Foss, Texas, to Amarillo

Heading to Texas. This was a great day. We met up with Harley and Annabelle in Erick, Oklahoma. Harley sang a a song for us and, well, he did hug Jessie rather tightly. Amazing people. Originals. I love meeting people like this. We also found a great stretch of the Old Road. We ended the day in Amarillo and the 4th of July fireworks.

Starting the day at a truck stop.

Old Road.

Harley and Annabelle's piece of paradise.

Waiting for the fireworks in Amarillo. Jessie wearing her American flag t-shirt with the wolf on it.

Claremore to Foss.

This was a long and hard 12 hour day. After losing time in Springfield we wanted to get back onto our schedule so we can spend time in places that interest us most, and have time to find new things. It was hot, dry, and long. Still did some pinhole images though and ended up in a camp in Foss right along the Interstate.

Pony Truss bridge over the Canadian River.

Lots of Mother Road surface. 

POPS. They boasted 600 different flavours of sodas.

The full moon with a truck going by on the Interstate.

Springfield, Missouri to Claremore, Oklahoma.

Left Springfiled Missouri today after a very long visit to the VW dealer. They'd never seen a Westfalia before. And did not have what was needed to do the oil change so after a two and a half hour wait we left with new oil and a substandard filter once again. But Henry seems happy enough. We made it to an RV park and casino, which was unusual. Actually gambled! Never did that before. I couldn't actually figure out what the machines taking my money were up to and had no idea what happened when I seemed to win. Strange place and it was Mens Night so they had a kind of American Idol thing going on with all these cowboys singing.

The VW dealer. 

Lots of this. And watching for the Route 66 sign has been a constant. It's very difficult following the old road and I figure we average about 40k an hour.

Jessie thinks we should be travelling int his.

Hup Mobile!

Family from London Ontario.

The casino camp, or the Ascension of Henry.

A winner!

Springfield, Missouri.

The VW, now named Henry, goes into the Springfield VW dealer tomorrow for a blood transfusion, 20/50, and a check-up. Today was a fine drive because we left just after 6am and got here by noon before the heat hit. Having some trouble with the cameras because they are shutting down from the heat. Hopefully the earlier drives will help that.

It’s really difficult following 66 because it breaks up in so many places. Todays drive had some excellent road surface though. Tomorrow we hope to make Tulsa, an optomitstic 325k. So we’ll see how long Henry is in the shop.

A very good idea!

The Ozarks have proven to be very serious mobile home country.

Devil's Elbow Bridge

Camp in Springfield

Pontiac, Illinois, The Pontiac Daily Leader.

Story in the Pontiac Daily Leader!


http://www.pontiacdailyleader.com/features/x1762348940/Sculpture-captures-unique-view

Ladybug Campsite, Cuba, Missouri

Yesterday was brutally hot. 108F/42.2C. And travelling the Mother Road takes a long, long, time. We seem to average about 50k and hour. It winds in and out of all the little towns, and the road is rough in spots. It’s not the Interstate, which runs along side the old road a lot of the way. The van was not happy. The oil light kept coming on a lot, especially toward the end of the day. But some time on line has found that it’s a common problem. Everything appears okay so I can only assume it’s a faulty warning switch. I’m hoping to get it into a garage in Springfield, Missouri, on Monday morning to have it checked.

We ended the day and a great little campsite called Ladybug in Cube, Missouri. 10$ a night, power, water, great showers, a store, wi-fi, and a pool. You can’t beat that. So we’re staying an extra day so everything can get a rest. Tomorrow I’m trying to convince Jessie we should leave around 5am and travel in the cooler morning. It’s the only way. I’ve been told it’s the worst drought anyone can remember, and no rain in sight. And it’s only going to get hotter as we head southwest into the desert states.

I’m taking pinhole pictures, but there’s no way of knowing if they’ll even turn out. My success rate is not high. So I’ll take a lot with the hopes of at least getting something. I will try to develop some film in LA and see how they’ve worked. I hope I get something from Route 66. The gps images are turning out well. I think they’ll end up being an interesting series. Jessie’s been doing some old polaroids, but the film is old and pretty faded. Interesting images though.

Also I’ve started taking pictures of people in the reflection on the object. I didn’t know I’d do that when I started. But so many people come up and ask what the sculpture is that it just started happening. Some people I get their names, and others I don’t. But with each there’s a conversation.

Today we’ll visit a couple local attractions, like the worlds largest rocking chair, but mostly we’ll be taking it easy. 

Parked along the old road. There are places where the old part of 66 still is seen along side the road you're travelling on. You can't drive on it but it's there. 

Taking a pinhole camera picture.

DON't WALK TOO CLoSE TO THAT SCULPTURE!!!

Flying J Truck Stop, Mitchell, Illinois.

Wilmington to Springfield

Okay, wrote a whole entry about yesterday then blogger lost it. Lesson learned

Left Wilmington after breakfast at the Wilmington Family Diner where we met the owner. It’s the oldest diner in town and he’d owned it for 22 years. Originally from Montenegro he immigrated as a carpenter but couldn’t find work and ended up washing dishes, ultimately staying in the food trade. He’s ready to retire but is worried about the business because his children have no interest. A familiar story.

Then we met John sitting in front of an old gas station in Dwight. Amazing old business. Interesting man. But we’re learning, don’t talk politics!

In Pontiac we visited the museum and was introduced to the work of an artist who lived there named Bob Waldmire. He had two vehicles, the VW bus for driving around, his mobile information center, and the school bus he lived in. I love people who find their own way like this. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bob_Waldmire

We ended the day in a motel in Springfield trying to escape the 104F weather. Both of us, the VW, and the sculpture are not liking the heat. Today we head for south of St. Louis and 108F degrees! 

Slushies while caught in the reflection off the sculpture.

Dwight

Pontiac

Bob Walmire's bus

Pontiac Leader reporter

Wilmington Diner owner.

John at the Dwight gas station.

Truck on I55.

Route 66 running along side the interstate.