In Search of the Mother Road

 

July 18, 2024

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It’s rare that local newspaper editors—especially ones like us, who have an active stake in hometown publications that go to press once a week year round—get to take an extended vacation. No Caribbean cruises or gala getaways for us.

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Yet, our comparative freedom to report from the road does provide some unique opportunities for perspective, when we can sync travel with deadlines.

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Given the fractious state of our national consciousness these days, along with simple curiosity as a couple of important American anniversaries approach in 2026, your editor and publisher itched to get out and see a few things for ourselves.

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Kay and I saw an opening in the calendar with sufficient time and resources to drive across the country’s heartland in midsummer. Starting out on the eve of America’s birthday, we got ourselves to Chicago, our Mile Zero.

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If you’ve ever listened to the famous song, from that first Nat King Cole version to the Texas take by Ray Benson and Asleep at the Wheel, you already know where I’m going with this. 

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“If you ever plan to motor west . . . Get your kicks—on Route Sixty-Six.”

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