guess if you asked me to make the perfect Route 66 racing game I would have gone more for classic cars then 18-Wheelers. So in a way I think Sega did mess it up a bit. I mean they could have had funny characters as they did, but racing 57' Chevys and 65' Mustangs down the Route instead, with Greasers, and Elvis look alikes. Either that or make it more GTA style in which the routes detail is more developed and you do missions across country. But someday maybe, right? </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">So happy travels and/or good gaming.</span></div>
</div>
TheGrandEmperorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07396547301730209393noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1782558795330357202.post-82089610958362421562014-01-08T12:51:00.001-08:002014-01-10T05:50:47.642-08:00Tasting Route 66 In Your Own KitchenWhether your an American or an international traveler you know that Route 66 has an implicit connection to American food. Often these connections are somewhat cliche and bring us to think of apple pie, hamburgers, and all the trappings of diner food, and rightfully so since you can find all these foods easily on the route. As much fun and as kitschy such foods may be, they misguide us at times and don't allow us to see some of the roads true and most unique flavors. <div><br></div><div>I think we often forget that part of the American experience, and Route 66 culture is about individual freedom and expression, and there is no better place for that expression than culinary artistry. Along Route 66 restaurant owners and chefs have all expressed their cultures, their regions, their restaurants, themselves, and their<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"> love for life on Route 66 via the food creations they have given us exclusive to their restaurants alone. The vibrancy of these food choices in a way is stunning and really tells us something about the true nature of Route 66 and it's personalities. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Over the years eating establishments of all shapes, sizes, genres, and price points have lined the route. Some have established themselves not just as roadhouses for hungry travelers on Route 66, but as respected restaurants that are key to representing their communities. </span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Sadly though, many of Route 66's other unique restaurants have fallen victim to time, chain restaurants, or the interstate bypassing them, but thier legacys are not forgotten. Thankfully, due to the efforts of author Marian Clark, she able to collect many recipes and stories from famed restaurants along the route present and past to bring us </span><i style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">The Route 66 Cookbook. </i></div><div><font face="Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif"><br></font></div><div><font face="Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif"><i></i><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBBqZxuhCvpIZdnjX4vxg5znRC9megXMu17gEEaGLm6qoOLpSimfwvB1Rh0zHKPnvdLuWmYA5MK_Rfbt0xLrmd9bw84wKp3sVG2DB1r1i1mveyC6nQhrLf1Uu9kwy8oQydeuauJ7dIYcYZ/s640/blogger-image-1536132711.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBBqZxuhCvpIZdnjX4vxg5znRC9megXMu17gEEaGLm6qoOLpSimfwvB1Rh0zHKPnvdLuWmYA5MK_Rfbt0xLrmd9bw84wKp3sVG2DB1r1i1mveyC6nQhrLf1Uu9kwy8oQydeuauJ7dIYcYZ/s640/blogger-image-1536132711.jpg"></a></div><br></div></font><div><font face="Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif">This book is a favorite in my house and is both a great read and source of recipes. Clark did an excellent job bringing us not only the history behind some of the recipes themselves but of the restaurants and regions they where found in. </font></div><div><font face="Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif"><br></font></div><div><font face="Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9P-iQiN6pNjGBGbVYxqfAOio5aZFkTU-oeBeACoDh1e3vuvztPHOtmZ8XVXr9AodFjQfeJhxx1CVlvuGtrxbqZ6eWjX5qq4BrGMr7zwSP2lk9Y-UWILD1tT3mKjALf4-qiX5gAEZ65CK3/s640/blogger-image-1086799373.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9P-iQiN6pNjGBGbVYxqfAOio5aZFkTU-oeBeACoDh1e3vuvztPHOtmZ8XVXr9AodFjQfeJhxx1CVlvuGtrxbqZ6eWjX5qq4BrGMr7zwSP2lk9Y-UWILD1tT3mKjALf4-qiX5gAEZ65CK3/s640/blogger-image-1086799373.jpg"></a></div><br></div><br></font></div><div>The book digs deep into the characteristics of the food, and it's influences. The above picture on Navajo Fry Bread and Tacos is an example of this. Here we see how food in Gallup is influenced by its connection to the nearby Navajo lands, and how the recipes where modified to give travelers a taste that was both authentic and with Route 66 appeal. </div><div><br></div><div>This book has a ton of great recipes, like The Diamonds Cheeseball, from the former Route 66 Diamonds restaurant in Missouri, Pink Adobe's Apple Pie Recipe from Arizona, and The Polka Dots Potato Pancake recipe from Chicago. There are a lot a great ones that are the real deal recipes from how they are or where made by Chefs and cooks from Route 66's many restaurants and cafés. </div><div><br></div><div>Above all that though Clark has given us more then just a cookbook. Her research of the history of Route 66 restaurants, has allowed us to peak into the restaurants themselves as well as their owners. She provides us with insight into how some establishments came to exist, why they choose certain menus, and what lead them to create some of thier most iconic dishes. We also gain insight into why some of these restaurants failed, and the legacys they have left behind. The book is filled with enough interviews, history's and photos to make even more interested in preparing some of the foods from the recipes in order to get a taste what is or was. </div><div><br></div><div>So if you want to learn about the routes culinary history, and move away from the cliche ideas of diner grilled cheese, and hamburgers this is a great way to experience it all in your own kitchen. The book will open your eyes to the creative spirit of food providers along the route, give you a new concept of food on Route 66, and allow you to interact with the route right in your own home. Great for these winter nights as you plan you summer Route 66 trips. </div><div><div><br></div><div><br></div></div></div>TheGrandEmperorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07396547301730209393noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1782558795330357202.post-56455225333477055802013-12-30T03:30:00.000-08:002013-12-30T06:04:50.140-08:00A Year in Review<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Believe it or not I started this blog nearly three years ago in 2011. I was only able to write four posts that first year, and could just never find the time to sit down and get more post out even though I was unemployed at the time. What's ironic about this is that since June of this year I have written nearly 63 posts, and on top of that I have a very demanding full time job. But, I digress I know I should be talking about this year.</div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><br></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp2BF4OdQ8-KsC3kkquGU6Dk9TdxoBjzrqjUtitDAhdFpkFgPESOIIXTgMfcaUHwCLwZZcOQiRmjmB-X-lr-LCv2ssWK2uZSDB5d_muCnTWptFOyaFjd6JKdqckwQPhqUaDMb1AzDStBSm/s640/blogger-image-744541151.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp2BF4OdQ8-KsC3kkquGU6Dk9TdxoBjzrqjUtitDAhdFpkFgPESOIIXTgMfcaUHwCLwZZcOQiRmjmB-X-lr-LCv2ssWK2uZSDB5d_muCnTWptFOyaFjd6JKdqckwQPhqUaDMb1AzDStBSm/s640/blogger-image-744541151.jpg"></a></div><br>
<br>
What I have enjoyed the most about writing this blog, is watching the way it has evolved this year, and also the way in which my own thought processes have evolved too, as I learn more about Route 66 and its history. It has always been my goal to see Route 66 in a different light then what is traditionally been put out there, and that for me has been something I have been able to see and do with far greater clarity then ever before this year.<br>
<br>
One thing I've come to realize this year is that perhaps my point of view's and need to connect events historically are a bit swayed by my identity as a Chicagian. I don't mean to say that I scoff at the myriad of small towns on Route 66 regarding them as podunks filled with hicks, but rather I see it as part of the many rail, highway, water, and air routes that sprung forth from the crossroads that make Chicago what it is. In a way t<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">he Sears (Willis) Tower seems to stand as a symbol of Chicago the symbol of the western most of the great eastern cities, a bastion district set out on the prairie representing the old and new United States. But what I find interesting is the location of the Willis sits between Adams and Jackson, west and eastbound 66 respectively. In a way the westward looking face of the Willis looks almost like a person, it's shoulders erect, it's left arm resting, and high up accentuated by "The Ledge" one can't help but detect and almost stoic looking face that gazes westward as the tower and city itself look out if the lands it's railroads, roads, and catalog houses created in 19th and 20th century's. Most importantly it's looking west down Route 66. </span></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><br></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">I've also come to realize this year that there are <span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">places that just get burned into your memory on Route 66. For me Winslow, AZ and its La Posade Hotel and Turquoise Room drift into my memories a lot. As does the Mesalands Dinosuar Museum and Wigwan Curios in Tucumcari, NM. I also think a lot about the friendly folks out in Needles, CA. But there are a lot of great places out there and by no means am I intentionally leaving those folks out. </span></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">This year has also made me realize that if Route 66 is to survive, a new generation must take the wheel even if the previous one isn't willing to give it up. Don't get me wrong the previous generation of baby-boomers who traveled the Route as kids and as young adults have left us a legacy, and have been careful to document the Route as they remember it. Times are changing though, and years are passing and the Gen Xer's and older Gen Y's are ready to take on that legacy. Perhaps we don't remember it as it was, perhaps our first trip out west was on an inter-state, and perhaps we never saw Bob's dinner on Route 66 in Hometown USA when it was open, but none the less history cannot stay alive unless the culture that bares it, keeps it alive and hands it on to the next generation. Yes, some of the sentimentality will be lost, but for the most part it will be the unimportant parts that really serve no one but those exact few remembering. </span></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">For Route 66 to stay alive as the older generation wishes they need to realize the uniquely American nature of Route 66. That Route 66 is America, it's our point if view, our culture, and our society on a 2500 mile stretch of highway. When visitors from foreign countries come to visit Route 66 they come to visit it becuase of how American it is, not becuase if it's international appeal. International visitors are welcome to visit as much as they like, but if the routes appeal and history is to survive then its time for the next generation of Americans to take over and keep it that way. </span></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Last but not least, and not to blow my own horn, I've realized how important a blog like this is. Having been exploring and researching Route 66 for years, I know how much information is it there. I also no how much of it is junk, and how very little help there is out there for someone looking to travel Route 66 as a family. </span></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGvx94GGfeipB1sV5jiho-ennDMySvWVO3VIZYtUE3RjMUp-HFWy8dTMhqH6duTcUaQmkBuNT4slaQKvaS_UfucHAhVLWwHB-bRycPQ8zfh2ZeKetL6TRk9WSH6Lr87P-x694UzNsFOnVC/s640/blogger-image--226013471.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGvx94GGfeipB1sV5jiho-ennDMySvWVO3VIZYtUE3RjMUp-HFWy8dTMhqH6duTcUaQmkBuNT4slaQKvaS_UfucHAhVLWwHB-bRycPQ8zfh2ZeKetL6TRk9WSH6Lr87P-x694UzNsFOnVC/s640/blogger-image--226013471.jpg"></a></div><br></span></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">So I would like to thank all of you who follow me directly or on Google Plus, and for reading my articles when you can. For now I wish you a Happy New Year, and I look forward to writing more in 2014.</span></div>
TheGrandEmperorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07396547301730209393noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1782558795330357202.post-84179489266679267442013-12-22T21:06:00.000-08:002015-05-31T16:46:55.489-07:00Christmas Memories of the Warbonnet Livery<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilDeQ4uThufyBRhOld5pHdDD-lNDju0lK2xvQp6tFJN-edVo5Y8Tz8QYRN36OLBSoKUL6NMbyhzGdS0fFvDolCEhb9EqpYdzGs3ZSTSSzsljwH6x0RFn_OF7_HvYVP4urtTekBBu2kdTHb/s640/blogger-image-667671800.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilDeQ4uThufyBRhOld5pHdDD-lNDju0lK2xvQp6tFJN-edVo5Y8Tz8QYRN36OLBSoKUL6NMbyhzGdS0fFvDolCEhb9EqpYdzGs3ZSTSSzsljwH6x0RFn_OF7_HvYVP4urtTekBBu2kdTHb/s640/blogger-image-667671800.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Electric trains and Christmas Trees have been a normal pairing for over a hundred years now. So when sitting under my tree last night with my two sons watching the train go around it hit me that the Santa Fe Warbonnet livery must <span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">appear under more Christmas Trees then Bing Crosby's <i>White Christmas</i> is played on FM radio stations during Christmas time. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">The Warbonnet livery of red and silver, is the same livery that graced Santa Fe's diesel motive power in front of its great passenger trains like the Super Chief, El Capitan, and many others in Santa Fe's passenger fleet. For the past 60+ years though the Warbonnet livery has also graced electric trains staring with Lionel's Santa Fe F-3</span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"> in 1948. This particular unit by Lionel would become iconic not only for Lionel, but Santa Fe, and the hobby of electric trains in general. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Even though the Warbonnet livery hasn't been used in front of a passenger train since 1971, Santa Fe has used it from time to time on their modern freight locomotives. Before the BNSF merger and the appearence of the "Pumpkin" livery Santa Fe was using the old Warbonnet on such locomotives as the Dash 9, and SD-70. Although I haven't seen any ACE's or AC's in the Warbonnet livery supposedly BNSF has a few as part of a "Heritage" series today. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><font face="Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif">In the realm of electric trains though the Warbonnet livery is alive and well. The set under my tree is a Lionel El Capitan set from 2008, Lionel re-released this set in 2012 as it's Super-Chief set alought both sets are identical. But leaving the comfort of Lionel, we see other manufactures making and selling Warbonnet sets, by the bushel full over the years. The livery can be found on locomotives from Z to G Scale, in a wide range of sets. In a quick review of a Christmas ad from a local hobby shop for instance I was able to find a Bachman N and HO set both featuring Warbonnets, the Lionel Super Chief set I spoke about, and a loose Alco in Warbonnet livery by USA Trains in G scale. Of course these are just a few of the more well known manfacturers, and excludes others out making trains in the Warbonnet livery like MTH, Atlas, LGB, Marklin, and K-line</font><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"> all examples of modern manufacturers.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">So 60+ years and a myriad of toy train manufacturers translates into a lot of trains made in the iconic Santa Fe Warbonnet livery. Which if you do the math of trains and Christmas Trees means there are a lot of these trains making the evergreen circle right now.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">With that said I wish you all a Merry Christmas, and a Happy New Year!!! </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div>TheGrandEmperorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07396547301730209393noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1782558795330357202.post-84221392747614693992013-12-20T03:30:00.000-08:002013-12-20T03:30:00.709-08:00Christmas Life Along the Route<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">It was early December of 2004 and I had just gotten my son to bed. I decided to sit down at my desk and read the December issue of <i>Arizona Highways</i>. I had a few hours to kill till my wife got home from class, so I was able to get lost in that issue. It wasn't the usual <i>Arizona Highways </i>fair of stunning photos and little story's and history's from Arizona's many wonders but a collection of Christmas memory's about life in Arizona. Their where wonderful stories from all over the state, from Bisbee, Tucson, Yuma, and of course stories from along Route 66. </span><br />
<div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"></span><br /></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">There was a story from about life before Christmas vacation at Northern Arizona University in Flagstaff, another story about a Navajo women making her way from Gallup to fight deep snow on the Navajo reservation to be with her family over the holiday break, and another about a women remembering a bitter-sweet bus trip from Kingman during World War 2. It was a fantastic read that put me in a Christmas state of mind, and really made me think about life elsewhere over Christmas. </span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlSeNiVMWh1lvNzNRxJksBLS1p9CohQoNXQHJYp95Ji_VgEvqr2YPEN6lgYtntTh-N-DxbC2gQUo1M5fnAGHzmMvG552D65LQ-R5gOuaHzX7MaC9lQ1r7L8TWg2pMZtltl1N7RqITNIVCP/s640/blogger-image--176949622.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlSeNiVMWh1lvNzNRxJksBLS1p9CohQoNXQHJYp95Ji_VgEvqr2YPEN6lgYtntTh-N-DxbC2gQUo1M5fnAGHzmMvG552D65LQ-R5gOuaHzX7MaC9lQ1r7L8TWg2pMZtltl1N7RqITNIVCP/s640/blogger-image--176949622.jpg" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><i>Chicago sky scrapers adorned with red and green lights for the holiday. </i></span><br /></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">At the same time though I have to believe that there are folks dreaming about life on my end of the route too. Dreaming about the glitz and glamour of Chicago during Christmas. Suddenly understanding the full meaning of the lyrics to <i>Silver Bells</i>. Growing up in someplace like Elk City, Oklahoma, or Needles, California the lights of State Street, the rush of the shoppers, and the dressed up windows of Marshell Fields (yes I know its Macys), and other stores would seem almost intoxicating and fill one with Christmas joy especially when you never even imagined anything like it before. </span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">You see as I always say that's the thing about Route 66, there is so much territory and so many different ways of life, yet one road links everyone. For Christmas unlike Thanksgiving though each region, and it's cultures and beliefs have their own traditions and takes, on the holiday. </span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Throughout the Southwest for instance the the festival of the La Posada takes place, a nine day festival celebrating the coming of Christmas, and culminating on Christmas Eve with the La Posada reinactment in which a young couple wonders from house to house looking for shelter the same way Mary and Joseph did before Christ birth. This is followed by midnight Mass and then Tamales and Posola into the wee small hours of Christmas. </span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">In the Midwest on the other hand we jump into Christmas on Black Friday. From there on in the small towns along the route have weekends filled with parades, craft shows, Christmas pageants, breakfasts with Santa, and cookie exchanges. In suburbia houses are decorated to the hilt with lights to help break the darkness of Decembers long cold nights. Midwesterners also turn the oven up to give the house a little extra heat, and to bake batch after batch of cookies shaped like Christmas icons. While midnight masses here are only followed by coffee or hot chocolate and folks get it bed right after so Santa can deliver his goods in the wee small hours.</span> </span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpIaDIRA9M-zAHqrPfSqCCLdMG9pY1x7kDDJz6rG6s5px4amr_XBbsZtAvc0lyg8IVXwjtwDixUlXA9U7ATVvzRivgUmaTOu3Sijr__mx8U2eQN5Tko83k2FJgCgs2mLCdg0nY097MO2DJ/s640/blogger-image-1398214703.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpIaDIRA9M-zAHqrPfSqCCLdMG9pY1x7kDDJz6rG6s5px4amr_XBbsZtAvc0lyg8IVXwjtwDixUlXA9U7ATVvzRivgUmaTOu3Sijr__mx8U2eQN5Tko83k2FJgCgs2mLCdg0nY097MO2DJ/s640/blogger-image-1398214703.jpg" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><i>Town squares across country combine small town life and down home Christmas spirit. </i></span><br /></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">In the miles of desert that Route 66 covers through California, Christmas is often marked by folks making special trips to towns far away to do the Christmas shopping since there own towns are too small for much of anything. This gives shopping day a special feel of excitement as one must manage to hide gifts, while trying to peak at what was just bought for them all when traveling in the same vehicle. But although snow is an uncommon visitor to these areas the nights do get cold, and the winds get bad. While on the coast Christmas and beach life mingle to create the odd images of Santa on a surf board. Considering that many of the areas in California along 66 have been settled by Midwestern transplants it's not uncommon to see the same traditions of baking and Christmas light insanity pop up in the usually snowless warmer terrain. </span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">The terrain, the cultures, the history, and the miles all play a role in how Christmas is celebrated on Route 66. There are many traditions and many other celebrations I missed here. But I have no doubt one could fill a book with such Christmas time legacys, by just traveling from town to town. </span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">So no matter where you are take a few minutes to lose yourself along Route 66, and imagine how Christmas in celebrated from Chicago to LA, and all points in between. </span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">I hope you have a Merry Christmas, and in case I don't get another article out between one and then I wish you a Happy New Year too! </span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
TheGrandEmperorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07396547301730209393noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1782558795330357202.post-50553571969117416482013-12-11T03:30:00.001-08:002015-05-31T16:46:55.474-07:00Steaming Through Christmas Cards<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div>Well it looks like we are getting into that time of the holiday season when we have to waste a night at a desk or table scribbling out Christmas cards till our hands are soar. It’s not one of my favorite tasks, which is probably why we always end up doing it at last minute in my house. </div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu1pO4Iyhx11nBFpiQVu_ZZ-F9ePAJa3R-1-Kplx977jrbYcsTQF1rCMQ0YACT-Ee9e7DDIhlYvAFDlMuOKlbw1jyG4xBddQCL8dL7_ALaEuzK6gN1YO2MUDY2iBiReQk0hmTR6F9fs93j/s640/blogger-image-1611042082.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu1pO4Iyhx11nBFpiQVu_ZZ-F9ePAJa3R-1-Kplx977jrbYcsTQF1rCMQ0YACT-Ee9e7DDIhlYvAFDlMuOKlbw1jyG4xBddQCL8dL7_ALaEuzK6gN1YO2MUDY2iBiReQk0hmTR6F9fs93j/s640/blogger-image-1611042082.jpg" /></a></div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>In a way it is nice to send Christmas cards out though since its this connection to the past when folks would once communicate via actual letters, and actual mail, and when seeing words written to you in ink meant something. That and I guess I do enjoy getting cards to because it’s a meter of what friends you have gained and lost over the year, which is food for thought as the new year approaches. But, my absolute favorite part about Christmas cards is the images on them, pictures of everything from the Holy Family and Nativity, to cartoon characters, to landscapes, but by far though my favorite Christmas card images are those of trains in the winter. </div><div><br /></div><div>I don’t know what it is that makes trains and winter pair so well. It seems as if artist, both in the painted and photographic mediums have had an obsession with it for a long time though. I think in the steam era it was the contrast of the jet black engine against the white snow, or in those night time shots the way the light and snow, and steam all played off of each other to present an air of mystery and power. So it only seems right that such images would appear on Christmas cards, at a time of year that already conjures up imagery of snow, and trains separately. </div><div><br /></div><div>Outside of images I have seen depicting trains waiting in various yards around Chicago to make their outbound trips into the snowbound land, I have also found a few of the Super Chief, and other Santa Fe passenger trains I love passing through the snow covered lands of the Southwest. As awesome as the contrast is between a black steam engine and the white snow there is nothing as unique and dare I say it cozy looking as one of the Santa Fe’s polished aluminum engines float through the snow surrounded by snow topped red cliffs. There is a sense of coming home in these images that just makes those viewing them delve into it for a while and live there filled with holiday cheer, as the mind visits Gallup and Flagstaff. </div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div>Here are <span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">some links to look at these images for yourself an maybe buy a few cards if you like them. Keep in mind I’m not affiliated with any of these vendors so in now way and I endorsing there product or selling it. </span></div><div><br /></div><div>http://www.leanintree.com/christmas-card-santa-fe-chief-in-winter-71639.html</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>http://www.leanintree.com/christmas-card-santa-fre-superchief-raton-pass-70189.html</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div> </div></div>TheGrandEmperorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07396547301730209393noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1782558795330357202.post-59510574183501585062013-12-11T03:30:00.000-08:002013-12-11T03:30:01.014-08:00What's Route 66's future? Families!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
A few weeks ago noted Route 66 author Jim Hinckley asked "What are your thoughts about the future of Route 66?", on his blog. Of course Hinckley asked this question rhetorically mainly to lay out some interesting facts about 2013 tourism and planning events taking place for next year. But, this question has stuck with me over the last few weeks and I thought I would take the time to examine the question and answer it here. <br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGSwYYVh-h6r8RFgkNGrkP6rz02tiAnsQJWoZEkxtfHMohT2cq2pHnki6o7AnzWXeBah2RFUmnKz9gPW6tAhjTHgaUrdWPtdE-ie1jzasCm5VUj4YDRIh06lXNC_ebrvhUqIDgfrlasTfQ/s640/blogger-image-1508409056.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGSwYYVh-h6r8RFgkNGrkP6rz02tiAnsQJWoZEkxtfHMohT2cq2pHnki6o7AnzWXeBah2RFUmnKz9gPW6tAhjTHgaUrdWPtdE-ie1jzasCm5VUj4YDRIh06lXNC_ebrvhUqIDgfrlasTfQ/s640/blogger-image-1508409056.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Over the past decade many on and/or with an interest in Route 66 have opened their hearts and doors to the influx of international travelers. Now don't get me wrong I don't have an issue with this at all. As a matter of fact there is something heartwarming and that makes you proud that one of the biggest symbols of freedom in the world is Route 66, and people come from everywhere to experience it. At the same time though I can't help but feel that the Route 66 community hasn't really thought the international tourism concept out, and I am afraid it may come back to bite them in the near future. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
You see international tourism is up becuase the Dollar is down. Without breaking out my international banking textbook from college, here is how I can explain what that means. An international traveler can get more Dollars for their form of currency. Let's use British Pounds for example, for one British Pound a traveler from the UK can get a $1.75 (+/-). So they can buy more for less meaning an American vacation is a great bargain. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
This is all well and fine, but I think many overlook the fact that there are a lot of factors that can quickly change this situation. I mean with our economy the way it is I'm sure we all have our doubts whether or not our Dollar could ever again become an international powerhouse, but it can happen. So the question then remains if the Dollar should climb in value internationally, what happens to the pool of international tourist? Well to be honest that pool drys up as each currency loses value against the Dollar. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
For the Route 66 community which has almost become dependent on international tourism over the past decade this would be a disaster. But, I'm here to help and provide my ideas as to how the Route 66 community can take the potential downturn in international tourism in stride. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
What's my blog about? Route 66 for families, and this is an area the Route 66 community hasn't bothered to take seriously. The Route 66 community has a domestic audience that has heard of Route 66, but is unaware of its relevance. This isn't becuase Americans are ignorant of there own history, but becuase the importance of Route 66 isn't exactly something taught in history class or put on the High School civics exam. Route 66 in the minds of most Americans is a small niche of our history, but considering it lacks the relevance of things like the Civil War, or various presidents it gets pushed off to being Americana for fun rather then for history. It's also hard for American who are used to monuments and parks all being in a certain area, to imagine a monument of history being a neary 2500 mile long stretch of highway, that is still alive in most areas.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
What the Route 66 community needs to do is take the giant gift wrapped with a big red bow given to it by Disney-Pixar in 2006 and known as <i>Cars</i> and use it to really capture the minds a hearts of kids and their parents. Then the community needs to educate from there presenting itself in family friendly chucks. They need to let families know they don't have to travel the whole route, but get a feeling for it here and there. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
The Illinois Tourism Board for example is using this approach. Illinois is breaking Route 66 down into family friendly portions, and even presenting ideas for family activities along the way. Imagine if all of Route 66 did this and did it in an advertising campaign before the start of summer the same way individual states and other tourist attractions do. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
So once again Route 66 community look to your own country and look to families wishing to experience Route 66 and the old fashion road trip for your future. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
</div>
</div>
TheGrandEmperorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07396547301730209393noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1782558795330357202.post-37870853979437127772013-11-27T09:45:00.001-08:002013-11-27T09:55:43.830-08:00Thanksgiving on Route 66<div>It’s the day before Thanksgiving can you feel the excitement? The day before Thanksgiving has always been one of the busiest travel days of the year and has been by tradition for the number of years. When you look up in the sky tonight look for the lines of lights in the sky of airplanes in the landing patterns. Around O’Hare we can almost read by these lights. Or if you choose to look at the train stations for any larger city and see the crowds fighting their way off trains, and you will see this travel holiday is very much alive. Of course the highways are also loaded to the brim as well. </div><div><br></div><div>It’s a fair guess that Route 66 will see some traffic in many spots today too, but probably no where near what it use to see. </div><div><br></div><div>When it comes to Thanksgiving I have always had a love for the holiday. Not because of Turkey and all that even though that helps, but because of the day before the holiday and all the energy the need to travel generates that in essence kicks off the holiday season. It’s also one of those times of year when you find yourself able to get into the spirit of things, and even begin to feel the way things use to be. I think it has a lot to do with Thanksgivings traditions, and maybe the fact that I have traveled portions of the route on this holiday as well. </div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhF-Ea6g7TwS7zqh7yHV9Wx-hrJn1Ei2kfskeqAgcWg-UAYiPB-Yr6NLPRZAl9ESetCRZwFMQWt6kZRlA898-ZeYf9UdL5_raUu45CRYtOTneM7NG6myJego1Ce0jGutTpSQXszEegSuY41/s640/blogger-image--1959057340.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhF-Ea6g7TwS7zqh7yHV9Wx-hrJn1Ei2kfskeqAgcWg-UAYiPB-Yr6NLPRZAl9ESetCRZwFMQWt6kZRlA898-ZeYf9UdL5_raUu45CRYtOTneM7NG6myJego1Ce0jGutTpSQXszEegSuY41/s640/blogger-image--1959057340.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div><br></div><div>Thinking back on my own memories of following the route from Chicago to Rolla as a kid on the way to Mountain Home, AR to see my grandparents, I can channel the feelings so of what must have been. I can imagine folks traveling home to here and there to towns on the route or relatively not that far from it. In my minds eye I can see the fall foliage which in the milder climate around Missouri all the way to Texas clings on the trees a little later then it does in Chicago. I can only imagine driving the route in each era, and being homeward bound. Fighting the traffic and rolling through small town after small town, anxiously waiting to see home and everyone I love again. </div><div><br></div><div>There’s a sense of people all experiencing the holiday in their own ways, and with foods that are traditional to them. I can see tables with foods made from local ingredients, honeys, peppers, avocados, mutton, beef and etc. I see pies off all types made with local flare, and wines and beers of all types. The holiday is about sharing and giving thanks and people up and down the route all do that but in their own way that is all still uniquely American. </div><div><br></div><div>Lets not also forget many of the little towns along the way too, many of which probably have traditions of there own for Thanksgiving. Look at Winslow, AZ for example which has a Thanksgiving parade dating back to the 1940's. How many other town have there own little things they do, such as community Turkey dinners, and adopt a serviceman programs, or even goofy odd little things that are just fun traditions. </div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggoWxAzH9jyU-uXaMKp2XYL7_evgHk_xgVDKSGjghav6YFUFwRAhPle-rapkkxZS0sg1uK4s-lpX49o9UPqxYtmPEXNEOr2tnP8kVNA1MiJWhjpG7uh1U0O5r8yKBEGTO1A4EFfUNOSDm4/s640/blogger-image-1091335997.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggoWxAzH9jyU-uXaMKp2XYL7_evgHk_xgVDKSGjghav6YFUFwRAhPle-rapkkxZS0sg1uK4s-lpX49o9UPqxYtmPEXNEOr2tnP8kVNA1MiJWhjpG7uh1U0O5r8yKBEGTO1A4EFfUNOSDm4/s640/blogger-image-1091335997.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div><br></div><div>The thing is when we think Route 66 we are often filled with images of Summer, and station wagons, Disneyland, California Beaches, and Cubs games. We never see the route that exist outside of Summer, that year round home for people who live with the route daily 365. There is something really splendid about seeing the route at a different time of year, and I think Thanksgiving on into Christmas is probably the best times to see Route 66 outside of its pop culture box. </div><div><br></div><div>I hope you have a great Thanksgiving, and if you are traveling be safe!</div>TheGrandEmperorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07396547301730209393noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1782558795330357202.post-44745083284126163282013-11-27T07:39:00.000-08:002015-05-31T16:46:55.467-07:00Thanksgiving Memories of Rail Travel<blockquote type="cite" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><div><font color="black" size="2" face="arial"><div class="MsoNormal">For me there is no single holiday that is so quintessentially American and synonymous with travel as Thanksgiving. Thanksgiving or should I say the day before Thanksgiving has long been held as one of the busiest travel holidays of the year for decades, well back to the golden age of railway travel. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br></div><div class="MsoNormal"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjANBuwfXuiAF6Fjjq56CSpPvIEmCTZiSTgNZLIz51o9XZxdvtfQvVro_vXURP_tXjVa3dxg4ooNJ0FXLPGaINFPsMEB1BusDxpnXp45eovVncJMsWoHpLMuQVOZHSgx6YBC7gK7EReEELr/s640/blogger-image-163626045.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjANBuwfXuiAF6Fjjq56CSpPvIEmCTZiSTgNZLIz51o9XZxdvtfQvVro_vXURP_tXjVa3dxg4ooNJ0FXLPGaINFPsMEB1BusDxpnXp45eovVncJMsWoHpLMuQVOZHSgx6YBC7gK7EReEELr/s640/blogger-image-163626045.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div class="MsoNormal"> </div><div class="MsoNormal">If you have never traveled by train cross country then you don’t know the sense of community you get on such a trip. There is something really unique about traveling a long distance in the limited yet communal space of a train. You eat with your fellow passengers in the dining car, relax with them in the lounge car, and hop off the train with them to get some fresh air, and maybe hunt for souvenirs at those exaggerated stops here and there. It’s a unique experience that makes you feel like a human in our modern world of social media and disconnection. You see its not like car travel where your off in your own compact little world, and its also not like airline travel where it’s pointless to talk to your fellow passengers because you will only be with them for a few hours and likely never see them again. With train travel though, you will see your fellow train passengers over and over again possibly for a few days based on your destination.</div><div class="MsoNormal"> </div><div class="MsoNormal">My reason for talking about the joys of train travel not only has to do with the fact that this is a train travel related blog, but because I want to talk about my own experiences traveling on the Southwest Chief the day before Thanksgiving.</div><div class="MsoNormal"> </div><div class="MsoNormal"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzDUg0TBSbp7YYhc8zfnJboKT9CkyZzNfrUkombMREYguoajs0MyLsZGTehSYhafmRvHqe2t6v_Y2W-YJTHZtaLxfWNdTvqyd-ht_ZGD9AEYGaNFvQOVxkzv75bHyG0_mfeYOXM3BGqdZx/s640/blogger-image-1047682121.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzDUg0TBSbp7YYhc8zfnJboKT9CkyZzNfrUkombMREYguoajs0MyLsZGTehSYhafmRvHqe2t6v_Y2W-YJTHZtaLxfWNdTvqyd-ht_ZGD9AEYGaNFvQOVxkzv75bHyG0_mfeYOXM3BGqdZx/s640/blogger-image-1047682121.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br></div><div class="MsoNormal">The year was 2000 and I was on my way back home on the Southwest Chief. I had traveled from Chicago to Barstow, CA about a week and a half earlier to see my girlfriend (now Wife). It was the second time in my life I had traveled cross country by train, the first time was also on the Southwest Chief but I only went as far as Flagstaff, AZ. This time in 2000 would mark the first time I would travel by first class though, an experience I would suggest to anyone.</div><div class="MsoNormal"> </div><div class="MsoNormal">My story starts on November 20, 2000. The Southwest Chief rolled into Barstow about two hours late. After a long teary goodbye with my future wife in an almost classic movie style, I climbed onboard the train and was taken to the transition car at the front of the train. Here the conductors tried to sort out my printed first class reservation with Amtrak, compared to their passenger listings that showed me as coach. Luckily this didn’t take to long and by the time I got to my room it was set up for the night, and considering it was shy of 12AM that was a good thing. I feel asleep talking with my future wife via a still new technology called “texting”, making sure she made it from Barstow 30 miles back to her hometown.</div><div class="MsoNormal"> </div><div class="MsoNormal">The next day was a Tuesday and I began to meet some of my fellow passengers at breakfast. It was at this point I could begin to feel the excitement of the oncoming holiday. That Wednesday though November 22, 2000 is when everything really came alive on the train. Breakfast and lunch conversation from all over the dining car where about Thanksgiving, people talking about who they were going to see, and how much more traveling they had to do to get there. With the train running late there was concern that some people wouldn’t make connections in Chicago with other trains. I remember having breakfast with one couple who where going to have Thanksgiving with family in Pennsylvania and they where a little concerned we would get in too late for them to hop the next train to Pennsylvania. For the most part though there was just this joy and light I saw in everyone something I hadn’t seen in people as an adult.</div><div class="MsoNormal"> </div><div class="MsoNormal">As the train rolled on one of the most entertaining things to hear where announcements from the conductor about goings on at back of the train in coach. Apparently the coach seating was beginning to fill with college students, some of who in their excitement to get home where beginning to become a bit mischievous. Announcements came warning passengers at the back of the train to “Not play with the PA system, or they will be put off the train at the next stop!”, this was followed up about an hour and a half later with “Use of alcohol by minors is strictly prohibited on trains, anyone under the age of 21 caught drinking will be put off at the next stop and turned over to the local Sheriff”. Don’t worry it gets better, about an hour later we hear “Smoking and controlled substances are both prohibited on trains, any passenger caught smoking on board, or having just left a bathroom that is filled with smoke will be put off the train at the next stop, and turned over to the local Sheriff”. I later choose to ask my porter what was going on in back of the train, and thats when he explained the glut of college students picked up here and there and the sudden party atmosphere that had broken out. I was half inclined to join them.</div><div class="MsoNormal"> </div><div class="MsoNormal">The train sadly rolled into Union Station Chicago 3 hours late and yes some of the nice folks I had met on board did miss their connections. Union Station itself was a madhouse just from Amtrak passengers alone, remember back then the economy was good and folks traveled more. I was sad to step off the Southwest Chief in a way that night, since I found the excitement of my fellow travelers about going anywhere to celebrate Thanksgiving intoxicating. But on the long car ride home I realized something, in a way I celebrated a special Thanksgiving with a different kind of family in a more communal sense. Living, talking and eating with my fellow passengers I got to learn about what they give thanks for, and what was important to them and it wasn’t all that different from what was important to me. So if you want to experience Thanksgiving in a different sense try a train trip one day.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br></div><div class="MsoNormal">I wish you a happy a joyous Thankgiving!!</div></font></div></blockquote>TheGrandEmperorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07396547301730209393noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1782558795330357202.post-34929976582490973272013-10-25T14:34:00.001-07:002013-10-28T12:10:27.969-07:00Dagget NabbetLast week I had the privilege of guest blogging for The Boron Sun. The piece I wrote was about the 1940 film <i>20 Mule Team</i>, a forgetten film I had seen some years back, and that had some relevance to the town of Boron's history. In the process of doing research on the film, so I could dot all my I's and cross all my T's, I discovered the film was actually suppose to be set in the town of Dagget, CA<font face="Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif">. </font><div><font face="Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif"><br></font></div><div><font face="Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif">Now, being a Route 66 enthusiast and amateur historian my mind suddenly clicked in with the question, "Dagget? Isn't that a town off 66?". 30 seconds later and with the help of Google maps I had my answer, yes Dagget is off of old 66 directly East of Barstow. Then I began to see Dagget in my mind with its hodgepodge of desert abodes, and it's creepy looking experimental solar power plant with that weird tower. If you didn't know any better you would mistake Dagget for being nothing more then Barstows outskirts which in all reality it is.</font></div><div><font face="Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif"><br></font></div><div><font face="Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh56AEAIjXKQSy_BM610ywFQ8yE60GKapAJFgyQ887eeQPa6hcuso_d9ygTtqYH3mG-PiwjXhw__NtBBd5D7q2kP0a6a6p6cOUNGI5pM7t5ci0kjQwzu1559n5O8nwqd0ClHg_qvGniToEV/s640/blogger-image-821503557.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh56AEAIjXKQSy_BM610ywFQ8yE60GKapAJFgyQ887eeQPa6hcuso_d9ygTtqYH3mG-PiwjXhw__NtBBd5D7q2kP0a6a6p6cOUNGI5pM7t5ci0kjQwzu1559n5O8nwqd0ClHg_qvGniToEV/s640/blogger-image-821503557.jpg"></a></div> </font></div><div><font face="Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif"><br></font></div><div><font face="Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif">In the process of doing my research though I actually found some information about the town that was actually somewhat astonishing. Turns out Dagget at one time was very much the place to be, and a lucrative one at that. This small now nearly forgotten town was a hub for silver and boron mining in the 1880's and believe it or not it is actually the latter element and not the former that bought the town most of its wealth. </font></div><div><font face="Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif"><br></font></div><div><font face="Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif">No considering Dagget saw its good times in the 1880's and 90's we can rule out Route 66 being part of that sort of. If we figure that 66 was preceded by a number of previous trails we could think of it that way. But it's safe to say more then likely Dagget was the hub of silver and boron mining operations do to its access to the Santa Fe Railway whose tracks ran through Dagget on the way into Barstow and Santa Fe's yards and Harvey House there. </font></div><div><font face="Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif"><br></font></div><div><font face="Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif">Calico, a town to the North of Dagget was actually where most of the silver mines where. But Calico was not serviced by and major rail links, meaning silver was transported to Dagget for rail shipment, and in the process a lot of money exchange hands in this town making it a boomtown. </font></div><div><font face="Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif"><br></font></div><div><font face="Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif">But, at the same time borates where almost as lucrative, since borates much like now days had many uses and attracted buyers. Boron of course had to be mined in bulk throughout Death Valley, and was carried into Dagget via the famous "20 Mule Team". But the 20 Mule Team where slow, and could only carry so much, and it was only a matter of time till a railway the Borate and Dagget, was established as a spur line to carry borates out of Death Valley and into Dagget as the name implies. </font></div><div><font face="Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif"><br></font></div><div><font face="Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiotyuDVxlNYtdc8Z1LpGvivhjcGJMD3P3O2JGMVDp4xHrGnDJ7r4ZKJ9Wgxp_wl3D2eiv9ReA7f4AWMQsu-5jLuqLVv_gyOB_-UWwYSnj4PnerLlL1SvY3GRfhZ9V-9XvkATDMQNBedoRC/s640/blogger-image--1679440590.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiotyuDVxlNYtdc8Z1LpGvivhjcGJMD3P3O2JGMVDp4xHrGnDJ7r4ZKJ9Wgxp_wl3D2eiv9ReA7f4AWMQsu-5jLuqLVv_gyOB_-UWwYSnj4PnerLlL1SvY3GRfhZ9V-9XvkATDMQNBedoRC/s640/blogger-image--1679440590.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">The Borate and Dagget Railway became highly lucrative and spurred the creation of the Pacific Borax Corporation, later called US Borax, maker of the famed Boraxo soap product and modern miner and distributor of borates. But Pacific Borax would eventually move to Mojave, California 78 miles to the West, due to the fact that it served both Santa Fe and Southern Pacific trains and lines to San Francisco and Los Angeles. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Dagget wouldn't decline though until after World War 2 since the towns airport would enter defense contractor service during and for briefly after the war. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr5bc1m3C-peyAmREhJSafIzjPBp3n43HqNNRUHNR9JgIJaTICQicgdGZuFtKFxIqDEki8LEfHqyvsn6R3j3DOxWdKAis9LAhuAKqPPCZQBTbrCMpmermmCsJa8rlBFyYyF1fpwFviS756/s640/blogger-image-252094077.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr5bc1m3C-peyAmREhJSafIzjPBp3n43HqNNRUHNR9JgIJaTICQicgdGZuFtKFxIqDEki8LEfHqyvsn6R3j3DOxWdKAis9LAhuAKqPPCZQBTbrCMpmermmCsJa8rlBFyYyF1fpwFviS756/s640/blogger-image-252094077.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">The town would also see a lot of traffic from Route 66, since Route 66 ran directly through town. This also helped associate Dagget with one of Route 66's most famous movies derived from one of its most famous literary works. The film version of <i>Grapes of Wrath</i> would be filmed on Route 66 in Dagget in 1940 coincidentally the same year <i>20 Mule Team </i>was made about Dagget but not filmed there. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyOzoFC7vBqRiwz_Bq-JuT_xn5vT3fVEhxGhj7kGmcQICSITxyLp13rIZtxe-7iuh0uJzm0oGra2slGGWbGPSLhsoDM9bkHcMzdQcIHzABb8hoA-6c9YOXlbnZ-hpHjs7cCF4z13S6Tlq3/s640/blogger-image--1073226868.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyOzoFC7vBqRiwz_Bq-JuT_xn5vT3fVEhxGhj7kGmcQICSITxyLp13rIZtxe-7iuh0uJzm0oGra2slGGWbGPSLhsoDM9bkHcMzdQcIHzABb8hoA-6c9YOXlbnZ-hpHjs7cCF4z13S6Tlq3/s640/blogger-image--1073226868.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">More then likely Daggets final decline happened after I-40 moved traffic south of town. Meaning Dagget was another victim of the Route 66's decommissioning. Dagget is another town whose identity existed long before Route 66, but whose fate became intertwined with Route 66 as time wore on. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">If your following Route 66 you will pass through Dagget between Newberry Springs and Barstow. Make sure you look for it and any signs of what once was. </div><br></font></div>TheGrandEmperorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07396547301730209393noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1782558795330357202.post-47120377603143844672013-10-15T11:54:00.001-07:002013-10-15T12:38:22.427-07:00Route 66 and the Big Chain RestaurantThere's this general consensus among Route 66 devotees that chain restaurants, motels, and stores where part of what killed Route 66. The basic theory behind that thought is that Route 66 equals Mom & Pop joints, and "chain joints" equal the interstates and super slabs. <div><br></div><div>In a way that thought process isn't all that wrong. Chain business's are near many interstate exits, and passers by are more inclined to stop at one of these places, like Walmart, McDonalds, or Comfort Inns, then they are to head deeper into town for that Mom & Pop place. In many circumstances the Mom & Pop places, places that fronted on Route 66, have succumbed to these chain influences. </div><div><br></div><div>What I think a lot of old time Route 66er's don't think about is that one of those chain monsters is actually a Route 66 child. That's right McDonalds was originally founded by the McDonald Brothers in San Bernadino, CA. The original restaurant at North E St, and West 14th stands only about a mile or so East of Route 66. One could only imagine that Route 66 travelers would probably take the side trip down 14th to visit the unusual burger joint locals guided them to.</div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlvcUySHmSJu-5A7d9MhH9M44-td5IkicFd3z27hy7bxIKS3hyphenhyphenoGv_NiHtn98LhJ7r8KGhaU_aqVIjA_nz8PaZUbdwNAIuLuXeZg2qUYVsJ23O9bGAM8Ut22tjtgs-TM4-lexqqfTybRVd/s640/blogger-image--961908181.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlvcUySHmSJu-5A7d9MhH9M44-td5IkicFd3z27hy7bxIKS3hyphenhyphenoGv_NiHtn98LhJ7r8KGhaU_aqVIjA_nz8PaZUbdwNAIuLuXeZg2qUYVsJ23O9bGAM8Ut22tjtgs-TM4-lexqqfTybRVd/s640/blogger-image--961908181.jpg"></a></div><br></div><br></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">But that's not the whole story. It was a Chicago businessman (that's right Chicago another Route 66 town) Ray Kroc who saw the potential of the burger joint and encouraged the McDonald Brothers to expand, while investing his own money to make it happen and becoming the first franchisee. </span></div><div><br></div><div>In 1955 Kroc opened the first of the franchise stores in Des Plains, IL. The town of Des Plains, is a suburb of Chicago in Northwestern Cook County, the same county as Chicago. Des Plains itself is not on Route 66 but it's less then 20 miles from it, making it still relatively close. </div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-k1ldJunMbKHdHTcKqOQDfjGfYCsgr1QA0yNLIKiFwC6a7AYW6Ruzk23Dg6IPHxIMIFjnFQ_yUWwc0laOGOjseBaM2XNooqXa620mhWHALiZa85YtXw_Pte8XWTJyEJJCxtlqJbjvQWvr/s640/blogger-image--1817135133.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-k1ldJunMbKHdHTcKqOQDfjGfYCsgr1QA0yNLIKiFwC6a7AYW6Ruzk23Dg6IPHxIMIFjnFQ_yUWwc0laOGOjseBaM2XNooqXa620mhWHALiZa85YtXw_Pte8XWTJyEJJCxtlqJbjvQWvr/s640/blogger-image--1817135133.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div><br></div><div>Both the first McDonalds Brothers, and Ray Kroc stores are museums now. You can visit them on either end of Route 66 to see how far the restaurant has come since being a little burger joint in San Bernardino, CA. </div><div><br></div><div>The thing is though that "McDonalds" is probably considered to be the king of franchise/chain restaurants. That's right McD's is suppose to be this faceless corporation dishing out homogenous food coast to coast along interstates, and killing Mom & Pop diners. Yet this faceless corporation has its roots in Route 66, and started as a Mom & Pop, or should I say Brother & Brother itself in San Bernardino, CA. </div><div><br></div><div>So the next time you read or hear someone criticizing "Big Chains" on Route 66, don't forget to think that Route 66 itself gave birth to one of them. That says something about 66 itself helping the US grow in the post-war 1940's. </div>TheGrandEmperorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07396547301730209393noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1782558795330357202.post-73421519411108658372013-10-15T09:41:00.001-07:002013-10-15T09:41:53.010-07:00Route 66 Movies - Route 66: The Marathon TourMy guess is that your not getting ready to head down Route 66 within the next few months. As matter of fact this being a blog about family Route 66 travel, I'm guessing it's going to be late Spring till you begin to think about it again. All I have to say is why wait? Why not plan now? Which is why I have a documentary that you need to check out.<div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEim73sGfeBl7qEjgn25dyPQNaRD_bDssaVC22_BteMaHabOr399ZK9jAngzPZYbN-gyJEHV-69AM2mmeMST_fJ_jULq2rECb2RzUFfp6TftmV3AFUSSSmwqGZihjnTMSGhtryG8fSoVdSjD/s640/blogger-image--2121420685.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEim73sGfeBl7qEjgn25dyPQNaRD_bDssaVC22_BteMaHabOr399ZK9jAngzPZYbN-gyJEHV-69AM2mmeMST_fJ_jULq2rECb2RzUFfp6TftmV3AFUSSSmwqGZihjnTMSGhtryG8fSoVdSjD/s640/blogger-image--2121420685.jpg"></a></div> </div><div>This is <i>Route 66: The Marathon Tour</i>. It's a boxed set of 5 DVD's that cover the route from Chicago to LA, in a lighthearted way. The series includes segments about famous sites on the way, interviews with owners of landmarks and historians, and is just generally fun to watch. </div><div><br></div><div>The reason I think this set is a good planning tool, especially for the first time Route 66 traveler, is because you get to see the route in motion. Not only that but the series helps capture the spirit of Route 66 as the interviews give you insight into life along the route, and what it's like to explore it. It may not be a bad idea to watch the series with a notebook in hand, or a tablet computer so you can look deeper into some of the sights mentioned. </div><div><br></div><div>The only problem I have with this set is that it is a bit cheesy at times. That and most of the funding to put the series together came from Hampton Inn's and Cheverolet so at times it does feel like a bit of a commercial. </div><div><br></div><div>Overall though, this is a great "Winter Watch". It's a excellent tool for planning, and just getting you tuned into and ready to travel the Route.</div><div><br></div><div>If you interested you can find this set on Amazon, in the green collectors tin for $10 or less. </div>TheGrandEmperorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07396547301730209393noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1782558795330357202.post-60402821936770504942013-10-11T14:25:00.000-07:002015-05-31T16:46:55.477-07:00Model Railroading Reveals History<blockquote type="cite" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><div class="WordSection1" style="page: WordSection1;"><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">Welcome to Fall a time for slowing down and relaxing. The Summer travel rush is behind us, and we are starting to close in on the holiday travel season, but we have time yet. As we get deeper into Fall those of us who love trains begin to move from watching trains and getting out to the sights they once haunted, to keeping inside in a train related world of our own. That’s right it’s the time of year for serious railfan’s to turn to model railroading.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">The world of model railroading has a lot of interesting stories that connect it to the real world of railroading. It’s not uncommon to hear stories about model railroaders researching detail for their lines and uncovering some forgotten piece of history about the railways and areas they base their layouts on. I don’t have a layout myself but I do have a nice O-gauge collection, as you can guess my collection has a lot of Santa Fe pieces in it. My dream layout would be an abbreviated version of Route 66 from Chicago to LA, and focus on Santa Fe and the other railways that paralleled much of the route. Of course every time I put it down on paper I realize even abbreviated by landmarks the layout would still be huge, especially in O-gauge. But my dream layout has already had me doing a lot of research on the trains, terrain, sidings, and consists I want to have on it, and that research has taught me a lot about both the Santa Fe and Route 66.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">Of course my obsession with the Super Chief and some of Santa Fe’s other passenger trains has aimed me towards a lot of unique data. For instance one thing I was always curious about are the locomotives Santa Fe used to pull its famous passenger trains. In the world of O-gauge we see Santa Fe’s trains being pulled by E-Units, F-Units, Alco FA’s, PA’s, DL’s, Shark Noses, Centipedes, and other locomotives. So I had to get down to brass tacks and find out what Santa Fe really used to pull its legendary trains. Then I found a piece of information I thought I never would find or expect.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">You see in the world of model railroading there are legends as well, and Super Chief is one of them here too. But the most iconic of all of them is Lionel’s pulled by F3’s. The F3 was first modeled and sold by Lionel in 1948 in the Warbonnet livery, and within a few short years after that it began to sell aluminum streamlined cars to complete the Super Chief's look. In 1959 Lionel would release one of its best complete versions of the Super Chief, but it would fall short in comparison to the complete Super Chief A-B-B-A Lionel Centennial Super Chief set it would release in 2000, a set still highly sought after and that you would be lucky to get your hands on for $1500.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><br></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRb3fXhS362U1l9DzOpIk6A2Cl12P2PGz2dOc5AADhuUKEyKOmres6u_nXm61PtI7e7HTDCU-UhQlBmEVxAJbDfMaXjj9KUA2A2tvG9CZgmEzgbomFDWxzZqasCh5mTS_5e0aDrmI7wd0U/s640/blogger-image--1817552144.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRb3fXhS362U1l9DzOpIk6A2Cl12P2PGz2dOc5AADhuUKEyKOmres6u_nXm61PtI7e7HTDCU-UhQlBmEVxAJbDfMaXjj9KUA2A2tvG9CZgmEzgbomFDWxzZqasCh5mTS_5e0aDrmI7wd0U/s640/blogger-image--1817552144.jpg"></a></div><br><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><o:p> </o:p><span style="font-size: 11pt;">But here is the thing about Lionel and the Super Chief, Santa Fe didn’t use F3’s for pulling its passenger trains. I mean don’t get me wrong Santa Fe did use the F3, but usually for its freight operations. The F3 wouldn’t have been uncommon to see in the blue and yellow livery colors, or in the “Yellow” bonnet colors, but it never appeared in the regular Warbonnet colors, or at the head of Santa Fe’s passenger trains.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><o:p> </o:p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ7IxErpJxDAgSETrRdqDYV9_aSyVy0c8XyzOxbo06tkvv4LUvqy-f78VGRXKtfTlMtOv9R9jIAppdqxRjD7kw8aIfZlhNN-feA-J4KSZxzBwmehOwuR87v2CrW_VpQ77Ytxesw2FrYoOu/s640/blogger-image-419888507.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ7IxErpJxDAgSETrRdqDYV9_aSyVy0c8XyzOxbo06tkvv4LUvqy-f78VGRXKtfTlMtOv9R9jIAppdqxRjD7kw8aIfZlhNN-feA-J4KSZxzBwmehOwuR87v2CrW_VpQ77Ytxesw2FrYoOu/s640/blogger-image-419888507.jpg"></a></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">No, I am openly willing to admit I could be wrong, since Santa Fe used a variety of locomotives to pull its trains like, E1’s, FT’s, PA’s, DL-109’s, and F7’s, but from what I’ve read and researched it doesn’t look as if the Electric Train King and icon actually pulled the train it is associated with the most in real life. Somewhat ironic! But if you can prove me wrong send those pictures my way I would love to see them.</p></div></blockquote>TheGrandEmperorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07396547301730209393noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1782558795330357202.post-75641792270214999042013-09-19T14:42:00.001-07:002013-09-20T12:10:53.389-07:00Don't Worry I'm Still HereOk, I know I disappeared for a week, but sometimes life has other plans for you then writing blogs. My past week has been like this, emotionally draining and just needing a break from everything even blogging. <div><br></div><div>The thing is though that day by day fall grows closer, not just on the calendar but in the true sense of the season. Earlier this week we got some very chilly mornings here in Chicago. I froze my butt off Monday morning when I walked out into a morning that felt more like late October the mid-September. Tuesday was cold all day, and yesterday started off cold and ended hot and humid. But what does all this mean to you? Well it means when you feel Fall coming, you start to get into a Fall frame of mind. You slow down, and you begin to notice the world slowing down too. It's a good time to get in that frame of mind. </div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9Hwe6m1rv1Djgo-INzj3iKs9trSMseGPVZy8Sujrp__v3DG5Ps75O0L3E_7kOyqAfe67mw8toFsQSdWbQKZps9L2RzWW_IzQuEA_GWawgMOwEejbEvEufcVx-RxzIJhqVOXvgmkX4M0Rk/s640/blogger-image--1507551568.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9Hwe6m1rv1Djgo-INzj3iKs9trSMseGPVZy8Sujrp__v3DG5Ps75O0L3E_7kOyqAfe67mw8toFsQSdWbQKZps9L2RzWW_IzQuEA_GWawgMOwEejbEvEufcVx-RxzIJhqVOXvgmkX4M0Rk/s640/blogger-image--1507551568.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div><br></div><div>Up and down Route 66 the world is slowing down too. The foreign tourists are starting to trickle down, we families are in school mode, and the nostalgia folks are accumulating in the warmer climates. But in places like Illinois, Missouri, Kansas and Oklahoma the leaves are starting to turn. Soon on the weekends the smell of burning leaves, and the gentle smog of its smoke fill little valleys here and there. Roadside stands will sell squash, apples and apple cider, and little farms will open up for pumpkin picking. </div><div><br></div><div>It's a good and unique time of year to travel the route. </div>TheGrandEmperorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07396547301730209393noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1782558795330357202.post-74840046917977570102013-09-12T13:18:00.001-07:002013-09-12T13:18:02.649-07:00Making a Movie on Route 66The day is September 12, 2013 and since the wee small hours on the morning movie company trucks have been parked tightly front to back all the way up Clinton between Adams, and Jackson. <div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqru3E6x2SiYmTf3d6GZSI7erDbiFj4HJOgSqT40D2Xu4eLoOt8P8BPZ6y4ncC_lz1-U2e7e132fsqCi6LB2CadvpKxhuXDSHZqHlzqTVp3uSFGH0bZjAAGx8DG1CwILOoMUpfd_SxF2jk/s640/blogger-image--163489339.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqru3E6x2SiYmTf3d6GZSI7erDbiFj4HJOgSqT40D2Xu4eLoOt8P8BPZ6y4ncC_lz1-U2e7e132fsqCi6LB2CadvpKxhuXDSHZqHlzqTVp3uSFGH0bZjAAGx8DG1CwILOoMUpfd_SxF2jk/s640/blogger-image--163489339.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div>The workers are very tight lipped about what is being filmed here. For those of us keenly aware of Chicago happenings we can only suspect that <i>Transfomers 4</i> is going to be claiming Adams and Jackson tonight and possibly Union Station. </div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh330uVzTfLjt5qAruP_5VWXoAcwgOO1ZszV9fY4WHZ3e67e3w7dKzX0kRVnfgg98m6n-V2s-mB4yV7wiqjpZ0BMs0en-LWEmu7f7bQCtVsw5Gz-CXaNzGTV8qnLUVtffnPOuXAaqlidsbR/s640/blogger-image-2056917644.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh330uVzTfLjt5qAruP_5VWXoAcwgOO1ZszV9fY4WHZ3e67e3w7dKzX0kRVnfgg98m6n-V2s-mB4yV7wiqjpZ0BMs0en-LWEmu7f7bQCtVsw5Gz-CXaNzGTV8qnLUVtffnPOuXAaqlidsbR/s640/blogger-image-2056917644.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">These portions of Route 66 are no strangers to film production. One of 2013's summer blockbusters <i>Man of Steel </i>would be filmed here with the movies final brawl taking place inside Union Station. We can only assume the one of 2014's summer blockbusters will is being filmed here today and perhaps over the weekend. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLnfAJLnUZh9JbGgy2xW_wx9R66Eohyphenhyphen6iaLvc0SBy0eAApQY7bMRAnEVHaYvWvszQynzhBLbYb_lhnDk8DWv3qhbt5ZWyeL7ax3BJRVg9fmoA1VynMzeg5t-ldRPx7_qAqsMfm4psN_fhd/s640/blogger-image--177386475.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLnfAJLnUZh9JbGgy2xW_wx9R66Eohyphenhyphen6iaLvc0SBy0eAApQY7bMRAnEVHaYvWvszQynzhBLbYb_lhnDk8DWv3qhbt5ZWyeL7ax3BJRVg9fmoA1VynMzeg5t-ldRPx7_qAqsMfm4psN_fhd/s640/blogger-image--177386475.jpg"></a></div><br></div>To say the least it's interesting to watch prop trucks, special effects trucks, and roving band of reporters roaming the area. Of course one of the more unique sights was watching breakfast being cooked for this army of workers in the middle of Clinton by a film crew catering company. </div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-3Hc3jm0nTTljpUDJFV71VwCwiBBW0kkEN-0dvfnnvV1r_q3ZG5JEEyoSAKC2IbBiCELsPtWjp6Dh6JvIBAenN-wFxzkad9G2jkY_WpHdfl8QQbZzUBKXPOpOMBdY4aCAPZX8nQgDoANt/s640/blogger-image-1734531469.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-3Hc3jm0nTTljpUDJFV71VwCwiBBW0kkEN-0dvfnnvV1r_q3ZG5JEEyoSAKC2IbBiCELsPtWjp6Dh6JvIBAenN-wFxzkad9G2jkY_WpHdfl8QQbZzUBKXPOpOMBdY4aCAPZX8nQgDoANt/s640/blogger-image-1734531469.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Sadly though I haven't spotted any movie stars. </div><br></div>TheGrandEmperorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07396547301730209393noreply@blogger.com0