Bob's Last Art Show
Day 1
The Show
Day 2
A Man of Leisure
Day 3
Back on the National Road
After an overnight in Vandalia, Illinois, I drove the National Road to near the Indiana line then, as night moved in, turned to the expressway to get home.
November 23, 2009 (day 2)
Retired for all of a week now, I enjoyed my first ever Monday on the road
that was neither a holiday nor a charged vacation day. I used it rolling
down (mostly) the 1926-1930 alignment of US-66 and stopping in some
familiar places. That holiday & vacation pay was nice but I can get
used to this.
November 22, 2009 (day 1)
It was all expressway driving though I did manage a look at some log
cabins before the packed show opened at the Cozy Dog.
Prelude - November 19, 2009
A route 66 icon is nearing the end of his life. Diagnosed with colon
cancer about ten years ago, Bob Waldmire let the disease run its course
and that course is just about over. He has no regrets. That's what he says
and he is one of the few people that you're likely to believe that of.
He's an artist, a promoter of Route 66, and a hippy. He enjoyed living his
life the way he chose and, in doing that, has added some enjoyment to the
lives of folks who didn't have the courage, or the talent, or the
conviction to do what he has done. I've met Bob several times but my
conversations with him have not been long or insightful. They are,
however, among my most cherished. There's a nice article on Bob
here.
Rather than wintering in Arizona, as he usually does, Bob is now in Springfield, Illinois, spending his final days around family and friends. On November 22, some of Bob's work will be displayed at the Cozy Dog, the restaurant his father founded and which his sister still runs. I intend to be there although I don't quite know what to expect. Route 66 News has a nice report on the show and a link to the flyer Bob prepared for the occasion. It urges "Come as you are - leave different". I have a feeling that that is unavoidable.