Get your kicks on Route 66

A couple of weeks ago we were headed for Oklahoma City so the kids could compete in a dance competition but the REAL reason was so we could see some of our best friends the Garnett family.  If you've read my blog for very long then you have probably heard me talk about my friend Mika (she blogs at Mika's Pantry), we met through our adoption journey's.  The Garnett's adopted Bailey around the same time that we adopted Makenzie, we were at the same orientation meeting and ended up meeting them at a Dillon Fall Festival and as they say...the rest is history!  Here's a picture of Mika and Bay and Kenzie and I at a Dillon picnic.

On our drive to OKC we decided to stop at Pop's for lunch.  Pop's is a restaurant/gas station on historic Route 66 and has become very "pop"ular!  This is a picture of the 66 foot tall soda bottle or POP bottle, at night it lights up with different colors of neon.  A storm was brewing the day we were there.

POPS

660 W. Highway 66

Arcadia, OK 73007

(405) 928-POPS (7677)

Pop's specialty is their Soda Ranch that offers over 500 different types of soda pop, we had fun picking out the perfect kind while waiting for a table in the restaurant area.  The food was actually pretty good for a gas station and very reasonably priced. The POPS restaurant/cafe menu serves breakfast, lunch and dinner, and it includes burgers, hot dogs, chicken fried steak, shakes and much, much more. In addition, you can get any of the store's soda pops. The eating area contains booths, tables and a patio area.

Garnett's and Wedemeyer's enjoying a meal at Pop's

POPS is located along historic Route 66 near Arcadia, Oklahoma, just outside of Edmond. From Oklahoma City, take I-35 to 2nd Street in Edmond, also called Edmond Road (Exit 141). Follow 2nd Street east for 5 miles. POPS will be on the south side of the highway.

The "Soda Kiosk" allows visitors to send the unique POPS sodas anywhere in the United States. The touch screen display allows customers to custom order from more than 700 types of soda and have them shipped immediately using FedEX.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
While in the Arcadia area you can drive less than a 1/4 mile from Pop's (a lot of people walk to it) and see the famous
Arcadia Round Barn.  Isn't it beautiful?  We didn't get out and go inside they were very busy with a huge yard/tag sale going on but it was really cool to see it! Admission is free.  The barn is open 7 days a week from 10:00am to 5:00pm. The upstairs loft can be reserved for special events. For information, call 405-396-0824 or visit the Round Barn website.

I guess since Arcadia is located on Route 66 they have several things to do and see, you could make a whole day of it by stopping by OK County 66-John Hargrove's Place.  He's got it all, the blue whale like Catoosa, a VW Beetle buried in the ground as homage to Cadillac Ranch in Texas, another VW Beetle sticks out of a 2nd story wall and even a teepee!  Stop by and check it out.

OK County 66


Address:Route 66, Arcadia, OK

Directions:Just north of Oklahoma City. I-35 exit 141, then 7.5 miles east on Rte 66. North side.

Phone:405-396-2055



OK fast forward a couple of weeks later and I decided to continue our exploration of Route 66 after our friend Christy told me that the Blue Whale is once again open to the public.  We packed a picnic lunch and headed to Catoosa to explore.

The Catoosa Blue Whale is a famous iconic Route 66 landmark and has now been restored to her former glory, she's a beauty with her glossy bright blue paint.  This was a favorite swimhole for locals back in the 70's and 80's but is no longer open for swimming.  You can fish but just know that it's a catch and release pond ONLY.  The park is open 8am-sunset, they have restrooms, picnic tables, and a gift shop that will open in May.  A lot of times smells will trigger a memory for me and from this day forward I will always associate the smell of honeysuckle with our picnic at the Blue Whale.  When we were finished taking in the sites we started exploring and searching for the geocache "Thar she blows" and yes we found it!

I wonder where our next Route 66 adventure will take us?  Any suggestions?

Thanks for reading,