Tonight's work will be a collaberative effort. Heather can no longer sit upright or maintain consciousness, so I (Daren) will write some of this and leave the rest for her in the morning since I wasn't present when some of the photos were taken. For sake of clarity, I'll change the color of the text I'm writing to blue so that Heather isn't held accountable for some of the things I say. It's true, I still don't feel very well, but we need to get this sent off....and I appreciate Daren clairfying who wrote what...you'll see what I mean. I should have been including these old maps all along, but better late than never. This way it will be easier for you to see where we are, where we have been, and where we are going.
Children (ours) and ducks (not ours). The ducks ran for it when they saw these two coming!! We have been writing about how green and beautiful it is here, but there are a couple things we have noticed about that--there are no sprinklers anywhere, the grass in the parks we have been to are saturated with water but we have yet to see it rain! This park looked like it would be fun, and Daren dropped us off here while he went for his "Marvin," (inside Mortenson joke) but it was so muddy everywhere we stepped that we couldn't really kick a ball around or play on the grass at all. It was pretty though!
Child (ours). Ben has been working on postcards for friends at home, whom he misses big time!
Sugar love. Oh, the sugar love. Will still likes to suck on his thumb, and from time to time while he is doing this he wants to hold either my or Daren's face close to his and we have affectionately called it "sugar love." So, just the other day while driving in the car he was in one of his moments and the abruptly called out, "Mom, I want your sugar love!" Daren and I had a good laugh about that because he has never called it that before either and it was just so cute. Jake took this picture at the saturated park.
There are so many beautiful and unique old bridges along the way. Most you can no longer drive on, but the further east we get the more old bridges seem to be in use. Out West, the bridges are smaller and more narrow (likely because the roads were used a lot less) so those bridges and roadways have mostly been retired. Another big difference is that out West, you are driving on interstate freeway a lot to get from town to town. The old highway alignments are under the freeway or so completely wiped out that you can't drive on them. You could drive through the whole state of Oklahoma, however, staying on Route 66 without ever touching an interstate. There are older and newer alignments of the highway, but generally most of it is still in use and is a regular road going through all these small towns.
Smiling child (ours). Probably trying to convince Heather to buy him donuts. I took this because I was trying to show Ben that he still had his California curl going in his hair. We call it this because whenever we go to the coast, or are in more humid air, his hair curls up and we call it his California curl. But probably the donut thing was true too...
Particularly foolish running man. And what a foolish running man he was. I particularly sought out this memorial statue to take a picture of because he was a runner. Now I'm not a real "runner," but I do go running with my friends, the "running girls" as the boys call them, and we all ran the Ogden Marathon a month ago (Terie ran the half--that's my favorite race). For most it was their umpteenth marathon, but for me it was my first. I knew going into it that the training would take its toll, but I wasn't prepared for how it really would affect my body, my mood, etc. It was hard work, but I'm glad I did it. So then there is this guy, Andy Payne from Foyil, Ok. He signed up for a cross country race back in 1928, and it really was an across the country race. It was called the Great Transcontinental Footrace of 1928, but was known as the Bunion Derby. The race was done as a way to promote the "new" Route 66. To quote our guide book, "Payne had entered the race to win the $25,000 grand prize. After nearly three MONTHS, 55 of the original 275 runners limped into Madison Square Garden with Andy Payne in the lead (by a few hours over the next runners)." As one who likes to run, I can't even imagine doing a race like that--and I thought JoLee's sister, Deb, who has run more marathons than anyone I know and ran 50 miles on her 50th birthday was an amazing runner, and she is. But can you imagine that?! So I had to take a picture and share that tidbit of info.
People here in Oklahoma have been nice to us. They don't seem to be particularly outgoing, but they are very helpful when you need it and they are quick to smile and wave. We found this park in the middle of hicktown Okeyville USA. While Heather was making PB&J sandwiches for dinner (so frugal), Will took off down the street chasing a dog (which he thought was a wolf). None of us noticed (I had my face buried in the computer). A woman in a clackety Oldsmobile with the paint stripped off came backing up the road toward us with her door open (no doubt because the window wouldn't roll down anymore), yelling "mam, is that yer booya chasin that thur dawg down the roud?" Heather took off like a bullet because by at this point Will was two blocks away and running as fast as he could right down the middle of the road reaching out for the dog's tail. When Heather caught him he burst into tears and sobbed for five minutes because he thought the wolf would get away and never find its way back home. The entire event was overseen by no less than four generations of rednecks who appear to live on their porch swing(s) at the house across the street from the park. If you took all of the clothing that the whole group was wearing and sewed it together you could make one full size pair of shorts. I considered asking them if they know or are related to the people who live over our back fence in Riverton.
This is an older alignment of Route 66 in eastern Oklahoma were the paved surface is concrete exactly eight feet wide, known as the "Sidewalk Highway." They've since paved over the concrete with asphalt in an effort keep the surface intact, but you can see the white underneath. The road went like this for several miles. This is not used as highway today, just backroads.
Not kidding when I say that Oklahoma is the pleasant surprise of this trip so far. It is the most beautiful place. As soon as we left Amarillo, TX, the landscape started to green up and by the time we got to Oklahoma City everything was green and lush. There are rivers everywhere all running with silt-heavy red water. The natural places are thickly wooded with tall brush. The air is just a little humid, nothing like the South, but kind of like Salt Lake on the most humid day of the year. Heather caught this beautiful shot of the sunset as we left Oklahoma. My buddy Charley Foster and his wife Kim both grew up here and I'm envious. It's an amazing place. Thanks, by the way, to Kim for hooking us up with sweet deals at Marriotts all along the way. She has really taken care of us and it is nice to get to a clean, comfortable room every night with a great mattress. We've slept like babies. The kids have learned to recognize a Marriott sign from a mile away. I'll echo that, thank you so much Kim!!
We got up before dawn this morning to get an early start so we would be able to enjoy every single thing the day might have to offer. HA! Actually, we got up around 9, and then only becuase the free breakfast at the hotel ended at 9:30. For the first time in our married life, Heather has been sleeping in. It has been great. Generally at home Heather and Will are up at the crack of dawn. Not so lately. The kids haven't been getting to sleep unitl 11 or so at night, and Heather has been staying up until 1 or 2 a.m. working on this blog, so everything is off kilter. We are actually all on a pretty similar schedule for once. In fairness, I think Will has still been the early riser on this trip, but not usually until 8 or so. But then I wouldn't know because I have earplugs in and a pillow over my head. Jake and I generally stay asleep until someone (or a group of someones) jumps up and down on our head(s) and/or other particularly sensitive body parts. Ben had been asking all day if we were in Kansas yet, and we couldn't figure out why--until we got to Kansas. When he found out that we were in Kansas he asked if there were any tornadoes around--too much Wizard of Oz I guess. Then when we reached Missouri's state line (see below) he asked if tornadoes crossed state lines. It still makes me smile just thinking about it!!
Missouri state line. They don't waste their money in the Show Me State on fancy signs welcoming strangers to their home, just a white line painted across the road so the cops know when they can give you a ticket. I drove six blocks to the grocery store tonight and was followed both to and from the store by different cops.
Total mileage to date: 3,722
Particularly foolish running man. And what a foolish running man he was. I particularly sought out this memorial statue to take a picture of because he was a runner. Now I'm not a real "runner," but I do go running with my friends, the "running girls" as the boys call them, and we all ran the Ogden Marathon a month ago (Terie ran the half--that's my favorite race). For most it was their umpteenth marathon, but for me it was my first. I knew going into it that the training would take its toll, but I wasn't prepared for how it really would affect my body, my mood, etc. It was hard work, but I'm glad I did it. So then there is this guy, Andy Payne from Foyil, Ok. He signed up for a cross country race back in 1928, and it really was an across the country race. It was called the Great Transcontinental Footrace of 1928, but was known as the Bunion Derby. The race was done as a way to promote the "new" Route 66. To quote our guide book, "Payne had entered the race to win the $25,000 grand prize. After nearly three MONTHS, 55 of the original 275 runners limped into Madison Square Garden with Andy Payne in the lead (by a few hours over the next runners)." As one who likes to run, I can't even imagine doing a race like that--and I thought JoLee's sister, Deb, who has run more marathons than anyone I know and ran 50 miles on her 50th birthday was an amazing runner, and she is. But can you imagine that?! So I had to take a picture and share that tidbit of info.
People here in Oklahoma have been nice to us. They don't seem to be particularly outgoing, but they are very helpful when you need it and they are quick to smile and wave. We found this park in the middle of hicktown Okeyville USA. While Heather was making PB&J sandwiches for dinner (so frugal), Will took off down the street chasing a dog (which he thought was a wolf). None of us noticed (I had my face buried in the computer). A woman in a clackety Oldsmobile with the paint stripped off came backing up the road toward us with her door open (no doubt because the window wouldn't roll down anymore), yelling "mam, is that yer booya chasin that thur dawg down the roud?" Heather took off like a bullet because by at this point Will was two blocks away and running as fast as he could right down the middle of the road reaching out for the dog's tail. When Heather caught him he burst into tears and sobbed for five minutes because he thought the wolf would get away and never find its way back home. The entire event was overseen by no less than four generations of rednecks who appear to live on their porch swing(s) at the house across the street from the park. If you took all of the clothing that the whole group was wearing and sewed it together you could make one full size pair of shorts. I considered asking them if they know or are related to the people who live over our back fence in Riverton. That Will! If you aren't watching him every second you don't know what kind of trouble he will get into!! He scares me to death sometimes, and I keep thinking that he will grow out of it, but it hasn't happened yet!
This is an older alignment of Route 66 in eastern Oklahoma were the paved surface is concrete exactly eight feet wide, known as the "Sidewalk Highway." They've since paved over the concrete with asphalt in an effort keep the surface intact, but you can see the white underneath. The road went like this for several miles. This is not used as highway today, just backroads.
Not kidding when I say that Oklahoma is the pleasant surprise of this trip so far. It is the most beautiful place. As soon as we left Amarillo, TX, the landscape started to green up and by the time we got to Oklahoma City everything was green and lush. There are rivers everywhere all running with silt-heavy red water. The natural places are thickly wooded with tall brush. The air is just a little humid, nothing like the South, but kind of like Salt Lake on the most humid day of the year. Heather caught this beautiful shot of the sunset as we left Oklahoma. My buddy Charley Foster and his wife Kim both grew up here and I'm envious. It's an amazing place. Thanks, by the way, to Kim for hooking us up with sweet deals at Marriotts all along the way. She has really taken care of us and it is nice to get to a clean, comfortable room every night with a great mattress. We've slept like babies. The kids have learned to recognize a Marriott sign from a mile away. I'll echo that, thank you so much Kim!!
We got up before dawn this morning to get an early start so we would be able to enjoy every single thing the day might have to offer. HA! Actually, we got up around 9, and then only becuase the free breakfast at the hotel ended at 9:30. For the first time in our married life, Heather has been sleeping in. It has been great. Generally at home Heather and Will are up at the crack of dawn. Not so lately. The kids haven't been getting to sleep unitl 11 or so at night, and Heather has been staying up until 1 or 2 a.m. working on this blog, so everything is off kilter. We are actually all on a pretty similar schedule for once. In fairness, I think Will has still been the early riser on this trip, but not usually until 8 or so. But then I wouldn't know because I have earplugs in and a pillow over my head. Jake and I generally stay asleep until someone (or a group of someones) jumps up and down on our head(s) and/or other particularly sensitive body parts. Ben had been asking all day if we were in Kansas yet, and we couldn't figure out why--until we got to Kansas. When he found out that we were in Kansas he asked if there were any tornadoes around--too much Wizard of Oz I guess. Then when we reached Missouri's state line (see below) he asked if tornadoes crossed state lines. It still makes me smile just thinking about it!!
Missouri state line. They don't waste their money in the Show Me State on fancy signs welcoming strangers to their home, just a white line painted across the road so the cops know when they can give you a ticket. I drove six blocks to the grocery store tonight and was followed both to and from the store by different cops. And now for the signs:
I love these triangle signs, with similar sayings, all over the state of Oklahoma!
A vintage sign in Claremore, Ok.
Photo 1: hotel sign in Vinita, Ok.; photo 2: old hotel sign on old brick hotel in Afton, Ok.; photo 3: cool neon sign on very cool old Spanish-style Coleman Theater in Miami, Ok.; and photo 4: old neon gas pump at restored gas station in Galena, Kansas. That was all the pictures we got in Kansas because it was basically dark as we drove the thirteen miles (including through Riverton, Kansas) which Route 66 passes through it. The interstate passed Kansas all together. And here we are in Joplin, Missouri. Thanks to Daren again for his help with today's blog!
Photo 1: hotel sign in Vinita, Ok.; photo 2: old hotel sign on old brick hotel in Afton, Ok.; photo 3: cool neon sign on very cool old Spanish-style Coleman Theater in Miami, Ok.; and photo 4: old neon gas pump at restored gas station in Galena, Kansas. That was all the pictures we got in Kansas because it was basically dark as we drove the thirteen miles (including through Riverton, Kansas) which Route 66 passes through it. The interstate passed Kansas all together. And here we are in Joplin, Missouri. Thanks to Daren again for his help with today's blog!
Total mileage to date: 3,722
Weather: hot and humid, around 95 degrees, partly cloudy
Premium gas price paid in Tulsa: $3.93
4 comments:
Looks like a great time. No, grandpa's headstone wasn't up yet. Susan said grandma changed it last week so it might be awhile yet. Don't kill each other, and have fun!
I don't know if I told you guys about the book The Lost Continent by Bill Bryson or not. I know I told Dakon and Lori about it, in fact Dakon has it right now. It's pretty good and very funny. Bill Bryson is a writer who did a long road trip cross country exploring the U.S. while looking for the perfect small town. It's pretty interesting and it reminded me of the book when you talked about the landscape changed when crossed state lines. He talks about that too. Anyway, it's a good book you should check out. Hope Heather gets better soon
and that the rest of you stay well. I must have just pushed the wrong button. Stay safe and have a good day tomorrow.
Oklahoma is definitely O.K.
Great post, pictures. It made me have a lump in my throat reading your kind words about a place that is very dear to my heart. I wish I would have been paying attention to your posts the past few days, I could have told you where to get Ben a donut, a place my dad used to hang out for donuts and cofee.
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