President Des Moore greets Howard Caskie, with club members Eric Fulton (L) and John McKegney (R)
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Coleraine Probus and one man's highway adventure

The President, Des Moore, welcomed members to the meeting and introduced our speaker, Howard Caskie, who had recently made an epic journey on America's “Route 66”.

Howard Caskie outlined his reason for considering the American adventure. He was approaching the age of 66, he lived on the B66 road and this was sufficient incentive for him to embark on the journey along” Route 66” accompanied by his friend Colm McLaughlin.

Chicago, and the start of the road trip!

Arguably the most iconic of all American road trips, Route 66, established in 1946, was the vision of Cyrus Avery and John Woodruff and was intended to bring economic growth to the regions through which it passed. Known also as “The Main Street of America” or “The Mother Road” it runs between Chicago and Los Angeles, covering 2451 miles passing through eight states, Illinois, Missouri, Kansas, Oklahoma, Texas, New Mexico, Arizona and Southern California.

Just one of the sights on this magic highway

Howard’s informative and professional presentation painted a vivid historical picture of the various iconic landscapes, townships, monuments and outlandish advertising gimmicks encountered along the way.

Putting the trip in perspective - a LONG highway indeed!

Sadly America has outgrown “Route 66” which was decommissioned in 1984. The crumbling highway of hope has now become the destination.

(With special thanks to Graham for all the help with this report)