Every Association's membership is made up of different member types. Some just like to read their magazine and know they are helping to keep the Association going strong with their dues. Some like their magazine, go online occasionaly and will send an email or two for information. Others come "home" to the Hall of Fame banquet once a year to see old friends and reminisce. Some volunteer their time, show up to help out, come to meetings when they can. Everyone has their own style of being a member and every member of our Association is valued. The spirit of the road connects us all.

We look forward with "fresh eyes" toward this year's 20th anniversary Motor Tour. After 20 years together there are few surprises but sometimes parts of the road get more attention, get rediscovered, new efforts are made by the communities along the Mother Road to welcome tourists and visitors to stop and remember what the heart of America is all about.

A two lane highway is a two lane highway but when you add people and businesses and towns, cities and villages, and the road now has a life of its own. Route 66 still represents to the world the road to self-reliance, to knowledge, to learning from the past to go forward into the future. It showed if you try, you can.

Coming home from the Museum Workday, my grandson stopped the car and asked if he could walk the old road in Dwight. He walked for a while and came back to the car wondering our loud how could two cars or a car and a truck make it safely down that road? Lots of whys and how. A 16 year old finds wonder in the concrete lanes abandoned by the side of the road. And so do I!

Spring is here. It's time to renew our tired Winter selves. It's time to wander, to stop in the historical exhibits along the way and learn something new, It's time to stop and have coffee and homemade pie "just because."

We look forward to seeing you on the tour. Come cruise the Land of Lincoln with us. Meet and greet Abe Lincoln at the Hall of Fame dinner. Sing and dance with your fellow roadies! Caravan with us on Sunday as we head south to Edwardsville! Celebrate 50 years of Our Lady of the Highway!

Our board of directors and County Representatives look forward to seeing all of you on 66! After 20 years it's still a thrill to be on the road with you!