Sometimes in life, you make choices. We made the choice this morning to start on the Interstate, because we knew later in the day we had a lot we wanted to see, and while the idea of driving all of Route 66 is appealing, it’s not possible anyhow for us because of time this trip. We knew that through this day, there would be stretches where we might jump on I-44 to make time.
When we did hop off, we started giggling as Wayne proclaimed in saw a the “Biggest Butt on Route 66!” Now, I know this sounds terrible, but it was simply a sandy looking rock pile with a backside appearance! Riah is still laughing at that joke.
We stopped at the famous Munger Moss Motel in Lebonon, but the sun was challenging me with lighting for the shot I wanted. Well, the shot I really wanted was the neon on! But I knew we would not be in that area at night. I wish so bad we could get so many of these signs in their neon glory lit. Tonight, in Tulsa I had planned a night time jaunt on 66 to photograph some signs. I was excited about this! But I am tired. I am in fact beat. The guys seem fine and full of energy, but tonight I am lagging behind and I made the decision that I needed to just come to the hotel and relax. I need this day to wind down.
We skipped Springfield. This was a hard choice, as there were many things there I wanted to check out. But once more, we knew time wise we were pushing to do all we wanted this day. One the other side of Springfield, we met a man named Gay who owned a historical Sinclair gas station. It was just he and his cats hanging out there smoking. He was very kind to Riah, gave him lots of things to read. He talked for a long time to Wayne while Riah and I explored and took pictures. The cat thought I liked it. I didn’t have the heart to be honest, so it followed me and rubbed against my bare leg the whole time I took pictures. My legs have been itchy all day. When we finally were able to pull away, we headed towards an old bridge on a seldom used alignment, where Riah and I were able to “sit” on Route 66 for a photo. He loved this. He loves that kind of thing. He laughed and laughed as we pulled away. “Don’t tell Grammy we sat on the road! She would worry!!!!!” Seriously, not a car in sight folks. I made sure he knows never to sit on any other road, he saw the humor and silliness in the act, the fact that the road was that abandoned.
We headed slightly off 66 next, to a “town” that is actually not a town, but rather a creation by one man of a collection of historical buildings and cars, moved from other Missouri locations. He is an artist, and is creating a small town with the buildings there. We wandered around and Riah enjoyed taking pictures on his own. He loved all the old cars there. Wayne pretended to “tip a tractor” like in CARS the movie. We also found an old police car like Sheriff.
We were frustrated by signage, or the lack there of in places, and that frustration led to a neat fluke opportunity. In the town of Carterville, there is a visitor center we had planned to stop in at. When we pulled up, the local NBC station was there taping an interview with the man in charge. He told us to go in, look around, he would be right in. Well, we did. We found a Missouri plate for sale, which we bought Riah for his room. When the two men came in, the TV reporter asked if he could talk to me. He asked about our trip. He asked if we had any problems with signage in the area. I explained we had, but we had just decided to move on and not backtrack. He smiled and asked if he could interview me on camera, “You just became my story here.” Apparently what I told him proved the point the man he was talking to is trying to make. So, I got a microphone on and he began to ask me questions. I was hot and soaked with sweat from the heat, felt like I looked terrible! When he got done talking to me, he videoed the whole family. But, we are on tv tonight. He videoed us walking around, talked to Riah a little, and we acted out some shots for him, such as walking out the front door, getting out of the van(since he missed that shot) and eventually driving down Route 66 “into the sunset.” It was fun. We all had a blast doing it, so thank you Brad for making our day!
When we left, Riah said, “Mom he takes as many pictures as you!” I said, “Yep, he’s a pro!”
We went to the giant praying hands in Webb City next and took a few shots. I was nervous about the wind and the camera on the tripod and mentioned it. Riah said, “Oh mom, I am sorry! I was so hot I just prayed God would send me a breeze and here I was thinking he answered my prayers.” Sweet. Simply sweet.
We headed for Joplin, Mo. next. We sang as we passed through. We didn’t stop though, we were already falling behind.
We did the historic portion of Kansas 66 as you enter the state, but backtracked to the four lane bypass to find a welcome sign. In Galena we went to see Tow Tater the inspiration for Tow Mater from CARS. Riah took lots of photos. I took lots too. Very fun seeing what inspired the writers and animators. Kansas has the only remaining Rainbow Bridge on 66, so we checked it out. We soon passed into Oklahoma, and before we knew it the topography was changing subtly.
After Miami, Oklahoma, we took a little adventure on a nine foot wide section of the original road, know as the sidewalk portion. It is worn and seldom used except by farmers and ranchers and crazy history buffs like us. It was bumpy but fun. We cruised back to the main road, and we off again.
We saw the Blue Whale in Catoosa, but didn’t linger long. The water was low and the dragon flies were buzzing us as we looked. And it sort of smelled funky. I imagine it would be more fun minus the heat, bugs and green pond scum. But Riah loves BIG THINGS just like we do, so he enjoyed.
We have missed some attractions we really wanted to see, but time is just pressing us and we are realizing we need to just come back. And, if we have some stuff we haven’t seen on 66, it will be more fun next time around.
In Tulsa, we drove around for way too long talking about supper. We had just snacked for lunch, and no one could make up their mind. When we finally ended up eating Mexican, it wasn’t even at the place we wanted to go, but we didn’t feel like going back to the one we had wanted to hit.
The guys are watching Disney, not swimming tonight. We are all taking it easy. I may put some pictures on, we’ll see. I am soooooooooooooooooo tired! Tomorrow, some old west stuff and a touch more 66 before heading north.
|
Morning |
Mid Day |
Afternoon |
|
