Coffee With Jim

Pete Oprisko isn't old enough for a drivers license. But family vacation road trips and books have instilled in him an infectious curiosity as well as a passion for the American story, historic preservation, road trips, and legendary Route 66. So, if you are curious about how we ensure Route 66 and the great American road trip remain relevant in decades to come, and what will inspire a new generation to preserve Route 66 landmarks, today's program is for you. Next week on Coffee With Jim it's a healthy dose of inspiration to embrace life through challenging adventures. Our guests is free lance journalist and adventurer Pam LeBlanc. An Austin-based freelance writer who specializes in stories about outdoor adventure and recreation, LeBlanc writes the weekly Fit City column. Her adventurers include a back to nature 5K, rappelling down a 38-story building, and an odyssey on the John Muir Trail in California. Invite your friends and join us for a lively conversation. www.pamleblancadventures.com Today's program is sponsored in part by your support through Patreon. It is also sponsored by Enchanted Trails Trading Post & Rav Park, Gilligan's Route 66 Tours, Connie's Shoppe and Wagon Wheel Motel, Deana Nelson State Farm Insurance, Two Lane America, Roadrunner Lodge Motel and RouteTrip USA. 

Tom Saluzzo, today’s guest, is a man on a mission. His vision of a museum that preserves artifacs from WWI to the Vietnam War will soon be a reality. But what makes this museum unique is the focus that is being placed on the exhibits and educational programs that tells the stories of men and women who served.  Tom's road to pawnshop manager and museum organizer has been a long and twisted one. Along the way there was a stint as an aircraft mechanic, pilot, farmer, and large animal veterinarian assistant. Now he is well on his way to making the Museum of The Great Wars in Kingman, Arizona, a destination in a town with a rich aviation history that includes the WWII Kingman Army Airfield. This episode of Coffee With Jim is about chasing dreams, how a passion for the sharing of America's amazing story can inspire a new generation, and living life to its fullest.   Today's episode is made possible through your support on Patreon. It is also sponsored by the Enchanted Trails Trading Post & RV Park, Gilligan's Route 66 Tours, Two Lane America, Connie's Shop and Wagon Wheel Motel, RouteTrip USA, and Deana Nelson State farm Insurance.  Next week on Coffee With Jim - How do we ensure Route 66 and the great American road trip remain relevant in 2030? What inspires the next generation to preserve Route 66? Will a generation raised with tablets, smart phones, and video games be passionate about road trip adventures? I am asked those questions often. Today we get answers, insight and inspiration as our guest is Pete, an amazing young man that is passionate about the American experience that is a Route 66 adventure. Join the conversation. Invite your friends!

Our visit with Mayor Janet Jernigan in Needles, California will surely inspire a road trip or two! A discussion about the upcoming Route 66 Info fair at the historic El Garces Harvey House Hotel scheduled for February 14, 2026 kicked things off. Then we talked about upcoming events including the annual rodeo, new motels in Needles, restaurants, and the town's surprising connection with some Hollywood classics. And we discussed why this often overlooked community on the banks of the Colorado River should be considered as a destination for a great road trip or for opening a business on Route 66.  Give a listen and then share your memories of a visit to Needles.  Today's program is sponsored in part by listeners support through Patreon. It is also sponsored by the Roadrunner Lodge Motel, Connie's Shoppe and Wagon Wheel Motel, RouteTrip USA, Enchanted Trails Trading Post & RV Park, Deana Nelson State Farm Insurance, Gilligan's Route 66 Tours, and Two Lane America.   

The Route 66 centennial as a catalyst for historic preservation. Building a sense of community and community purpose through historic preservation. The importance of and challenges associated with preserving mid century homes and commercial architecture. The dollars and cents of historic preservation. Our discussion on this episode of Coffee With Jim with Mary-Frances O'Dea, a writer, editor, historic preservation consultant, and the founder of Mid-Century Style magazine, was wide ranging and thought provoking. This episode may be over but the conversation continues. Did our conversation lead to thoughts about historic preservation in the town that you call home? We would like to hear from you about endangered mid century properties, preservation projects that transformed your community, outside of the box thinking that transformed an historic district, or your thoughts about the importance of historic preservation. Jim Hinckley's America is a shared adventure! So, let's share the adventure that is preserving the past for the future.  Jim Hinckley's America, and Coffee With Jim, is made possible through Patreon. It is also made possible with support from our promotional partners including Two Lane America, Enchanted Trails Trading Post & RV Park, Connie's Shop and Wagon Wheel Motel, Gilligan's Route 66 Tours, Deana Nelson State Farm Insurance, RouteTrip USA, and Roadrunner Lodge Motel.     

Prepare to be inspired! After a few minutes of technical difficulties Roger Naylor and Jim Hinckley resorted to a phone call for a wide ranging conversation about legendary Route 66 and adventures in the Grand Canyon State. Aside from Roger's latest book, Arizona Route 66 Road Trip, these two stoytellers discussed hiking trails, great hole in the wall diners, the infectious magic of Route 66, the challenges and benefits of AI, self publishing, the rewards and pitfalls of being a writer, and adapting to changing times.  Roger Naylor is more than an author, adventurer, and speaker that sparks a bit of smile inducing wanderlust with every program. He is an Arizona treasure. HIs has written 10 books, and his feature articles about hiking and exploring his beloved Arizona has appeared in the Arizona Republic, The Guardian, USA Today, and Arizona Highways. In 2018, after years of writing features for the official Arizona State Visitors Guide, Roger was inducted into the prestigious Arizona Tourism Hall of Fame. He is also the narrator on the Verde Canyon Railroad excursion train. His new book, Arizona Route 66 Road Trip, is ideal for planning an adventure or as a travel companion. In Roger's unique style you are introduced to 110 restaurants, 90 activities and events, and 40 motels, hotels, and inns. There is also a listing of short side trips that willl add some flavor to a Route 66 odyssey in Arizona. Autographed copies are available though his website - www.rogernaylor.com Next week on Coffee With Jim, the weekly podcast from Jim Hinckley's America, our guest will be Mary-Frances O'Dea of Mid-Century Style magazine. We will start with a conversation about the role of historic preservation in fostering development of a sense of community. Where we go from there depends on questions asked by the audience! Coffee With Jim is made possible through Patreon. Is also made possible through support of our promotional partners - Two Lane America - Enchanted Trails Trading Post & RV Park, Albuquerque, New Mexico - Gilligan's Route 66 Tours - Connie's Shop & Wagon Wheel Motel, Cuba, Missouri - Deana Nelson State Farm Insurance, Kingman, Arizona - RouteTrip USA - Roadrunner Lodge Motel, Tucumcari, New Mexico -      

If you are a fan of adventures on dusty backroads, the roads less traveled, ghost towns, and desert discoveries this program is for you! Our guest on this episode of Coffee With Jim is Steve of the amazing Sidetrack Adventures YouTube channel.  Steve has taken his audience on rides along the only road that provides access to the bottom of the Grand Canyon, along Route 66 to Budville with its dark history, and to ghost towns long buried under the waters of Lake Mead. To date Steve has shared more than 315 adventures, the colorful stories of pioneering characters, and tales of trails in the Mojave Desert.  Next week on Coffee With Jim, we will be visiting with journalist and adventurer Roger Naylor. Roger has a new book, Arizona Route 66 Road Trip, and that alone should make for an interesting and road trip inspiring conversation.  Today's program is made possible through support of Jim Hinckley's America with Patreon. It is also sponsored by our advertising partners - Roadrunner Lodge Motel, RouteTrip USA, Enchanted Trails Trading Post & RV Park, Deana Nelson State Farm Insurance, Two Lane America, Wagon Wheel Motel & Connie's Shop, and Gilligan's Route 66 Tours.  

The new season of Coffee With Jim kicked off with a healthy dose of inspiration and conversation about the wonders of Kingman and western, Arizona, the life of an artist, public art, and building a sense of community. Our first guest for the 2026 season was J.C. Amberlyn, an artist, journalist, author, photographer, and animator that is passionate about art, animals, and adventure in the Arizona outback. She was honored by the Arizona Game and Fish Department for her work on wildlife in 2008 with the Outdoor Writer of the Year award. In Kingman, Arizona for her contributions to the arts in her community she was recognized with a Women Making History award. Next week on Coffee With Jim, our guest will be Steve of the popular Sidetrack Adventures YouTube channel. You can bet that this will be a lively discussion as Steve has spent years seeking out the road less traveled, the stories behind them, and the forgotten towns that were the reason for these backroads.  You asked and we listened! The official Coffee With Jim mug is now available on the Kingman Main Street Kingman Tours website gift shop. International shipping is available.  Coffee With Jim is made possible with your support through Patreon. It is also sponsored by Deanna Nelson State Farm Insurance, Gilligan's Route 66 Tours, RouteTrip USA, the iconic Wagon Wheel Motel in Cuba, Missouri, Two Lane America, Enchanted Trails Trading Post & RV Park in Albuquerque, New Mexico, and Roadrunner Lodge Motel in Tucumcari, New Mexico.    

It's an organized hoarders dream shared with the world. And it is a collection of time capsules without equal along US 6, forgotten cousin of Route 66. The amazing Harold Warp's Pioneer Village in Minden, Nebraska was the focus of today's conversation with Dustin Southworth. Where else will you find a 1930s Crosley refrigerator with radio built into the door, the world's oldest Buick, an operational mid 19th century carousel, a tea set gifted to Abraham Lincoln, and art work by Charles Russell? This incredible museum complex of 28 buildings on 20 acres is home to more than 50,000 irreplaceable items arranged in groups and in the chronological order of their development including more than a dozen vintage aircraft, antique tractors, 350 antique cars, a real Pony Express station, original Curier & Ives prints, locomotives, toys, cameras, and much, much more!  Sharing America's story and inspiring road trips. It's what we do at Jim Hinckley's America. Preserving America's story is what they do at Harold Warp's Pioneer Village. Learn more about this amazing museum complex in our recent blog post.  Today's program is sponsored in part through Patreon. It is also made possible with the support of RouteTrip USA - Deana Nelson State Farm Insurance - Wagon Wheel Motel, Cuba, Missouri - Two Lane America - Enchanted Trails Trading Post & RV Park, Albuquerque, New Mexico - Gilligan's Route 66 Tours - Roadrunner Lodge Motel, Tucumcari, New Mexico   

Big things will be happening along Route 66 in the Texas Panhandle next year! Gary Daggett, President, and Brady Wilson of the Old Route 66 Association of Texas joined us on today's program and provided a Texas sized helping of road trip inspiration. In between our conversation about steakhouses, Brenda at the Midpoint Cafe, and Brady's recent trip to South Africa as an ag student, we discussed the Texas Old Route 66 Association Motor Tour scheduled for October 1–3, 2026 that includes a pre-party in Shamrock on Oct 1 with live music from The Road Crew, followed by the tour itself. The Road Crew is the creator of the Jim Hinckley's America theme song. The Texas Route 66 Festival, June 4–13, 2026, a 10-day celebration in the Texas Panhandle featuring cattle drives, parades, car shows, art walks, and live music, with a finale in Amarillo was also a topic of dicsussion. Enhancing this event will be the Tin Can Can Tourist Route 66 centennial caravan. On the November 16 episode of Coffee With Jim we talked with Dal Smilie, Tin Can Tourists ambassador at large and co host of the Tin Can Tourist Route 66 Centennial Caravan. You can find more information about these and other Route 66 centennial events in Texas at - Old Route 66 Association of Texas - https://www.rt66oftexas.com/ Today's program is made possible through your support on Patreon. It is also sponsored by RouteTrip USA, Two Lane America, Enchanted Trails Trading Post & RV Park, Roadrunner Lodge Motel, Gilligan's Route 66 Tours, Wagon Wheel Motel, and Deana Nelson State Farm Insurance. 

Our guest this morning is Steve Purdy, a master juggler that often has projects in print, broadcasting, photography, public relations and consulting all going at the same time! His new book, Mascots in Motion, is described as ”An art book celebrating 40 years of photographing the details of special cars and of telling their stories.” But it is much more than that as Purdy masterfully captures the details that once transformed mere automobiles into rolling fine art scultpure. Signed copies of Mascots in Motion - https://shunpikerproductions.com About Shunpiker Productions Shunpiker Productions, LLC is the business entity encompassing the projects of Steve Purdy, mid-Michigan based writer, photographer and producer. Most projects revolve around automobiles including product reviews, travel stories, automobile fine art, interviews, motorist issues and enthusiasm for automobiles old and new. Next week on Coffee With Jim our guest is Brady Wilson of the Old Route 66 Association of Texas. Archived copies of Coffee With Jim - https://jimhinckley.podbean.com/ Coffee is Jim is made possible thorough listeners support on Patreon. It is also sponsored by Roadrunner Lodge Motel, Tucumcari, New Mexico, RouteTrip USA, Wagon Wheel Motel, Cuba, Missouri, Deana Nelson State Farm Insurance, Gilligan's Route 66 Tours, Enchanted Trails Trading Post & RV Park, Albuquerque, New Mexico, and Two Lane America.  

The past, present, and the future of Route 66 in Tulsa is our focus on this episode when we are joined by Steve Clem, author of Route 66 in Tulsa from Arcadia Publishing. Clem, a passionate Route 66 enthusiast and a trustee at Sand Springs Cultural and Historical Museum, co wrote this book with Becky Hatchett is president of the Southwest Tulsa Historical Society and volunteers at the Route 66 Historical Village. To order signed copies of Route 66 in Tulsa ($25.00 plus $5 for shipping) - route66intulsa@gmail.com It's another smile inducing and road trip inspiring shared adventure with author, humorist, and author Jim Hinckley! In today's conversation with Steve Clem we talked about the Route 66 centennial, one of a kind restaurants along Route 66 in Tulsa, upcoming events, historic theaters, neon signs, historic preservation, the amazing Cyrus Avery, and much, much more. Come along for the ride. 

Thanksgiving. A time for reflection. Today's program is a bit different. It's a one sided conversation about holidays, holiday history, holiday traditions, gratitude, and family and friends (like Dries Bessels that I forgot to credit when talking about the latest book). So, what are you grateful for this holiday season? 

Mid century style, retro road trips, and the importance of websites in historic preservation and small business marketing were just a few of the subjects discussed in today's  wide ranging, occasionally smile inducing conversation with Mary-Frances O’Dea. Lustron homes (quirky prefabricated post WWII houses made of steel with porcelain enameled finish), time capsule motels, road trips, neon signs, muffler men, Schitt’s Creek, and the multi-colored kitchens of the 1950s were also woven into the lively and fast paced conversation. Mary-Frances O’Dea is a Mid-Century enthusiast and accomplished web developer. Her work has been featured in national publications and in more than two decades of blogging. She is well known for bringing a unique blend of creativity and technical expertise to every project. As the founder of the successful website development business Apricity Marketing (www.apricitymarketing.com), she specializes in creating innovative and effective digital solutions that help businesses thrive. Next week on Coffee With Jim, we delve into the fascinating and complicated stoy of American holiday's from Thanksgiving and Christmas to Labor Day and the family vacation.  Jim Hinckley's America is sponsored by Two Lane America - Roadrunner Lodge Motel - Gilligan's Route 66 Tours - Enchanted Trails Trading Post & RV Park - Wagon Wheel Motel - RouteTrip USA - Deanna Nelson State Farm Insurance - Cactus Inn Motel. Coffee With Jim is also made possible through support on Patreon.  

Our guest on today's episode is Dal Smilie, Tin Can Tourists ambassador at large and co host of Tin Can Tourist Route 66 Centennial Caravan. We talked about the history of Tin Can Tourists, Curtis Wright and Airstream trailers, the Route 66 centennial, Studebaker trucks and the history of Studebaker in this wide ranging, road trip inspiring, smile inducing conversation. Tin Can Tourists The Original Vintage Trailer and Camper Club - www.tincantourists.com Tin Can Tourist Route 66 Centennial Caravan June 7, 2026 – June 14, 2026, two caravans that both end up in Texas. This is an official Route 66 Centennial event recognized by the Route 66 Centennial Planning Commission. https://route66centennial.org Next week on Coffee With Jim, the weekly podcast from Jim Hinckley's America, we will be talking about quirky lodging, the planning of retro road trips, mid century style from architecture to neon signs, preservation and historic landscaping when we visit with Mary-Frances O’Dea of Retro Roadtrip.  Today's program is supported by listeners through Patreon. It is also sponsored by Enchanted Trails Trading Post & RV Park, Two Lane America, Cactus Inn Motel (McLean, Texas), Roadrunner Lodge Motel (Tucumcari, New Mexico), Wagon Wheel Motel (Cuba, Missouri), Gilligan's Route 66 Tours, RouteTrip USA, and Deana Nelson State Farm Insurance in Kingman, Arizona. 

Needles, California Mayor Janet Jernigan joined us this morning to discuss community revitalization, the Route 66 centennial, cultural and heritage tourism, and the importance of building cooperative partnerships. We also discussed the upcoming Route 66 Info Fair scheduled for Saturday, February 14, 2026.  With presentations, authors, a car show, live music, El Garces tours and other programs, this event is an excellent opportunity to discover Needles, and to celebrate the Route 66 centennial as well as the 250th anniversary of the United States. The Route 66 Info Fair is also a tremendous promotional opportunity for Route 66 business owners, and for Route 66 communities. Brochures, visitors guides, and other promotional materials can be sent to: JANET JERNIGAN, 920 W BROADWAY, NEEDLES CA 92363 The materials will be provided at the Route 66 Info Fair. I will be on hand to assist with Route 66 travel planning, and use these visitor guides and brochures.  Coffee With Jim, and the Jim Hinckley's America, is sponsored by these promotional partners: Jim Hinckley's America on Patreon - Roadrunner Lodge Motel, Tucumcari, New Mexico -  Gilligan's Route 66 Tours -  Wagon Wheel Motel, Cuba, Missouri -  Enchanted Trails Trading Post & RV Park, Albuquerque, New Mexico -  RouteTrip USA -  Cactus Inn Motel, McLean, Texas -  Two Lane America -  Deana Nelson, State Farm Insurance, Kingman, Arizona - 

On today's program it's a wide ranging conversation with Laura Misajet, Director of Museum Operations & Public Outreach at Mojave Desert Heritage and Cultural Association in Goffs, California. The link between a 19th century camel caravan and Route 66. Edsel Ford's epic odyssey in the summer of 1915. The story of a pre Columbian trade route from the coast of California to New Mexico. A Harvest Host camp ground, an opportunity and "A Camp With Camels" event to kick off Route 66 centennial celebrations. An historic ten stamp mill. A Mojave Desert ghost town transformed into a destination. That's just a small sample of why you will want to share this smile inducing, road trip inspiring episode of Coffee With Jim, the weekly podcast from Jim Hinckley's America, with friends.  Today's program is sponsored in part by:  Supporters of Jim HIinckley's America on Patreon -  The 1950s gem that is the Cactus Inn Motel in McLean, Texas -  RouteTtrip USA, the bespoke holiday specialists for adventures in the US or Canada -  The 1960s time capsule Roadrunner Lodge Motel in Tucumcari, New Mexico -  The iconic Wagon Wheel Motel in Cuba, Missouri -  Two Lane America, making the great American road trip easier than ever - Enchanted Trails Trading Post & RV Park in Albuquerque, New Mexico, a modern, full service RV park wrapped in a museum -  Gilligan's Route 66 Tours, a true Route 66 experience starts and finishes with Gilligan's -  Deana Nelson, State Farm Insurance, Kingman, Arizona, a hometown hero -   

It's fittingly promoted as a dessert museum, an interesting blend of old fashioned ice parlor and local hangout, and a huge collection of Superman memorabilia. But this is not the only thing that makes Supertam On 66 in Carterville, Missouri popular with locals, and a destination for the Route 66 enthusiast. There is also the infectious enthusiasm of owners Chris and Andrea Briley, and their passion for providing the folks in Carterville and neighboring communities, as well as the international Route 66 community, with a memory making stop that blurs the line between past and present.  On today's program it's a fun and lively road trip inspiring conversation between the Briley's and Jim Hinckley of Jim Hinckley's America about entrepreneurial adventures, building a sense of community, the changing face of small town America, and the magic of Route 66. Do you have someone in your town or city possessed with a sense of community and a strong entrepreneurial spirit that should be spotlighted?  Today's program is sponsored in part by listeners through Patreon. It is also sponsored by the Wagon Wheel Motel, RouteTrip USA, Roadrunner Lodge Motel, Gilligan's Route 66 Tours, Deana Nelson State Farm Insurance in Kingman, Arizona, Cactus Inn Motel, Enchanted Trails Trading Post & RV Park, and Two Lane America. 

Cyrus Stevens Avery is known today as the Father of Route 66. But he was more, much more. Visionary highway commissioner, businessman, pioneering rangleand conservationist, and innovator. The legacy of the U.S. Highway 66 Association, a manifestation of Avery's genius and ability to build a network of cooperative partnerships,  lives on as the Route 66 renaissance. On today's episode we visit with Joey Madia that is bringing the Cyrus Avery story to life for a Route 66 centennial road show, and a series of educational programs. Madia is a master at bringing historic personalities to life. His list of accomplishments is lengthy - novelist, screenwriter, playwright, actor, historical educator, storyteller, and director. He has designed history based puzzles for escape rooms in North Carolina, Scotland, and the Mothman Museum in Point Pleasant, West Virginia. To contact Madia and schedule a Cyrus Avery program - joeymadiawriter@gmail.com Today's program is sponsored in part by supporters of Jim Hinckley's America through Patreon. It is also sponsored by Deana Nelson State Farm in Kingman, Arizona, Gilligan's Route 66 Tours, Roadrunner Lodge Motel, Wagon Wheel Motel, Two Lane America, RouteTrip USA, Cactus Inn Motel, and Enchanted Trails Trading Post & RV Park. 

Lots of inspiration and thought provoking discussion in today's conversation. Our guest taught art at Bilkent University in Ankara, Turkey. And he spent ten years as an Emmy winning television graphics producer in New York City. That diversity is refelected in sculptor Donald Gialanella's  work. He is an artist with unique vision, and a passion for using public art as a catalyst for community development. His ability to transform a diverse array of discarded and cast off items into manifestations of whimsy and child like imagination have created landmarks for communities and universities.  For the Louisiana State University School of Veterinary Medicine, Baton Rouge, Louisiana he created a giant dog - made of stainless steel pet food bowls. For the City of Kingman and the Route Association of Kingman Arizona, he created a towering anthropomorphic hare that casts long shadows over Route. And for Shipwreck Dive Park he created a 500 pound treasure chest sculpture. It was exhibited on the oceanfront walk in Pompano Beach for a year before being sunk in the Atlantic ocean and becoming part of an artificial reef system attached to the deck of a sunken ship called the Lady Luck. Today's it's a program filled with imagination, vision, inspiration, and ideas. And you can learn about The Life and Work of Donald Gialanella, a film that you can help bring to fruition.  And next week, we visit with Joey Madia, a screenwriter, playwright, escape room and immersive experience designer, actor, director, and the host of Into the Outer Realms program that is creating a road show about Cyrus Avery for the Route 66 centennial in 2026.   

The annual Miles of Possibility Route 66 Conference is about the business and preservation of Route 66. It is a one of a kind networking opportunity, and a lot of fun with friends and friends yet made. It is also a tangible link to the annual US Highway 66 Association conventions of the 1930s that played a pivotal role in the transformation of Route 66 from highway to icon.  On today's program we talked with Cheryl Eichar Jett and Debyjo Ericksen, two of the organizers behind the annual conference. We discussed the history of the event, its importance to the Route 66 community, the upcoming 2025 conference, and the role of the conference in ensuring that Route 66 remains relevant well beyond centennial celebrations in 2026.  Next week on Coffee With Jim, we talk with internationally acclaimed sculptor Donald Gialanella about his work and Route 66 connection. We will also be talking about the role of public art in building a sense of community and community purpose.  Today's program is sponsored in part through listeners support on Patreon. It is also made possible by RouteTrip USA, Cactus Inn Motel, McLean, Texas, Roadrunner Lodge Motel in Tucumcari, Enchanted Trails Trading Post & RV Park in Albuquerque, Two Lane America, Deana Nelson State Farm Insurance, Gilligan's Route 66 Tours, and the iconic Wagon Wheel Motel in Cuba, Missouri.