New Beginnings

A day trip from Tulsa takes me into Missouri and, as usual, down Historic Route 66

Out of the Foxhole

In war, a foxhole is a space in the ground that troops use as a shelter against enemy fire. When you're on the line, leaving that foxhole is a dangerous and potentially fatal action. The COVID-19 Pandemic isn't war - but I feel the risk when I leave the house. I have to have a … Continue reading Out of the Foxhole →

Gilligan’s Spring Tour (II)

If you missed my previous post that covered the journey from Paris Springs to Joplin, Missouri -- check that out here. As I ate my breakfast and visited with my New Zealand traveling companions in Joplin, I noticed they were all wearing small red pins. At first I thought they were little guitars, but I … Continue reading Gilligan’s Spring Tour (II) →

Gilligan’s Spring Tour (I)

For the last several years, I've met up with the Gilligan's Route 66 Tour group as they've come through Tulsa. Gilligan's is operated by Sam Murray, a gent from New Zealand that also owns and operates a 1916 boutique hotel on the south island. As such, Sam's bi-annual tours typically cater to Kiwi travelers. They … Continue reading Gilligan’s Spring Tour (I) →

8th Annual Route 66 Birthplace Festival

I spent last weekend in Springfield, Missouri in the company of friends. It was the 8th annual Birthplace of Route 66 Festival and I had a vendor booth in the Old Glass Place, a historic venue near the iconic Abou Ben Adhem Shrine Mosque. When I attended my first Birthplace festival in 2015, I told … Continue reading 8th Annual Route 66 Birthplace Festival →

On the Road with Michael – Home Again

This is the final entry in my series about my time with Michael Wallis on the Midwest leg of his book tour for, "The Best Land Under Heaven: The Donner Party in the Age of Manifest Destiny". If you've missed any previous installment, here they are: Springfield MO & KC Kansas City KC to Columbia … Continue reading On the Road with Michael – Home Again →

On the Road with Michael – St Louis III

Our last day in St Louis served as a bridge between the Route 66 world that Michael Wallis is so associated with and the western history that serves as the backbone of his literary output. It included a literal bridge, too, as it happens. During the downtime I had on Sunday, I'd made a startling … Continue reading On the Road with Michael – St Louis III →

On the Road with Michael – St Louis II

(other installments of this series here) Sunday was another gloriously slow morning. I drank coffee & ate the last two donuts from the Donut Drive-In while I looked out my window at the flower bed. I checked the news, did a little writing, and generally lazed about until about 10:00. I was pleased to see … Continue reading On the Road with Michael – St Louis II →

On the Road with Michael – St Louis

(previous installments of this series here) Saturday got off to a joyously slow start. I'd slept better than expected, considering the fact I could hear conversation in the next room clear as day. We didn't meet up for breakfast until about 10:00 AM. On the way down, I noticed the station Midway had a bunch … Continue reading On the Road with Michael – St Louis →

On the Road with Michael – Columbia to St Louis

(previous installments of this series here) Friday morning, we slept in. Of course, sleeping in for me (and Michael as well) meant waking up around 8:00 instead of 7:00. I took my time getting ready, puttering around my hotel room with mediocre coffee and a few of our remaining thumbprint cookies. Looking out the window … Continue reading On the Road with Michael – Columbia to St Louis →