Lord Colliers Active Retirement Life

Leaving Tulsa: History on the Mother Road

Leaving Tulsa this morning, I was reminded how much history is packed into this stretch of Route 66. Tulsa has long been a key stop along the Mother Road, with its mix of oil boom heritage and classic Americana setting the tone for the day ahead.

The Round Barn & A Sense of Community

The first stop was the iconic Round Barn, an impressive historic structure that’s more than just a roadside attraction. It doubles as a shop and a venue for live music, giving it a real sense of community and continuity along the route.

POPS 66: Soda on a Grand Scale

Just down the road is POPS 66 Soda Ranch—probably the biggest soda shop I’ve ever seen. With hundreds of different flavors lining the walls, it’s a colorful, slightly overwhelming experience in the best way.

Into Oklahoma City: A Familiar Road

From there, I headed into Oklahoma City via Interstate 35, a road I’ve driven and flown over many times when I was living in Wichita in the 90s. It felt strangely familiar, even within the context of a Route 66 journey.

A Moment of Reflection

One of the most powerful stops of the day was the Oklahoma City National Memorial & Museum. The memorial marks the site of the 1995 bombing, a tragic and defining moment in modern U.S. history. The rows of empty chairs are especially moving, each representing a life lost.

Bricktown: Energy and Revival

After that, I spent time in Bricktown, which has been completely revitalized. The canal running through the district is reminiscent of the San Antonio River Walk, and the area is full of energy, with bars, restaurants, and public art. I can imagine it’s even livelier on weekends.

El Reno: Onion Burger Capital

Next stop: El Reno, proudly known as the onion burger capital of the world. A visit to Sid’s Diner didn’t disappoint—the smell alone was incredible. I tried a sample, and while it was delicious, a full one might be a serious commitment.

Wide Open Oklahoma

Driving further west, the landscape began to open up. Oklahoma starts to feel vast out here, and under a brilliant blue sky, you begin to sense the scale that will only grow as the journey continues into Texas.

Telling the Route 66 Story

I made a stop at the National Route 66 Museum, which does a great job of telling the story of Route 66—from the Dust Bowl years to its decline and eventual revival.

Texola: A Quiet Reminder

Not far from there is Texola, a near-forgotten ghost town on the state line. It’s quiet, slightly eerie, and a stark reminder of how the interstate system changed everything—places once connected by the road now left behind by it.

Amarillo & The Big Texan

The day ended in Amarillo at the legendary Big Texan Steak Ranch. They offer a free 72-ounce steak if you can finish it—many have tried, many have failed. I didn’t take on the challenge, but a large beer and something from the “smaller” steak menu felt like the right way to celebrate the day.

Reflections on the Road

As the day came to an end in Amarillo, what stayed with me wasn’t just the places, but the scale of it all. Texas feels vast—mile after mile of open road under an endless sky—and yet, at every stop, there’s a deep-rooted passion for Route 66 that keeps its spirit alive.

From restored landmarks to roadside diners, and even in places nearly forgotten like Texola, it’s clear this isn’t just a highway—it’s something people genuinely care about preserving. That combination of wide-open space and enduring nostalgia made this stretch of the journey one I won’t forget.