Hello Oklahoma!

Day 13

Friday, September 23, 2011
Shamrock, Texas to Weatherford, Oklahoma
104 miles
2,500 feet of climbing

Today is a notable day - we entered our fifth state -Oklahoma - and we also crossed the Southern Transcontinental half-way point at mile 68!  It was another crisp, cool and sunny morning.  The forecast called for clear weather all day - no need to carry rain gear.  The temperature reached a comfortable 85 degrees in the afternoon.  Because it was such a cool morning, I started out wearing my jacket, but I was warmed up by the time I reached our first rest stop at mile 27.  The route consisted mostly of big rollers, with some flats.  We again rode most of the day on Old Route 66, much of which was on the concrete slab highway from the late 1920's and 1930's.  Old Route 66 is a great road for biking because it's quiet, there's little to no traffic, and the sights are interesting, historical and  . . . well, peculiar.  For example, when we entered Oklahoma at mile 14 at the border town of Texola, there was a big sign there that said:

There's no place 

like this place 

anywhere near this place 

so this must be the place

Got chased by a few farm dogs along the way today.  They weren't all that ferocious, just barked and ran at us.  I think they were just excited and/or surprised to see someone on a bicycle.  We had time to stop and visit two Route 66 museums today - one was a national Route 66 museum, and the other was dedicated to Oklahoma Route 66 history.  Although the theme of both museums was Route 66, the displays reflected the history of the U.S. throughout the decades:  music, cars, businesses, development of industry, old gas pumps. I found it fascinating.  At our lunch stop, we had a little "half-way point" celebration.  Also, later in the evening, after dinner, we had an ice cream social to further celebrate the milestone of our journey.  It was a banner day of cycling - wonderful roads to travel on, great sights, and a really fun ride.  

Me, Art & Tracey on Old Route 66

"Hey!  Stop!  I just wanna talk to ya!"

More than half way!