Route 66 Road Trip

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I am totally enjoying this report!! Sadly, I've been to almost every place you've written about and not seen one tenth of these places. I have GOT to slow down!
 
Queen said:
I am totally enjoying this report!!  Sadly, I've been to almost every place you've written about and not seen one tenth of these places.  I have GOT to slow down!

That is why I generally tell may fulltime RVers that they should try to stay a month in one location and daytrip from there. It does things.
#1. Saves money as monthly site rents are cheaper than nightly and weekly. Even with discounts.
#2. Allows you time to find the hidden places.
#3. Most fulltime RVers have a more fuel efficient towed they can daytrip in rather than drive the RV and worry about fitting into a parking lot at the attraction.
#4. You can enjoy the sights and attractions more because you are seeing them at a more relaxed pace.

Yes, yes, I know. This doesn't apply to vandwellers and you can't stand to be in an RV park. I'm not telling you that you should do that. I'm just telling you what I tell fulltime RVers who are too busy rushing down the highway missing so many places because they are heading to their next stop. I have lived in many "tourist" places. When someone tells me they were in one of the places I used to live in, I ask them how they liked various places. Invariably they have no clue as to what I am talking about. Why? Because they were in too much of a rush.
 
Oklahoma City  - part one

It’s hard to believe that 20 years have passed since the bombing of the Alfred P Murrah building and the senseless death of 168 people. It will be forever seared into the memory of all of us who heard the news reports on April 19, 1995.  The memorial with empty chairs to signify the location of each person who died is very moving. There’s also a museum which we didn’t visit. Parking is available along the street.

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Oklahoma City has a mini version of San Antonio’s riverwalk. Bricktown, a former warehouse district, is now an entertainment  center with hotels, restaurants, clubs, shopping, and a baseball stadium. The Bricktown Canal Trail is about one mile round trip and connects to  the Oklahoma River Trails for an additional 13 miles. The canal trail is for walking only but bikes and skates are allowed on the river trail. Both trails are paved and almost level. RVs can be parked in the large lot south of the Bass Pro Shops.

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  At the south end of the canal trail the Centennial Land Run Monument depicts the opening up of more than 2 million acres of unassigned land in Indian Territory to eager settlers. 36 statues are included in the monument with plans to add 7 more. It’s an amazing piece of art.

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  Some cool buildings and signs:

  The Milk Bottle Grocery sits on a little island that used to be a streetcar stop. The building is from 1930, the bottle from 1948. Over the years it’s been a grocery store, a fruit stand, a laundry service and a barbecue stand.

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The art deco Oklahoma City Depot, was built in 1934 and is undergoing renovation to become a transportation hub for bicycles, streetcars and commuter trains.

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  Built in 1958, the Gold Dome was the fifth geodesic dome constructed in the world. It served as a bank until 2001 and is now empty.

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The Tower Theater built in 1931 is being renovated.

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The Sunshine Laundry was opened in 1929 and closed in the mid 1980s. This magnificent neon sign is on the roof of the two story building and appears to be in wonderful condition.

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nice, love that milk bottle. what a huge sign for a cleaners, different times I guess. highdesertranger
 
It's really great that people in the communities are actively working to save these signs and buildings. The cleaner has been out of business for at least twenty tears but three young guys have bought the building and have plans to make it into a brewery. The sign will be restored so it'll be interesting to see what they name the brewery.
 
Oklahoma City - part two

Since this was our first real visit to Oklahoma City we decided to see a few of the museums. The Oklahoma History Center is Oklahoma’s official state museum. Native American cultures, the land rush and other important historical events are covered but there are so many different subjects crowded into a few small areas that it’s a bit confusing.

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A paved walkway along the southern edge of museum property is planted with native trees, bushes, flowers and grasses. Informative signs and sculptures are located along the walk. Equipment used in the oil and gas industry is displayed in a small park. 

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The museum has a free, very large, dedicated parking lot which is unusual for a big city so even if you don't go to the museum it worth going just to see the stuff outside.  It’s also a short walk from the lot to the Capitol building which is opened for free tours seven days a week.

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The National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum displays are divided between western art galleries and exhibits about the history of the west – cowboys, Native Americans, ranching, forts, rodeos and movies. It’s very easy to miss entire sections of the museum so check the map carefully. Don’t miss the small garden outside which has paved paths and sculptures.  The parking lot is large enough for RVs.

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The Oklahoma City Museum of Art is fairly small featuring traveling exhibit galleries and rotating exhibits of the museum’s collections which includes a wonderful collection of Dale Chihuly’s glasswork.

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Myriad Botanical Gardens is a very pretty little city park with a conservatory in a bridge. The gardens are free but the bridge is $8.00 which is high considering the small size of the conservatory. We used our garden pass so we didn’t have to pay.

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We found a good, free, two hour parking on both sides of South Harvey Ave. across the street from the garden. The art museum is only 1/2 mile away so it’s an easy walk. It’s also possible to walk to the Oklahoma City National Memorial and Bricktown from this spot. The two hour parking limit doesn’t seem to be enforced and is only from 9 AM to 4 PM Monday to Friday. This is an light  industrial area with many vacant lots so if you're stealthy it could be a potential overnight spot. We stayed about 5 miles away at the Walmart on Belle Isle Blvd.
 

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Nice pictures!!! :) Glad you enjoyed the OKC museums.

Was trying to let you guys know I was back in my town. Tried sending a message, but you two have met your message quota. ;) lol
 
Theadyn said:
Nice pictures!!!  :)  Glad you enjoyed the OKC museums.

Was trying to let you guys know I was back in my town.  Tried sending a message, but you two have met your message quota. ;)  lol

  We finally got to meet Theadyn! She's as nice and personable in person as on the forums.

  Thanks for the Route 66 museum tour, the delicious dinner and the interesting conversation, Theadyn. See you in January at the RTR!
 
Oklahoma City to Weatherford

The Overholser Bridge was built in 1925 but by the 1950s an increase in traffic and wider cars made it unsafe and a four lane highway with a wider bridge was built slightly to the north. The Overholser Bridge was completely refurbished in 2011.

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Route 66 Park is small park on the shore of Lake Overholser that has a playground, picnic tables, a mile long, paved walking trail with wetlands and interpretive signs, and a plaza with signs about all of the states that Route 66 runs through. The parking lot is large enough for any RV. 

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The Yukon's Best Flour Mill sign is big- 42’ wide by 55’ tall. The sign, originally installed in the 1940s, had deteriorated and needed to be replaced. The people of Yukon held fundraisers to have a new sign with LED lights installed and it’s once again glowing red and white every night.

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Side trip – the Express Clydesdales barn is just three miles north of Route 66. The Clydesdales have participated in the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York City, the Chicago St. Patrick's Day Parade and the Rose Parade in Pasadena, representing Express Ranches and the Express Employment Company.

The beautiful, very clean barn is opened to visitors every day except Monday. The Clydesdales, unusual because they’re black with white blazes, are curious and friendly. There’s not much information about the horses or anything else to do at the site but it’s fun to see the horses close up. They’re enormous!
The parking lot is not large enough for most RVs.

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The Canadian County Historical Museum in El Reno is housed in the Rock Island Depot and several other historic buildings that have been relocated.The museum complex is a repository of everything that the residents of El Reno have collected over the years. The depot exhibits are self guided but a guided tour is necessary to see the other buildings which are kept locked. Admission is free. RVs will fit along the street.

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The Cherokee Trading Post has been a family run business since the 1950s. It was originally along Route 66 but moved closer to the interstate in 1963.

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This bridge over the Canadian River is almost 3/4 of a mile long. It was built in 1933 and has 38 short trusses called ponies.

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Much of the road in this part of Oklahoma is the original cement, two lane from the 1930s. It makes you appreciate smooth asphalt. babump,babump,babump :-D

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Lucille’s Place was owned and operated by Ditmores and the Waldroups before Lucille and Carl Hamons bought it in 1941. Lucille managed the gas station and motel for almost 60 years and raised three children in the small living quarters above the station. The exterior has been restored. RVs will fit in the parking area.

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tonyandkaren said:
  We finally got to meet Theadyn! She's as nice and personable in person as on the forums.

  Thanks for the Route 66 museum tour, the delicious dinner and the interesting conversation, Theadyn. See you in January at the RTR!

Had a wonderful visit with you guys!! Very sweet people, even with Tom's off-color jokes. :) See you both again soon and enjoy your trip! :)
 
Another great trip report! I've never been to Oklahoma City and had no idea they had a river walk.

As compassrose has said, people often know very little about their own cities. Most tourists have seen more of Seattle than I saw in the many years I lived there.
 
Weatherford and Clinton

The Stafford Air & Space Museum is named after Thomas Stafford who was born and raised in Weatherford. Stafford was a Air Force officer, a test pilot, and a NASA astronaut who went into space six times. The museum has a nice tribute to Stafford plus a small but amazing collection of airplanes, space craft and related artifacts. Room of RVs in the lot.

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This Cherokee Trading Post east of Clinton is a a relative newcomer in a chain of seven trading posts owned and managed by four generations of the Wilson family. 

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Built in the 1950, the Glancy Motel has been completely renovated which included restoring the cool original sign.

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McLain Rogers Park was built between 1934 and 1937 as part of the the Civil Works Administration which provided employment for out of work citizens during the depression. This Art Deco arch with original neon lighting is at the east entrance of the park.

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The Oklahoma Route 66 Museum in Clinton takes visitors on a trip through time along Route 66 with exhibits and artifacts from different decades.

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A restored Valentine Lunch System diner with a complete interior is located outside on the museum grounds. The little diners cost $5,000 in the 1950s and came with a grill, counter and stools, ready to be unloaded, set upon a concrete slab, and be operational within hours.
RVs can be parked across the spaces but the lot is not very big so parking will be limited on busy days.

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The Y Service Station and Café is now a car dealership but still looks much the same as it did when it was built in 1937.

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We stayed overnight in the Lucky Star Casino which offers free parking with electric hookups in the overflow lot. A security guard will probably met you as you pull into the lot and show you where to go. There are two electric panels with multiple outlets located in the far north and south corners of the lot. The lot is very sloped but we were given permission to pull into the ditch and were fairly level.

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That's nice you can most always find level ground with good people. Route 66 has changed from my old 70's drives with the 62 airstream. Lots have closed shop, I hope a new day will find new adventures
 
There are so many good people everywhere. The employees of Indian casinos are especially nice.

Route 66 must have been great in the 70s before everything was bypassed by the interstates. I'm glad that there are people willing to expend the time, effort and money to save some of these old places.
 
Canute and Elk City

Tiny Canute was bypassed in 1970. A few signs are all that's left of the businesses that served Route 66 travelers for years.
       
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 A few miles down the road Elk City, with a larger population and more diverse economy, fared much better. The community and the road are both celebrated in the National Route 66 & Transportation Museum. A recreated town and a farm and ranch museum are located on the same site and included in the $5.00 admission. It’s well worth the price but even if you don’t like museums at least stop to see the grounds. Walking the grounds and peeking in the windows of the old town displays is all free of charge.

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Most of the buildings in old town are false fronts with window displays and can not be entered.

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Displays in the museum buildings range from Route 66 artifacts to a large collection of Popeye memorabilia.
 
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 The Farm and Ranch Museum has collections inside the buildings and on the grounds.

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  A large kachina doll made of oil drums and scrap metal by Johnny Grayfish stood in front of the Queenan Trading Post which closed in 1980. The kachina was refurbished in 1990 and now stands at the entrance to the Route 66 Museum.  The parking lot is large enough for most RVs.

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  The 17 story Parker Drilling Rig #114 built in the mid 1960s was one of the biggest rigs at the time. It was built to drill deep shafts for atomic bombs which were test-detonated underground. It was also used for conventional oil and gas drilling. It was moved to Elk City and reassembled in 1991 as a tourist attraction. 

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http://www.elkcity.com/park_lake.aspx
Elk City Lake Park, located a few miles south of the city, has a nice camping area with electric and water hookups where visitors can stay for four nights at no charge. :)  We didn’t need the hookups and stayed in a different parking area so that we had a good view of the lake.

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You're welcome highdesertranger! We're having fun! I just hope it doesn't get too cold. The altitude and the season are starting to catch up to us. :-D
 
I feel like i keep saying the same thing over and over... but thanks for taking the time to document and share your trip, I am so enjoying it!
 
Sayre and Erick

A movie star! The Beckham County Courthouse, built in 1911 in Sayre Oklahoma, appeared for about 30 seconds in the background of the movie “Grapes of Wrath”

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The Western Motel with it’s original neon sign is still in business.

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The Stoval, built in 1950, is no longer a theater but the sign has been nicely restored

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Even though it was bypassed by I-40 in 1975 ( the last section of Route 66 in Oklahoma to be bypassed) Erick refuses to die. Every year the town hosts a Roger Miller Festival to honor it’s most famous hometown boy. We were familiar with Miller’s song “King of the Road” but that’s all so we visited the tiny Roger Miller Museum on the corner of Roger Miller Blvd and Sheb Wooley Ave. (yep, the guy who wrote “Purple People Eater” also lived in Erick!) We were surprised at the number of songs Miller wrote, the number of albums he recorded and the number of awards the received. And we even knew some of them like “Chug a Lug” and “England Swings”

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There’s not a lot going on in Erick so there’s plenty of parking along the side streets. A walk down Sheb Wooley Ave. is an interesting experience. Sandhills Curiosity Shop is covered on the outside with signs and filled on the inside with all kinds of stuff that Harley and Annabelle Russell collected. Harley and Annabelle loved entertaining visitors with songs and jokes. Nothing is for sale but tips are welcome. Sadly Annabelle passed away in 2014 but Harley still opens the shop occasionally. It was closed when we passed through but the woman at the museum said we could try knocking on the door of his house. We didn’t. Now I think that we should have.

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Most of the buildings along Sheb Wooley Ave. are closed so we peeked in the windows and found several of them we’re brimming with things. This one appears to be filled with both vintage items and garbage.

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The owners of the Bonebrake Hardware closed the store in the 1960s leaving everything in place. The city is hoping to acquire the building and turn it into a museum. They’re also in the process of opening the 100th Meridian Museum across the street from the Roger Miller Museum on a regular schedule rather than just by request.

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Watch for the West Winds Motel on the east edge of town. It was built of wood and stucco in the Mission style but the now trees block a good view of it.

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