On the Mother Road :: Part 4

Totem Pole Park in Oklahoma.

This park was great! It was one of my favorite things in OK!

See the turtle at the bottom?

There were all sorts of sculptures around the park including a fun picnic table.

Guarding the road.

I think this was a little gift shop. We were there early in the morning so it wasn’t open. ..if it even still is.

Good luck!

The next stop was the Catoose Blue Whale. This is probably one of the top three iconic things on Route 66!

Little benches and tables near the Blue Whale.

The Blue Whale!

Open wide.

You could actually climb up in the head of the whale. There’s Eric!

In the belly of the beast.

This used to be a popular swimming spot, but it didn’t look like water you’d want to swim in now. There were quite a few turtles swimming there though!

The Oasis Motel.

Thank you, Tulsa!

The Rose Bowl.

The Desert Hills Motel. What a gorgeous sign!

The Cyrus Avery Centennial Plaza. Cyrus Avery is the “Father of Route 66.”

It was quite the lively sculpture.

Old Route 66.

The detail on the sculpture was wonderful.

There was even a grasshopper on the grill of the old Ford.

A 1920’s era bridge.

The Skyliner Motel. These motel signs sure beat Motel 6.

Another sneaky Meramec Caverns sign on a barn.

A rather beat down gas station.

66 sign on the wall of the gas station.

Round Barn in Arcadia, OK.

Inside the round barn. It was kind of trippy looking up at the ceiling.

Right outside of Oklahoma City is a town called El Reno. This is the spot were a giant tornado killed three storm chasers this past tornado season. Eric and I were fans of the show, Storm Chasers, so we were familiar with the men killed. We were only about a mile away so we decided to go pay our respects.

There was already a memorial setup for the storm chasers. We left some of our wedding flowers for the guys.

Tornado damage.

At least people can have a sense of humor.

No more billboards.

I was worried about running into a tornado while on the trip. We hit some rather bad storms, but thankfully no tornado. Tornado Alley is one place I do not want to live!

Calumet Chieftains.

Pony Bridge, Route 66.

The Glancy Motor Hotel!

This was a “hip” Route 66 museum. It wasn’t my favorite, because they seemed like they were trying to hard. You don’t have to try hard…you’re Route 66!

Big Bug!

Cotton Boll Motel.

I was a creeper and wanted a photo of the herd of cat on this front porch. They were so cute!

India food! We actually went there to find India food. And it was so good! They made it vegan for us too!

Western Motel.

Overgrown Route 66.

Harley and Annabelle’s in Erick, OK.

So many fun signs!

Harley and Annabelle’s.

No place like Texola.

There’s no other place like this place anywhere near this place so this must be the place.

My first time in Texas! And I will say that I was kind of upset I didn’t see one cowboy in chaps. Assless or otherwise.

Conoco Gas Station in Shamrock, TX.

Wide angle madness!

On the Mother Road :: Part 3

Route 66 emblem on the pavement near John’s Modern Cabins.

John’s Modern Cabins…or what’s left of them.

We had to walk through some brush to get to the cabins. That was a bad idea when we realized we had ticks all over us. I was so creeped out until I showered that night. I checked every inch of me and every inch (inside and out!) of my clothing for those pesky ticks.

John’s not so Modern Cabins.

An awesome No Trespassing sign directed at one guy! Burn!

The Munger Moss is one of the most famous motels on 66. We sadly didn’t spend the night here.

Rest Haven Court.

One of two turtle rescues we performed on the trip! This guy was crossing a busy road and we helped him along.

Antique.

Fantastic fence along 66!

Glass bottles in cement. I would love to do this someday.

This was in a little “village” type thing. The guy who built the village collected old buildings and cars to make a town of his own.

I love the paint of the buildings and bird houses.

Planes and automobiles.

Shiny.

This lovely lady was perched atop the airplane.

Sassy gal!

Danger ducks.

More fabulous sculptures in the little village.

Happy little car.

Highway Patrol.

Moon barn.

Mail Pouch Tobacco ad.

Probably the most famous drive-in on Route 66! There was a weird guy watching us the whole time we were taking photos. I think he was the cranky caretaker.

Carthage, MO.

Mater!

Palace Drug Store ghost sign.

Murder brothel.

Bridge in Kansas.

A very bare and beautiful downtown.

Conoco Station.

Original 9 foot road segment on 66. Also known as the Sidewalk Highway!

At least we know!

Cafe.

Possibly old tourist cabins? Lovely though!

On the Mother Road :: Part 2

Morning sun in Lincoln, IL.

World’s Largest Wagon and Big Lincoln.

Old 66.

Our Lady of the Highways Shrine – Raymond, IL.

Jesus. Just Jesus.

Mega blue sky!

Cemetery in Mt. Olive, IL.

Mother Jones’ grave site in Mt. Olive, IL.

Old Shell station.

President Lincoln’s tomb.

Rub the nose of Lincoln for good luck! I rubbed it and wished good luck for my niece, Tessa, who was born that day! Yay Tessa!

Inside Lincoln’s tomb.

President Lincoln.

Mama bird near the tomb.

Fantastic buildings!

More old road on 66.

There are some turkey tracks in the cement on a segment of 66.

There are the tracks!

An old jail. The ivy makes it almost seem cozy.

A homemade 66 monument.

Humpin’ to Please!

Henry’s Rabbit Ranch.

Hop on!

The Bel-Air Drive In.

Chain of Rocks Bridge spanning the Mississippi River!

The Great Mississippi River!

Awesome buildings on the Mississippi.

On the Chain of Rocks Bridge in Illinois.

And on the Chain of Rocks Bridge in Missouri!

This sign was kind of sad! A missing tortoise. I’m not sure how you lose your tortoise. I hope they find the guy. Or I hope he lives a happy life in the wild.

Meramec Caverns.

A beautifully restored Phillips station.

The World’s Largest Rocking Chair!

Just another gorgeous sign on the Mother Road!