Thursday, May 27, 2010

Joplin, MO to El Reno, OK


Oscar's full 13 pounds bounced up and down on me this morning as he said "Hey Pete . . . wake up sleepyhead . . . it's time to hit the Mother Road. It's gonna be another great day!"

The Eggs rallied and off we went, westbound on Route 66 entering Kansas. In Galena, we discovered 'Mater, from the animated movie CARS hanging out at the Kan-O-Tex gas station.

CARS is one of Oscar's favorite movies and 'Mater was his favorite character. He was thrilled to meet him in person.

Sometimes, you must be very observant to find the road signs for the Mother Road.

And then there are times you just can't miss it. :)

West of Riverton, the Eggs rolled across the Rainbow Bridge, the only remaining bridge of its type to grace Route 66.

While Kansas was the home of Dorothy and her dog Toto, Oklahoma was the boyhood home of Micky Mantle. His home is found in Commerce. You can almost sense he and his dad out on the lawn practicing hitting balls over the house.

Chris was inspired so much he thought he'd take his turn at bat. Great form, Chris!

Coming into Miami we found Waylan's Hamburger . . . home of the KU KU bird which appears to be popping out of the building like a giant coo-coo-clock.


During the hey days of the "Roaring 20's", a theater was conceived in Miami, OK. The exterior of the Coleman theater is Spanish mission style. Inside we found is a classic showpiece of theatrical splendor . . .

Gloria and Rich sat front row, center taking in the ambiance.

This Mighty Wurlitzer theater organ put out a magical sound for our enjoyment. WOW!

For lunch, we dined at Clanton's Cafe, in Vinita, OK. Jim Sharp, a member on the Casita Club Forum met us all for lunch as we dined on chicken fried chicken sandwiches, chicken fried steak, and other delicious delights.

Jim got us a very special hors d'oervre to commemorate the occasion . . . calf-fries, aka bull oysters . . . Jim said they were simply "battered and fried souvenirs of a radical bovine vasectomy." I told Oscar about these yummy morsels when we got on the road again. All he could say (after some gagging sounds) was "Ewwwwww!" If you pass these parts around Mid-September, be sure to stop in at the Worlds Largest Calf-Fry Festival and have you some. :)

Just 4 miles east of Foyil, on HWY 28A, is the worlds largest totem pole. A colorful display of folk art, it rises to the sky claiming its dominance over the totem pole world.

Oscar was impressed.

Next, we all circled the wagons to take in The Blue Whale in Catoosa.

Oscar asked me how the whale got there. I told him it likely swam in . . . after all, Catoosa is one of the largest, most inland river-ports in the United States.

Mathew went to check it out up close and when he returns home he can tell all his friends "It was THIS big."

To be continued . . .

2 comments:

Anonymous said...

Oscar,
watch out for that whale. I think it's the one that got Jonah.
Did you get to play a tune on that beautiful organ?
Isabella the Italian Greyhound
p.s. We are FINALLY going camping in the Fiber Stream this weekend!

Anonymous said...

I was a church organist and played on an organ much like that one that had come from our local theatre. My former music teacher used to play for the "silent" movies in the 30's on it. All pipes!

Weather is unseasonably cool and wet... have harvested Kale, chives, lettuce, peas and radishes, but rest of crop not in yet.

Wonderful trip! Have a great Memorial Day weekend! T