Oak...lahoma...

Now that I have a song stuck in your head, we pushed off this morning at about 8:30 to 55 and clear skies. By 9:30 we left the Ozarks behind, made it through all 13 miles in Kansas and were well on our way into Oklahoma a total of 217 miles; much further than yesterday. Just outside of Carthage, MO is 66 Drive-in.

Then a short drive later and we made it to Galena, Kansas.

Though there are only 13 miles of Route 66 in Kansas, they are important to any fans of the Disney/Pixar movie Cars. Cars on the Route features Tow Mater, the inspiration for the tow truck in the movie.

As you look down Main Street in Galena, you see what is seen in a lot of old towns along Route 66, namely, emptiness.

Welcome to Oklahoma.

And further into Oklahoma, there is a giant blue whale. As families were facing hardship during the 1940s dust bowl, they used Route 66 in search of a better life out west. This was a swimming hole designed to entice the little ones into making their parents stop the car to see the whale. Swimming is no longer permitted here but they still have a snack bar that helps them keep the money flowing.

A rather large monument to oil workers greets visitors at the Oklahoma State Fair Grounds.

We are stopped for the night in Stroud, OK, home to the historical Rock Cafe and the iconic neon sign for the Skyliner Motel.

See you on the road...