AUGUST 27, 2010 - DAY 23 - SPRINGFIELD, MO TO TULSA, OK
If you ever travel along Route 66 you have got to stay at the Best Western Rail Haven of Springfield, MO. It is one of the original motels along the route that has been fixed up to reflect the past. It was full of people from several different countries, on bikes and in cars, who were out following the Mother Road just like us. And we ran into several of them throughout the day.
One thing that has been consistent along the road so far is how rundown so many of the towns or businesses are along the way. It's sad but something that is still happening today with the damage to our country's financial system. When we think back 10-15 years ago when there was such a financial boom we can also think back to the day when Route 66 was the same way.
In Gay Parita, MO we came across an old Sinclair gas station that had been fixed up as in days of old. It is run by Lena and Gary, who fixed up the station, sell a few souvenirs, and have a garage full of antiques as well. They spend time with you talking, telling you all about the place, telling you where else you need to visit, and trying to help you have the ultimate Route 66 experience.
Unfortunately, after we move on we miss the turn to one of their "must see" places. But by the time we are certain we have missed it we are several miles down the road and we don't backtrack. But along the road I suddenly come across an old car and I feel like we are mixing the old with the new in some Route 66 Twilight Zone episode. Then in Carthage, MO we pass an old Drive-In movie theater, one that is still used. Talk about childhood memories!
By the time we got to Joplin, MO we stopped at the H-D shop in town, which is really nice. And then we start looking for a place to eat. On our way out of town we find a very small hole in the wall, Woody's Wood Fired Pizza. If you are riding through give it a stop. Not only is the food good but the staff is both friendly and terrific.
There is only about 13 miles of the Route that travels through Kansas but it is full of interesting places. In Galena, KS there are many influences for the movie "Cars", starting with the boom truck used as the model for "Tow Mater". It is parked in front of the store "4 Women on the Route". The owners are working on fixing up the town building by building and they have done a great job with this one.
In Riverton, KS we make a brief stop at the old Eisler Brothers Store for a soda but not after driving right past it first. If you are looking for it check out one of the first buildings on your right as you enter town. And just down the road from there you will find the Rainbow Curve Bridge built in 1923 and the only remaining Marsh Arch Bridge on the Route.
After Kansas we ride into Oklahoma. It's getting late enough in the day that I realize we won't be getting the chance to visit the Will Rogers museum when we arrive in Claremore. And I even miss the chance of taking a pic of a statue of him along the roadway when a truck pulls up in the next lane as I am about to snap the shot. But the nice thing is that the gentleman driving the truck realizes what I was trying to do, rolls down the passenger window and apologizes. You wouldn't get that in California!
And as we are riding through we see a lone biker with New York plates. We chat briefly at a red light and learn he is alone traveling the Mother Road. When we come upon the next "photo op" listed in all the books it is the Blue Whale. The solo biker stops along the highway on the shoulder as do we. During our obligatory photos we learn that he is an NYPD officer and his name is Matt. After meeting him we wish him luck and head on into Tulsa and to my Aunt's place for the night, getting to arrive before dark - yay! It is great to have dinner waiting and a place to just kick back and relax for the night. Thank you Sheila!
Today's stats: 231 miles and 10.5 hours
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