Today we had sunshine. We started out at the National Route 66 museum in Elk City, Oklahoma. This is really several museums sharing one location. Collectively they document Route 66, early transportation, an old Elk City town museum, and a collection of windmills and farm implements. As one sort of runs into another it was not clear to me which was which but collectively it was really very interesting.
There were two large buildings with a variety of exhibits and an "old Town" which is a number of small structures which show a general store, a pharmacy, a dentist's office, a bank, a law office, etc. Objects and implements from the early 1900s are arranged and visible through the windows but you can't go inside.
In the Route 66 part were some antique cars and exhibits about the early days of highway travel. This was supposed to be the Joad family from Steinbeck's "Grapes of Wrath".
Among the antique cars was this pristine 1940 Chevrolet. I love old cars.
There were several old Harley Davidson's and this amazing vintage Indian motorcycle.
Here are some of those hubcaps you lost on the road.
This was originally the First National Bank of Sarye, Oklahoma. The capstone carries the year as 1905.
The elegant courthouse in Sayre was featured in the original "Grapes of Wrath" movie.
In what was left of Erick is the crumbling remains of several old motor hotels.
In Shamrock, Texas is the Conoco station and U Drop Inn Cafe from the animated movie "Cars". We had lunch across the street.
The little town of Groom, Texas has two claims to fame. One is this water tower which is deliberately leaning.
The other is a 190 foot cross and religious exhibit.
For us, the real attraction has been the road and the country. This is the Texas Panhandle and it is very flat. It is miles and miles of open country as far as the eye can see. As the song says, the wind blows free. The prairie grasses undulate in the wind like water.
We will stop this evening in Amarillo and should be in New Mexico tomorrow.
10 comments:
We agree, the real attraction is the road itself and the sights one sees while traveling. We really like the photos with natural scenes or somewhat dilapidated but authentic buildings.
I grew up hearing about the Indian My father rode as a young man but never really saw one before. Amazingly flat prairie. It's a wonder really. Thanks for sharing these glimpse from your part of the earth. It's been a long while (several decades) since I visited these parts. Happy WW
I feel sorry for the driver on your road trip - they lose out on the scenery.
I feel as though I'm on holiday with you, sitting on the back seat with Smokey.
Anne
Wow. Looks like an amazing trip.
Wonderful photos.
I thought of "Cars" even before I read the caption for the gas station and restaurant. The two photos of the open prairie are stunning. I don't think I've ever driven west of Kingfisher, Oklahoma, but you're right...the land gets very flat and you can see forever.
Love the '40 Chevy and and motorcycle. Drive safe and keep the memories coming.
Si la route 66 est bien rectiligne, les paysages changent et donnent envie d'aller y faire un tour.
Bisous.
That Highway 66 photo really brought back memories. Love the hubcap photo. And that leaning tower... OH MY!!!
Bonsoir,
j'aime beaucoup votre voyage à travers cette route 66, elle me rappelle eds images de films ou de livres américains, comme Bagdad café ou Telma and Louise, en plus pacifique j'espère ! je n'ai jamais lu The Grape of wrapes, il faut que je lise ce livre !
Bonne fin de voyage !
The road never seems to end, I love the pictures. The clouds add to the perspective.
Shamrock, Texas... lucky name?
Wow, it's so flat, that even a tree can be an attraction.
Very interesting to see what's left back from old Route 66
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