Springfield, Missouri.

The VW, now named Henry, goes into the Springfield VW dealer tomorrow for a blood transfusion, 20/50, and a check-up. Today was a fine drive because we left just after 6am and got here by noon before the heat hit. Having some trouble with the cameras because they are shutting down from the heat. Hopefully the earlier drives will help that.

It’s really difficult following 66 because it breaks up in so many places. Todays drive had some excellent road surface though. Tomorrow we hope to make Tulsa, an optomitstic 325k. So we’ll see how long Henry is in the shop.

A very good idea!

The Ozarks have proven to be very serious mobile home country.

Devil's Elbow Bridge

Camp in Springfield

Pontiac, Illinois, The Pontiac Daily Leader.

Story in the Pontiac Daily Leader!


http://www.pontiacdailyleader.com/features/x1762348940/Sculpture-captures-unique-view

Ladybug Campsite, Cuba, Missouri

Yesterday was brutally hot. 108F/42.2C. And travelling the Mother Road takes a long, long, time. We seem to average about 50k and hour. It winds in and out of all the little towns, and the road is rough in spots. It’s not the Interstate, which runs along side the old road a lot of the way. The van was not happy. The oil light kept coming on a lot, especially toward the end of the day. But some time on line has found that it’s a common problem. Everything appears okay so I can only assume it’s a faulty warning switch. I’m hoping to get it into a garage in Springfield, Missouri, on Monday morning to have it checked.

We ended the day and a great little campsite called Ladybug in Cube, Missouri. 10$ a night, power, water, great showers, a store, wi-fi, and a pool. You can’t beat that. So we’re staying an extra day so everything can get a rest. Tomorrow I’m trying to convince Jessie we should leave around 5am and travel in the cooler morning. It’s the only way. I’ve been told it’s the worst drought anyone can remember, and no rain in sight. And it’s only going to get hotter as we head southwest into the desert states.

I’m taking pinhole pictures, but there’s no way of knowing if they’ll even turn out. My success rate is not high. So I’ll take a lot with the hopes of at least getting something. I will try to develop some film in LA and see how they’ve worked. I hope I get something from Route 66. The gps images are turning out well. I think they’ll end up being an interesting series. Jessie’s been doing some old polaroids, but the film is old and pretty faded. Interesting images though.

Also I’ve started taking pictures of people in the reflection on the object. I didn’t know I’d do that when I started. But so many people come up and ask what the sculpture is that it just started happening. Some people I get their names, and others I don’t. But with each there’s a conversation.

Today we’ll visit a couple local attractions, like the worlds largest rocking chair, but mostly we’ll be taking it easy. 

Parked along the old road. There are places where the old part of 66 still is seen along side the road you're travelling on. You can't drive on it but it's there. 

Taking a pinhole camera picture.

DON't WALK TOO CLoSE TO THAT SCULPTURE!!!

Flying J Truck Stop, Mitchell, Illinois.

Wilmington to Springfield

Okay, wrote a whole entry about yesterday then blogger lost it. Lesson learned

Left Wilmington after breakfast at the Wilmington Family Diner where we met the owner. It’s the oldest diner in town and he’d owned it for 22 years. Originally from Montenegro he immigrated as a carpenter but couldn’t find work and ended up washing dishes, ultimately staying in the food trade. He’s ready to retire but is worried about the business because his children have no interest. A familiar story.

Then we met John sitting in front of an old gas station in Dwight. Amazing old business. Interesting man. But we’re learning, don’t talk politics!

In Pontiac we visited the museum and was introduced to the work of an artist who lived there named Bob Waldmire. He had two vehicles, the VW bus for driving around, his mobile information center, and the school bus he lived in. I love people who find their own way like this. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bob_Waldmire

We ended the day in a motel in Springfield trying to escape the 104F weather. Both of us, the VW, and the sculpture are not liking the heat. Today we head for south of St. Louis and 108F degrees! 

Slushies while caught in the reflection off the sculpture.

Dwight

Pontiac

Bob Walmire's bus

Pontiac Leader reporter

Wilmington Diner owner.

John at the Dwight gas station.

Truck on I55.

Route 66 running along side the interstate.

Begin

Started down Route 66 today. Crazy day getting the cameras going and making our way to the starting point. Then it got even crazier trying to get out of Chicago with all the road construction and traffic. But once we got out of the grip of the city it was great. It's nice not to be on the Interstate. Tourist attractions started almost immediately.

The start of the Mother Road.

Joliet

Wilmington

Fossil Rock Recreation Area, Wilmington

A day in Chicago

Chicago!

Tomorrow we head down Route 66. So far so good as far as everything goes. A few problems with the van but I think we're okay. Spent yesterday looking around the city and finding the starting point of Route 66. Today we're just taking a breather and getting the cameras, and other gear, in order.

Met up with two artists, Keer Tanchak and Maria Scileppi, to talk about the project and things they're working on. It was great to connect with someone in Chicago.

Jessie standing at the start of Route 66.

I always wanted to slide down the huge Picasso sculpture here in Chicago!

Anish Kapoor - Chicago skyline reflected in his sculpture entitled Cloud Gate.

The Drake event in Toronto was a bit confusing but okay. The project was parked outside and a lot of people looked at it. Met a couple from Austen Texas who'd been on the road for the last year living in a camper. I installed an older work entitled Lens in the foyer of the Drake as part of their summer exhibition entitled "When Sparks Fly".