Allen & Linda USA 2012: Oklahoma & Texas

Oklahoma 19-23 August

Downtown Tulsa was like any other large city. Skyscrapers, office buildings, universities etc. It was sweltering so we didn’t spend much time there but enjoyed having a nose around.

Chandler in Lincoln County was a great opportunity to Get Our Kicks on Route 66.

Stopped at the Chandler Museum, the building was made from native sandstone and was originally a 1930’s Armoury.

Susan was the Museum Co-ordinator and she was bright, cheery and a wealth of knowledge (a pleasant surprise from the usual old biddies).

We’ve never been to a museum where visitors are encouraged to lay on a bed and watch videos. The idea was to get the ‘feel’ of being in one of the legendary motel rooms on the Mother Road.

In keeping with the same theme, you can sit in a variety of vehicle seats and watch videos. Allen was very comfortable sitting back in authentic 1965 Mustang seats.

The Museum floor plan was ingenious. Touch screen audios and 1950’s music played in the background.

Stopped at a Diner in the middle of Chandler called Boom-a-rang (how could we go past that one?) The retro décor was perfect. We sat in a bright red vinyl booth and soaked up the 50’s atmosphere.

The food was dirt cheap and wholesome, just like the waitress!

We then drove for approximately 79km to Oklahoma City and found a beautiful park that had bigger than life size bronze figures depicting the Oklahoma Land Rush of 1889.

Back then an estimated 50,000 people lined up to stake a piece of unassigned land.

The artist had done a fantastic job in sculpting the horses in motion and getting a sense of speed and mayhem.

In the evening we strolled along the river and found all sorts of interesting restaurants and shops.

Allen fancied pasta so we went to the Spaghetti Warehouse in Bricktown.

The restaurant was in a huge Victorian building. It looked OK but they obviously had a staffing issue ie no staff anywhere! Our meals were good despite being served flat beer but all that was trivial compared to Allen opening his wallet and me hearing those dreaded words…..…”OH NO….I’VE LOST MY CREDIT CARD!”

After a few minutes and a couple of phone calls it was located back at the Boom-a-rang Diner almost 80kms back from where we’d come.

We were up at the crack of dawn and drove back to Chandler and of course stayed for breakfast at Boom-a-rang. We laughed with the girls about the logo on their tee-shirts “Come Back Again”. It was much sooner than we planned.

We decided to try and find as many Route 66 icons as possible and came across the Round Barn in Arcadia.

After 90 years of existence, the barn’s roof collapsed in 1988 causing structural damage. With the efforts of a retired contractor and help from volunteers this landmark was restored and officially opened to the public in 1992. All free of charge.

We had the privilege of meeting the owner, Sam, 86 years young and a loveable larrikin. The upstairs of the Barn is hired out for weddings and functions, suitable for absolutely anything except a Square Dance! (Linda's little joke, get it? Round barn, Square dance??)

POPS Soda Ranch – from the road you can see a 66 foot soda pop bottle and straw. At night it is lit up by LED lighting. It has a record breaking selection of nearly 600 ice cold sodas. In the window, glass shelves showcase thousands of bottles from floor to ceiling.

Bacon & Buffalo Wing Soda

Stopped at a Gas Station in Arcadia and met State Trooper Matthew White. He was interested in our travels and we gave him a souvenir koala in exchange for a photograph. Not sure he knew what the furry bear was all about but he took it anyway.

Allen was somewhat distracted by the jovial conversation as he drove out of the Gas Station without paying!! Fortunately when he saw the owner chasing after the RV, he remembered. He’s a worry.

Roman Nose State Park, Watonga

Oh! Roman Nose you win first prize for the most disgusting facilities we have ever seen!!! Here are the photographs to prove it.

Allen walked into the shower and turned on a tap to see if there was any hot water. A huge toad jumped out at his feet.

I opened the door of the Ladies Washroom and a swarm of mud wasps rushed at me. This place had not been cleaned in years!

It was a shame as the camping area was in a beautiful spot next to a river. Lots of boating, fishing and long hikes to enjoy.

I love teepees and the Park had three available for campers to hire. It cost $25 per night. I was very tempted until I saw a long green snake on the path. Yeah I know, I'm all talk.