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
(other installments of this series here) Tuesday, the final full day of my journey with Michael Wallis. We got off to an early start since we had a drive to Illinois first thing. Before we even left St Louis, though, Michael had a live interview with the Sam Madonia morning radio show in Springfield. The … Continue reading On the Road with Michael – The Best Land Under Heaven
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
(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
(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
(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
When I went to the Tulsa Historical Society in May to hear author/historian Michael Wallis talk about his new book ("The Best Land Under Heaven: The Donner Party in the Age of Manifest Destiny") I expected to enjoy the presentation, which I did. I expected to visit with my friends and walk out with a … Continue reading On the Road with Michael – Tulsa to KC
I love getting to experience my city for new visitors. I also really enjoy showing people what's so special about Route 66. Today, I was able to do both AND showcase some of Oklahoma's unique landscape for my friend Rose. I met Rose in 2010 when I attended my first DragonCon. If you've never heard of that, … Continue reading Sooner State Show-Off
The last few weeks have been hectic in the Martin household. In fact, the Martin household no longer includes a house! We listed our home for sale in early March...and it sold in five hours. We found a house we want to move into, but, the schedule just didn't work out. We've been spending nearly every … Continue reading A Much-Needed Escape
Back in October of 2014, I took a little roadtrip into southeast Kansas. I had never visited the town where my father was born and it sounded like as good a destination as any. I was reminiscing a bit tonight and noticed I never shared the experience here. My writing was a lot different back … Continue reading A Look Back in Southeast Kansas
Rhys' Pieces 