INTO THE CAULDRON

I have spent such a large portion of my life in the desert southwest, on purpose, and enjoyed it that to classify me as a dry roasted nut might not be to far off the mark. I don't own a short sleeved shirt, often forget that we have an air conditioner in the Jeep, find tremendous solace in wandering the vast empty places, and seem to feel most comfortable when the temperature under a glaring soon surpasses ninety degrees.

Amboy Crater in California's Mojave Desert.

Still, I do have my limits. That means I avoid the Colorado River country, and Phoenix during the searing months of summer when temperatures in those locales often exceed 120 degrees. Well, to be honest I avoid Phoenix in most every season.
There are exceptions to every rule and causes worthy of sacrifice. With that in mind we will be traveling into the cauldron that is Lake Havasu City in the morning for an interview on the Roger Galloway program on KNTR radio.
Tomorrow evening I will enter a cauldron of a different type. At 6:00 PM, I will be speaking at Buccilli's in Kingman on the resurgent interest in Route 66, how communities are utilizing this as a catalyst for development, and what it can mean for Kingman. This is the second installment in what looks to be a developing series. For more information, or to make a reservation for attending this free event, contact Steve Wagner at 928-377-2239.
My goal in this is to portray the rergent interest in legendary Route 66 as a key foundational element in transforming Kingman into a tourist destination. The ideal is that if we make the city a place people want to visit we make it a place they would want to live.
I will provide updates as to how the presentation is received as well as information on some very exciting developments in Kingman with postings later in the week. I really wouldn't want to spoil the surprises in store for Monday evening.
In somewhat unrelated news the first edits of the galley proof for the Rotue 66 Encyclopedia is complete. What a challenge!
At the least minute the publisher decided that we needed to trim a few pages as a cost saving measure. Accomplishing this required some creative juggling as there was nothing to really trim from the text and as a number of images have never before been published, I did not want to sacrifice them.
Speaking of the encyclopedia, I have moved the page directory to the right column. I have also added two new pages, one for updates to the encyclopedia and another as a directory for Kingman area events, businesses, and attractions.

At this juncture the encyclopedia page contains information about its launch including Cuba Fest in Cuba, Missouri with the book will debut. However, as the book and promotional material for it will contain a QR code this page will soon contain updates to ensure the books relevancy. As an example, The Apache Motel in Tucumcari was open when I wrote the manuscript but it is now shuttered.
Meanwhile it is on to new projects including the next book, a Route 66 travel guide, extensive clean up and a few repairs on the homestead while we decide on whether to remodel or downsize, and of course, promotion of America's longest attraction. I am quite these projects should keep me busy for awhile.