5/10/12 Did you save room for pie?

Don, Mary, Susan, Karen Sue, Caitlin

This morning we're heading back out on the Mother Road.  After re-packing the cooler and our bags, we say our fond farewells and heartfelt gratitude to our wonderful hosts, the Gardners, and say so long to Arma, Kansas.  






Our first stop is at the Baxter Springs KS Visitor Center in a restored, 1930s-era Phillips 66 station and get some information from friendly volunteer, Georgia.  After a down home breakfast at Weston's Cafe, we head out of town and search for our first geocache of the day outside of Quapaw, OK.  Caitlin finally finds it after climbing through a lot of brush and woods, and unfortunately a tick or two finds her - a definite downside 

Mickey's Home

of geocaching.  We then make a quick detour in Commerce OK to the boyhood home of Mickey Mantle where, at the age of 5 or 6, Mickey's dad, Mutt, would pitch to him righty and his grandfather would pitch lefty teaching him the fine art of switch-hitting.

Coleman Theatre

Sidewalk Highway

Our destination in Miami OK (say 'my-am-uh') was to the Coleman Theatre - a beautiful building built in 1929.  We got a short tour of the interior by volunteer Carolyn who explained the research and restoration of the building.  It's really a beautiful space with an original Wurlitzer organ that's played occasionally by an organist for silent film showings.  The chandelier is over 7' tall and weighs one ton.  Of course, Caitlin and I imagined seeing The Phantom of the Opera here.  South of Miami, we drove about a two-mile section of the Route known as 'Sidewalk Highway' as the original pavement is only 9' wide.  The road is pretty beat up but it was a cool drive.


We stopped at Clanton's Cafe in Vinita for a late lunch.  This place has been run by the same family since 1927, and it's said that the original owner, Sweet Tater Patrick, used to walk outside the restaurant and bang a pot & pan together to attract customers.  Not necessary these days; the huge "EAT" sign out front drew our attention.  After a complimentary appetizer of calf fries (we didn't ask, we didn't want to know, we just ate 'em), we shared a catfish dinner that included two substantial pieces of fish.  The coating was exceptionally good, and the fish tasted like they'd just been plucked from the river.  (Shirley, think Woodyfest!)   After this feast, our sweet waitress says "Did you save room for pie?"  Of course we did not, so she wrapped up a piece of homemade chocolate cream pie to take on the road with us.  


In Foyil OK, we detoured off the Route about four miles to the Totem Pole Park.  This park is home to the world's largest totem pole (90') which was created by folk artist Ed Galloway from 1937 to 1948.  Volunteer Sella gave us  the history of the totem's creation and also it's creator who was quite the wood-worker, and the small Museum there holds over 130 violins he carved from woods from all over the world.  Great roadside attraction.


Outside of Tulsa, in Catoosa, we stopped to shoot a couple pictures of The Blue Whale (not really a giant but we're counting it as a Giant Alert!) and found a nice geocache there.  Susie had given us a commemorative coin so we placed it in this cache, and Caitlin took a trinket.  


Finally rolled in to Tulsa about 6 pm and got a room for the night at the Desert Hills Motel, another Route 66-era motel - clean, cheap, and mint green.  Late dinner tonight was at El Rancho Grande (great neon sign), and we both enjoyed our yummy Mexican entrees.  After a driving exploration of downtown Tulsa (some great Art Deco architecture) and a stop at WalMart for a few supplies, we're back in the motel room working on this blog and planning tomorrow's adventure.

Dang, that was good pie!


Happy trails, S