This is an emotional, personal post. I'm not sure when I'll return to my travelogues, especially considering current events. Just a heads up! On Thursday, March 12th, I learned that my sweet mother passed away. It still doesn't feel real; the news was completely unexpected. We have had to postpone her services due to a … Continue reading Dearly Departed
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
Note: I meant to post this in October, but I accidentally left it in Draft status. Oops! Anyway, here's the second part of our trip to Colorado. The first part is here. Manitou Springs is just as beautiful in the morning as it is at dusk. Instead of neon lights, it's the sunlight on the … Continue reading Mountains, Dwellings, and Gardens
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
Every year for our wedding anniversary, Samantha and I plan to take a trip. Not that I ever need an excuse to hit the road for a few days, but the celebration of our marriage (and our first date) is a great reason to spend a little time away from home. This year, we went … Continue reading The Centennial State
(Part 3 is available here.) Driving from Bluff, Utah to Raton, New Mexico makes for a long day. When Mom and I woke up on October 2nd, we had to decide whether we were going to drive back into New Mexico, through Taos, or take the road through southern Colorado. Mom left the decision up … Continue reading Going West with Mom (Part 4)
(Part two is available here.) After a stunning day at the Grand Canyon, the first day of October marked a literal turning point in our journey. The day began with a re-entry into the National Park and a slow drive east before turning north into Utah. But on the way, we would be stopping at … Continue reading Going West with Mom (Part 3)
(Part one is available here.) On the morning of Monday, September 30th my mother and I woke and had breakfast at the Globetrotter Lodge in Holbrook, Arizona. Peter Hoeller, the owner, is an excellent host. The small dining room attached to the lobby was full of travelers; each group had a place setting ready for … Continue reading Going West with Mom (Part 2)
A few months ago, I realized I had a week of vacation I had to take this year and Samantha didn't have matching time available. I wanted to take a long road trip but I didn't feel like spending that week alone. So, I called my mother. "Where have you always wanted to go?" I … Continue reading Going West with Mom (Part 1)
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
