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puzzle pieces

Tuesday, November 8, 2011

travel time

"Up from Needles and over a burned range, and there's the desert. And 66 goes on over the terrible desert, where the distance shimmers and the black center mountains hang unbearably in the distance."
~ The Grapes of Wrath


I'm currently reading "The Grapes of Wrath"-
the classic by John Steinbeck.
 Unfortunately I have never picked it up~ until now.



















Part of Route 66 lies just past this train track- the last section of the "Mother Road" before the families would finally end their cross-country journey. It's desert. It's barren.
And supposedly....hope lay just beyond this last stretch of the road.


All I could think of while passing by the Route, was that
it's too bad "The Grapes of Wrath" didn't wait for a few decades.


Travel would have been much kinder to all them folks now.



35 comments:

Anonymous said...

What beautiful shots!

I read Grapes of Wrath as a child... perhaps it's time to re-read it.

Lynette Jacobs said...

Sounds like a book I must get. Beautiful, beautiful photos.

Anne said...

The book sounds good! Love the photos!:)
~Anne

Lisa @ Two Bears Farm said...

Enjoy your reading. Steinbeck can be a little slow sometimes, but I certainly loved East of Eden and should read it again!

Clint said...

It has been called---along with "Gone With the Wind"---the Great American Novel. And Rt 66 is legendary. The Cinderoo and I traveled what is left of it a few years ago and marveled at Americana.

Kim@stuffcould.... said...

I have not read "Grapes of Wrath" but I should! Love your pics...How things do change in a few decades

Elizabeth Grimes said...

Never read it. I'm intrigued. Both photos are so pretty Dawn!

Buttons Thoughts said...

I love The Grapes of Wrath it rips your heart out but it is an incredible trip back to when life was really tough. We are so lucky most of us have no idea what hard times are. Everyone should read this book.
Awesome pics. B

Leah J. Utas said...

Beautiful pics. I've read some Steinbeck, but not "The Grapes of Wrath."

Anonymous said...

Amen sister, you've got a good point there... So, what brings you to pick up a book like that, anyway? I had to try to teach Steinbeck to my older school kids last year. Brilliant but ever so slightly depressing, if you ask me...

Slamdunk said...

Having lived along Rt. 66, I enjoyed Grapes of Wrath--especially knowing the historical context in which the book was written.

Jeff said...

A great book! And wonderful and harsh land in which he travels... You can still travel large parts of Route 66 these days--the railroad looks too modern as it's kind of hard to hobo on a train hauling containers!

TexWisGirl said...

:) love that top shot.

Carole Barkett said...

great shot it certainly looks like a harsh land

Hilary said...

We read it in school but I think it's time for a re-read.

Beautiful photos.. the second one is perfect.

Lowell said...

That second photo is superb! I think I read "Grapes of Wrath" years ago. But I can't remember much from years ago. I do, however, remember driving Route 66 on several occasions in the 1950s; traveling from Minnesota to Arizona and back. In a 1955 Chevy. We lost a muffler in the wilds of Oklahoma once. Stayed in funny little cabins on the side of the road.

Raindrops and Daisies said...

Great photos.

Dawn, I read that book a long long time ago, I must ask about it again in the local library.

Hope you are having a good week.

x Fiona

Raindrops and Daisies said...

Great photos.

Dawn, I read that book a long long time ago, I must ask about it again in the local library.

Hope you are having a good week.

x Fiona

Unknown said...

Hi Dawn: My late uncle actually drove the entire intact Route 66 in 1951. My Aunt, who just turned 92 yesterday has a remarkable recollection of the sights and sounds of that journey. You will see many leftover tell tale signs from that magical time! Enjoy your travels!! : )

Ransick said...

Great pics Dawn! It looks nice and warm there as I look out the window at a chilly, dreary windy day...

Nancy said...

I believe I read this book in high school. I can't imagine how hard it must have been back then. Great photo, Dawn.

Brian King said...

Beautiful photos, Dawn! The scenery is wonderful!

Jack said...

Your second photo is quite a shot. The train is coming right at you. Jump!

mountain mama said...

i've never read it, should i??

i've seen the veggie tales though :)

Out on the prairie said...

A tale of real hard times, I love it.

Debbie said...

i remember reading grapes of wrath, many years ago, i don't remember much else!!

looks like a great view, i love the shot of the train!!

darlin said...

Your photos are absolutely stunning! I read the Grapes of Wrath forever ago, I don't even remember the plot nor what happens. I'd revisit it but there's just no time for reading for pleasure these days.

Val said...

The desert is a very magical place......

Samantha said...

Great book, and fantastic shots!

bon bon said...

i'm a few posts behind here, and will make one sweeping comment on the photos here on your homepage...wow! just lovely!!

do hope canada can muster up a few more days of 40º+ weather for you yet. :o)

carmilevy said...

Steinbeck never fails to move me. Then again, neither do you. Thank you for reminding me how the most stunning geography can also be the cruellest - and that we must always appreciate what it takes to undertake and complete the journey.

黄清华 Wong Ching Wah said...

Those little light over the horizon is just quite something to look at ... beautiful !

Randy said...

I really need to read that book too. Wonderful shots.

Tammy said...

Wow! the train shot is outstanding.

Deb said...

great shots Dawn...