It may not be on everyone's list great drives in the US, but US Route 20 through upper New York State ranks highly there for beauty and interesting vistas, especially in the fall. When I was on my way to a wedding in Rochester, N.Y. I decided to take two days traveling the "Blue Highways". Rt. 20 is a beautiful 2 and 4 lane road through farm country. Along the way there were many antique shops, small towns and local eateries providing satisfying experiences all along the trip.

I have been asked what it is that I collect. My primary interest is the famous western star Gene Autry. When I was growing up in the 1950's I enjoyed seeing him in the Saturday afternoon western shows.

Gene Autry also featured prominently in early television. He had numerous western shows and movies. His singing and music was more interesting to me than his acting, especially his style during the 1930's; hovering on the edge of the jazz and blues of that period.

I have collected many of his original 78s going back into the 1930s. Someday, I'll catalog them! I also have several autograph pictures that I obtained about 15 years ago by contacting his secretary in Los Angeles. The Autry Museum of Western Heritage in Los Angeles, is on my "must-do" list. There is also the Gene Autry, Oklahoma History Museum, predictably, in Oklahoma. Gene Autry had quite full life and here are some interesting sites about him:

I'm posting a batch of items on EBay this October. Be sure to see this selection from among the item's I've collected during the summer. I plan to continue posting new items on EBay every 5-6 weeks throughout the fall and winter.