A Portal to Another Era

One of my favorite movies is Back to the Future. The main reason is because Marty McFly and Doctor Emmitt Brown have the enviable ability to travel through time. While their experiences brought great joy, relief, sadness and hardship, they were able to use the Delorean to look at people and things from another era. After attending the car show at the 2011 Route 66 Festival in Amarillo, walking down Sixth Avenue brought me back in time to when some of these vehicles were brand spanking new.

While my favorite classic is the 1957 Chevy Bel-Air Convertible, I have grown to liking other vehicles, as long as it was prior to the 1960's. The reason, I have an affinity towards the 50's and 40's. (Although there were some 30's beauts)

This 1930's Ford brings me back to the era of John Steinback's favorite family, the Joad's, a family ruined by a financial catastrophe that started in the east and headed west as quick as the wind in January. My mind wanders as the bags and furniture are packed up and the only thing to look forward to is the next mile.

This Ford from the same era reminds me of the days of the Tommy Gun and Chicago under the influence of Al Capone. In addition, the image of the adventurous Bonnie and Clyde escaping from the garage of the Sinclair Station on Route 66 in Ash Grove, Missouri crops up. A wonderful vehicle with a child-like imagination.

This 1949 Mercury Coupe brings back memories of James Dean drag racing in Southern California, as well as the mysterious rider heading down US 80 into the sunset outside Bisbee, Arizona. Take that chance to get away from the poor economy by stepping into that Coupe.

Finally, my dream vehicle the car that I always pictured myself taking a road trip with Dean Moriarty/Jack Kerouac as we cruise down remnants of the Lincoln Highway in Lisbon, Ohio. The 57' Chevy Bel Air, a classic that epitomizes the American Dream, the ability to get away, put on some Marty Robbins or Chuck Berry and listen to the wind as it takes you across this glorious land.

Back to the present, darn it, but oh well we can dream. If not for the imagination and the open road, where would we be? Today, like all days, I pay homage to the road and its beautiful participants of yesteryear.