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
In the summer of 2018, I was put in touch with a man named Robert Brooks. Robert is a successful spinal surgeon in the Tulsa area...but I didn't need surgery. I did have a great desire to speak with him about history. Robert had a connection to an eastern landmark on Tulsa Route 66 that … Continue reading The Brookshire Motel
I came across an old Tulsa World article in the archives at the library recently. It was written a few months after Route 66 was federally de-certified and I found it quite interesting. I have transcribed it below (exactly as written) with the photos from the article. I'll chime in a bit at the end. … Continue reading Along Route 66
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)
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
While researching my upcoming book about Lost Tulsa Restaurants, I came across a decades-old article about a Tulsa burger institution that is still going strong in the 21st century. It's one of my all-time favorite local burger joints, Claud's. I got a kick out of it and thought you all might enjoy it, too! Claud's … Continue reading Throwback Article – Claud’s Hamburgers
Wednesday was another beautiful day at the Jersey Shore. After breakfast, our group went back to the beach. We spent all morning enjoying the sun & sand. Samantha and the kids made a 'drip castle' while others took long strolls along the water's edge. Sam pointed something out to me I found fascinating. I noticed … Continue reading Lucy the Elephant
The weekend weather was as beautiful as a picture postcard. High near 80, low in the upper sixties...puffy white clouds, if any at all. A light breeze came from the ocean and gave everything a slightly salty tang. Monday morning, though, a storm system came to the coast & lasted all day. The top floor … Continue reading Rainy Days and Wild Nights
When I have a road trip planned, it's easier to wake up early. Granted, I don't usually leave at 5:00 AM, but on Sunday that is what I did. I was attending a quarterly Oklahoma Route 66 Association meeting in Weatherford that afternoon and wanted to spend the morning exploring southwestern Oklahoma. Since that was … Continue reading Comanche Territory & Frontier Towns
This is the final entry in my series about my time with Michael Wallis on the Midwest leg of his book tour for, "The Best Land Under Heaven: The Donner Party in the Age of Manifest Destiny". If you've missed any previous installment, here they are: Springfield MO & KC Kansas City KC to Columbia … Continue reading On the Road with Michael – Home Again
Rhys' Pieces 