At ten o clock Angel started the run. All the cars headed west out of town heading for Kingman. We cruised out about 10 miles and then returned to camp. We loaded up the Vette and then moved on down the road. We followed the Mother Road all the way to Kingman. We stopped in Truxton for lunch. There were happenings all along the way. There was a Navajo Taco BBQ in Peach Springs. There is a new park here that just opened and the Indians were out in force selling their wares. Truxton was alive with people. The bar was open and there were a few vendors set up. Mildred was running herself ragged at the Frontier. She looked like she was enjoying herself though. Down the road there was dancing and drinking at Bert’s in Valentine. The Hackberry General Store was packed. They had food and a musician. Can’t believe it took us three hours to go from Seligman to Kingman.

Scenes from the 2001 Arizona Route 66 Fun Run. Clockwise: (1) Vehicles lining up for the run to Kingman. Arizona (2)Thunderbird club. (3) Copper Cart Restaurant at night. (4) The Delgadilio Band at the Snow Cap Frosty Stand. (5) Guess who? Coming out of the old outhouse!

We arrived in Kingman and set up camp at the Fort Beale RV Park. What a difference a hundred miles makes, it’s HOT here. Since we were running a little late we hooked up the necessities and headed for the Power House. We were having another meeting of list members here. We started the meeting outside and eventually moved to a room inside the Power House. Hack and the 57s were playing out front and it was too noisy to visit. Attending the second meeting of list members was Ken Turmel, Scott Piotrowski, Ed Weider, Jan Fuller, Cheryl Nowka (my soul sister) and her son, Kevin, Jeff Meyer and his friends, and the Roadcorys. It was a great visit. We really enjoyed the company, some great folks. Ed said that since he had gotten to Route 66 he hadn’t once heard the song. So we had a sing-along. Can’t believe we all were brain-dead on the first verse. Pretty funny. BTW guys, “It winds from Chicago to LA, more than 2000 miles all the way.” LOL

After visiting we headed outside to check out the music and festivities. We wanted to check out the Show and Shine. These kinds of events really bring the classics out of the woodwork. There were some great cars there.

By now we’re hungry’ so we head over to the El Palacio for some Cinco de Mayo celebrating. This is MY day and it’s time for a couple of margaritas. The food was great! After dinner we went to the drag races. The place was packed! Looked like the whole town had turned out for this. They blocked off Burbank Street and were running a sixteenth mile. They ran 90 cars. It was lots of fun. The drivers were at a disadvantage because the christmas tree was not working properly.

Sunday was another warm, beautiful day. I could tell it was going to be a hot one. We headed back to the Power House. Seemed like the lining up was not as organized as in previous years. We parked in the PH parking lot and looked for friends. We picked up our event photo. Pretty kewl! A great souvenir since we don’t have too many photos of both of us and the Vette. Some of our friends were going to leave before the official start to get parking in Oatman; we decided this was an excellent idea.

This is the photo that is referred to above. It took some convincing for me to buy it, but now I’m so glad that I have it. The photo was shot on old Route 66 a few miles west of Seligman, Arizona on Cheryl’s 46th birthday.

We followed the old road on up to Oatman. All of the poppies of spring had been replaced with the blooming of prickly pear cactus, mesquite trees, yucca and ocotillo. It wasn’t as green any more but the desert was still quite alive. When we arrived in town it was already packed, more so than we thought it would be. We found a place to park and headed for fun. We walked around some and then went to the Oatman Hotel for lunch. We lucked out and got the last table. It took awhile but we had a great lunch and the coldest beer in town. We had one last list member to meet and I wasn’t leaving town until I did, Jackie. She owns Fast Fannys. Today she was dressed in saloon garb and looked adorable. I was finally able to catch her as she was leaving the church where a wedding had just taken place. What a neat lady. I really enjoyed talking to her.

We headed on to our next stop, Golden Shores, the finish line for the Fun Run. We attended the closing ceremonies, here we heard all the winners from the Show and Shine. The fun was now over. :( It was almost time to bid our beloved road good-bye. When we got in the car we were shocked to see that it was 102 degrees. Too hot for us. We cruised on into Topock and got back on the Interstate and headed back home.

The end of a great trip. Finish line for the 2001 Arizona Route 66 Fun Run. Golden Shores, Arizona. That’s me driving!

Cheryl at work in Gliroy, California with our 1976 Corvette. In 1983 before our Route 66 travels.

HI! 66ers, Family & Friends,

Yesterday was a very short day on the road. We knew it was the last that we would travel our beloved road until, maybe, next winter. We headed to the east side of Kingman and followed the old route through town. All the way over to the Power House. They had just opened a new Route 66 museum here and we wanted to see it before we left town. They have done a really nice job. Very enjoyable.

This morning as we left town we reflected on all the great times we’ve had the past seven months. Also all the great folks along the road, friends from past visits and new friends we’ve made this year. We were sad to be heading north. But it was time. It’s been a helluva ride! One we won’t soon forget.

This was written by Cheryl on May 8, 2001. It was the last message that she sent pertaining to our last Route 66 trip together. Thanks for all the memories.

Painted Desert Arizona - 1951. My Mom (Margaret) took this photo of me (Earl), my sister (Dedra) and my Dad (Bob) on one of our many trips from California to Oklahoma traveling highway 66. My folks have been gone for many years, but without a doubt my sense of travel and adventure came from them. Thanks. Mom and Dad. You would have loved Cheryl.