Stop 5 - Oklahoma City, Oklahoma

Today has ended eventually. it took us a full twelve hours to get from Springfield to Oklahoma city. Even though we left at 7.45.am the journey was longer than expected. Why was this? Well, for one thing the journey was so immensely enjoyable and, as others on the route would testify, rewarding that we simple felt we had to stop time and time again for the plethora of photo opportunities that arose. The second reason was far more simple. We got lost. yes, once or twice along the route as was to be expected. But our biggest detours took place in the last five miles of the journey when the complexity of the Oklahoma road system combined with the road works conspired to have us arrive at our hotel in a state of frustration (speaking personally!). That said it did not marr the glory of the day.

So, what was that day?

Well, beginning from Springfield we managed to record a video of the road and this is shown below.

Route 66 Video

There continued to be all sorts of historic route 66 memorbilia and relics to enjoy as we travelled through and out of the state of Missouri, into the state of Kansas before entering the state of Oklahoma.

After leaving Springfield we travelled through Halltown, Paris Springs, Spencer, HeatonVille, Albatross, Phelps, Rescue, Plew, Avilla and Carthage. This route was breathtaking and quite beautiful and inspired no less than 5 separate video sessions only one of which  we have so far managed to upload here (its not that easy!) but we will post more once we've perfected the method....


As I say above photo opportunities were in abundance as we passed drive in theatres,

 a genuine tank

 a bank building that was once robbed by Jesse James

and even a memorial for a police officer shot at that spot by none other than Bonnie and Clyde. Naughty as they may have been it felt almost humbling to know that we were travelling along and standing upon the  very same spot that these infamous icons of history had 'graced' with their presence.


After Carthage we travelled through Garrison and Brooklyn Heights, crossing into Carterville and Webb City. We chose at this point the 'Joplin option' which took us through Zora, Florida, Utica, Euclid, St.Lois and Broadway. From there we entered Kansas.

Route 66 only crosses about 13 miles of Kansas. The first and main town we travelled through is Galena. From here we crossed the Rainbow Bridge and through Baxter Springs which is where Jesse James conducted his affairs in 1876.

We then drove south into Oklahoma. So in just one day we travelled through three states all on the original 66 and here is the evidence to prove it!

Oklahoma is agricultural country personified and reminded us of Wales. In fact its like driving through the bottom of a Welsh valley except all sides of that valley are a thousand miles distant! There were beautiful places to see and also quite sad remnants of a proud association with the Mother Road now lost as a result of its diversion to the Interstate.There a number or reminders of this, some poignant, some enduringly attractive by their stereotypical Americana and some down right sad at the lament of the loss.

We drove through, Quapaw, Commerce (where Bonnie and Clyde conducted their business), Miami, Narcissa, Afton, Vinita, White Oak, Chelsea, Bushy Head, Foyil, Sequoyah and into Claremore. This place as a matter of dubious interest is actually famous for 'radium baths'. When one travels through these myriad towns that appear as sparsely massed gatherings or communities amidst even sparser landscapes it is hard to imagine how they became famous on the world stage for anything - and yet so many of them do. America is an amazing country.

From here we actually crossed a river called 'Spunky Creek' before entering Catoosa and into Tulsa. Tulsa is a big city and by the time we navigated our way towards and partly through it we were ready to stop for a break. this we did at Tally's Cafe.T It was there that we enjoyed the obligatory American milkshake in a typical American diner.

It was also there that we received what we have come to regard as typical American warmth, generosity and hospitality when we met Davina. Pand is proudly wearing a Tally Cafe T-shirt so kindly given to her by her new friend.

We left Tulsa and travelled through Red Fork, Oakhurst, Bowden and Supulpa. Onward through Kellyville, Belle Vue, Bristow and Depew. It was at this point that we decided to take the 'Depew Loop Option' and travel the 1926-28 section of the US 66 which took us on the original road through the original town of Depew. We were so glad we did for 2 reasons. One reason was that Depew couldn't be less a reminder of what most of us Brits picture when we think of the old west USA. It was a typical "cowboy" town in its appearance.

The second and better reason was that........I will have to tell the story as we track back.........


Those regular readers amongst you will recall our stop at the Fanning outpost back in Illinois. Whilst we were there we met an english couple called Matt and Katie - a lovely young couple themselves travelling route 66 before settling down to married life next year. Having shared an all but too brief social exchange we went our respective ways and wished one another good fortune on our respective journeys.

Two days later as we sat photographing at Depew who should drive through the same small town and at that same time but obviously you have guessed - Matt and Katie. We met up again, this time swapped contact details and have arranged to meet one another in Sante Fe in a couple of days time. We are looking forward to it. As I say they are a nice young couple.

We drove on to Stroud, Davenport, Chandler, Warwik, Wellston, Luther, Arcadia and Edmond. It was close to there that we stopped and from which place we now author this post.

We will be here for two nights. Tomorrow we intend to visit the Oklahoma stock yards known locally as the 'Cowtown', and, if time permits, the sight of the Oklahoma bombing in the city itself .We will then drive on to Amarillo in New Mexico, that will be the next post.