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Rhys' Pieces

My travels through Oklahoma, Route 66, and beyond

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Author: rhysfunk

Rhys Martin was born in Tulsa, Oklahoma in 1981. In 2009, he sold everything he owned and left the country, living out of a backpack for ten months. He discovered a passion for photography while traveling throughout Southeast Asia and Europe. After returning home, he looked at his home town and Oklahoma heritage with fresh eyes. When he began to explore his home state, Rhys turned his attention to historic Route 66. As he became familiar with the iconic highway, he began to truly appreciate Oklahoma’s place along the Mother Road. He has traveled all 2,400 miles of Route 66, from Chicago to Los Angeles. He has also driven many miles on rural Oklahoma highways to explore the fading Main Streets of our small towns. Rhys has a desire to find and share the unique qualities of the Sooner State with the rest of the world. Cloudless Lens Photography has been featured in several publications including This Land, Route 66 Magazine, Nimrod Journal, Inbound Asia Magazine, The Oklahoman, and the Tulsa World. In 2018 he published his first book, Lost Restaurants of Tulsa. Rhys loves to connect with people and share his experiences; ask him about enjoyable day trips from Tulsa, locations along Route 66, and good diners or burger joints along the way.

An Art Deco Enigma

An old family photo leads to a little-known piece of Tulsa history

rhysfunk Oklahoma, Tulsa 6 Comments March 18, 2022March 21, 2022 4 Minutes

Okay No Longer

The Jefferson Highway was one of America's earliest highway systems. It connected New Orleans Louisiana to Winnipeg, Canada about a decade before the federal numbered highway system was created. Over time, it was supplanted by other highways (much like Route 66) but it still enjoys enthusiasm from dedicated fans and communities that take pride in … Continue reading Okay No Longer →

rhysfunk Oklahoma, Uncategorized 4 Comments March 6, 2022March 6, 2022 3 Minutes

Tulsa’s Crystal City

In 1927, the town of Red Fork on Tulsa's southwest side was incorporated into the city. It's where Tulsa County's first oil discovery was made (Sue Bland Well No. 1) and is still home to a large, active rail yard. There were several communities in what is now Southwest Tulsa, actually; all still home to … Continue reading Tulsa’s Crystal City →

rhysfunk Tulsa, Uncategorized 12 Comments February 17, 2022February 17, 2022 2 Minutes

Speeder Excursion and the K&T Motor 9

This past weekend I was lucky to experience a unique journey through southwest Oklahoma. I wasn't on Route 66 this time, nor was I sitting behind the wheel of my Mustang. This journey put me in a vehicle that was altogether new to me on a path quite a bit older than any highway: the … Continue reading Speeder Excursion and the K&T Motor 9 →

rhysfunk Oklahoma, Uncategorized 1 Comment November 8, 2021November 9, 2021 5 Minutes

Saving Skateland’s Neon

For decades, the giant Skateland neon sign stood near the corner of 11th and Sheridan in Tulsa. The roller rink there just off Route 66 was a Tulsa mainstay for decades. Ed and Wanda Enlow, who had been teaching skating at the Continental Roller Rink near 11th and Peoria, opened the family skating rink on … Continue reading Saving Skateland’s Neon →

rhysfunk Oklahoma, Tulsa Leave a comment October 1, 2021October 1, 2021 2 Minutes

The Hotel Higgins

When I travel, I love to stay at historic properties. You can learn a lot about a place if you get the chance to live its history, even if it's in an abbreviated way. In May, I was exploring Casper, Wyoming and hadn't quite found what I was looking for regarding accommodations. I expanded my … Continue reading The Hotel Higgins →

rhysfunk Travel, Wyoming 2 Comments September 27, 2021September 27, 2021 4 Minutes

Welcome Back, Big Boy

I love trains. I'm not a "foamer" (a term used by some for die-hard train enthusiasts). I can't tell you what all the parts and pieces do or differences between one train line and the next but I can tell you how they make me feel. There's something about the sight and sound that taps … Continue reading Welcome Back, Big Boy →

rhysfunk Uncategorized 3 Comments August 13, 2021 4 Minutes

Terni’s of Millerton

Recently, Samantha and I traveled up to New York state to see her family. It had been over a year since we'd seen them and it felt good to get out of town for a while. We had a lovely time - we didn't go down into the City due to the curtain of COVID's … Continue reading Terni’s of Millerton →

rhysfunk Uncategorized Leave a comment August 7, 2021 2 Minutes

The Barnsdall Letterpresses

In February of 2015, a terrible fire ravaged downtown Barnsdall, Oklahoma. It wasn't the first time - many buildings in town have been lost to fire over the years, actually - but this one had a very specific family connection. My great-aunt Estelle ran a beauty parlor in town for most of her life. Her … Continue reading The Barnsdall Letterpresses →

rhysfunk Uncategorized Leave a comment June 14, 2021 7 Minutes

Chugwater, Wyoming

As I drove through Wyoming on the morning of May 26, I pulled off of Interstate 25 into the little community of Chugwater: population 212. The iconic bucking bronco that serves as the motif for Wyoming's brand (visible on license plates and many other items), "Steamboat", was born there. Additionally, it's the home of Wyoming's … Continue reading Chugwater, Wyoming →

rhysfunk Uncategorized Leave a comment June 7, 2021 4 Minutes

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Latest Instagram Posts

Sunrise at the El Vado, a wonderfully restored motor court in Albuquerque #NewMexico! #Route66 #travel #roadtrip #neon #sign #motel #newmexicotrue #nmwx
Don't mind the glare, the new Route 66 shield on Amarillo's water tower is terrific! Great job by everyone involved in the fundraising to make it happen. #Route66 #TX66 @visit_amarillo #Amarillo #ipulledoverforthis
Spent some time today showing my friend @_______dex around T-Town. He wanted to capture some #neon - what luck! #Route66 #OK66 #sunset #okwx #gas_food_lodging
Thar she glows! The #neon #sign at Vinita's Hi-Way Cafe is lit again after three decades of darkness. What a great sight along #Oklahoma #Route66! #OK66 #signage #neonsign #restoration

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Rhys' Pieces
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