Today was a pretty quiet day on Route 66. I started at 7:00 A.M. with a breakfast at the Prairie Rose Grille in Chelsea, traveled 65 miles and through Tulsa to play Sapulpa Golf Course in Sapulpa, OK, moved 40 more miles down the road to eat lunch at the Rock Cafe in Stroud, OK and then another 62 miles to Oklahoma City to play the nine hole Links of Oklahoma City course. The hotel I booked did not have a laundry facility so I had to do some last minute fiddling around to find another hotel but I was able to complete my laundry.
I was at the Prairie Rose Grille when it opened at 7:00 A.M. Like the previous two days, I was able to get ice at the restaurant. Michelle was running the place and I had another basic breakfast.
I was on the road to Sapulpa before 7:30.
I was on the road to Sapulpa before 7:30.
The Blue Whale in Catoosa On the way to Sapulpa, I drove through periodic thunderstorms. One of the photos I wanted to capture was of Route 66's famous Blue Whale in Catoosa, OK. You can't check out any book about Route 66 that doesn't mention the Blue Whale. The short story about the Blue Whale is that a man named Hugh Davis built it in the early 1970's as a surprise gift to his wife who collected whale figurines. When many of the locals began using the pond as a swimming hole, Davis upgraded the property by adding truckloads of sand, picnic tables and even lifeguards. After he and his wife passed away, the park fell into a state of disrepair. Eventually the citizens of Catoosa and employees of a local Hampton Inn gave it a new coat of paint and saved the Blue Whale and it is now an official Route 66 Landmark.
The Sapulpa Golf Course sign should have given me an idea about the course I was about to play. I actually had to straighten the letters before I took the picture.
I was told in the Pro Shop that I might have to play through a five-some that teed off just before me. No problem but that was an understatement. I caught the five-some on the par 3 second tee and although they let me play through, I don't think they liked it. I caught a second five-some on the fourth tee and rather than let me play through, they told me to play holes six through nine and then come back and play four and five. Pretty rude. That put me in a sour mood for the rest of the round and you know what kind of golf you play when you're not in a happy place.
The only good news is that Sapulpa had logo balls and moved the count on the trip to eighteen for twenty five.
I was told in the Pro Shop that I might have to play through a five-some that teed off just before me. No problem but that was an understatement. I caught the five-some on the par 3 second tee and although they let me play through, I don't think they liked it. I caught a second five-some on the fourth tee and rather than let me play through, they told me to play holes six through nine and then come back and play four and five. Pretty rude. That put me in a sour mood for the rest of the round and you know what kind of golf you play when you're not in a happy place.
The only good news is that Sapulpa had logo balls and moved the count on the trip to eighteen for twenty five.
My next stop would be the Rock Cafe in Stroud, OK. The restaurant takes its name from the sandstone used in its construction. The original owner paid $100 for the land on which the building stands and $5 for the sandstone mined locally in Kellyville. It opened for business in 1939 and was a popular stop on the road. For many years, it was open 24 hours a day.
When I-44 bypassed the city of Stroud, business suffered and then a tornado hit Stroud in 2001 wiping out a Tanger Outlet Mall and the local economy took a bigger hit. Through it all, the Rock Cafe hung on. In 2001, the Rock Cafe was listed on the National Register of Historic Places. And then a fire extensively damaged the building in 2008.
When I-44 bypassed the city of Stroud, business suffered and then a tornado hit Stroud in 2001 wiping out a Tanger Outlet Mall and the local economy took a bigger hit. Through it all, the Rock Cafe hung on. In 2001, the Rock Cafe was listed on the National Register of Historic Places. And then a fire extensively damaged the building in 2008.
The Rock Cafe in Stroud But after extensive repairs with the help of an historic preservationist, it reopened in 2009 and has since been featured on the Food Network's Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives.
One other note. The current owner, Dawn Welch, is the basis for the animated character Sally Carrera in the Disney/Pixar movie "Cars." Sally is the Radiator Springs' town attorney and Lightning McQueen's girlfriend in the movie.
After a burger and a beer, I set out on the 62 mile drive to Oklahoma City.
One other note. The current owner, Dawn Welch, is the basis for the animated character Sally Carrera in the Disney/Pixar movie "Cars." Sally is the Radiator Springs' town attorney and Lightning McQueen's girlfriend in the movie.
After a burger and a beer, I set out on the 62 mile drive to Oklahoma City.
The Round Barn Near Arcadia, OK As I neared Oklahoma City, I noticed a cool Round Barn on the right side of the road in near Arcadia, OK. The barn, the only true round barn in America, was built by local farmer William Odor in 1898 using bur oak boards soaked while still green and forced into curves. I'll bet that was a tedious process!
At one time, the barn was the most photographed landmark on Route 66. When I-44 moved travelers off Route 66, it lost its luster and the roof eventually collapsed in 1988. But thanks to the efforts of a group of preservationists, the barn was saved and reopened for tourists in 1992.
At one time, the barn was the most photographed landmark on Route 66. When I-44 moved travelers off Route 66, it lost its luster and the roof eventually collapsed in 1988. But thanks to the efforts of a group of preservationists, the barn was saved and reopened for tourists in 1992.
Nearing Oklahoma City, traffic through Edmund, OK was bumper to bumper. A bank sign showed a temperature of 95.
I was at the nine hole Links of Oklahoma City by 2:30. The course is a part of an apartment complex, the apartments all on the perimeter of the course. I played in a little over an hour. Although only a par 30, this course is tough! There were four par threes of over 190 yards.
No logo balls at The Links so the tally after Day 10 is eighteen for twenty-six.
I left the course and headed for the Baymont Inn and Suites. When I checked in, I found out the hotel had no guest laundry facilities. I wasn't too happy about this. So I simply went across the parking lot to a Fairfield Inn and Suites and was given a room less than ten feet from the guest laundry facilities.
All's well that ends well.
I was at the nine hole Links of Oklahoma City by 2:30. The course is a part of an apartment complex, the apartments all on the perimeter of the course. I played in a little over an hour. Although only a par 30, this course is tough! There were four par threes of over 190 yards.
No logo balls at The Links so the tally after Day 10 is eighteen for twenty-six.
I left the course and headed for the Baymont Inn and Suites. When I checked in, I found out the hotel had no guest laundry facilities. I wasn't too happy about this. So I simply went across the parking lot to a Fairfield Inn and Suites and was given a room less than ten feet from the guest laundry facilities.
All's well that ends well.
As I write, Oklahoma City is being pummelled by a severe thunderstorm. The forecast calls for a rain amount of two to three inches and rain is also forecast for the morning hours. The Silverhorn Golf Course is only five miles from the hotel so that could impact tomorrow's schedule. After the round at Silverhorn, I'll travel 89 miles to Clinton, OK to play the Riverside Golf Course in Clinton where I will also spend the night.
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