First stop was the Carthage Drive-In Movie Theatre. Of 1940s vintage, it still has the original ticket booth out front. We could have gone last night but were too tired for the trek out. maybe some other time. Before leaving Missouri, I had planned a surprise stop for Catherine, in Joplin. Joplin was the unfortunate target of a Tornado back in 2011 and it is still possible to see where houses once stood, now bare pieces of land. This wasn't the subject of the visit though. That was, to pay a visit to a property that was a hideout for Bonnie and Clyde. It was here in 1933 they shot their way out of a police ambush, killing two officers but leaving behind some film from their camera, that provided the police and the world, with the first pictures of the gang.
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| Bonnie & Clyde's Hideout, Joplin |
Next up we crossed the state line, saying goodbye to Missouri and hello to Kansas. It would be only a brief flirtation, as Kansas only has 14 miles of R66 running across the south east corner. Kansas still wades in with a few sites though, Th Howard Litch Memorial Park in Galena and the Williams Store, which is still open and has remained pretty much unchanged for 80 years. An old bridge and a Phillips 66 gas station add to the list of sights Kansas has to offer.
Crossing into our 4th state, Oklahoma, there were another couple of gas stations and a theatre, The Coleman Theatre in Miami on the agenda, before we hit a really exciting piece of history. The only remaining 9ft wide sections of old Route 66. The track is wider and pretty much an unmade road now but it is possible to follow the old tarmac/pavement, through the dust. In some parts there is quite a lot showing through. At the end of the first section there is a commemorative plaque. Bumpy but a real thrill. This is so old that it was decommissioned in 1937!
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| 9ft Section of Old Route 66 |
Moving on, we visited another gas station, another 1920s bridge, before pulling up at the Catoosa Blue Whale. I'd stopped here back in 2010 and we were allowed in because Gary knew the owner. Now it is open to the public and there is a group of volunteers trying to help restore the place to something like it's former glory. It's going to take a lot of donations and hard work. It was interesting to see that way back when, there was also a mini zoo on the site, something I don't recall from before.
Another couple of gas stations and we arrived at our hotel. This one, a Double Tree by Hilton gets Catherine's thumbs up. A lovely big room and bed getting her seal of approval. The only down side, no fridge to cool our water bottles.
We went down to the pool, which we had to ourselves and did a few lengths, plus we had a dip in the jacuzzi, before coming back so Catherine could do her diary. I then went off for a run in the gym. 3 miles burned a few calories!
After showering, we went for a stroll down the road to the Arkansas River Bridge. Built before Route 66, it later became the Route 66 crossing. Now closed to traffic, there is now a 'park' at the Eastern end, with some interesting bronze sculptures.
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| Arkansas River Bridge Park Sculptures |
The sun was starting to sink slowly down towards the horizon, yet the temperature was still in the 80s. A bit more bearable than the 102 it was earlier in the day.
Tomorrow we have a long day, potentially and may have to revise our plans if it starts to drag on. On interstate it wouldn't be a problem but on the Route, we are constantly being restricted to local speed limits, 25, 35, 45 & 55 mph, so it can be painful at times. I might just have to toss the rear view mirror away and put my foot down ;-)
Till then.
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