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Published: December 3rd 2008
Tulsa, OK - Arkansas River
As we leave Tulsa, we cross the Arkansas River, surprised at how low the water level isCurrent State
We are actually in Alamogordo, NM tonight (day 25) where we have finally caught up with some very sunny, warm weather. We have made the turn toward home though it will take us another 8-10 days to get there. We're heading to Roswell, NM tomorrow and assuming we aren't abducted by aliens there, will continue on to stop and see family and friends along the way home. Now, here's turning the pages back to Day 7...
Day 7, Friday, November 14th - Tulsa, OK to Clinton, OK
What a day!! 22 towns of varying sizes, all with unique features. Some have a lot related to Route 66, others minimal. Some have a lot including pre and post 1933 or 1945 routes plus side trips that may include routes that now end in a dead end when they were replaced by later routes or the Interstate (I-40). Each route or alternate has things to see or special driving circumstances that draw one's attention. We have learned from past days to choose one route at any given time - no more back-tracking and taking multiple routes in or around the same town. We are also starting to do better at
Sapulpa, OK - Giant Coke
This "giant" coke bottle and cup is at the "Tribute to Sapulpa Industry and Workers" We're sure there's a story here but didn't take the time to find investigate it choosing what to stop and see, what to drive by, and what to simply let go as not to be seen this time. Still, we went too late for the day. We didn't really expect to be time driven on this trip at all but our experiences this last week...well...you really need much, much more than a couple of weeks to really experience Route 66.
Weather perspective -
The pictures will provide some highlight views. Here's some highlight, interesting tidbits not reflected in the pictures.
* Outlaw Kate "Ma" Barker lived in Tulsa in 1930-31
* "If you grew up in mid-twentieth-century America, then you've heard of Bama Pies." (Route 66 Adventure Book, Drew Knowles). Tulsa is home for Bama Pies
* Stroud is home to the International Brick & Rolling Pin Competition and Festival. The competition brings competitors from other cities named Stroud (e.g. Canada, Australia, UK) to compete in various games of skill
* Chandler claims the title Pecan Capital of the World
* The town of Cromwell, southeast of Chandler, is said to be the site of the last Old West-style gunfight (1924). Bill Tilghman, former US Marshal, was killed and is buried in
Chandler
*Washinton Irving camped in Arcadia in 1832. "Rip Van Winkle" is one example of his writings. He is also said to have coined the pharses "almighty dollar" and "happy hunting ground" - the latter referencing American Indians' life in the hereafter.
* Carlton and Gerald Hale installed the first automatic parking meter on July 16, 1935 in Oklahoma City. In 1937, Sylman Goldman introduced the shopping cart.
* The National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum, formerly the National Cowboy Hall of Fame is in Oklahoma City
* Oklahoma City is home of the National Softball hall of Fame and Museum
* Singer Garth Brooks and actor Dale Robertson are from Yukon, OK
* El Reno grills a 650 pound Onion Burger on the first Saturday of each May
* Fort Reno gained the reputation for raising a large proportion of US Army horses. The riderless horse in President Kennedy's funeral procession was raised here (Black Jack).
* Fort Sill is south of Weatherford. Many indian chiefs were imprisoned here and some, including Geronimo, are buried
* The Trade Winds Motel in Clinton was one of Elvis Preseley's favorite places to stay. Room 215 is still available (by reservation of
Sapulpa, OK - Charlie's
Couldn't help snapping this for Rita's brother Charlie. The 'fat' part doesn't fit but just seeing the Charlie's grill made us think of him and snap this picture course)
There's ton of other tidbits we gleamed - too many to re-state here. Hope the pictures (only 3 pages today) and brief notes here help in understanding where we've bee. Once again, we are late getting in with a great need to eat and stops, etc. for tomorrow.
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Charlie
non-member comment
What?
So it had to be "Fat Charlie's?"Not Robust Charlie's or Incredibly Buff Charlie's? Oh well, thanks for thinking of me. Loves ya, Charlie