Back in the saddle for 112 miles today - beautiful day, 'light' cross/tail wind gusting to 20 (which for here is light). Stopped by on Route 66 to see the Blue Whale of Catoosa - apparently built by a husband for his wife who collected whale figurines. It became a popular swimming hole and park and the couple opened a reptile garden and store which was there until the late '80s. Now it's just the whale - who is kept up by the city... Much more green and more ponds and streams as we are within 20 miles of the Missouri border. Miami (my-am-uh is how it's pronounced) is the name of the local Native American tribe from whom the land for the town was purchased. The town boomed due to deposits of lead and zinc found close by. On the railroad and Route 66, it bills itself as the 'Gateway to OK'. Many tribes live in this area - we even had dinner at one of their casinos tonight as the original restaurant fell though - but it was good - nobody won anything on the slot machines... Tomorrow another 112 mile day to Springfield!
As an aside, it's funny when we stay at Holiday Inn Express they have J.R. Watkins products - Watkins was a producer of a huge variety of spices, foods, bath products, etc. in Winona, MN where I spent some of my childhood - still remember their version of Kool-Aid which was really good - and their vanilla is famous. But they were bought out and the name is used to make products seem fancier ('since 1868!') - guarantee J.R. never produced 'gelee douche' or had any french on their bottles when it was in Winona - it was just 'Shampoo' and 'Soap'... wonder what he would think of where his name is today... oh well - he is still famous!
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| Well, OK, we've seen 'the world' - guess we might as well go home... |
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| The restored Coleman Theatre in Miami - hard to describe the style but very cool! |
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