In many ways, Route 66 does resemble a quintessential book: Even though The Motherroad is part of American Awareness - John Steinbeck’s “The Grapes of Wrath” (1939), the famous song, a TV- series back in the 60s, John Lasseter’s hilarious PIXAR + Disney- animated “Cars” (2006) etc.: By following one by one - or two by two - the road’s straight prosaic lines, it’s poetic bends, it’s underlying pain and joy, we all experience the 66- feeling as if she woud be the first and sole person discovering this hallmark of roadwork. -
Sure, every one makes his own and purely individual sense of this extraordinary experience which might - as good books, do, too - change ones life. There is no use in permanently keeping in mind that millions of predecessors have traveled, mired, and took photographs of the 66- scenario … long time before U were even born. So, if you load your mind with too many pictures which were already shot and have already been published, you risk getting kind of blind when you actually hit THE ROAD. So U might get Blockheaded by pix.
What we did in preparation of this pilgrimage was strictly confinded to : the reading of texts, the arithmetic of prospective costs and compiling gear. -
NOW, as we have hit our target, we finally go through photographers Russell A. Olsens great picture- book: Route 66 - Lost and Found. After travelling THE ROUTE (eastbound !!! ) back in 1995 (bringing back 27 rolls of film***), the photographer through subsequent years went THE ROUTE to and fro, developing the idea of collecting old pics, faded postcards etc. on the topic.
Later on he visited and shot all the spots depicted on the vintage material -publishing a synopsis of old and new pics within a terrific coffee- table book.
As we NOW skim throught the book we not only find good old friends among the old and new stores, structures, gas stations and motels. To our surprise we happen to discover that we took many pictures tantamount to those of Olson. Obviously there ARE some buidlings, scenarios and cityscapes attractting similar attention.
Russell A. Olson @ motorbooks, 2004
If we present some of Russel A. Olson’s masterpieces, this is due to pure scientific interest and clearly NOT intended to violate the photographer’s copyright. Our intention is restricted to demonstrate the metamorphosis of THE ROUTE: Compare the Vintage pics (20s to 60s) to Olson’s view (2003) and our impressions (2007).
Vinita, OK, Main Street, ca. 1939 | R. A. Olsen, 2003 ( p. 69 )
Hydro, OK, Lucille’s 1927 | R. A. Olsen, 2003 ( p. 77 )
Amarillo, TX, 1958 | Olsen, 2003 ( p. 87)
Tucumcari, NM, Blue Swallow | Olsen, 2003 ( p. 98 )
Peach Springs, AZ, 1935 | Olsen, 2003 ( p. 133)
( > Our view shows the abandoned SHELL- station to the right !)
Kingman, AZ, Arcadia 1938 | Olsen, 2003 ( p.137 )
It’s still the same old story
A fight for love and glory
A case of do or die.
The world will always welcome lovers
As time goes by.
( Lyrix by Herman Hupfeld - Remember the tune ? )
*** Tja, czz filled up 22 rolls of photosensitive material and wie didn’t count all those digital- shots per day yet. After all, we put some of the digi- pics on display on THIS blog …. so, you are free to count !
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