A Flat What?

What a DAY!! We completed 3 states, MO, Kansas, and now we are in OK......We got started and we kinda had a plan, we were going to get to our hotel early today and then leave early next morning.

As we are headed down highway 66 in Oklahoma we were detoured. We kept going in circles, finally we stopped and asked the construction guys what was the best way to get where we wanted to go. He was laughing since he had detoured us already and we were back, but here is what he ask Penny........."How do you feel about going down a dirt road?" Penny's response....."Well how dirt is it?" He broke into laughter and said, "Dirt dirt!" Anyway we took the "Dirt" road, only to be trapped by a train, that decided to STOP and park on the track, for one hour, while other trains zoomed pass the other direction. Penny go out of our car to talk to the "Cowboy" in the Pick up tuck in front of us. She ask him if there was an alternate root. He stated that once the train decided to move we were exactly where we needed to be. In fact that Dirt road that we drove on was the "Original" one lane Route 66. We sat in the car waiting, all of a sudden we saw a guy under the train car on the track. It was a young guy coming to our side to ask us questions. Someone actually crawled under the train. How crazy is that.

What we did find out was that this town had CLOSED all of its bridges due to the collapse of the one in Minnesota so we had no other alternative but to wait. The train was finally gone. Off we go....the biggest McDonald's in the World, the giant totem pole, and we talked to some great people on a bridge....penny met a stray cat and a stray dog, no they are not coming home with us.

Finally we get to Tulsa, we are going to call it a night here, do laundry, and start early next day. NOT.......BABY decides to throw a shoe, FLAT TIRE! A wonderful police officer called Triple A for us and waited until they showed up. His name was Officer Ledbetter....one of the nicest police officers I have ever met, well except for Officer Eric K in Greenwood. We are going to send a note to the Tulsa police regarding Officer Ledbetter....he was wonderful.

Our AAA guy showed up, his name is James, what a hoot.....James is 23 loves cars and was so completely helpful. Loaded up Baby on a Flat Bed, took us to the car place then took us to our hotel.....only after we gave him the WRONG hotel.

OH, did I mention that the PGA Championships are happening here in TULSA....no hotel rooms to be found. We found one, the rooms we have been paying $79 for was not $225. But it is our room.

Once we got to our room we went Ruby Tuesdays, did I tell you that the PGA Championships are here? So you can imagin how crowded it was....so we went to the BAR where we had a great time drinking Mojitos. Lots of them....good thing we were walking. We met Garret there, he was a blast, NOT there for the PGA.

Over all, it was a great day. NOW I have to find out when BABY will be back and we can start on the road again.

STAY TUNED................

Hazel M. Walker

Queen of the Road

Route 66

Day 7: Oh, the people we have met!

This trip just keeps getting better and better! If you have ever stood silent in an elevator avoiding eye contact with your fellow passengers, shame on you! You will never hear a really great story if you don't ask. AND, if you can share a great story of your own, you will be rewarded with an even better one in return.

Our EZ 66 Guide for Travelers, written by Jerry McClanahan by the way, highly recommended a visit to the Munger Moss Motel. We did just that. I can't begin to tell you what a delight Ramona Lehman is. She and her husband, Bob own and operate this great motel. Ramona was making up the Pink Room when we found her, but stopped her work to give us the tour. Jerry, we were unable to visit your room, but thank you for sending us there.

Ramona sent us down the road to Wrinks Market. I didn't get the names of the ladies that work there, and I'm sorry as they were just wonderful. They loved the story of the Flat Boys, and took time away from their work (bless their hearts, it was the lunch rush) to post with my guys. Thanks ladies!

We got turned around in Phillipsburg. We missed the "quick" right turn off of HWY C onto HWY CC (we new we were in trouble when we crossed over PP), so we doubled back....again....and asked directions at the Phillipsburg Post Office. This little PO sits in the middle of practically no where, and I'll bet Bonita Jones has met more people from more countries than anyone you have ever met! Bonita took one look at me standing in front of her counter and just knew I was lost. She explained that A LOT of people get lost out there...the Italians are still in front of us, but that's another story. She had compassionately, and cheerfully directed Australians, Japanese, English, and all the other foreign travelers on Route 66. Thanks Bonita, we missed Pam though.

Then we arrived in Spencer where we met Gary Turner. Gary is the friendliest man alive! He has recreated the Gay Parita Sinclair filling station. We almost drove past it, but the little building just called out to us. Walking out the door, just I was walking in was Scott the Route 66 Root Beer guy! He was delivering his root beer to Gary, and treated Hazel and I to his newest offering, Rout 66 Cream Soda. YUM! Thanks Scott.

Gary is just a hoot! He had so much to tell us and so much to give us. We were just having party when "Wombat" stopped to visit. Wombat is traveling from Albany, NY and our paths crossed. The party was on now. Lots of picture taking, posing, and story sharing! Thanks guys for the best time we had today!

Arrived in Carthage and one of us blinked, sneezed, farted....who knows, but we weren't where we should have been. So, into McDonalds for a potty break and perhaps directions. While Hazel made use of the facilities, I asked Wayne Walter and Don Moorehouse "Mr. 66" to help me out. These guys were very patient with me, and then Hazel told them that I just pretend to need directions so I can flirt with strange men in McDonalds. She's such a great friend. The guys didn't hold it against me, and directed us to the Courthouse in Carthage and the Route 66 Dive-In. Guys, we loved the courthouse, but didn't stop for a picture in front of the drive-in....no we didn't get lost AGAIN...it was just too darn hot after walking around the town square.

By the way, the pictures I intended to post with this morning's post are finally where they are supposed to be.

Having a great time...wish you were here!

~ Penny

Day Three: Just How Big is Illinois?

As we prepare to hit the road for Day Three, I have to ask myself, just how big is Illinois anyway?

Chicago was a blast, but then Hazel and I always have fun in Chicago. A lot of walking, a lot of shopping. Fortunately, this time, we did more walking than shopping. Just no place to put a lot of treasures in Baby. However, after a whole lot of walking, it was time to get this show on the road. The whole point of going to Chicago in the first place was to begin our trip at the "official" starting point. After several hours of wrong turns, closed streets (Lollapalooza was in town), rush hour traffic in downtown Chicago, we decided to give up the search for the starting intersection. Getting out of Chicago proved to be an adventure in itself, and after a few more wrong turns (how many times can you go past Division St anyway?!?!?), we stumbled upon our path.

Anyone who has traveled with me knows that although I can tell my left from my right, I'm map challenged! When we stopped for dinner at a really cool McDonald's in Romeoville, I discovered that the maps in our highly recommended travel guide are the original maps from 1933! No wonder our directions didn't match the maps!

Today's goal...maps! Real, 2007 maps!

Lessons Learned:
1. Don't panic, we don't have to be anywhere, or be responsible to anybody for 5 weeks!
2. Cinnamon Surge Nicorette gum will set your mouth on fire!
3. If you're going to stand along the side of the road with a life-sized doll, taking pictures of road signs, you've got to expect people to yell out their windows as they pass you by.