14 Comments

“Mission, Vision, Values.” I identify!!! And I trust you are feeling better?

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Thanks! No fun being "under the weather" while on a long road trip. Fortunately we're in one place and very comfortable for at least a week before heading home. Slow recovering....but going in the right direction.

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I've enjoyed several Thanksgiving dinners with a great group of friends and family at La Posada Hotel. (Organized by my wife's mom and her friends, who all live in Flagstaff)

You're almost home, Gary!

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t spot worth a visit anytime going along that route, east or west. I have never counted how many times we have traveled that road having lived in NM and CA and lastly AZ before MX. It’s always fun to revisit many of those places with some great memories of prior visits, like your Thanksgiving at La Posada. Talk about carpentry! The story of that restoration and revival is quite the story.

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Yes, I remember looking at all the pictures along the grand hallway. Wasn't it almost in ruins?

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yes and the couple who had a vision of what it could be, brought it back in a new form

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Thanks for the road trip Gary, it brought back some memories for me. When I moved back to the East Coast from L.A. in 2008 we went through many of the towns you mentioned. I have a piece of petrified wood I picked up on the side of the highway in Winslow while singing "standing on the corner."

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Aww, “Standing on the Corner" – I love that song.

And now your writing has made me interested in actually visiting WInslow!

May I ask what years you were working on the railroad, Gary?

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I will write my railroad story soon. I worked as a laborer in 1952 and 1953 for two railroads the NY Central and the Pennsylvania, became a member of the Internaional Brotherhood of Railway Trainmen. We were hired as summer workers and I was only 15. They weren’t all that particular about age restrictions just sign here, son. I was big enough and strong enough to do the work, over 6’ tall about 190 lbs. The pay back then for a kid that age at $3.25 hr was great money for a teenager in 1952. Do go see Winslow, it’s a fun trip and some beautirful scenery nearby. We used to camp overnight in our RV at Homolovi Ruins state park. Have also stayed overnight at La Posada.

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Looking forward to it, Gary ~ thanks!

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Loved the ride along with you Gary. Thank you.

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I am so impressed with all you have done and thank you for allowing us to come along!

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Here's what I said to friend, Ian Haycroft: I have been blessed with the opportunities to do many things, enjoy vastly different jobs and challenges in different settings with a fascinating variety of personalities over many years. It's been a full life up to the brim, spilling over with gratitude.

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Terrific ride-along, Gary. Fun to imagine all those wonderful roads.

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