Through the Center of the Universe into Arkansas

Before you ask, yes, we did go to the Center of the Universe before we continued on to the center of some folks universe Springdale, AR. The trip between Oklahoma City, OK and Springdale, AR for us traveled along Interstate 40, which as it turns out, is full of toll booths. It also follows along the original mother road, Route 66. I did talk about this in past posts, but this stretch has some well documented stops to experience and we made sure to stop off to visit the new and the old destinations.

The first stop was a place call Pops. It was a soda shop/convenience store/gas station that has a selection of some 700 different flavors of soda in addition to a 66 feet tall interpretation of a Soda Bottle that weighs 4 tons out front that lights up with multiple colors at night. This would be a new attraction, it was opened in 2007, but still designed to cater to people looking for an adventure on Route 66. We took pictures and bought about 10 different root beers (2 were juniper and birch bark beers), and hopped back on the road.

The next stop was in Tulsa, OK. On the way into town we passed one of the last piece of the original mother road. Its known as the Cyrus Avery Memorial Bridge. This bridge was in service from 1915 to 1980 before it was replaced with the I-244 bridges. We continued on to the first stop in Tulsa, an old destination, the Golden Driller. A monument dedicated to the men and women who work in the Oil Industry. It has stood in front of the Tulsa Expo Center since 1966. Its the 6th largest statue in the US. I feel like there may be a lot of creative liberty used here but its still tall non the less. From here while still in Tulsa we decided to stop by the Center of the Universe. I mean, who wouldn't right? This place is actually a tourist attraction, though I cannot find when it was made.... maybe like forever ago I guess. Likely sometime right after the universe was built. Chicken and the Egg type of conversation I suppose. It is described as an acoustic phenomenon, which I would fully agree with. Hard to explain, all I can say is you should stop by if you find yourself in Tulsa.

Next we stopped at another old destination, the Blue Whale of Catoosa. This was a roadside attraction built in the early 1970s. It sits in a pond and quickly became a hot spot for Route 66 travels to stop and swim. It was a happening spot until 1988 when it was closed to the public as a swimming hole, but you can still stop off and imagine what it would have been like in the old days when a family hot, sweaty, and miserable from hours on the road might stop off for a late afternoon lunch and a swim. The day we visited was wet and muddy but it was still not any stretch of the imagination to see what it was like in days gone by.

Our next planned stop was home at this point. We had another leg of the journey free of drama, which I am eternally grateful for. The sign coming into Arkansas was a bummer. Ive seen freeway exit signs with more spirit. After a week here I can see why... this is the natural state. You dont need a billboard to welcome you here. Its much like Oregon, the landscape speaks for itself. What we have seen so far was quite beautiful and I could see myself in a place like this someday. The housing is affordable and the people are easy going. I would put this state in my top 10 places to retire to someday. Our next stop is Memphis, TN. Our trip will take us further south into Arkansas and then East to Tennessee. We have an overnight in Hot Springs, AK which should prove enjoyable. Memphis has the highest crime rate of all major cities in the US so its gonna be shoot first and ask questions later for the next week... wish us luck.