Arkansas to Tucumari, New Mexico

It was time to hit the interstate for the first day of our drive home.  We got up just after 6:00 am with the intention of being on the road by 7 am.  Of course we didn't quite make it as we had to have breakfast, then I wanted to take pictures of Rainy and me with Edna and Hank, then it was just really hard to say good bye.  I didn't want to leave as I wanted to spend more time with Edna and Hank.  Unfortunately, it was time to go.  Rainy and I drove the backroads through Arkansas and Oklahoma until we hit the Creek Turnpike in Oklahoma that would take us into Tulsa.  The toll booths were not manned, you had to drop 85 cents into the machine to continue on.  It didn't register my coins, so I went through anyways (this will get me a ticket!).  At the next toll booth, I was out of change so I tried to use the $1 changer, but it just kept spitting my dollar back out.  I tried the other dollar changer, but it wouldn't even take my dollar!  Frustrated, I pulled off to the side where another man had pulled over.  It turns out that he had the same problem at both toll booths that I had.  He called the turnpike folks and got a number for us to call to avoid the double tickets.  Back on the turnpike, I made the phone call, hopefully everything was straightened out and we won't get a ticket in the mail!

We pulled off in Stroud, Oklahoma to have lunch at the Rock Cafe.  For an appetizer we shared a plate of fried green tomatoes, fried dill pickle, fried mushrooms and hush puppies.  Rainy ordered a craw fish Po' Boy, Julie had the Rueben recommended by the waitress.  Once our bellies were full (again) we got back on the turnpike and continued our journey.

At Wellston, Oklahoma, we got off the turnpike and back onto Route 66.  There was a stop that we had missed on our journey East that we wanted to stop at today.  This new Route 66 icon is called Pops.  At Pops, you can get fuel, food, and fizz; you can choose from the more than 500 sodas and other refreshers.  Out front is a 66-foot tall sculpture of a soda pop bottle, reflecting a contemporary approach.  The sculpture was erected in the midst of Oklahoma's Centenial Summer.  Rainy selected 6 different sodas.  Julie selected a seltzer and bought a 6-pack of Pops Hops Premium Select beer to sample later in the evening.
Back on the road, we traveled I-44 through Tulsa, Oklahoma, on to I-40 and Oklahoma City.  Once past Oklahoma City, we traveled into the panhandle of Texas.





In Amarillo, Texas, we stopped for dinner at the Big Texan Steak Ranch.  This place is famous for their 72 ounce steak.....if you can eat the steak and all of its fixings in 60 minutes, then it is free.  Of course neither Rainy nor I attempted this feat.  Rainy ordered the 6 ounce filet with mashed potatoes and coleslaw.  Julie had the 10 ounce prime rib with a baked potato and sliced tomatoes.  For dessert we shared a strawberry shortcake. 








Then it was back in the car, back on I-40 and on the road to Tucumcari, New Mexico where we had reservations at The Blue Swallow Motel.  We had stayed at the Blue Swallow when we were driving East and thought it was appropriate to stay there again.  We got settled in for a good night's sleep.