We rose early on Monday the 29th and headed east to The Big Easy. Before leaving Lafayette, though, Sam and I had breakfast at an amazing little place called Edie's Express. It's not hyperbole when I say they served the best biscuits I've ever had in my life. If you ever find yourself anywhere NEAR … Continue reading Entering the Crescent City
When Samantha asked if I'd like to tag along with her to New Orleans, where she was to attend an event planning conference, I said sure. I'd never been to the city before (or Louisiana as a whole, actually) and was excited for the experience. What I didn't expect, however, was for the city to … Continue reading Road to the Bayou State
Most of my free time lately has been going towards research and writing of my book on Lost Tulsa Restaurants -- and I'm happy to say it's going well! But all that time at the Tulsa Historical Society and other archives has taken away from my time on the road. Not to mention it's been … Continue reading Eleventh Hour Bridgehunting
The town of Pawhuska was founded in 1872 on the banks of Bird Creek, within the Osage Nation in Indian Territory. It was named in honor of a tribal chief, Paw-Hiu-Skah (meaning White Hair). A post office opened in 1876 and by Oklahoma statehood in 1907 there was a newspaper, railway station, and almost 2,500 … Continue reading Of Christmas Past
I hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving! I had one of the best in recent memory, as my Mom and brother came over to our house for the holiday. Samantha and Mom cooked together, Tyler and I played video games, and we all enjoyed a fabulous meal. The family even made it to a movie … Continue reading Crafts & Crossings
In the book "Nightmares and Dreamscapes" Stephen King divides time into several classifications. One of them is called "Pretty Pony Time" and describes the good times, the times that will flee from you when you aren't paying attention. It's a good reminder to savor your enjoyment of those times, and it also carries additional meaning for … Continue reading Pretty Pony Time
This is part two of my day spent traveling to Española and Taos. For part one, click here. The eventful morning had me in an excellent mood. My window was down and my radio was cranked high as I entered a valley. Small artistic communities dotted the shoulder as the two-lane road snaked around mountains … Continue reading Capturing Time (part two)
Nothing lasts forever. That fact is why I quickly planned a weekend road trip to the Land of Enchantment. There is an abandoned motel in Española, NM that has a great old sign I've wanted to photograph for a long time. When I received word that demolition was close at hand, I knew if I … Continue reading Capturing Time (part one)
You can't control inspiration. You can seek it studiously, you can create circumstances that foster it, you can dig through tedium until you find it...but, after all is said and done, it'll come when it pleases. Convenience has nothing to do with it. On Wednesday, the bulb of inspiration clicked on in my brain and … Continue reading Making Time
I hadn't taken a Route 66 specific road trip in quite a while. Sure, I followed a Military Vehicle Convoy in September...but that wasn't really about the road itself. I did spend some time on Mother Road with Michael Wallis in June; but, that wasn't directly specific to 66 either. I was having withdrawals! I … Continue reading Back to the Route
Rhys' Pieces 