One of the most famous Route 66 attractions is
The Blue Whale of Catoosa. Situated in northeast Oklahoma along "The Mother Road," it's been on our bucket list to visit for a number of years. And what was even more fascinating than the site itself was the back story of how and why it was built. That story made us love the spot even more-what an iconic place!
As Hugh's daughter puts it, "The Blue Whale was built by Hugh Davis, Boy Scout, photographer, zoologist, lecturer, father of two, grandfather of four, great-grandfather of nine, and friend of many. Hugh believed that every day was a beautiful day; that people should use the talents God gave them; that one should keep busy by thinking, planning, and creating; that people should love what they do and do what they love; that we should finish what we start; and that we should enjoy life and live it to it's fullest." Wow... talk about a man with purpose! Hugh Davis built the Blue Whale in the early 1970s as a surprise anniversary gift to his wife Zelta, who collected whale figurines. We both bet that was a humdinger of an anniversary!
From Catoosa, we traveled southwest down to Tulsa where we made a point of eating at
Ike's, famous for its tasty chili in the
Meadow Gold District. Established in 1908, Ike's chili's recipe has been passed down through 4 generations and Ike's is Tulsa's oldest restaurant. Will Rogers was a regular fan-word has it that time he visited Tulsa he had to get his chili fix. Having sampled it ourselves, we now know why!
Continuing southwest on Route 66 you'll soon encounter the town of Sapulpa where you can visit the
Rock Creek Bridge, a steel truss bridge built in 1924 that carried Route 66 along a stretch of the original
Portland Concrete section of the Mother Road, also paved in 1924 just outside of town. And if your travels brings you through Sapulpa during the winter holidays, make sure to stop by and visit the
Christmas Chute, a brightly decorated section of downtown with an array of colorful decorations and shops. Number one in our book!
Oklahoma is home to over 400 miles of Route 66, making it the nation's longest drivable stretch of the iconic highway - and between all our trips back and forth across the country, we can now say that we've driven most if it. This exploration ended with a visit to the Round Barn, a landmark attraction on historic U.S. Route 66 in Arcadia, Oklahoma. It was built by local farmer, William Harrison Odor, in 1898 using native bur oak boards soaked while green and forced into the curves needed for the walls and roof rafters.
Though Route 66 is marked by hundreds of roadside relics that sadly no longer hold the glitter they once had, the patina and legacy of pioneers and dreamers is evident to this very day.
We continue to be inspired by the individuals that dared to dream, and some that still hold many of these sites in various stages of restoration with a passion for ensuring that future generations don't forget (or perhaps rediscover!) the legacies of Route 66.
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Bonnie W