We wanted to ask Tony but could not find him.
Is this the way?
Did you know?
Driving through Oklahoma we were reading the usual bout of big billboards that line US roads.
Mixed in between the usual Pro Life, Jesus saves, God is great, burn your cashin our casino, Pay Day Loans and other such messages was a rather informative sign saying Did You Know that the Shopping Cart was invented in Oklahoma State?
Well now you know. So the next time you go shopping do spare a thought for the Oki’s that allowed you to stick all your goods into a metal box with wonky wheels.
Crash Test Dummie
So the very first picture will ever stay in Mrs Fogg’s memory as our crash site just out of Miami OK. As we set off in the Ford ScrewU car, we then exchanged for a 4×4 that Mrs Fogg can climb into and chill with her chauffeur.
The instruction came to stop for food at Ollie’s in Red Fork OK right on R66. No sooner had I stopped and long John silver was out and racing for scran.
State Pohlease
I know this chappie is an actor, but picture this guy, same mannerisms from all of his films, wearing a state troopers uniform and sucking on a straw in a litre cup of coke, and this is the sight we had on Saturday at the hospital.
Since we had an accident on a rental we were duty bound to get a Pohlease report, but neither of us could take this guy 100% seriously since he must have studied the acting mannerisms down to a T, the walk, the drawl, slurping from his drink every 20 seconds, it was surreal and like being in a movie casting lounge rather that a hospital.
We Were Only 24 Hrs from Tulsa
So we were only 24 hrs from Tulsa and it turned out we were actually 96 hrs, 190 miles, 1 bike and 1 Ford Focu!
But now we are about to set out, Mrs Fogg currently on Happy Pills (US Smarties), so is currently seeing how far she can swing across the room on crutches while giggling insanely.
Next stop Tulsa Int Airport to drop the Ford Focu and probably get a Ford UpYors as a trade.
Then it’s off the Wetherford 240 miles away and time to make up some distance with my back seat driver chuckling away.
Is Ford Trying to Tell Me Summat
So all back now at chez Gimpy foot after trading in the two wheel steed for a Ford car to take us to the next stop Tulsa.
But are Ford trying to tell me something or is it just a typo?
Two Springfields Doh Doh
Well as Mrs Hulk Foot posted I’m now here in my second Springfield Doh (Spiderpig anyone?), after dropping the bike off (quite literally as this silly arse forgot the prop stand as he got off it, double Doh).
I have just driven 95 miles on the I-44 East from Miami (apparently it is pronounced Miama) at 45 degrees due to the 50mph gusts and the bike was a little light without my sexy pillion babe to steady me.
The guys at Avis/ Eagle Riders in Springfield were fantastic, with Jeremia dropping me at the airport where this rather impressive plane hangs in the beautiful airport.
Just gonna grab a snack then check out my Nissan micra for the 95 miles back (no doubt at 45 degrees again).
Never know tomorrow we may get out of Oki land!
The great car swap
Mr Fogg has now gone to Springfield, Missouri to swap the bike for a car, which we then will have to take to Tulsa Airport tomorrow to swap for another car that we can take all the way to Vegas. Long story short, you cannot get one way car rentals in small town Oklahoma.
I’m holding the fort here in Miami, Oklahoma ready for his return. The hotel here have been amazing. They have adopted Mr Fogg, brought in various things to aid in reducing swelling, sorted extra pillows, towels and are checking on me today too. Lovely lovely people.
Miami is a very small place. The picture is their proud arch over Main Street showing where Route 66 runs. The section of Route 66 we unfortunately took is the very oldest, laid in the early 1920s and being only 8ft wide Tarmac mostly covered in eroded gravel from later layers put down. That’s the bit we hit at about 10mph when the normal looking road just stopped.
I’d love to come back and do the tour again all the way- perhaps on a trike though or in an open top posh car.
While there will now be many things we can no longer get to (too far to hobble) I’m in planning mode to ensure we do see some of the big highlights.
I’m determined we shall see Cadillac ranch for instance, but no plans to now leave graffiti as they require a walk across a field.
We’ve 913 miles to cover to get us back on track so we reach Winslow by 31st May. That means we can average just over 200 miles a day after a longer run tomorrow.
The sun is still shining, still smiling and foot/ankle looking good.
Ready, Set, Go
And she out of the blocks, rattling down the corridor at break neck speeds, stopping only to breath, laugh and break wind (in my shorts no less).
Now becoming a dab hand with the crutches, she’ll soon be able to cover the half mile in 2 hours flat.
Tonight is wash night, supervised by Boss Fogg.