Oklahoma City, Ok to Afton, Ok - Sept 11 - Day 11

The stretch between Oklahmoa City and Afton proved to have many interesting sites.  We had lunch at the Rock Cafe in Stroud.  The owner of this restaurant was the inspiration for Sally in the movie Cars.  We were also able to stop by and find the author, Jerry McClanahan, of our amazing guide book, EZ66 Guide, restoring a sign in his hometown of Chandler.  This book is trully a must for traveling Route 66.

Owl Courts - 1934 Gas Station - Oklahoma City, OK

Great wall mural - Edmond, OK

66' Tall Pop Bottle - Arcadia, OK

Round Barn - Arcadia, OK

Roadside Barn Advertisement

Coca-Cola - Delicious and refreshing - Relieves fatigue

There were so many bikers exploring Route 66 as well!!

The author of EZ66 Guide, Jerry McClanahan, restoring a sign in Chandler - we couldn't have made it without his book!!

1930 cottage style gas station - Chandler, OK

The Rock Cafe - Stroud, OK - Jay had the German dish JagerSchnitzel and Spaetzel

The Rock Cafe - Stroud, OK - Fried is the key word - pork chop, okra, and fried green tomatoe

Neat Diner - Tulsa, OK

The Blue Whale- Catoosa, OK

Another roadside store with great murals and old stuff

One of many Route 66 Motels that haven't survived too well

Afton Station - Afton, OK

Elk City, OK to Oklahoma City, OK - Sept 10 - Day 10

The song about Oklahoma is true.... Oklahoma where the winds come sweeping down the plains.  We experienced lots of winds and lots of open plains in addition to great Route 66 history. Elk City, OK had a wonderful Route 66 Museum.  Along with the Route 66 culture in Oklahoma there is a huge American Indian influence.  We enjoyed shopping in the Indian trading posts and especially being able to try the Indian taco in Clinton, OK.  There were terrific murals in the towns as well as diners and remnants of Route 66 neon signs along the way.

Route 66 Museum - Remember the Drive-In Movies?

Route 66 Museum - Pink Cadillac

Cotton Boll Motel - Canute, OK

Indian Taco  made with Indian Fry Bread - Clinton, OK

Lucille's Roadhouse - Hydro, OK

Diner inside Lucille's Roadhouse

One of many great murals - El Reno, OK

Another great old Motel sign along the way

Route 66 Bowl - Warr Acres, OK

Vega, Tx to Elk City, OK - Sept 9 - Day 9

Between Vega, Tx and Amarillo, Tx is a crazy art display called Cadillac Ranch.  This art work, Cadillacs buried nose down in the ground, is in the middle of a field and was installed by an eccentric millionaire in 1974 as a public art display.  People are encouraged to add their own art work to the Cadillacs.  Cans of spray paint are around everywhere from people who have stopped by to add their own artistic talents.  After stopping to view this unique display, we headed on to Amarillo, Tx.  We stopped and asked a local in Amarillo for a restaurant recommendation and he directed us to Wheels Chicken and Waffles restaurant.  Wow was that a great recommendation.  The food was so great and consisted of delicious fresh fried okra and yummy fried chicken served by super friendly people with great Southern accents.  I was in heaven!!  After checking out The Big Texan, a local Texas icon, we got back on the road to enjoy more sights between Amarillo, Tx and Elk City, OK.

Cadillac Ranch - Bushland, Tx

A new design being painted while we were there

Wow! - Thanks for the recommendation cousin Kelly!

The Big Texan

Sharp Shooter Jay

Yes, things in Texas are Bigger!!

Neat old gas station along the way

Rexall Drugs - Sayre, Tx

U Drop In - Shamrock, Tx

Who remembers collecting S&H Green Stamps?

Santa Fe, NM to Vega, Tx - Sept 8 - Day 8

The route from Santa Fe, NM to Vega, Tx took us through the great Route 66 town of Tucumcari, NM.  We wish we could have been here at night to see all of the neon signs glowing.  We then headed on to Adrian, Tx to get an "ugly crust pie" at the Midpoint Cafe but unfortunately we arrived in town just after the cafe had closed.  We ended up spending the night in the metropolis of Vega, Tx. - population 950.  There are so many great little towns along the way.

La Cita - Tucumcari, NM

Blue Swallow Motel - 100% Refrigerated Air

One of many great murals at the Blue Swallow Motel

Another great mural at the Blue Swallow Motel

Each room at the Blue Swallow had it's own mural painted garage!

Mater - from the movie Cars

Tepee Curios, Tucumcari, NM

The Midpoint Cafe - Adrian, Tx - marks the half-way point

1920s Magnolia Gas Station - Vega, Tx

Santa Fe, NM and the Santa Fe Nat'l Forest - Sept 7 - Day 7

We decided to take a day off from traveling and enjoy Santa Fe, NM and the Santa Fe National Forest for camping and fishing.  Both Santa Fe and the forest were spectacular. The route to Santa Fe was a Pre-1937 route of the Route 66.  After 1937 the route was changed to by-pass Santa Fe.  Santa Fe is a wonderful city with so much amazing art and Indian culture.  We took the City Tour to learn more about the city and it's heritage.  Then we took off to camp and fish in the Santa Fe National Forest.  We just couldn't believe that camping in the forest was totally Free for a campsite right on the stream!!  It was a great side trip and both Jay and I even caught some fish!!

The Plaza in Santa Fe, NM - Local Indians selling their wares

This bronze statue is worth $130K and so amazing, the detail is incredible

One of many amazing bronze statues in Santa Fe, NM

Hanging out with Mark Twain

Camping in the Santa Fe National Forest

Our campsite next to the stream

Jack, Nat'l Forest Service and Felix, NM Fish and Game, set me up with the right tools to catch a trout!!

It worked!!  I caught a trout! YEAH!! Thanks Jack and Felix!!!

What a setting - and fish too!!

Pre-1937 Route 66 to Santa Fe - what a great side trip!!