Run To The Heartland - Wish You Were There
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Friday: An Unforgettable Banquet
by Sue Bohannan Mann
The Steinbeck Banquet took place under the big tent in Landergin,
Texas, the half-way point of the 2,448 miles on Route 66. A sold out chuck
wagon dinner was served at 7:00 p.m. to 250 participants who were happy
they got their tickets early. The National Historic Route 66 Federation
sponsored the seminal event. Executive Director David Knudson presented
the first Steinbeck Award to Michael Wallis for his untiring devotion to
preserving, traveling and writing about the Mother Road. In addition
to Wallis, the group heard from Jim Ross, author of Here it Is, The Route
66 Map Series, Tom Teague, lecturer and author of Searching for 66 and others.
George and Melba Rook, proprietors of the Route 66 Antique Store and Visitors
Center in Landergin, welcomed the enthusiastic audience. Mary Lou Knudson
entertained the audience with her banter while calling winning numbers on
fabulous door prizes. David Sanger, producer of Music From the All-American
Highway and a drummer in the music group "Asleep at The Wheel,"
won ten of the prizes. Everyone won by being in attendance. Knudson
felt the gathering was especially worthwhile because it was a first time
that a group made up of significant contributors to Route 66's preservation
and history had gathered before a vitally interested audience. He especially
appreciated the efforts of George and Melba Rook, Delbert and Ruth Trew
and Jo Ann Harwell, who worked tirelessly to make "Run to the Heartland"
a success. Festivities continued through Saturday with a Chili Cookoff
and a Western Dance featuring the Vera Brothers Band, which made for an
appropriate celebration of the famous route's 70th birthday. |
Saturday: Sun, Wind and Flies
by David Bahm
Saturday, October 12 was an exciting day in Landergin, Texas. Though
normally it only boasts a gas station, gift shop and antique store, Landergin
swelled that day with several hundred Route 66 enthusiasts, dozens of memorabilia
vendors and several caterers. A car show featured dozens of classic and
antique automobiles. Folks lined up to partake of the BBQ beef sandwiches
and brisket, potato salad, Texas toast, baked beans, watermelon and Route
66 Root Beer. Young and old endured the sun, wind and Texas flies, but overall
the event was a huge success. That morning, many Route 66 celebrities
addressed the crowd, as well as representatives from 6 of the Route 66 states'
associations. Unfortunately, New Mexico was not given recognition until
Sue Mann stood up and yelled, "There are some of us from the New Mexico
Route 66 Association and we are happy to be here!" Author Michael Wallis
concluded the addresses with an uplifting presentation. He stated, "Route
66 is revived every time someone decides to pull off of that damned interstate
and drive this piece of historic road!" Sue left shortly after
the speeches, and my father, Ron, joined me in reviewing the collectable
items and car show. We had lunch with Michael and Suzanne Wallis, then visited
the gift shop and antique store. Dad left that afternoon, and after consuming
2 liters of bottled water, I decided to relax in the cafe area. The amount
of Route 66 memorabilia and gift items was unbelievable, and I made several
trips to the car with items I had purchased. The event concluded Saturday
night with a dance under the tent. A live band provided a variety of country
and Western tunes, and everyone had a festive time. Saying goodbye to new
friends was difficult, but there was talk of another event in 5 years to
celebrate Route 66's 75th birthday. |
Get Your Kicks In Budville And Cubero
by Sue Bohannan Mann
When heading west out of Albuquerque, travel along Central Avenue,
aka Route 66, as far as you can go. Just past nine-mile hill, the pavement
ends and motorists are directed onto I-40. It won't be long until you pass
Rio Puerco bridge, now nominated to be preserved as one of New Mexicos historic
bridges. At Exit 117, drive on State Road 124 to find the rich histories
surrounding Mesita, Laguna and Pajarito, before arriving at the privately
owned lands at Budville and beyond. You will pass the Budville Trading Post
at the Y, staying on 124. The small community of Budville was named after
H.N. "Bud" Rice, who opened an automobile service and touring
business here in 1928. One of our members, Betty Scott, owns and operates
an auto parts store and towing service. Down the road sits the Villa de
Cubero, built in 1937, which no longer operates as a famous stopover. It
housed such notables as Ernest Hemingway while he was writing Old Man and
the Sea. The cafe across the street closed eight years ago. While taking
in the unusual scenery in the shadow of Mt Taylor's towering peak, continue
driving to the Route 66 Saloon and Eatery, now in the process of being refurbished.
A Route 66 shield is embedded in the entry way to the bar and beautiful
vigas, no doubt hauled in from the nearby mountain, sturdily holding the
building's ceiling in place. You can continue to Grants along the road for
about 20 miles. Drive the historic road and feel a part of the countryside! |
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