Daily Archives: March 19, 2015

 

 

 

Well it’s finished, one of the great dreams of my life, re-discovering of the Mother Road for myself!  I drove 1,769 miles, shot a thousand images, and smiled from ear ear most all the way!!!!  It all started for me some years ago when I watched the Pixar movie CARS with my grandchildren and for the first time actually thought about what the Interstate road system did to rural America, especially on along the route of U.S.66!   For many years Route 66 was “the” road west.  Route 66 wound through the countryside and hundreds of little towns and hamlets survived on those that traveled it’s 2,448 miles from Chicago to Santa Monica, CA.  Then came Interstate 40, it was faster, smoother, and it all but shut down the local economies.  Thankfully many towns have recovered and many small places are now part of America’s favorite road trip, Route 66!  It was s great joy for me to re-live my youth in the paintings and capturing the old neon signs from an era long past.

 

I did this trip for two reasons, I just wanted to do it, and I hoped there was a tour for His Light, I’m thinking about the tour, it would be a lot of fun, but the logistics would be daunting, lots of driving, but maybe doable.  The joy of trip was more than worth the time.

 

Today I had a great thrill, I met and had my photograph made with Angel Delgadillo, the father of the modern Route 66 movement!  Born in 1927 he has been one of the biggest movers and shakers to help rebuild a tourist business along Route 66.  For many years Angel has been a barber in his shop in Seligman, Arizona, and today I was trilled, and blessed to meet him!

 

 

This man has had more to do with the resurgence of the Mother Road than any other!  I’ve met a lot of famous people, but this was a thrill for me, and what kind, sweet man, he is, a very nice man!!!!

 

So on my last day I found a lot of great things to share, so I’ll get right to it, but first a correction, yesterday I credited Jimmy Upton for sharing about the old trucks  (in from of red rocks), sorry, but it was another great coach on this trip, Dan Greenberg!  Both guys have really helped me!  Thanks guys!

 

So here is my favorites of day with three times this many images!!!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

So finally another shot of my new friend Angel!

 

 

 

 

Hope you guys have enjoyed my week as much as I have!  off to do workshops for a couple of weeks!!!!

 

Blessings,

 

the pilgrim