It was already warm when I went to breakfast at the Best Western in Barstow, California. It was just going to get warmer, of course, as the sun rose and we ventured east into the Mojave towards Needles, our destination for the day. I noticed that I was getting quite tan already, even though I … Continue reading Route 66 Centennial Caravan – Barstow to Needles
When I stumbled into the lobby of the Best Western in Pasadena to begin the second day of the Route 66 Centennial Caravan, I was greeted by a whole host of fellow caravaners that were already a few steps ahead of me. In fact, most of the little dining room was packed with our people. … Continue reading Route 66 Centennial Caravan – Pasadena to Barstow
On the morning of June 6th, 2026, I woke up before my 6:00 AM alarm went off. It was Day One of the Route 66 Centennial Caravan – so much planning and preparation had led to that day. I went to the lobby to get a cup of coffee and a quick bite, where I … Continue reading Route 66 Centennial Caravan – The Journey Begins
From June 6th to June 20th, I helped lead the Main Street of America Route 66 Centennial Caravan. It was exhausting, exciting, devastating, and rewarding. Overall, it exceeded my expectations, though that came with a high cost. It was the first time I had traveled Route 66 from end-to-end in a single trip. For the … Continue reading Route 66 Centennial Caravan – Setting the Stage
It's 7:00 in the morning and Westside Lilo's opens for business. The first customer in the door is an old man, and the waitress has a cup of coffee on his table before he sits down. In 20 minutes, the entire dining room is full. There's electricity in the air. Brenda Bryant, owner and operator … Continue reading Route 66 Kicks Into Gear for the Centennial
The last time I took the time to sit down and write a post here, it was January. The Drive Home tour had just come through Tulsa. I had spent a few days in Arizona and was marking the anniversary of my father's passing. It's been about two months since then. I just marked the … Continue reading Accelerating Through 2026
We're only halfway through January and it's been a whirlwind. That is not a surprising fact to my peers in the Route 66 world, as we've all been building towards 2026 for some time now. In fact, when I was elected President of the Oklahoma Route 66 Association in 2019 that's the first conversation my … Continue reading The Centennial Year Begins
We're finally at the end of our journey through California and Arizona's Route 66 corridor. If you missed the first three parts, start here. Jim, Judy, Sam, Me. Cameo by Flat Will Rogers! Route 66 is a much richer and worthwhile journey because of the people that live and work along it. I have made … Continue reading Strength and Beauty, Met Together (Part Four)
If you missed the first of this series, start with Part One here! After two relaxing nights at Pasadena's Saga Motor Hotel, it was time to say farewell and start our trek back east. We started Wednesday off right with breakfast at Andy's Coffee Shop, a no-frills diner less than a mile from the Saga. … Continue reading Strength and Beauty, Met Together (Part Three)
If you missed Part One of this travelogue, check it out here. Although Samantha and I had a restful night at the Wigwam Motel in San Bernardino on Sunday, November 9th, our Central Time Brains woke us up rather early. That's not a complaint, though, because that's more time to explore...and take advantage of unexpected … Continue reading Strength and Beauty, Met Together (Part Two)
Rhys' Pieces 