Author: rhysfunk

Rhys Martin is an author and photographer from Tulsa, Oklahoma. His love of travel was awakened in 2009 when he sold all of his possessions and left the country. For ten months, he lived out of a backpack and explored southeast Asia and Europe. When he returned home, it was with fresh eyes for his home state. As he drove the back roads of Oklahoma, Rhys discovered the significance of historic Route 66 to the greater American story. He has traveled all 2,448 miles of the Mother Road and continues to seek out the quiet Main Streets of the Midwest. Rhys's travel writing and photography has been featured in numerous publications, including Tulsa People Magazine, This Land Press, ROUTE Magazine, Nimrod Journal, The Oklahoman and Tulsa World. He wrote the book Lost Restaurants of Tulsa, which features the stories of nearly 50 iconic eating establishments from the city's past. He has also been a contributing author to multiple Route 66-based travel and history books. Rhys is the President of the Oklahoma Route 66 Association and serves on multiple boards and commissions related to the Mother Road and its upcoming Centennial in 2026. He loves to connect with people and share his experiences.

Contradiction

I was in the middle of a conversation with a good friend last night when I came to a realization. Over the last few months, there have been several emotionally traumatic events in my life: the failure of my marriage, the death of my grandmother, and the death of my father. I've had this nagging … Continue reading Contradiction →

Hidden

Have you ever felt you know something about somebody, but later find out that you didn't know the true depth of knowledge that you thought you did? Dad was really good at hiding things. If he didn't want you to know something, he would really pull out all the stops to keep things under control, … Continue reading Hidden →

Timing

It's strange how I can have the exact same thought or say the exact same words and get entirely different reactions. For example: I have a picture on my desk at work of my family. Mom, Dad, Tyler, and I at Grandma's funeral service this past December. I'll look over at it occasionally, and sometimes … Continue reading Timing →

Stuck

I've spent the last several days stuck in my apartment. This horrible blizzard has cut me off from the rest of the world, it seems.My apartment is behind a house in a residential area in the middle of Tulsa. Typically, I park on the street, take a sidewalk around the back of a small house, … Continue reading Stuck →

Moved

Today was the last 'big' step in the aftermath of my father's untimely demise. It was moving day.Thanks to my night schedule at work, early mornings are once again a struggle for my brain to acknowledge. And, yes, 7 am is early. Thankfully, I got up with enough time to fix myself a cup of … Continue reading Moved →

Speech

Thank you all so very much for coming. As I’ve talked to some of you this past week, I’ve come to realize that everyone thought as highly of my father as I did. I love my Dad very much, and I know he loved me. I was proud of the things he did in his … Continue reading Speech →

Today

Can't sleep.In about nine hours, I drive out of town and to the town where my father was raised. He helped at his father's grocery store. He graduated high school. He raced cars at the Pawhuska Municipal Airport. He moved back to care for his ailing mother. Tomorrow, he completes his journey and we all … Continue reading Today →

My 2011 Starts Friday

2010 was a hell of a year. In February, I returned home from my travels abroad as a better refined and defined version of myself. I spent the next few months reconnecting with family, friends, and adjusting to being home again. In May, my marriage took a big hit and it seemed to be finished. … Continue reading My 2011 Starts Friday →

Adrift

Went back to work today. It was mostly good to get my mind on something else for a little bit. I had several people come up to me throughout the day and offer their support. It means the world to me. I just wish I knew what I needed.I felt like a ghost, haunting my … Continue reading Adrift →

Grocery

I awoke at the crack of 8 AM today to drive out to the Reasor's Foods store just north of Owasso. I'm not used to getting up early anymore, and it took some doing. Factor in that my apartment was roughly 57 degrees and you have an unhappy camper.The day I found out about my … Continue reading Grocery →