Blog by VONNIE DAVIS -- International, Award-Winning Romance Author: Adventurous...Humorous...Amorous.

Tuesday, May 27, 2014

Route 66 and I Have a Lot in Common by Vonnie Davis



Historic highway Route 66 runs from Chicago to Santa Monica. Though it was developed from trails used by pioneers and settlers in the California Gold Rush, the route wasn't officially commissioned until 1926. Major cities on the famed route are St. Louis, Oklahoma City, Tulsa, Albuquerque, Santa Fe and Flagstaff. It was originally 2448 miles long.

Now, you might not realize this, but Route 66 and I have a lot in common. Take the number, for instance. Today I turn 66. Now, it's a young 66, you understand. We aren't dwelling on numbers...much. But I do have to admit, we're both seen a lot of hard miles. As a single mother of three, working to keep them in stylish sneakers and the brand of jeans of the day, plus put them through college, I often worked two jobs. Twelve hour days were light workdays. Yeah, these size 9's have seen a lot of  long, hard road. But the journey was full of beautiful sights and happy memories.


Here's a pic taken in '86. Any was a freshman in college, Steve, a junior in high school and Mike, a 9th grader. It's an old pic and I have no clue what that mark is near Mike's face. Amy was a cheerleader until she switched to Band Front and became the captain. Steve was into theater, school choir, a rock group called Shrapnel and karate. Mike was into football and wrestling. I was the taxi driver.

Diners along Route 66 have served a lot of burgers and french fries. So have I. Heavy on the mayo, hold the lettuce and PLEASE no onions for Amy.

 

The Wild Rose Press has a series set in a honky tonk along Route 66, just outside of Amarillo. The Lonesome Steer was run by a man named Gus, who thought himself a bit of a matchmaker. Within the paneled walls of his honky tonk, couples met, argued, danced and fell in love. My two contributions to the Honky Tonk Hearts series are the award winning Those Violet Eyes and Back Where You Belong.





BUY LINKS FOR THOSE VIOLET EYES: -- http://amzn.com/B008EX95DS

BUY LINKS FOR BACK WHERE YOU BELONG -- http://amzn.com/B00BK9QVKI

18 comments:

Joanne Stewart said...

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, VONNIE!! Hope your day is fabulous! Terrific memories. :)

And for those who haven't read it, Those Violet Eyes is a MUST read. Win is still on my list of favorite heroes.

Liz Flaherty said...

Happy birthday! My kids' pictures look like that, right down to the two boys and a girl, only the girl's in the middle. They were 16, 14, and 12 in 1986, but the hair styles and the glasses were the same. :-)

I have friends who've driven Route 66 the whole way a few times. I'd love to do it, too.

Maeve Greyson said...

Happy Birthday Vonnie!! :-)

Amy said...

Happy birthday, Vonnie!!!

I lived in Amarillo for a while. Which is probably why a lot of my books are set in that area. I drove on 66 everyday to work. Now that we;re back in OK, I drive a piece of Route 66 almost everyday. My son's school is off of 66. :) Love it!

Happy 66 to you!

Ashantay said...

Happy Birthday!

My favorite spot on Route 66 is Winslow - or maybe Flagstaff - remember that old Route 66 TV series? What a great show.

Vonnie Davis ~ Romance Author said...

Thanks, Joanne. I have had some terrific memories to soften the hard times. I'm so glad you enjoyed Win in Those Violet Eyes. I love him too.

Vonnie Davis ~ Romance Author said...

Oh, Liz, wouldn't it be a hoot to drive that old route? I'm glad my picture brought back some memories for you.

Vonnie Davis ~ Romance Author said...

Thanks Maeve. Hugs!

Vonnie Davis ~ Romance Author said...

Anie, how cool for you that you remain close to 66, even after moving.

Vonnie Davis ~ Romance Author said...

Route 66!!! Ashantay, I loved that show. Now, I don't know which I liked the most, the dark-haired dude or the 'Vette!!!

Mona Risk said...

Happy Birthday Vonnie. You had a busy productive life and came a long way now to be a successful well-loved author. I don't know Rt 66 but I sure did my share of driving the kids to soccer games, ballet, tennis, you name it. I can relate to this post.

Vonnie Davis ~ Romance Author said...

Mona, did you have to post a "where to list" on the refrigerator like I did so I knew which way to aim the taxi when I pulled out of the driveway? Thanks for the birthday wishes. I'm having a great day today.

Anonymous said...

Happy Birthday Vonnie, greetings from Wy where I am sitting listening to the tick of my…can it be?…Route 66 historic wall clock ;-) Have a great day!

Angela Adams said...

Happy Birthday, Vonnie!

Vonnie Davis ~ Romance Author said...

Thank you, Andrea, Enjoy Wyoming!

Vonnie Davis ~ Romance Author said...

Thanks so much, Angela.

Unknown said...

Awesome post! My mother was and is the Bombdiggity! She tried to make our life easier and she always did her best to be at all of our events! I don't think she ever received proper thanks from me for all she did! I Love You Mom and Thank You for EVERYTHING! :)

Marion said...

Well said, Vonnie.