Roadside Renaissance in Ponca City

Just outside of Ponca City is one of Oklahoma's most unusual parks.

The stone turrets and Romanesque structures look like a Medieval hamlet was magically plopped down in the prairie. In reality it's the Wentz Group Camp & Pool.

Splashdown at Oologah

Near the shores of Oologah Lake we found one of Oklahoma's oddest roadside attractions. The mysterious space capsule of Winganon, Oklahoma.

Houston, we have a problem.

This startlingly authentic sight is actually the work of local artists Barry and Heather Thomas who decided to freshen up the local landmark last September. What appears to be an Apollo rocket capsule is actually a cement mixer on the shoulder of Winganon Road.

Why Do Motorcycles Pay Tolls?

Chances are if you live in Oklahoma you have traveled our state's many turnpikes. If you're like me you may have wondered why the toll for motorcycles is the same as the Hummer in the next lane. Seems like my 489-pound motorcycle would cause less damage to the pavement, reduce congestion and make everyone's turnpike commute a less stressful experience. Why isn't the toll for me and my motorcycle cheaper?

Heck, why am I paying a toll at all?

The tolls are based on axles- something most of us have but few could define. Murkier still is how the number of axles relates to road use or wear-and-tear. To understand the "logic" behind this pricing structure requires a little history.

The Oklahoma Turnpike Authority was created in 1947 to build the first toll road in Oklahoma, the Turner Turnpike between Tulsa and Oklahoma City. This was the postwar boom and America's nascent interstate highway system was beginning it's cross-country trek. When the turnpike opened in 1953 the gameplan was for the road to become a free road once the original bonds were retired. Ironically the original language also called for dissolution of the turnpike authority. But that's not quite how it happened.

Task Force Promotes Route 66 in Tulsa

It's amazing what you can discover in your own back yard.

I am quite pleased to learn that a task force is being created to better market Route 66 in Tulsa. The effort to spiff up the old road is being championed by rookie city councilor, Blake Ewing (District 4).

Signs near Oklahoma's borders tout saving time on the turnpike.
I always wanted to post a sign that touted saving our history.

The Tulsa World reports the task force will examine ways to spur development, rehabilitate neglected structures and clean up abandoned brownfields.

Sadly, it wasn't that long ago that many locals were befuddled by all the tourists coming to Tulsa to experience the Mother Road. In the early days of the Internet it was not uncommon to find more information on Tulsa's stretch of Route 66 from a website located in Japan or Germany. Some guidebooks even skipped over T-Town, it was the dedicated "roadies" who discovered Tulsa despite our lack of effort. Ironic for a city that was home to the man commonly known as the Father of the Mother Road.

I think this is good news. In recent years my home town has done a better job of marketing the history of the Old Road. But there's so much more that could be done. Although we're late to the party, maybe efforts like this can help us capitalize on this wonderful resource.

After all, it's in our own back yard. Literally.

Sharing Seaba Station

KFOR in Oklahoma City did a nice video piece on the Seaba Station Motorcycle Museum in Warwick, Oklahoma.

The segment is called "Is This a Great State or What?"

We couldn't agree more.