It's odd how the days in 2020 seem to stretch on forever, yet at the same time they become a compressed, jumbled mess in my memory. A lot of that is COVID, sure, but part of that is grief and other stresses. The last few months I've done some scattered traveling but all of my … Continue reading Pieces of the Road
The vast majority of travelers that spend time on Historic Route 66 are familiar with the 2006 Disney/Pixar film Cars. The animated movie tells the story of Lightning McQueen, a race car that finds himself stuck in the small western Route 66 town of Radiator Springs. The town is the home of many colorful characters … Continue reading The Cars Story and Route 66
A few days ago, Tulsa's city council passed an ordinance that requires masks to be worn at all times in public to help curb the spread of COVID-19. As is the case everywhere in this country right now, it was met with a mixture of support and anger. I've wondered how Tulsa dealt with the … Continue reading Tulsa’s Experience: The Influenza of 1918
We had Mom's services today in Barnsdall, Oklahoma. It's the town where she grew up and a place that she dearly loved. About 30 of us gathered together under a small awning at the new cemetery. That's a real small-town direction, isn't it? "It's not at the OLD cemetery, it's at the NEW cemetery!" Most … Continue reading Remembering Lory Martin
At the beginning of 2020, the first half of my year had several excursions on the books. I was going to Springfield, Missouri for a Route 66 conference in March, we were taking Mom to Disney World in April (her first time back since 1998), and I planned to finally see Wyoming as part of … Continue reading A Worthwhile Journey
I miss a lot of things in the COVID-19 World. I miss seeing my friends, I miss taking road trips, I miss eating out. One of the things I miss most, at least the way it used to be, is grocery shopping. For most of my adult life, it's been an almost spiritual experience. I … Continue reading Comfort Foods
On March 20, 2020 I made an impulse purchase. It had been eight days since Mom's unexpected passing. My brother and I had decided to postpone the services due to COVID-19. Her ashes had just been placed on the fireplace, next to her Dad's mandolin and her Mom's tambourine, where they still wait for interment. … Continue reading Animal Crossing
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
Rhys' Pieces 