People unfamiliar with downtown are about to poop themselves this weekend

[Conan71]

Have they demolished the Phillips 66 stations at either end? Or do you mean human fuel?

Ooops, that's right, there is still a Phillips between the Kellyville and Bristow exits with westbound access only.

[heironymouspasparagus]

There is a Phillips rest area eastbound just past the Chandler exit.

Speaking of Chandler!!!  There is a REAL Ken's Pizza there.  Have been there a couple times and it is 'old style' Ken's.  Real deal.  Not Top That!, but for a real nice backwards travel in time, it is pleasant.

Area around Luther is growing.  Bunch of Yuppies moving into the area.  Probably gonna jack up the property taxes to pay for more schools and roads.  Used to be nice little area...

dbacks,
Since you haven't been down the road in a while, here is a nice little Saturday drive in the country for you, if you are interested in that kind of thing.  Start by 9:00 am.

Take the turnpike to OKC, get off on I-35 northbound like going to Edmond.  Go north to Route 66 east.  Take it slow and easy, enjoying the right and the sights of the country.  If like lakes, stop at Arcadia and walk around the overlook and check out the water.

Continue on a couple miles to Pops.  Stop and eat and get a bottle of pop!  My favorite is Rat Bastard Root Beer (sound appropriate?) but they haven't had it the last few times...  They have had Moxie soda in the past, so that might work!

Finished eating?  Hit the restrooms, then get back eastbound to the Red Barn in Arcadia.  Stop and look around.  There is a Subway just a block east if you don't like burgers.  Continue.  A few miles east of there is Luther.  And just beyond, keep a close eye open for a little stone building.  It's one of those "hysterical" sites.  Used to be a gas station.  Read the plaque.

You could get back on the highway at Wellston, but it is always much more interesting to go to at least Chandler.

Now is the long, boring part.  Get back on the turnpike, go to Bristow exit, take Rt 66 east to state 48 north.  Go north through Cleveland, Hominy, and on up to Pawhuska.  THEN it gets good again!  Go to the middle of town and check out the neat old buildings.  Some being rebuilt, many in decay.  All interesting.

Go through the arch at the north end of the main road that leads to the Tall Grass Prairie.  Go 15 miles to the preserve headquarters.  Slowly.  There are wildflowers, authentic prairie, sweeping vistas, and 2,000 bison to look at.  This time of years, the babies are in abundance.  Very cool.

Come back to Pawhuska.  If you thought ahead and brought your camper, there is a nice little RV park a couple miles south of town.  Spend the night.  You might just get to see the resident wild turkeys in the morning.

Couple more miles south, turn east (left) on highway 11.  Go through Barnsdall and check out the oil well in the middle of main street.  Just after turning off main, there is a very old gas station museum, that is getting somewhat faded, but has a lot of interesting old antiques.

Just out of town, another left onto 123 and head to Woolaroc.  Go in and check it out.  I particularly like the shrunken heads in the first room, just past the entry to the museum.  Don't forget to go down to the hunting lodge!  Wonderful place! 

When you get through, take 123 on into Bartlesville and on over to 75 for the trip back to town.  There are some things of interest to see, but you may be tired by now. 

Enjoy!

[dbacks fan]

heir, I won't quote your comment, but I have thought about the trip back and routes I might take. I might take the usual to OKC, but thinking about going up through Gutherie, Cushing, Drumright, up to Stillwater and take the 51 in through Manford, around to Avery Drive. Another thought that I have is, I drive from Phoenix to Tucumcari, stay the night as usual, but instead of going through the Texas panhandle, leave Tucumcari and go north east and come in through the OK panhandle and go through Enid, Ponca, over towards Pawhuska, Barnsdall and that area. For the record from 1982 to 1990 I worked for Film Transit Freight, Mercury Express and L&L/Edmond/Beaver that owns the two of them and the old Mistletoe Line as well, so for almost ten years I covered everything from I-35 to the Ark state line and from the Kansas state line to I-40. I can still remember driving Hwy 20 to Hominy before Skiatook Lake.

Won't be in a camper, but will be driving a convertible.

Thanks for the info, it gives me thing to think about doing while I'm there since it's a solo trip.

[nathanm]

Ugh, the earlier you get off I-40, the better. East of Dumas, the TX panhandle is actually quite interesting. OK-66 and OK-33 are also interesting. I actually prefer the scenery farther south than I do the scenery on most of 412 through the panhandle, aside from that small segment of interesting topography. The drive on 51 to/through Mannford is a nice one. It can be quick if you would like it to be, but look out for the construction between Mannford and Sand Springs. They're completely replacing the westbound roadway, so it's down to two lanes from the turnoff to go across Keystone Dam almost all the way to SS and will be for at least the rest of the year.

[heironymouspasparagus]

That was just a "seed" thought.  Yours sounds good - may have to try it, too.

There is a ton of stuff to do and see in this state.  Almost every weekend is a new small trip to look-see-do something.  Seldom do I have the "Big Destination" trip.  They are just too limiting in so many ways.  Simple things done casually with no great expectation of "vacation nirvana" is a wonderful way to go.  Any road you drive down is gonna have something of interest that can provide a pleasant little surprise.  And with all the driving we do, there are still thousands of places we have missed here.

Can't remember the name of it, but Walmart sells individual state maps that are USGS maps.  We have several and they are a wonderful thing to have around.  (GPS ain't bad, either).  It lets us wander off into the way back and shows little places that are easily missed and would never know are there.

Redbird is one of those places.  The roads go pretty much around it, but if you drive through it, there is an interesting bit of history there.  They have an old stone building that was the jail with a plaque talking about the history - this is one of the African American towns from early last century.  Streets are marked with modern style signs - even streets that don't even exist.  They are the remnants of the revival the town had back in the 70's when Redd Foxx turned his attention to them for a little while.  Many of the houses and buildings are in sad shape, but many are not.  I think this would qualify as one of those "Forgotten Oklahoma" places.

Everywhere you go there is something interesting.  And is someone says there isn't, it just shows how little imagination and mental horsepower they really have, or don't have.

[Conan71]

heir, I won't quote your comment, but I have thought about the trip back and routes I might take. I might take the usual to OKC, but thinking about going up through Gutherie, Cushing, Drumright, up to Stillwater and take the 51 in through Manford, around to Avery Drive. Another thought that I have is, I drive from Phoenix to Tucumcari, stay the night as usual, but instead of going through the Texas panhandle, leave Tucumcari and go north east and come in through the OK panhandle and go through Enid, Ponca, over towards Pawhuska, Barnsdall and that area. For the record from 1982 to 1990 I worked for Film Transit Freight, Mercury Express and L&L/Edmond/Beaver that owns the two of them and the old Mistletoe Line as well, so for almost ten years I covered everything from I-35 to the Ark state line and from the Kansas state line to I-40. I can still remember driving Hwy 20 to Hominy before Skiatook Lake.

Won't be in a camper, but will be driving a convertible.

Thanks for the info, it gives me thing to think about doing while I'm there since it's a solo trip.

If you want a totally rustic approach to the Oklahoma Panhandle, take I-25 north out of Albuquerque to Raton (have lunch or dinner at El Matador, I highly recommend the green chile burger) then take 64/87 to Capulin, then north on 325 to Folsom, then 456 to Kenton, Ok.  Very rural area with mesas on either side.  Parts of 456 are literally chat gravel, or at least they were about 10 years ago the last time I took that route.  It's a chance to see a part of America most people will never see because it's not trendy or touristy, which is part of the beauty.

Heir, not sure how I forgot the Chandler eastbound stop, might be since I still have not finished the first cup of coffee when I drive past at 6am.

[joiei]

 Very rural area with mesas on either side.  Parts of 456 are literally chat gravel, or at least they were about 10 years ago the last time I took that route.  It's a chance to see a part of America most people will never see because it's not trendy or touristy, which is part of the beauty.

This is a spectacular drive starting in Boise City heading west past Black Mesa and into New Mexico.  I drove it about 7 years ago and was in awe of a drive that hardly anyone will ever experience.  When I drove it, there was a summer storm happening on the mesas to the south.  That would make a great ride in a convertible or on a bike.   Make sure you have gas before starting because there are no gas stations.

[Conan71]

This is a spectacular drive starting in Boise City heading west past Black Mesa and into New Mexico.  I drove it about 7 years ago and was in awe of a drive that hardly anyone will ever experience.  When I drove it, there was a summer storm happening on the mesas to the south.  That would make a great ride in a convertible or on a bike.   Make sure you have gas before starting because there are no gas stations.

61 miles is what Google Maps says from Kenton to Folsom.

I'd considered it as a day ride on my mountain bike if I had support on the other end of the route, it would be about 4 to 6 hours depending on how hard one wanted to push it and how much you wanted to stop and soak in the scenery.  I'm not sure a motorcycle would be whole lot of fun unless it were more of a multi-purpose bike.  I really don't care for gravel when I'm on my motorcycle.

[TheTed]

It is a pretty area. But is that place the fly capital of the world, or what?

I stayed in a motel in Clayton, NM a few years back. As I was leaving, I left the car doors open while I made a couple trips from the motel to the car loading up.

I was lucky I didn't wreck, driving down the highway rolling the windows up and down, waving my arms, doing anything I could to get the hundreds of flies out of the car for the next hour.

[heironymouspasparagus]

TheTed,
The fly type event is the kind of thing that adds a little interest to the trip.  Plus gives a great story to tell your kids/grandkids...or us.  That was good!  Let the roll their eyes when you start to tell it for the 317th time!  Too bad; they still gotta listen!

[Conan71]

It is a pretty area. But is that place the fly capital of the world, or what?

I stayed in a motel in Clayton, NM a few years back. As I was leaving, I left the car doors open while I made a couple trips from the motel to the car loading up.

I was lucky I didn't wreck, driving down the highway rolling the windows up and down, waving my arms, doing anything I could to get the hundreds of flies out of the car for the next hour.

Don't park so close to the dumpster or a dead antelope 

[dbacks fan]

Don't park so close to the dumpster or a dead antelope 

Too funny.

[jacobi]

I have seen alot of OKC bashing on here.  I know OKC's city layout is utterly baffling.  I know that we have almost 2.5 times the population density that they do.  I know that we have a better arts scene here than they do (althought they do pretty well).  Sure when you pass the OKC city limits sign you drive and drive and drive before you see one man-made structure.  But remember that they were able to get a comprehensive multi-stage urban renewal plan passed and working before we did.  They have rail available (although I can't imagine ever wanting to go to anywhere near dallas for any reason).  They have an NBA team.  They have alot going for them, some of which we don't have.  They have the big tower going on.  The thing to remember is, we are all Oklahomans.  We all have the same stigmas to fight against from outside the state.  So, just becuase the giant sprawl stain down the turnpike doesn't have something as wonderful as Philbrook, Gilcrease, Tulsa Opera, Tulsa Ballet, Tulsa Symphony, Signature symphony, and The Cains Ballroom, doesn't mean we should pick on them.  They DID produce the flaming lips after all.  Oh but they did boo Eric Clapton...

[TheArtist]

But remember that they were able to get a comprehensive multi-stage urban renewal plan passed and working before we did.  They have rail available (although I can't imagine ever wanting to go to anywhere near dallas for any reason).  They have an NBA team.  They have alot going for them, some of which we don't have....

Yea, they have more of our tax dollars, both state and federal, going for them.  Makes it easier to pass those "multi-stage urban renewal plans" when your economy is greased with that steadier flow of income.  They are also rightfully proud of that huge medical/research campus they have (many buildings of which have wealthy Tulsans names on them) and ironic how when it came time to divvy up funds for a diabetes research/treatment facility OKC got 10 times what Tulsa got and bragged about how many jobs and how much federal research grant money it would get them,,, when by far the highest need for diabetes services is in the Tulsa area, not OKC? I remember seeing in the paper when they were building the new Oklahoma History Museum, there were wealthy Tulsan's, like the Lorton's, once again donating to build that (another boost to their economy, way of life, and their tourism).  Ya know, I could very well be wrong, but I don't remember hearing about wealthy OKC people donating to things like that in Tulsa? I remember when they were divying up funds to build the American Indian museum in OKC and one in Tulsa, we were both on the bill together for usually its first us OKC, then you Tulsa and magically it allways seems its OKC gets theirs first then, Oooops, sorry Tulsa times are tight and we dont have anything for your project.  But this time we thought we had outfoxed them and had them both on the same bill at the same time.  Tulsa representatives voted, OkC representatives voted, the bill passed, OKC got its money real quick like but then just as we were about to get ours,,, ooops oh no! we can only have one appropriation of this sort on a bill at a time look here in the fine print. Sorry bout that.  So then we said, well how bout we do another one real quick so we can get our agreed upon share? (which was still less than the amount they got) Ok, they said, then guess what. EVERY OKC representative, every representative of the people of OKC voted NO.  So there we were left standing there realizing we got screwed again.  And I could go on and on.   

But yes, despite my "death by a thousand cuts" gripes, I am actually very glad that OKC is doing well now.  I hope they continue to improve.  It would be great to have a real and successful urban city just down the pike that is able to reach out across the country and the world to compete and bring in more recognition, jobs and wealth to the state.  I hope that now that they have some pride in their city and feel a little more secure about themselves that they won't feel so hellbent on trying to get everything for themselves and will throw some larger scraps our way, that they will hear and see our needs on occasion and help us out without us having to grovel, beg, fight, scream and holler for every penny.  I would also like to see some of those wealthy OKC oil people for instance come up here and do some things for us.  I would like for them to realize that yes indeed, we are all in this state together.  Now about those universities...

[AquaMan]

Ah loves mah Tulsah, but....obsessing on OKC, as though they have all the power of decisionmaking, doesn't make sense. It took lots of representatives from ALL over the state to pass these appropriation bills that favor OKC. Truth is, we are not very popular in the rest of the state. The rest of the state has more in common, both geographically and culturally, with OKC than they do with Tulsa.

OKC dominates the eastern, western and southern parts of the state. Those smaller counties rely upon Oklahoma County for commerce and leadership and OKC knows how to work with them. Our local 300 know where the power resides and you cannot blame them for doing the same.