The Blue Whale:
My, my...I never thought so many of you would use Google to discover the mystery of the Blue Whale. What did we ever do before Google! I should have made a bw photo of the Blue Whale!!
Thanks very much to everyone for discovering more about the historic road side attractions along 66 in Oklahoma. The lucky winner of the raffle ticket for a chance at the SFPW workshop is......drum roll......
Peter Delfe from Los Alamos,NM. Good luck Peter in the raffle on June 5.
Stay tuned...more attractions on the way.
be strong, be safe, Carlan
Sunday, May 29, 2011
Friday, May 27, 2011
Where am I? What is this?
A very famous landmark on the Mother Road today.
Be the first email to identify the historic landmark by name and location and win a free raffle ticket for a chance at a fully paid Santa Fe Photo Workshop of your choice. Only one entry per person. Winner will be announced in the next post.
be strong, be safe, Carlan.
A very famous landmark on the Mother Road today.
Be the first email to identify the historic landmark by name and location and win a free raffle ticket for a chance at a fully paid Santa Fe Photo Workshop of your choice. Only one entry per person. Winner will be announced in the next post.
be strong, be safe, Carlan.
Thursday, May 26, 2011
Into Oklahoma:
Been having trouble posting to the blog the past couple of nights. Just posted yesterday a little late. Problem with posting the photos as well. This evening will be words only.
Rain this morning in Lebanon before leaving the Munger Moss Motel. Drank coffee and discussed the current state of affairs with Ramona and Bob the owners until the rain stopped about 10A. Rode west along 66 through the countryside of gentle rolling hills under a heavy gray sky. Seemed a bit lonely. No other cars for well over an hour.
As I approach Joplin stopped for gas and talked with some of the local folks. They shared the news with me 66 was closed both sides of Joplin. Backtracked a couple of miles and picked up the new 66 (Interstate 44). It was a cold ride and the air felt heavy closer I got to Joplin. The tornado cut directly across the Interstate. Pictures you have been seeing can hardly express the reality of the situation. Everything twisted and broken to pieces. Forces of nature unleashed. Navajo would say Monster Slayer was very mad about things. That was the thought in my mind as well. No pictures, just thoughts.
In Miami, OK tonight. Hard time finding a motel. Got one of the last rooms. Town is filled with people here to help in Joplin. Put all those people in your thoughts tonight they need your strength.
be strong, be safe, Carlan
Been having trouble posting to the blog the past couple of nights. Just posted yesterday a little late. Problem with posting the photos as well. This evening will be words only.
Rain this morning in Lebanon before leaving the Munger Moss Motel. Drank coffee and discussed the current state of affairs with Ramona and Bob the owners until the rain stopped about 10A. Rode west along 66 through the countryside of gentle rolling hills under a heavy gray sky. Seemed a bit lonely. No other cars for well over an hour.
As I approach Joplin stopped for gas and talked with some of the local folks. They shared the news with me 66 was closed both sides of Joplin. Backtracked a couple of miles and picked up the new 66 (Interstate 44). It was a cold ride and the air felt heavy closer I got to Joplin. The tornado cut directly across the Interstate. Pictures you have been seeing can hardly express the reality of the situation. Everything twisted and broken to pieces. Forces of nature unleashed. Navajo would say Monster Slayer was very mad about things. That was the thought in my mind as well. No pictures, just thoughts.
In Miami, OK tonight. Hard time finding a motel. Got one of the last rooms. Town is filled with people here to help in Joplin. Put all those people in your thoughts tonight they need your strength.
be strong, be safe, Carlan
Rusty Snaps:
Been in so much rain lately the snaps on my leathers are beginning to rust. You might ask...how wet can you get on a motorcycle? If you could see my motel room tonight with clothing hanging everywhere you would answer that one.
Watched all the tornado activity last night. About 3AM this morning a large cell came into Cuba with heavy winds and rain. Mid morning the sky began to lighten so I decided to get back on 66.
Hooker Cut is a four lane section of the Mother Road with one of the deepest rock cuts in the U.S. The road was dry and I had it all to myself. Off to the left I spotted the Mule Trading Post and pulled in.
Daryl was sitting at the front desk and met with with a friendly "Howdy".
The Mule Trading Post has been located on Route 66 for over sixty years. You can find everything from frying pans, old vinyl records, to classic Route 66 "collectibles". The "Memorial Day Specials" appeared to be from a few years past.
Back on the road for a few miles and very quickly the sky turned coal black. I saw an old gas station ahead. Stopped under the covering and discovered the station was now the home of a florist shop. Met Darlee inside arranging flowers. She graciously offered me shelter from the storm complete with a storm cellar if needed. Hail the size of golf balls fell from the sky for over thirty minutes. Two hours passed and there was a break in the sky. I only needed to go thirty more miles to find a motel. Seemed like a short distance, not so. Within a few miles another downpour. This time I spotted an old barn and took refuge. A woman came out and offered me a chair to wait it out. What friendly and neighborly folks in Missouri.
At the Munger-Moss Motel in Lebanon tonight. My room here is an "original" 1950 decor. When I checked in the owner said..."feel free to park you bike by your door to keep it out of the weather....."
Like I said...friendly, neighborly folks here in Missouri.
be strong, be safe, Carlan
Been in so much rain lately the snaps on my leathers are beginning to rust. You might ask...how wet can you get on a motorcycle? If you could see my motel room tonight with clothing hanging everywhere you would answer that one.
Watched all the tornado activity last night. About 3AM this morning a large cell came into Cuba with heavy winds and rain. Mid morning the sky began to lighten so I decided to get back on 66.
Hooker Cut is a four lane section of the Mother Road with one of the deepest rock cuts in the U.S. The road was dry and I had it all to myself. Off to the left I spotted the Mule Trading Post and pulled in.
Daryl was sitting at the front desk and met with with a friendly "Howdy".
The Mule Trading Post has been located on Route 66 for over sixty years. You can find everything from frying pans, old vinyl records, to classic Route 66 "collectibles". The "Memorial Day Specials" appeared to be from a few years past.
Back on the road for a few miles and very quickly the sky turned coal black. I saw an old gas station ahead. Stopped under the covering and discovered the station was now the home of a florist shop. Met Darlee inside arranging flowers. She graciously offered me shelter from the storm complete with a storm cellar if needed. Hail the size of golf balls fell from the sky for over thirty minutes. Two hours passed and there was a break in the sky. I only needed to go thirty more miles to find a motel. Seemed like a short distance, not so. Within a few miles another downpour. This time I spotted an old barn and took refuge. A woman came out and offered me a chair to wait it out. What friendly and neighborly folks in Missouri.
At the Munger-Moss Motel in Lebanon tonight. My room here is an "original" 1950 decor. When I checked in the owner said..."feel free to park you bike by your door to keep it out of the weather....."
Like I said...friendly, neighborly folks here in Missouri.
be strong, be safe, Carlan
Tuesday, May 24, 2011
Into Missouri:
Clear skies this morning. Crossed the Mississippi River and entered Missouri. Had to ride a section of I-270 through Saint Louis with heavy traffic. Breath of fresh air when I turned back onto the Mother Road.
Stopped at the Circle N in Bourbon, Mo for a late morning breakfast. Circle N has been serving great diner road food on Route 66 for over fifty years. This place is the real deal. Not a plastic tourist stop. Great friendly people to chat with.
A few miles after breakfast a tee-pee caught my eye off to the side of the road.
Met Joe and his wife. They are both Cherokee. I realized I was on a part of the "Trail of Tears". They were making buffalo jerky to sell along with other native crafts. Joe and I stood outside talking, sharing stories and family history. We talked about Question of Power. He brought out his flute and played a song for my trip.
I bought some buffalo jerky to carry in my saddle bags before we parted. As I pulled back onto Route 66 Joe raised his arm with a parting wave. Felt like I had known him for a long time.
The largest rocking chair in the world is located four miles west of Cuba, Mo.
Yes, that is my bike sitting in front of the rocking chair. No funny Photoshop tricks here. It's real! It's BIG! Why...one can only guess.
Spending the night at the Wagon Wheel Motel in Cuba. Stone cottages built in the '30s. A classic Route 66 spot. Beautiful!
The ride today was all about "pressing and leaning". Which means the Mother Road was filled with gentle curves and rolling hills. Great riding.
Checking the weather tonight. Tornados all along the route. Springfield, Mo tomorrow weather permitting.
be strong, be safe, Carlan
Clear skies this morning. Crossed the Mississippi River and entered Missouri. Had to ride a section of I-270 through Saint Louis with heavy traffic. Breath of fresh air when I turned back onto the Mother Road.
Stopped at the Circle N in Bourbon, Mo for a late morning breakfast. Circle N has been serving great diner road food on Route 66 for over fifty years. This place is the real deal. Not a plastic tourist stop. Great friendly people to chat with.
A few miles after breakfast a tee-pee caught my eye off to the side of the road.
Met Joe and his wife. They are both Cherokee. I realized I was on a part of the "Trail of Tears". They were making buffalo jerky to sell along with other native crafts. Joe and I stood outside talking, sharing stories and family history. We talked about Question of Power. He brought out his flute and played a song for my trip.
I bought some buffalo jerky to carry in my saddle bags before we parted. As I pulled back onto Route 66 Joe raised his arm with a parting wave. Felt like I had known him for a long time.
The largest rocking chair in the world is located four miles west of Cuba, Mo.
Yes, that is my bike sitting in front of the rocking chair. No funny Photoshop tricks here. It's real! It's BIG! Why...one can only guess.
Spending the night at the Wagon Wheel Motel in Cuba. Stone cottages built in the '30s. A classic Route 66 spot. Beautiful!
The ride today was all about "pressing and leaning". Which means the Mother Road was filled with gentle curves and rolling hills. Great riding.
Checking the weather tonight. Tornados all along the route. Springfield, Mo tomorrow weather permitting.
be strong, be safe, Carlan
Monday, May 23, 2011
Horse Shoes, Cozy Dogs, and Severe weather:
In Springfield, Il. Dinner last night with good friends Lorrie and Jake Bunn. Jake asked me have you ever had a "Horse Shoe" dinner...not lately was my reply. I thought...wonder what it is? Question you may be thinking....did he order it? Answer...yes. The "Horse Shoe" dinner is a Springfield original. Picture two pieces of toast...sirloin steak...tomato slices...crispy French fries...smothered in a gallons of cheese sauce...all in that order. Never slept so good as last night.
Up early this morning to meet Jake and Lorrie. Our plan to ride the original Route 66 between Springfield, Il. to Saint Louis, Mo. First stop was to have an original "Cozy Dog" for breakfast.
The Cozy dog is a historic Route 66 Springfield original. Not to be confused with a corn dog!
We rode the original 1926 Route 66 toward Saint Louis until we began seeing very black greenish clouds ahead. At that point Lorrie and Jake decided it best for them to make tracks back to Springfield while I headed on to Saint Louis. Got to the Mississippi River and hit the storm head on! Made a quick exit and here I sit in a motel room in Granite City just outside of STL. Waiting out the weather. Hail, rain, and heavy winds. My schedule is to be through Joplin on Thursday. Will see how things go.
Been talking with a lot of local folks all along the way. Have been hearing over and over again...weather has never been like this before...
be strong, be safe, Carlan
In Springfield, Il. Dinner last night with good friends Lorrie and Jake Bunn. Jake asked me have you ever had a "Horse Shoe" dinner...not lately was my reply. I thought...wonder what it is? Question you may be thinking....did he order it? Answer...yes. The "Horse Shoe" dinner is a Springfield original. Picture two pieces of toast...sirloin steak...tomato slices...crispy French fries...smothered in a gallons of cheese sauce...all in that order. Never slept so good as last night.
Up early this morning to meet Jake and Lorrie. Our plan to ride the original Route 66 between Springfield, Il. to Saint Louis, Mo. First stop was to have an original "Cozy Dog" for breakfast.
The Cozy dog is a historic Route 66 Springfield original. Not to be confused with a corn dog!
We rode the original 1926 Route 66 toward Saint Louis until we began seeing very black greenish clouds ahead. At that point Lorrie and Jake decided it best for them to make tracks back to Springfield while I headed on to Saint Louis. Got to the Mississippi River and hit the storm head on! Made a quick exit and here I sit in a motel room in Granite City just outside of STL. Waiting out the weather. Hail, rain, and heavy winds. My schedule is to be through Joplin on Thursday. Will see how things go.
Been talking with a lot of local folks all along the way. Have been hearing over and over again...weather has never been like this before...
be strong, be safe, Carlan
Riding For Ron:
In Illinois the past two days on Route 66. Yes, finally made it to the Mother Road. Before hitting the Mother Road I had the opportunity to see some special people in Missouri.
Wanda Mullendore is married to my cousin who passed away last fall. She and Ron both rode Harleys. I called Wanda and we talked about meeting when I came through. She had not ridden since Ron passed. "I have been thinking of selling the bike since Ron is gone. Battery needs a charge, tags have expired". I asked her...why don't fire up your bike...we'll ride together for a while for Ron. She did...and we did. It was great seeing and riding with her. We stopped along the road when she needed to turn around. I looked and caught the smile in her eyes. As we gave each other a parting hug... She looked at me and said..."I think I'll keep riding the bike now".
be strong, be safe, Carlan
In Illinois the past two days on Route 66. Yes, finally made it to the Mother Road. Before hitting the Mother Road I had the opportunity to see some special people in Missouri.
Wanda Mullendore is married to my cousin who passed away last fall. She and Ron both rode Harleys. I called Wanda and we talked about meeting when I came through. She had not ridden since Ron passed. "I have been thinking of selling the bike since Ron is gone. Battery needs a charge, tags have expired". I asked her...why don't fire up your bike...we'll ride together for a while for Ron. She did...and we did. It was great seeing and riding with her. We stopped along the road when she needed to turn around. I looked and caught the smile in her eyes. As we gave each other a parting hug... She looked at me and said..."I think I'll keep riding the bike now".
be strong, be safe, Carlan
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