Don't let the rain stop you

I woke up in Springfield, Missouri, to more rain and a sky that looked like it hadn’t smiled in weeks. Naturally, the first thing I did was check my computer for the weather forecast—hoping for a miracle. Spoiler: it was pretty much rain and overcast all the way to Oklahoma. Not exactly the weather jackpot.

I figured, why stay cooped up in a depressing motel room all day when I could take my chances and make the best of a gloomy day?

So, I hit the road—and honestly, I’m glad I did.

The rain stuck around for most of the day, but at least I got a break between showers to snap a few photos. Sometimes I got caught in the downpour, but other times I was in and out of the car faster than you can say "road trip" before the skies opened up again. All in all, I’m happy with what I captured.

I also met a couple of interesting folks in Avilla, Missouri—Evelyn and Oliver. Oliver's the kind of guy who raises chickens and keeps a cow in his backyard. At first, he was a little camera-shy, but after chatting for a bit, he warmed up to the idea of being in a photo.

Oliver

 

Evelyn lived in what used to be a charming and unique motel. She couldn’t have been more different from Oliver—outgoing, talkative, and more than happy to have her picture taken. Her big dream? To restore the motel to its former glory. I told her, "Don’t lose that dream, girl!" It’s a good one.

Evelyn

 

Evelyn's Motel that once was and she hopes will be great again.

Galena and Baxter Springs have made a real attempt to restoration a lot of their small town. 

 

Hunting for a Deal in Galena

Baxter Springs

Avilla, on the other hand, hasn’t done much including leaving a dead dog on the main street. Oh well, to each their own.

One of Avilla's finer establishments

I then took the old road (yes, that’s actually what some of the signs call it) between Miami, Kansas, and Afton, Oklahoma. Now, Route 66 signs are kind of a rare sight on this stretch, so I had to guess which way to go—thankfully, the road condition gave me a clue.

Most of it was dirt, with patches of broken asphalt here and there. No one would have bothered paving a random country road, so I was pretty sure I was still on Route 66. 

Turns out, I was right...

The Old Road

  

Some of the towns along the way felt sad, like they had been abandoned by time. Others still had signs of life, though. You could tell that, at one point, these little communities were full of energy and life.

Tomorrow, it’s onward into the heart of Oklahoma!

More to come…