The eastern portions of 11th Street in Tulsa (also known as Route 66) resemble more of a rural highway than a city road. Homes and empty fields make up most of the landscape with an occasional church or small business hanging on to life. Near 133rd East Avenue, a sign on the south side of … Continue reading The Story of Thrifty
Originally posted to the Oklahoma Route 66 Association blog on 11/7/19 When it was announced this summer that the contents of Afton Station were going to be auctioned off, I was tremendously sad. Afton Station had been a great asset to Route 66, not just in northeast Oklahoma but throughout all 2400+ miles. It wasn't … Continue reading The Waldmire U-Haul
While researching my book, Lost Restaurants of Tulsa, I met and interviewed a lot of people. During that process, I learned a lot about various family histories tied to eateries of the city's past. One of my favorite stories is that of the Eng Family. Their journey weaves in and around generations of family, friends, … Continue reading The Eng Family
When I woke up this morning, I wanted to go somewhere. I also didn't want to go anywhere. My day-to-day has been so busy lately that I haven't had much of an opportunity to take any road trips and I've been fiending for more time behind the wheel. I'm also just plain worn out...so a … Continue reading Bartlesville, Bridges, and Buddy
If you missed my previous post that covered the journey from Paris Springs to Joplin, Missouri -- check that out here. As I ate my breakfast and visited with my New Zealand traveling companions in Joplin, I noticed they were all wearing small red pins. At first I thought they were little guitars, but I … Continue reading Gilligan’s Spring Tour (II)
In late November, my friend Nic asked if I had been down to Oklahoma City to see the Railway Museum. I told him I hadn't, and that was as good an excuse as any to get out of town. I had been stuck in a loop of book-related activity and really needed a break. The … Continue reading America’s Corner
For nearly 70 years, the town of Wetumka, OK has held an annual festival called Sucker Day. It's an odd name for a celebration, and it has a colorful story. It inspired me to take a little trip to Hughes County and explore a little more of the Sooner State. Here's the story of Sucker … Continue reading Sucker Day
On the way home from Missouri this weekend, I stopped for lunch in Vinita, OK. Normally, I'd stop in at Clanton's...but today I opted for the Hi-Way Cafe just west of town. I'd heard good things and the timing was right. I'm very glad I did. I pulled in to the gravel lot to find … Continue reading The Hi-Way Cafe
This weekend, I drove out to Shamrock Texas for the International Route 66 Festival, "Texas Welcomes the World." I'll have a lot to say about my time here later, but today I want to share with you a little place just on the Okie side of the border in Texola. By the time the Post … Continue reading An Oasis in Texola
It's been a little over seven years since I received that terrible phone call, the one that signaled a new age of my life. It's a little surreal to look back at my world at the time of my father's sudden passing. I feel like I was just a kid then, even though I was … Continue reading The March of Time
