Day Two was planned as a rather tough day on Route 66. 486 miles from St. Louis, Missouri to Tulsa, Oklahoma. It’s not recommended nor is it easy; but, we have a finite amount of vacation days with which to work and so we must do what we have to do.

I must admit we started an hour late again. This time it was an alarm set for specific work days instead of a generic alarm setting on the phone. This made things tough when you find yourself behind before you even begin.

Do What You Love

There are many books and articles about what to do and what to see on Route 66. We love them. The thing is you can’t do it all unless you possess a vast amount of time on your hands. So pick a handful of things that you think you’ll like and then spontaneously change some on the fly.

Breakfast. Tom loves breakfast. Not just eggs, bacon and toast but the experience of sitting in a great diner. So when we hit Cuba, MO early on and Ben said he was hungry, it just made sense to stop and relax for a few at Shelly’s Cafe. It was well worth it. And Ben was again inspired to journal the occasion.

A little context here: Shelly’s had a mannequin dressed in a St. Louis Blues Jersey. He is represented here along with Ben’s breakfast of eggs, bacon and toast.

A Day of Old Bridges

It may seem dull to drive around looking for the last remnants of bridges built in the early 1900s. But that they are still around is something special. We are seeking out as many as we can on this journey before they are gone.

Where else but on an old old stretch of road can you just lay down and snap a photo. These two and their hi jinx.

This one is in danger of being demolished later this year. Glad we were able to catch a glimpse.

Gay Parita Sinclair Station

A great stop along the Route was the Gay Parita Sinclair has station. There we met George who was great. It’s a wonderful spot to take a break.

Lowell Davis’s Red Oak II

Artist Lowell Davis began buying old homes and other buildings and created the town of Red Oak II. It’s a short drive off 66 but really is a must do. This was such a fantastic diversion off the Route. We were able to get out and stretch our legs and enjoy everything this town represents.

We were able to meet Lowell Davis. He signed our postcards and even requested that Ben join the artwork for a photo op!

Cars Nostalgia

You can’t really head down Route 66 with a six year old and not stop to see all the things that inspired one of his (and mom and dad’s) favorite movies.

A little Tow Mater!

Underground Gem

Whilst passing through Chelsea, OK you don’t want to miss out on the underground gem hiding in this town. At one point in time, Route 66 was a bustling highway such that it was difficult to cross. There are a few underground tunnels that take you from one side of the road to the other right under 66! So much fun.

And the one in Chelsea has been spruced up. They also encourage you to pack a Sharpie to sign the wall when you visit.

Don’t Forget the Giant Stuff

Just in case you were wondering where all the giant stuff went. No worries, I’m throwing in a whale from Catoosa.

Carving routes