Kathleen had the guidebook open on her lap, and also a notebook where she scribbled thoughts and observations. Even now, after so many years, it was instinctive to plan how she would present a place to the public. Part of her skill had been to get straight to the heart of the locality, showing what made it unique and special, knowing what would appeal and draw people in.

In her head she recorded a piece to camera.

When you hear the words road trip what do you imagine? Established in 1926, Route 66 has become one of the most famous roads in North America. There’s a reason it’s on the bucket list of so many people around the world. Over the next couple of weeks we’ll be traveling the 2,448 miles from Chicago to Santa Monica, crossing eight states and three time zones. We’ll be tasting food in historic diners, admiring murals, taking a side trip to the Grand Canyon and driving through flat planes, deserts and mountains before finally ending up on the shores of the Pacific Ocean. So join us as we take you on a journey not just through a varied landscape, but through American history.

At that point she’d smile at the camera, Dirk would yell “cut,” and they’d all celebrate with drinks in the nearest bar.

She’d prided herself on rarely needing more than one take. It helped that she always wrote the words herself.

“Are you feeling okay, Kathleen?” Martha glanced at her, the first time her eyes had left the road. “You’re quiet.”

“I was imagining how I would introduce this place if I were recording the show.”

“I’d love to see some of your shows. I’m going to see if I can find them on the internet.” Martha’s eyes were back on the road. “Do you need me to stop? Do you want a coffee?”

Kathleen checked the guidebook. “There are a few recommended stops ahead, one of which includes a particularly interesting historic diner. I presume it’s the building itself that’s historic, and not the contents of their fridge.”

The towns fell away, the road became quieter as drivers chose the faster route and each side of them were fields and farmland.

They stopped for a delicious lunch of fried chicken and Martha ate while she studied the guidebook, tracing the route with her finger.

“When we reach this point we have to decide which road to take.”

“Route 66.” Kathleen smiled her thanks as the waitress topped up their drinks.

“It’s more complicated than that because the route deviates from the original road. According to this book, there have been improvements and realignments. And there are faster routes if we want them.”

“We don’t.” Kathleen was determined to stick as closely as possible to the original historic Route 66. She wanted to savor every moment.