Travel Notes - Texas Oklahoma Missouri: I flew to Dallas on Frontier for $90 because it was the only cheap fare I could find on short notice (because the uncertainty of the stupid car repair threw off my whole schedule). They have been running ad nauseum Samantha Brown's Route 66 episodes, so, I decided to drive the patches I hadn't driven before. I rented a car from Hertz for $386. It was supposed to be a Kia K4. They had next to nothing (even for Presidential level) and I took a Hyundai Tucson. I drove farther than expected the first night because most of the towns on the route I took (114W) had sketchy accommodation options. The airport's exit to 114 was closed down. Luckily I took 30N to it. All the "lakes" town are on it. Southlake. Westlake. The route was a bit confusing in parts. You had to get off and change direction a few times. I ended up in downtown Lubbock. I gave in to a Super 8 for $69 (rack rate) because it was 11pm.
The next day I started at Jimenez y Friends Barbecue y Taqueria (Texas Monthly #24). They only do brisket on the weekends, so, I tried three tacos for $12. An ok chorizo and egg. A good asado de puerco. A good carne asada. All generously filled. They told me that some famous spot had a food truck nearby today. I went there. They weren't ready. I learned the town was on my way and decided to go to the real location rather than wait. I then drove 62/82 a few miles sw to Wolfforth and Evie Mae's Pit Barbecue (Texas Monthly #8). I had a plate with brisket, potato salad and baked potato casserole and a large soda for $20. All were very good. This was the best bbq I had. I then drove 622 back to 27N. Went west around twenty miles on 70 to Olton and Rejino Barbecue (Texas Monthly Top 50). I had 1/2 lb of brisket for $18. I think they gave me more than that. Plus they tossed in four half fist size burnt ends. Their brisket was less oily than Evie's. I prefer the moisture. I drove on through Amarillo and east on 40. I exited and followed all the Route 66 signs. I saw the Devil's Rope Museum (closed). I'll state here that much of 66 parallels 40. Only when you get to a town does it really pay to drive it. I entered Oklahoma in Elk City. Their Route 66 Museum employees left even before 5pm. I pulled into a Holiday Inn in Clinton for $98 (rack rate). Ate the rest of the bbq. Bought Blue Bell Gooey Butter Cake IC at a market because Rhett and Link did an ice cream tournament I saw before I left in which they gushed over Blue Bell IC. Banana Pudding in particular. Turns out you can't trust relocated white trash. Terrible, puffy, air-infused ice cream. Picked up a 66 guide in the hotel lobby.
The next day back on 66. Stopped in Weatherford (Space City). They had a big muffler man space man. Drove past the Stafford Air & Space Museum. Still not sure why it is a space town. Onto the Pony Truss Bridge in Bridgeport. They used it in the film Grapes of Wrath. There was an older route from here that I got lost on. Grave of Chisolm from the Trail. Eventually made it back at El Reno. This was used in the new Twisters movie (end sequence). I was here for Sid's Diner and their world famous onion burger (3D, Bizarre Foods, Food Paradise, MvF). Had one and a soda for $11. Drove on past Oklahoma City. Found a Visitor's Center just before they try and make you get an 44 (toll). They told me to get off just before (I forget the exit - 2nd St?) to Edmond. At Arcadia there is a diner and soda shop called Pops 66 with a giant neon soda bottle. They sell weird sodas and vintage candy too. Then a round barn and a chicken joint. Stopped at an old gas station a bit further on. Through Sapulpa and the Tee Pee Drive In and other things. Onto Tulsa. On the Arkansas River. Been before. Never stayed/investigated much. I stayed at the La Quinta Downtown (Expedia 8.0) for $114 and $10 Parking. Walked the town. Saw all the districts. Churches, theater, Bok Tower, Bok Center, Convention Center. Saw a few restaurants from MvF, etc that didn't entice. The city was devoid of people and services. I had to get back in the car and drive west on 66 to some area that had a shitty supermarket. While there, I tried a burger place called Arnold's. DCB for $8. They are burger mad in Oklahoma. Mostly smashed ones.
The next day I drove to take a pics of the river and Boston Avenue United Methodist Church. 66 east to the good part of Tulsa. First stopped at Buck Atoms Cosmic Curios. Muffler man and lady (now). Meadow Gold sign. Up to Ike's Chili House (Martha Stewart) for two bad chili dogs for $7. Oldest restaurant in town. There was a Rosie the Riveter muffler man there too. Left on Utica. Around there is a recording studio used by Clapton, Dylan, etc called Church. More north is the house from the Outsider's movie. Also a famous burger joint (Bill's MvF) that had no customers, yet told me I would have to wait for 45 minutes. I told them to pleasure themselves with a rusty knife. Down to Tulsa University. Saw the arena and football stadium. A bit south to their (modern) fair ground and a big golden statue called the Golden Driller. Back to Ike's and across the street to Howdy Burger. It was closed before. Grabbed an ok Howdy Burger for $6. The guide called them out. Back east on 66 and a stop at the Mother Road Market (mostly food stalls). Grabbed a scoop of Pony Boy at Big Dipper Creamery for $6. Finally out of Tulsa. Past a cool Hard Rock. They drop you past the greatest curiosity on 66. The Blue Whale of Catoosa. I drove back west to see it. Wouldntchaknow that it was fenced off for repairs. I climbed over the fence and did a Jonah. The workers didn't seem to care. I love any building/structure in animal form! Back on 66 east. Stopped for fried calf fries (baby balls) at Clanton's Cafe (3D and Bizarre Foods) in Vinita for $9. Only had old balls. These were like chicken livers. Took some pics in Miami (murals). Tried to get something at Waylan's Ku Ku Burger. They only had the drive thru open and were taking too long. Did grab a burger and swirl ic in Commerce at the Dairy King for $6. Great people. Couldn't find the Mickey Mantle house. That ended Oklahoma. There is a small sliver through Kansas. The signage wasn't great. I think I missed the town they used in Cars. I believe they have a station with fake Maters, etc. Saw a sign that said birthplace of Hale Irwin. It was getting late and I was behind schedule. Drove into Missouri. Through Joplin and Carthage. Not much called out and I had no guide. In Carthage the route disappeared. I gave up and got on 44N to Springfield. I think if I had turned off the first exit the route could have been picked up. I think this whole route is easier east to west. Drove around the downtown. Stopped at a Best Western that I think was once the Rail Haven Motel. This was back on 66. $109 rack rate. Grabbed some crap at Walmart.
The next day the weather changed. It was warm and sunny up to now. Now the rain came for two days. That (and the lack of things) made the route less engaging. Oklahoma is definitely better at this. I had an ok cb ($7) from Casper's down the street before I left. Towns like Lebanon, Waynesville, Rolla, Sullivan, Pacific. Places like Hubble Telescope Replica, Munger Moss Motel, Route 66 Museum/Library and Uranus Fudge Factory. In some places the roads were unkempt. Towards St Louis it disappears. I got back on 44 and off at 366. Took that about ten miles to Ted Drewe's Frozen Custard (Chowdown Countdown #37). Had a great TeDad oatmeal and vanilla concrete for $6. Then a scary drive past 30 to 55S. Drove to Sikeston. Stayed a the Best Western for $114 (rack rate). BK because it was Valentine's Day and Lambert's Cafe was beyond jammed.
The next day I went to Lambert's (Chowdown Countdown #19) as soon as it opened. It was at capacity a half hour later. I had a terrible chicken pot pie (because out of pork jowls) with box mashed and baked potatoes. And off course a "throwed" roll. I had been to the one in Daphne AL. Same exact thing. I hauled ass to Memphis and 40W through Little Rock because it was Sunday and any restaurant I wanted to try was closed. Past Texarkana to 82W to Paris. Stayed at the Hampton Inn for $127 (rack rate). TB/Walmart dinner because I knew I was coming down with something.
The next day I had a bad turkey rueben with chips at Corner Cafe. Took some pics of the square/theaters. There is a movie named Paris Texas. Wasn't shot there. West to Bonham. Birthplace of Speaker Sam Rayburn. South on 121 to 75 to Dallas. Took a stupid way around SMU to the original Sonny Bryan's Smokehouse (Chowdown Coutdown More #80). Bought a good brisket sandwich for $13. Took 35W to 183W to Euless. Stayed at the Best Western Plus West Euless (Expedia 8.4) for $89. This is near DFW. McD dinner.
The next day I dropped of the car and flew home. No issues. Ok trip. Watched Olympics. Found out there is an ATP tournament in Dallas going on this week. Would have done that. Would have tried two other restaurants in St Louis if the rain hadn't slowed me down. Spent $721 on hotels. $176 on gas. $249 on food, etc. $117 on parking. Total = $1739.
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