Tuesday, April 23, 2024
Oooooklahoma, where the wind comes sweepin’ down the plains. Yes, it’s true; we were buffeted by high wind gusts throughout most of today’s 260-mile journey. The winds set off our RV’s wheel speed sensor warning and disengaged the cruise control (and ABS). Fortunately, after we stopped for diesel and DEF, the computer reset on starting up, the warning messages disappeared, and cruise control (and ABS) were reengaged. I was more selective when using cruise control from that point onward. As we crossed Oklahoma swaying in the RV, we reminisced about our last trip here a couple of years ago. Our first night we had stayed at a site hosted by chain-talking Brenda and visited nearby Robbers Cave State Park. We also stayed a couple of nights in Oklahoma City and saw a banjo museum, a skeleton museum, the First Americans Museum, and the Oklahoma City National Memorial Museum. Todya, Jane even wore her American Banjo Museum shirt in honor of us passing through OK City again.
As we got close to our day’s destination, we notcied that the iconic venerable Route 66 was nearby running parallel to I-40. Because it was a short driving day and early in the afternoon, we decided to refill the RV. Jane hopped on the internet and found an upcoming truck stop (Conoco-Pendelton) that also received rave online reviews about its Indian food. We couldn’t resist. So, Jane went into the truck stop restaurant (Preet Dhaba) and ordered our lunch while I refueled the RV. We drove the final few miles to the campground on Route 66 salivating over the delightful aromas wafting through the RV. After checking-in and parking at Site 60 at the Elk City / Clinton KOA, we were ready to attack the aloo gobi and majer paneer that Jane had purchsased. I quickly hooked up the power so we could run the AC and eat in comfort.
Route 66 alongside I-40
Truck Stop with Gourmet Indian Food
The View on Route 66
After our delicious lunch and completing set-up, Jane drove us in the toad about 9 miles to Elk City. There, we visited the Elk City Museum Complex made up of 18 buildings including four museums: National Route 66 Museum, Transportation Museum, Farm & Ranch Museum, and Old Town Museum. To me, the Route 66 Museum was the most interesting, tracking its history with period displays and audio anecdotes. After almost two hours at the complex, we had worked up a thirst, so Jane drove us to a local dive, Knucklehead Reds. When we entered the dark bar, there was only a young lady bartender and a local customer. We each ordered beers and they struck up a conversation with the outsiders. Because it was around 5 pm, other locals entered the bar as we conversed. Everyone knew each other (except us). We said our farewells after a beer because there was another joint closer to the RV that we wanted to try out.
Museum Sign
Front of the National Route 66 Museum
Video Cruising on 66
The Creature Emerges
Route 66 begins at Grant Park in Chicago
Route 66 Period Displays
Women of the Day worked Hard to be Beautiful
Okie Christmas Tree made of Horsehoes
We Hung with some Locals Here
Back at the RV, we fiddled with a water leak for awhile then decided it was time for Happy Hour again. We’d never been to a KOA with a bar before but here in Oklahoma, this KOA featured the Moose Knuckle Tavern. (We never figured out the knuckle complusion around here.) In the tavern, we ordered beers and a thin crust veggie pizza. We were given a free deck of playing cards and so, played a few games of Cazy Eights before I returned to the RV to get another card game, Play Nine, then we played until (and after) our pizza arrived. Once we were satiated and finished the game, we safely made the short walk back to our motorhome.
Inside Moose Knuckle Tavern
Enjoying Moose Knuckle Tavern
While settling down for the evening, the full moon rose above the horizon. Jane and I walked to the edge of Route 66 and set up the tripod. I was able to capture a couple of good lunar images before we headed back to the motorhome and climbed into bed. Soon we were asleep with visions of cruising that ribbon of highway in our heads.
Full Moon over Oklahoma