ROUTE 66 IN THE SPRING

Route 66 has at least 5 seasons, the normal four seasons and then the Memory Season and I always have trouble deciding which season that I am remembering because they intermingle with reality.

Spring on Route 66 is a beautiful time with all of the spring trimmings, flowers, dandelion parachutes floating in the air, farm dogs chasing our car, birds building nests and farmers planting new crops along side the road. Farmer’s waving friendly waves from tractors out in the fields. Spotted cattle and horses in fields by the highway. The occasional grasshopper flying in the window or taking a ride on the hood. Moving wetly towards summer.

Summer on Route 66 with bugs on the windshield, the hot sun high in the sky, windows wide open and hot, did mention hot before? Water bag hanging on the front grille tantalizing young imaginations, paper pasted in the windows to block out the sun, sweat soaked hankies hanging out the window to dry. Complaints from the back seat about, “How much longer?” or The plaintive cry of a child needing to go to the bathroom. Burma Shave signs partially hidden but weeds and grass. Moving hotly towards fall. Windmills moving in cadence with the wind like palm trees.

Fall with a touch of frost, leaves blowing off of the trees and across the roadway. Farmers harvesting their crops and school buses and equipment-laden tractors slowing down traffic. Burma Shave Signs easier to see as the grass recedes.Signs of farms settling in for winter, filling up the silos and baling the hay, corn stacked in shocks in the fields. Moving swiftly towards winter.

Winter with snow along the road, kids playing in snow banks, snowmen standing silent vigil, a tribute to youthful activity. Soft snow falling and slowing down travel. The anticipation of seeing grandparents and opening gifts, turkey and dressing, Renewing friendships with all of the farm animals, chasing the chickens around And running from the geese and turkeys. Sad goodbyes and horrible thoughts of returning to school after the holiday vacation.

Is that four, five or a hundred seasons? I can’t tell where memory ends and reality begins. All that I know is that whatever memories I have, Route 66 runs like a river though them, timelessly and endlessly!

Time to get out the Route 66 Cruiser and plan your next trip down the Mother Road!!

The Old Round Barn

By BS Brash
Originally built in 1898 by William H Odor, the Old Round barn has been a landmark for thousands of Old Route 66 travelers. It is right on Old Route 66 by Arcadia, Oklahoma. Although for most of the time Route 66 was commissioned it wasn’t in use because it was deteriorating and finally in 1988 the immense 60’ diameter roof collapsed. The repair bill was estimated at $165,000.00. It was through the timely intervention of Luther Robison, a carpenter since 1940 who had long admired the building - the only one of its kind in Oklahoma – who knew he could save the barn and bypass the exorbitant price tag. By recruiting volunteers, selling inscribed round barn bricks, setting up a roadside donation box and seeking donated labor and equipment, Luther Robison restored the round barn over the course of over four years for $65,000. The restoration was completed with the help of the Over The Hill Gang so called because almost all of the volunteers were over 65. For this reason, they were given the 1992 National Preservation Honor Award for outstanding craftsmanship and perseverance in the restoration of the historic 1898 Arcadia Round Barn.
There is no cost for admission to the Old Round Barn and the loft in the Barn is available for parties, weddings, meetings, dances and more; make your reservations well in advance. They are now open 6 days per week. Hours are 10:00a.m. to 5:00p.m. Daily Tuesday thru Sunday
For more information see the website at http://www.theroadwanderer.net/66Oklahoma/arcadia.htm

The Old Round Barn - P.O. Box 134 - Arcadia, Okla. 73007 - Ph. 405-396-2761 bill_campbell71@yahoo.com