2024 EB Day 12 - Tri-state Crossing

Our first stop on the twelfth day was Depew, a massive, wide street gave a hint of a once bustling town.

Things are different now.

Oklahoma is lush. Trees and pastures all suggesting the rainfall is higher than where we’ve been.

There are some cool old bits of alignment tucked away off the established route, making a little exploratory navigating worthwhile.

Sapulpa was a surprise!

Michael Jones’ Gasoline Alley Classic is a well thought out, well executed take on the Mother Road history.

Incorporating an early Ford dealership premise (maybe that bit was a stroke of luck!)…

and some innovative attractions.

Relatively new to the Mother Road, it’s worth the stop and pushing the schedule around.

Skirting the edge of Tulsa, we move across the state of Oklahoma,

Through Catoosa and her Blue Whale…

Chelsea is home to a house originally purchased by mail order from a Sears Roebuck catalogue!

On towards Vinita…

…to The Tattoo Man, who has travelled 50 miles to show us his art.

Perhaps difficult to stomach for some, it highlights the diverse nature and effect America’s Main Road has on people.

Pre 1937 much of the road was just 9 feet wide, bordered with concrete and built to budget, forcing passing cars to each move one set of wheels off the pavement.

This is corn country now… the primary source of USA’s much needed sugar.

Commerce is home to baseball legend Mickey Mantle as well as the Dairy King soft serve.

In Baxter Springs, Kansas we visit with Dean Walker, the man credited with being the inspiration for Tow Mater to walk backwards.

The white bridge outside Galena is the only remaining Rainbow Bridge of its kind, these days crossed for photos rather than need.

Galena has another newish attraction in Gearhead Curios and Aaron’s restroom provides some of the best relief in the country.

There’s little relief from Melba The Mouth.

She’s proud of her contribution to inspiring Cars, the movie and the resurgence of her little home, once considered a ghost town.

Kansas is short and sweet, marked with a crossing to ensure our 12.8 miles in state are memorable… now into Missouri, our third for the day.

An ice cream at Supertam…

and then preparation for a drive in, this one of the movie kind for the Kiwis.

Signature green neon says Boots, the only surviving adobe style motel, is our accommodation for the night…

A night that toward morning brings a changing sky!