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
During the research of my Lost Restaurants of Tulsa book, I came across a lot of information for long-time Tulsa restaurants that were still up and running. Since I couldn't sample the food at any of the restaurants I was writing about, I made a commitment to dine at the city's traditional diners that were … Continue reading Hello, Chicken Fry!
I'm entering the final weeks of writing and editing for my Lost Tulsa Restaurants book -- it's exciting and a little nerve wracking! But it feels good. I am really happy with what I have and am eager to hear what the publisher thinks. I'm not sure how long the turnaround time is between submission … Continue reading When Pizza Was New
This morning, Samantha and I went out to the Holland Hall Book Fair. We attend annually, not only to bolster our own library but to gather a collection of children's books for the Tulsa World Book Drive. It was pouring down rain, but the place was packed. I quickly tired of the crowd and retreated … Continue reading Tulsa: Oil Capital of the World
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
I celebrated Independence Day near the banks of the Arkansas River in Tulsa. My perch was an exterior stairwell on the sixth floor of the Sophian Plaza, about a mile away from the city's largest nighttime fireworks display. Lately I've felt that I haven't had enough time in my days; it was nice to slow … Continue reading A Model Ford
“One cannot be pessimistic about the West. This is the native home of hope. When it fully learns that cooperation, not rugged individualism, is the quality that most characterizes and preserves it, then it will have achieved itself and outlived its origins. Then it has a chance to create a society to match its scenery.” … Continue reading Tucumcari Tonite
Sunday was going to be a lazy day. I haven't taken a lot of road trips lately, though, and when I woke up that morning I knew the day was going to unfold differently. All it took was a photo in the Tulsa World to inspire me to head out. I told Samantha I shouldn't … Continue reading Pawhuska & Prairie Song
It's really nice to hit the road after a period of time without much travel, especially when I have my favorite co-pilot in the passenger seat. Samantha and I set out for Springfield, Missouri early Saturday morning to attend the annual Birthplace of Route 66 Festival. The gathering itself was enough to make the trip, … Continue reading 2016 Birthplace of Route 66 Festival
Although I had no reason to get up early on Saturday, my internal alarm made sure I was wide awake at 6:00 AM. The Hotel Indigo in Dallas was pretty comfortable, but I haven't been sleeping well lately. I ended up just laying there for a while, wondering what I should do with my extra … Continue reading Summertime Signhunting
Rhys' Pieces 