Welcome!

November 9, 2004

Here's a link to photos that accompany the following article from the New

York Times. Figured it would be interesting to all the roadies here.

<A

HREF="http://www.nytimes.com/2003/09/21/travel/21bpsanta.html">http://www.nytime

s.com/2003/09/21/travel/21bpsanta.html</A>

Laurel

Afton Station, Afton OK

</A>

[unable to display image]

September 21, 2003ESSAY

A Road Trip Back to the Fifties

By JOSEPH SIANO

TIME hasn't been a friend to the roadside attractions that were such a staple

of early postwar vacation trips. Someone, it turns out, moved the roadside.

The Florida of my childhood - the animal vaudeville capital of the world,

with its bicycling parrots and wrasslin' gators - is a case study. After the

Interstates drained off much of the traffic that was the lifeblood of these

places, along came theme-park alley in Orlando - a big bang that formed enough

Worlds (Sea, Disney, et al.) to shift forever the gravitational pull for

travelers.

One of the latest beloved old Floridians to go from the roadside to the ditch

is Cypress Gardens, which closed in April. Delta Burke, the actress who was a

star of "Designing Women," has appeared in ads pleading for its rescue,

motivated, one might think, by an affinity for the hoopskirted Scarlet O'Haras

who

once roamed its grounds. But frankly, too many others didn't give a darn.

At least not enough to detour about 35 miles south of Kissimmee. My wife,

Marsha, and I went a few years ago, and we thought the butterfly pavilion, whose

inhabitants could give the Southern belles a lesson in flirtation, was worth

the trip by itself - forget the hokey water-ski shows. But Cypress Gardens may

have found a lifeguard - last month, the state approved a measure to protect

the property from development and two possible buyers have expressed interest-

so the butterflies and belles may not have to find jobs elsewhere.

The situation cannot be good when mermaids are joining manatees as an

endangered species. Weeki Wachee Springs on the state's Gulf Coast, with its

submerged ballets presented by women dressed as real-life Ariels, is struggling

to

keep its head below water.We never got that far west in Florida in my childhood,

but we racked up our share of visits to Weeki Wachee's brethren all the same.

While we 50's travelers didn't have most of the Interstates and the fast-food

chains that followed them, we did have the touristic equivalent of junk food:

roadside attractions that were loaded with empty cultural calories. Whether

the family Buick was pointed toward Miami or Niagara Falls, we were always

ready to pull over for a supersize helping.

Normally, my mind wouldn't be wandering back to those trips. But with so much

rain dampening so many weekends this summer, recollections of family

vacations were less nostalgia than creeping mildew.

The Travel Channel had its limits as a substitute: with so much leisure time

being washed down nature's sluice, who wants to see another rerun of "World's

Best Bathrooms"? Instead, Marsha and I resorted to viewing old

eight-millimeter family vacation movies (now available in VHS, thanks to Mom).

And it turns

out there is also a handy digest of some of the same highlights on the

Internet, a Web site called Florida's Lost Tourist Attractions (at <A

HREF="http://www.lostparks.com/">www.lostparks.com</A>).

Who could forget Storyland, near Pompano Beach, which featured fairy-tale

statues and miniature buildings, among other attractions? Our home movies show

my

father feeding some monkeys marooned on a concrete pad surrounded by a moat.

That may have been Storyland's representation of Devil's Island, as I recall.

And then there was Masterpiece Gardens, which closed in 1981. Visitors walked

through a garden, just north of Lake Wales, Fla., until they came to a large

wall covered by a curtain. It was slowly drawn (to solemn recorded music) to

reveal "The Great Masterpiece": a giant mosaic copy of Leonardo da Vinci's

"Last Supper." I tried not to think of this on my first visit to Santa Maria

delle

Grazie in Milan, but it was like trying to listen to the "William Tell"

Overture without thinking of the Lone Ranger.

What triggered my recollections of these family stops was an e-mail press

release announcing the 54th season of Santa's Workshop, a roadside attraction in

Wilmington, N.Y., 12 miles from Lake Placid.

It was a reminder that somewhere among those reels of vacation movies were

scenes of my older brother, Tony, and me nose to nose with the live reindeer,

adoptees from Alaska, that wandered the grounds of Santa's Workshop. So when

Marsha and I were looking for a quick getaway, Christmas in July didn't seem so

bad.

As we drove up to the lot, about 20 miles off I-87 between Albany and

Montreal, where a dozen or so vehicles were parked, we were greeted by Shane. If

his

green costume left room for any doubt, his name tag cleared it up: "Santa's

Helper." Although Shane was hardly elfin in stature, he lived up to his title,

quickly directing us to the gate and offering to take our picture.

At first, the admission fee seemed a little steep - $17.10 an adult, with tax

- especially for a place whose technical wizardry is highlighted by a North

Pole that through some miracle of refrigeration, remains coated in a kind of

permafrosting, even in summer. That, and a video arcade, new this season.

Inside the 30-acre park, the concessionaires included a "blacksmith" who

wrote visitors' names in permanent marker on tiny horseshoes. At regular

intervals, costumed characters appeared to perform to recorded music in skits

with

titles like "Poles Apart" (starring someone in a Pete the Penguin outfit).

It was satisfying to discover that despite the nation's ever-more-urgent push

for more productivity, work had gotten easier for some of Santa's workers

since the Eisenhower years. The reindeer no longer have to pull a sleigh loaded

with kids. Instead, they lounge around, diva-like, in a barn while visitors

feed them graham crackers. Don't bother to get up for me, Vixen.

Sleigh ride or no, the kids there seemed to be having a good enough time,

awaiting an audience with Santa. For the adults, there's a bucolic-looking

stream

running down the hillside and small visual details to look out for, like the

final words of "A Visit From St. Nicholas" on the paddles of a waterwheel.

After a while, the historic relevance of the place begins to sink in. Santa's

Workshop is a kind of living museum of roadside culture - a Colonial

Williamsburg with antlers.

Its owners, the Reiss family, have been the same since the outset, although

they recently sold 60 percent interest to Doug Waterbury, a nostalgia buff from

Oswego, N.Y. They say that Walt Disney sent some scouts to the place when he

was dreaming up Disneyland, which opened in 1955. The folks at the Disney

archives in California confirmed that this very likely could be true, and when

you

look around at its themed architecture - 20 tiny Alpine cottages, so

carefully preserved that you would think our home movies had been shot yesterday

with

stand-ins - you can see an early Magic Kingdom. That, and the fact that the

exit from Santa's Workshop is through the gift shop.

It would be easy to lament the passing of the Workshop's many 1950's

contemporaries. To do that, however, would require acknowledging the role that

jaded

attitudes have played. Families first stopped at roadside attractions to

relieve the tedium of mile after mile on country roads. But as they flocked to

ever-grander theme parks, boredom thresholds were pushed lower and lower - too

low

for butterflies, water skiers and counterfeit Leonardos.

So what about an attraction that reminds us of the Interstate our attention

spans are speeding along on?

It would be similar to Greenfield Village, about 15 minutes west of Detroit,

where Henry Ford relocated historic buildings that played a role in the lives

of great inventors and everyday citizens. Collect all the phony little

buildings from abandoned roadside attractions like Storyland in one place. Call

it

Land of the Easily Enchanted.

Enjoy your stay, and please exit through the gift shop.

JOSEPH SIANO is an assistant to the editor of the Travel section.

November 9, 2004

--- In AMERICAN_ROAD@yahoogroups.com, "Kevin C. Redden"

<kcredden@k...> wrote:

> Hi folks:

>

> I'm a long-time lurker, and when Babyboomerbob posted that the

Simon

> Kenton Bridge was opened again, I went out and got photos. Finally

got

> them posted on my web site. I've taken one set - the closeups, and

> merged them into a 20" long panorama shot. Once I figure how to

post

> it to the site, I will. I know it'll be a huge file.

>

> You can find them here: http://kevinredden.name/start.html Just

look

> for the '9/5/04' news entry for links. Sorry for the sloppy web

site,

> I'm working on the design now. But thought you'd like to see the

> photos before another year goes by

Kevstah! What a groovy surprise! Welcome to the group! It's good

to see the old bridge back in service. You know, I've been

thinking. A road trip along US 52 in either direction from Aberdeen

would be wonderful. All those old river towns along the Ohio River

with all that neat architecture...

You know, maybe...just maybe... once I'm home from Duluth, and if

there's not too much damage to the house from the remnants of

Frances and Ivan, I just might have time to catch up on my

travelogue write ups. I'm so dreadfully behind:(

>

> Kevin

November 10, 2004

Greetings folks! This is just a little FYI about this weekend's Route

66 Festival (http://www.route66fest.com) in Springfield, IL. AMERICAN

ROAD will have a booth in the Authors & Artists area on Adams between

5th & 6th Streets. Jim Ross will be manning the booth all weekend, so

stop by & say hello.

Have a safe trip to & fro and remember to pay homage to mom & pop

along the way.

Pat Bremer

AR List Host

November 10, 2004

Saw this in the local paper: -

A Scottish artist and author who visited Aberdeen three years ago has

published his account of the 96,000-mile journey that took him to

every place named Aberdeen.

http://maysville-online.thimblemedia.com/a...;articleid=9645

That would be a neat challenge. I know one who's visited nearly every

county in the U.S. So this reminded me of him. This other guy is one

heck of a road-warrior it seems

Makes you wonder. How many 'Manchesters' are there, in the world?

Manchester Oh is about 10 miles from Aberdeen Oh. Or for that matter

'Rome' or 'Trinity' or 'Concord'

November 10, 2004

Kevin,

There are numerous programs that will give you place

names thru-out the world - Streets and Trips is one of

them. Simply type in the name of the place you are

curious about, such as Rome, and a list appears.

Just for the fun of it type in the name Kennebunk

sometime. I, myself, have visited every 'one' of

them. LOL

Hudsonly,

Alex B

--- "Kevin C. Redden" <kcredden@kevinredden.name>

wrote:

>

> Saw this in the local paper: -

>

> A Scottish artist and author who visited Aberdeen

> three years ago has

> published his account of the 96,000-mile journey

> that took him to

> every place named Aberdeen.

>

http://maysville-online.thimblemedia.com/a...;articleid=9645

>

> That would be a neat challenge. I know one who's

> visited nearly every

> county in the U.S. So this reminded me of him. This

> other guy is one

> heck of a road-warrior it seems

>

> Makes you wonder. How many 'Manchesters' are there,

> in the world?

> Manchester Oh is about 10 miles from Aberdeen Oh. Or

> for that matter

> 'Rome' or 'Trinity' or 'Concord'

>

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November 10, 2004

Hello once again all:

For those of you that are also members of the SW Auto Trails group,

this is a double post but...

I slowly but steadily manage to find 10 minutes here and there to

improve my web pages. From my journeys in July, please check out my

adventures along the old Historic 80 route that ran from Weatherford,

Texas through Mineral Wells before angling down TX 16 and rejoing

with the newer (1939) I-20 route.

Here is a link to my Texas 80 page where you can check out any of my

Texas adventures.

http://bygonebyways.com/texas_80.htm

Note: this historic and historic alternate 80 trips were fantastic

drives through oak-studded rolling green hills and pasture land with

occasional rock outcroppings and creeks. Truly areas not to be

missed if you have the time.

Jeff in Tucson

November 10, 2004

Hi Ken!

Yes, it IS an adventure of a lifetime. Ken....you can count me in on the July

adventure. Kevin will go too. For as much as I went on about my feet and how I

said I'd never hike in again.....I take that back. I was still wounded and

angry at myself when I did that narrative. I actually look forward to doing it

again.....but I am of course just going to make sure that by then I have broken

in hiking shoes, and I'm going to have my pack taken in by mule. No extra

weight, and good shoes......it would be awesome and I know I could do it, no

sweat. Getting there is half the adventure, and the scenery is to die for. Now

that I've been "a mile down" in the canyon......my preference is to be on the

bottom of the Grand Canyon to actually soak in where you are at. The STARS are

so amazing while you're on the canyon floor looking up at the thin strip of

stars peeking in between the high canyon walls-I can't wait to go back! Kevin

will copter in......and he'd have to rough the 2 mile

hike to Havasu Falls, but I know he'd love it too. Do you have dates or

anything yet Ken? Do you know who is all going on your end yet? How many and

who? Is anyone else in your crew interested in hiking in with me? Or is that

something I'm going to do alone, and will probably meet most others at the

"cafe"? ha ha!! I certainly will copter out though......I don't want to hike

it out after hiking in. Fill me in on any info you may have right

now.....because time flies and time will draw near before we know it!

Nicole

---------------------------------

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The New Yahoo! Shopping - with improved product search

November 10, 2004

--- roamndav <roamndav@verizon.net> wrote:

> Hello once again all:

> For those of you that are also members of the SW Auto Trails group,

> this is a double post but...

> I slowly but steadily manage to find 10 minutes here and there to

> improve my web pages. From my journeys in July, please check out my

> adventures along the old Historic 80 route that ran from Weatherford,

> Texas through Mineral Wells before angling down TX 16 and rejoing

> with the newer (1939) I-20 route.

> Here is a link to my Texas 80 page where you can check out any of my

> Texas adventures.

>

> http://bygonebyways.com/texas_80.htm

>

> Note: this historic and historic alternate 80 trips were fantastic

> drives through oak-studded rolling green hills and pasture land with

> occasional rock outcroppings and creeks. Truly areas not to be

> missed if you have the time.

>

> Jeff in Tucson

Jeff,

I meant to tell you the last time you posted how much I enjoy and appreciate

your Hwy 80 pages! Especially now, since my son Nick has started college

at Texas Tech in Lubbock. We have driven to/from Dallas to Lubbock a few

times now, and every time I try to take a different route. We returned last

time on 180/80 from Snyder, through Anson, Albany, Breckenridge, Palo Pinto,

Mineral Wells, etc. Its a very scenic drive for sure! We are returning

again on November 5-7th for Family Weekend so we'll be going again.

On a previous weekend getaway to Possum Kingdom we stopped in Mineral Wells

at explored the exterior of the Baker Hotel extensively and took several

rolls of film. That place really needs a billionare to come around and

rescue/restore it.

BTW what is the SW Auto Trails group ?

Bob Worley - LoneStarBob

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November 11, 2004

To continue on the subject of welcome arches... Up until 1965, a

traveler entering Greenville, Texas, was greeted by a welcome sign

stating: Greenville- Welcome- The Blackest Land- the Whitest People.

Not such a friendly greeting for the traveling black salesman...

Will Harrison, a local farm loan agent, created the slogan in the

early 1900s, affixing it to his business cards. The saying would have

remained obscure had Harrison not met with President Woodrow Wilson in

1916, trying to gain support for a new highway through Greenville.

Five years later, an electric sign studded with neon was erected over

the new highway carrying the questionable slogan. The sign and the

motto soon became the official line of the Greenville Chamber of

Commerce, printed on business cards, stationary, and post cards.

Despite perhaps its original innocent meaning ? an expression for

being treated fairly- as in, he treated me white- the slogan was

thought by some to carry racial overtones, and by the time of the

Civil Rights Movement, considered downright racist.

During a 1965 rally at Greenville, then Texas Governor John Connally

suggested the sign be removed. Despite some resistance, the sign came

down, only to be resurrected three years later. The new sign, sans

neon lettering, substituted the objectionable text with the tepid

phrase: The Greatest People. Without neon or the original slogan, the

altered sign did little to spark the ardor of the townsfolk, and was

removed again the next year.

Today, brick signs at the east and west entries of town greet visitors

with the simple and friendly phrase: Welcome to Greenville.

John W. Murphey

DrivetheOldSpanishTrail

http://finance.groups.yahoo.com/group/swautotrails

November 11, 2004

In a message dated 10/12/4 2:31:11 AM, you wrote:

<<John loves the SW as I do, and found the American road group to be

too eastern Central U.S centric if that's a word! >>

Dave here,

Like one of the moderators pointed out we all have our tastes,

my evening bus ride down I-5 from Seattle to Tacoma last

week was pure delight, superslab be damned.

Also last week I saw a double DVD on Route 66, very well

known. The usual interviews and segments on the

various colorful establishments mostly got in the way

for me, I mostly wanted to see footage of the actual road

taken with the 'CaddyCam' while underway. Just a quick

look at the colorful roadside spots will do, I want to go.

Actually I wanted to see lots more roadside spots instead

of concentrating on just a few.

I assume the producers thought it would be more interesting

to get some human interest stories going which is fine if that's

what you like but the end result was not very satisfying for me,

more like tantalizing, every time you get going on down the

road you have to pull over again and yak yak yak.

So like one of the candidates said, let's stop using labels,

if someone seems whatever-centric maybe that's where

they are from, when it comes to roads and highways I

would hope to think I am omni-centric.

Right now I am watching a PBS special on the first

transcontinental road, the rail-road.

happy trails and happy motoring...

November 11, 2004

Hello Lone Star Bob!

1st of all, congrats on getting a young teenage fella to college!

They'll either turn out great, or you'll kill 'em...doesn't seem to

be much middle ground!

I'm glad you enjoyed my pages. I hope to eventually get more pages

on 80 as I've covered every nook & cranny I can out to Forney. But

alas, I also have to work and for some reason, my wife doesn't seem

to understand when I disapear into the office for weeks on end...

You are so right about a billionaire needing to by the old Baker.

What I don't understand is that they say they need more housing for

the elderly etc., when they have huge structures like that that

could easily be converted to a more modern use. Mineral wells is

full of old brick structures and fine older neighborhoods. Looked

like a very nice town. Hope I get back someday.

As far as the SW Auto trails goes, that's another e-group started up

by our friend John Murphy from Santa Fe. He has a fine site

called "Drive the Old Spanish Trail

http://www.drivetheost.com/index.html

John loves the SW as I do, and found the American road group to be

too eastern Central U.S centric if that's a word! So if you enjoy

the SW roads, I'm sure John would like to see you sign up. That

particular e-group is at

http://finance.groups.yahoo.com/group/swau...?yguid=72603678

Hope to see ya on all the boards!

Jeff in Tucson

November 11, 2004

Quinn and I paid a visit to Clarksdale, MS on our annual trek down highway 61 to

the King Biscuit Blues Fest...we spent a considerable amount of excellent time

in Clarksdale, MS (which Tim Steil discusses at length in his Highway 61

book)...one of the major deals there is the newly renovated Greyhound Station,

which is now the Clarksdale visitors Center. They have renovated the neon

"Greyhound" sign and turned it into a wonder (sorry, I haven't gotten scanning

capabilities yet). Apparently, it is one of 4 stations of its type in the

country. It is where folks like Muddy Waters and Koko Taylor put their bags on a

bus and headed for Chicago...next stop was the Delta Blues Museum which had an

excellent exhibit on the evolution of the Chicago Blues scene...we then went to

the WROX Radio museum (one of the early delta blues stations) and met Bubba

O'Keefe, who is responsible for a lot of the restoration effort in

Clarksdale...he is a wonder to talk to and will talk your right arm off about

everything Clarksdale. Across the street is Cat Head Delta Blues and Folk Art,

which is an eclectic joint with books, records, and everything delta blues...the

proprietor used to do the Blues in the Alley Show on KDHX in St. Louis...we took

in a pimento cheese sandwich at the Delta Entertainment Blues Club, where Tallio

Tazzi (the original owner) was happy to tell us everything he thought about

baseball, football, and anything else we were curious about (at 85 he could beat

me in a footrace!)...that night we took in the Ground Zero Blues Club, where you

can leave your mark on everything that doesn't move, hear some great music, and

see most of the people in Clarksdale...we saw "Super Chik'n Johnson" who is also

featured in Tim's book on highway 61....if you aren't done jukin' after the

Ground Zero, cross the railroad tracks and you will find Reds, which keeps the

sounds going into the night...no guns or drugs, please...I HIGHLY recommend any

roadie, blues enthusiast or anyone lookin' for a different slice of life visit

Clarksdale, especially around October 7th, when you can take in the largest FREE

Blues festival in the world takes place just 30 miles north of there in Helena,

AR. Clarksdale is approx 80 miles South of Memphis on Highway 61. To get to

Helena, you take 49 North (approx 20 miles north of Clarksdale), which crosses

the river...you turn right on 49B when you get across the river to get

there...Oh well all for now, as Super Chick'n would say: Somebody Shoot That

Thaing! Tsingtao, Kip

November 11, 2004

Armored Truck Spill Paves Turnpike With Riches, in Small

Change

By JENNIFER MEDINA

Published: October 5, 2004 The New York Times

A New Jersey Turnpike spokesman called it a "twisted Atlantic

City fantasy."

An armored truck carrying $2 million in cash flipped over on the

turnpike near Exit 12 in Linden during the evening rush last night,

spilling tens of thousands of dollars in coins, said the

spokesman, Joe Orlando.

It was not known what caused the truck, owned by the Coin

Depot Corporation of Elizabeth, N.J., to flip over at 7:05 p.m. as it

headed north. But the effects were unmistakable. The turnpike

was closed from Exits 8A to 12 for more than five hours as state

troopers and turnpike maintenance workers used brooms to

shovel quarters, dimes and nickels into plastic buckets. The

turnpike is expected to be reopened this morning.

"We're in the toll business, but nobody's ever seen this much

coinage on the road in their life," said Mr. Orlando, who was at

the scene. "They were down on their hands and knees, in the

grass 100 feet away. It was just covered in change."

November 11, 2004

Here is the final report on Brain McKay's historic trip on Route 66 (until

the book comes out, hint hint, Brian)!

You had a wondrous journey Brian, and you were most generous in letting us

all 'ride along.'

Thanks for the memories, it was a privilege being your chronicler, little did

I know, what a grand adventure awaited me (albeit virtual) following our

chance meeting in Tulsa.

Helen Baker

###

From: "brian" <brians1930nash@y...>

Date: Sat Oct 30, 2004 8:37 pm

Subject: home at last...

Good Evening everyone.

This is a first post for me and I would like to extend a great big

thank-you to everyone on this site who assisted me on my recent trip

on 66. All the good carma(sic) certainly helped me complete what was

for me, a trip of a lifetime in my old friend, my 30 Nash.

I have a lot of work to do documenting it and was advised that

I would have plenty of time during the upcoming cold Canadian winter.

I was not aware that posts were made regarding my trip and instead

of being all alone, I was in fact being watched at every turn. LOL,

it was a great experience to be approached by someone that knew

everything and everywhere I had been. Some from England, Ohio

California etc. Thanks again.

There are people here who really make a positive contribution in

travelers lives and do not receive nearly enough recognition. I

would like to mention Helen and Harry Baker, Jim Conkle, Scott

Piotrowski, Kevin and Lucie Hansel, Harley and Annabelle Russell and

Mr. Jim Bracewell from the Nash Car Club of America, who from Chicago

made it all possible.

The Route 66 Associations along the way helped make it a trip to

remember. Johnnie from the New Mexico Route 66 Association went way

out of his way and his fall quarterly issue is a treat that all

those who are interested in 66 should see.

I will be writing about my adventure and hope to post all about it.

Thanks, for now, Brian.............

###

From: National Route 66 <national66@n...>

Date: Sun Oct 31, 2004 9:38 am

Subject: Re: [route66] home at last...

Glad you're back safely, Brian. Yes, thanks to Helen we had a running

commentary on your fabulous trip.

David Knudson

Executive Director

National Historic Route 66 Federation

PO Box 1848, Lake Arrowhead, CA 92352

Phone: 909-336-6131 Fax: 909-336-1039

Email: national66@n..., Website: www.national66.org

###

From: "bob lile" <crocodilelile@p...>

Date: Sun Oct 31, 2004 1:53 pm

Subject: Re: [route66] home at last...

Brian, WOW! What a trip. A big THANKS to you & your Nash for bringing a

lot of great publicity to The Road, & some wonderful people on it. All that

from a Canadian. Glad I got to meet you in Tulsa. We all owe you a great

deal. Sorry about the hail in our state. Next time, Texas will try to

treat you better. Looking forward to seeing you in San Bernadoo next Sept.

best wishes to a great adventurer. Crocodile Lile, Prez, Old Route 66

Assn. of Texas

###

From: "brian" <brians1930nash@y...>

Date: Sun Nov 7, 2004 10:34 pm

Subject: home at last

Good Evening Bob,

Sorry for the delay in replying to your kind message.

I just got my new puter up and running and am having fun looking at

the photos I managed to take. I had planned to take only a few with

my old kodak but the foolishness of that got to me and I bought a

digital in OK City and am now glad I did.

The hailstorm/tornado was a special event on the trip and I wouldn't

have missed it for the world. It was another "66 moment" and the old

girl didn't hold it against me either so we're both off the hook.

On the other hand ...she was pouting in Santa Rosa for three days

wasn't she. Maybe, maybe,....naw, never.

Thanks, Brian

###

November 12, 2004

The Fat Lady Hath Sung!

I got a call from Bob Mullen at Bob's Gasoline Alley this morning, who verified

that the sign made it to Cuba!!! He says that he wants to look at the sign to

see what needs to be done but at this point intends to set it up in his little

sign haven...

I think we all need to be thankful for the Bob Mullen's out there who are

willing to provide a haven for our displaced icons, and for the Lynn Rowe's and

Mike Steidley's (Stanley signs) out there who are willing to give us a chance to

save a piece of Route 66...I don't have an address for Lynn, but if you want to

let Bob know that we appreciate his efforts:

Bob Mullen

Bob's Gasoline Alley

P.O Box 263

Cuba, MO 65453

I will be talking to Bob after he gets a chance to look at the sign to see what

he needs done. Your donations will go toward the sign and what his needs are

with respect to the sign...thank you all so much! Tsingtao, Kip

November 12, 2004

Well folks we are getting down to the wire and everything is looking good

for a successful campaign.

There are a few things we need to have from those that are going to DC. Have

you made your room reservations with Hampton? If not please do so now as the

hotel is filing up and we do not want to lose our block of rooms. Also when

will you arrive, how many days/nights will you be staying and by what mode

of travel are you using to get to DC? Have you set up any meetings with your

repersentives in congress or the senate? And if not please do so and get me

the information. Remember that these folks love publicity, so with that in

mind also invite them to a media event on Monday evening place and time to

be announced later. Having a count as to how many and who will be able to

attend is very important. The media will come if they know who will be there

and who will be there will come if they know the media is there. This sounds

confusing but we need to work on the staffs of our elected officials to make

them see the importance of this campaign of ours to their bosses.

It is not too early and in fact could be too late to get commitments from

some leaders but do not let that stop you from making contact now. Most of

them are home for the holidays and this is a good time of the year to make

contact with them and their staffs.

I am setting up appointments with the folks at the NPS, BLM and Bureau of

Interior. All of these meetings we would like to attend as a group if

possible.

Remember to also get in touch with your local leaders, chamber of

commerce's, convention and visitors bureaus and who ever else can add to our

efforts. The media must be involved from the start as having them doing

stories on our reasons for the caravan and trip to DC will insure that we

will be successful. The folks in DC read their hometown newspapers and

listen to news from home. So give interviews, send out 'press releases' (we

are working on one for you), and show your support, even if you are not able

to go to DC. Those folks that are going, to represent all of Route 66, are

doing so at their own expanse so anything you can add is important. Share

this information with as many people that you can, act today, we need all

the help we can get.

It now looks as if I will be leaving on Sunday February the 8th. Here is the

schedule, which could change, please see if you can set up meetings and

media coverage as we go through your areas. Sunday night staying in

Flagstaff, Monday night in Albuquerque, Tuesday night in Amarillo, Wednesday

night in Tulsa, Thursday in St Louis. We will leave Friday and drive on to

DC arriving sometime Sunday afternoon. If possible set up breakfast, lunch

or dinner meetings for us as we go through your areas. We do not have the

funds and no budget to cover a 'public relations firm' to do this work for

us. So now is the time to get involved and add your voice to making this

successful.

So who is joining the Caravan all the way to DC and where will you join up

with us? Who will be with us for just a day or so while we go through your

area? Who wants to have us stop at their location even if it can only be for

a short visit? So much to do to make this a successful campaign.

Look over the list this is being sent to and if someone should be also on

the list please forward this on to them and let me know who you send it to

so that I can add them to the list.

Also please add any thoughts, ideas or suggestions that will assist us in

making this a very successful project.

Thanks to all of you.

James M. Conkle

CEO

Route 66 Preservation Foundation

P O Box 290066

Phelan, CA 92329-0066

760 617 3991 cell

760 868 3320

760 868 8614 fax

jim@cart66pf.org

www.cart66pf.org

November 12, 2004

Right now, my sketchy financial situation has been worseened by a

faulty head gasket (design) on my Neon; and a skepticism to repair

what could likely fail fast is making me lean toward buying a new

car, even though the timing is completely not right for me! This

unfortunately will prevent me from being able to afford to go to DC.

However, I would be interested in joining the caravan for a day if

you might possibly heading through Indy? Even if it's during the

week, I could probably take a day off and join the caravan. When you

have a firmer itinerary, would you post it?

Thanks!

Jennifer

http://www.roadtripmemories.com

November 12, 2004

Hi Jennifer,

Good to hear from you but sorry to hear about your car.

At this time it does look as if we will be taking I-70 from St Louis on in

to DC. So we for sure will be going through your area and would love to see

you and have you drive with us.

I will keep you posted as we get closer.

Thanks and have great holidays.

James M. Conkle

CEO

Route 66 Preservation Foundation

P O Box 290066

Phelan, CA 92329-0066

760 617 3991 cell

760 868 3320

760 868 8614 fax

jim@cart66pf.org

www.cart66pf.org

-----Original Message-----

From: jenniferrt66 [mailto:jabremer66@aol.com]

Sent: Tuesday, December 23, 2003 1:14 PM

To: AMERICAN_ROAD@yahoogroups.com

Subject: [AMERICAN_ROAD] Re: DC Caravan