Every year for our wedding anniversary, Samantha and I plan to take a trip. Not that I ever need an excuse to hit the road for a few days, but the celebration of our marriage (and our first date) is a great reason to spend a little time away from home. This year, we went … Continue reading The Centennial State
(Part 3 is available here.) Driving from Bluff, Utah to Raton, New Mexico makes for a long day. When Mom and I woke up on October 2nd, we had to decide whether we were going to drive back into New Mexico, through Taos, or take the road through southern Colorado. Mom left the decision up … Continue reading Going West with Mom (Part 4)
(Part one is available here.) On the morning of Monday, September 30th my mother and I woke and had breakfast at the Globetrotter Lodge in Holbrook, Arizona. Peter Hoeller, the owner, is an excellent host. The small dining room attached to the lobby was full of travelers; each group had a place setting ready for … Continue reading Going West with Mom (Part 2)
A few months ago, I realized I had a week of vacation I had to take this year and Samantha didn't have matching time available. I wanted to take a long road trip but I didn't feel like spending that week alone. So, I called my mother. "Where have you always wanted to go?" I … Continue reading Going West with Mom (Part 1)
When I woke up this morning, I wanted to go somewhere. I also didn't want to go anywhere. My day-to-day has been so busy lately that I haven't had much of an opportunity to take any road trips and I've been fiending for more time behind the wheel. I'm also just plain worn out...so a … Continue reading Bartlesville, Bridges, and Buddy
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)
When I was elected as the new President of the Oklahoma Route 66 Association, I also became a board member of the Route 66 Road Ahead Partnership. This nationwide group just entered their third year of operation and their annual board meeting took place last weekend in Albuquerque, New Mexico. After taking the Mustang in … Continue reading Rendezvous in ABQ
In late November, my friend Nic asked if I had been down to Oklahoma City to see the Railway Museum. I told him I hadn't, and that was as good an excuse as any to get out of town. I had been stuck in a loop of book-related activity and really needed a break. The … Continue reading America’s Corner
For nearly 70 years, the town of Wetumka, OK has held an annual festival called Sucker Day. It's an odd name for a celebration, and it has a colorful story. It inspired me to take a little trip to Hughes County and explore a little more of the Sooner State. Here's the story of Sucker … Continue reading Sucker Day
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
Rhys' Pieces 