Wednesday, May 29, 2013

Eureka Springs to Tulsa OKLAHOMA.

Track. Dust can't kill me. Woody Guthrie.

" I am out to sing songs that will prove to you that this is your world and that if it has hit you pretty hard and knocked you for a dozen loop, not matter what colour, what size you are, how you are built, I am out to sing the songs that make you take pride in yourself, and in your work. And the songs that I sing are made up for the most part by all sorts of folks just about like you." Woody Guthrie.

Day 62.


We had a leisurely morning and then walked around the homestead from the 1930s and the lookout of the river. We then left and drove further north towards Eureka Springs. It is a great spot, quite liberal and descirbed as 'an island of democratic blue in a sea of republican red'. We enjoyed the tasting rooms selection of olive oils and balsamic vinegars before going down to the historic town centre for lunch.

We walked about the hippy shops and chatted to a busker and generally soaked up the vibe.

We felt compelled to stay and used the extra time in the afternoon at Wanderlust RV Park to tackle the waste tank cleaning...Mmmm, before having a dip in the pool. The internet was again frustrating slow so we made a rough plan of action for the following day including another departure to make some progress before the boys woke up.






 Day 63.

By 7.30am we had driven 2hrs to the border of Arkansas, Oklahoma, Missouri and notfar from Kansas.  We had breakfasts and showers in the car park of the Cherokee Visitors Centre. We crossed into Oklahoma onto Route 66 and detoured for our first road side attraction - the worlds largest totem pole. Nothing to write home about really but free and a break from the road.

Then we had a slightly stressful arrival into Tulsa as Sol was ready for his feed slightly before becs had finished driving but after some lunch for all we all recovered and made our way into the Woody Guthrie Centre. It was opened last month and a really fantastic interactive experience. It had elements throughout Woodys life and information about him, his writings and paintings as well as music. He was a colourful charector with politics and insights before his time. He married 3 times before sadly dying from the hereditary Huntingtons disease. He influenced Bob Dylan, Pete Seegar and Billy Bragg to name but a few.

 We drove on along route 66 to the interpretive centre at Chandler and whilst we were in there the sky turned black and the lady told us if we were in an Rv park downtown to head to the high school gymnasium in the event of a tornado. Pete and becs both decided a night in a motel would be in order! The next hour was a roller coaster as we drove towards Oklahoma City, headlong into the storm, trying to find a motel or hotel. Eventually we ended up in the Brickwork area of downtown OKC. Pete had felt a bit apprehensive driving as the storm was approaching fast and becs quickly felt nervous too after going into a hotel to find it totally rammed full. The recent tornado last week affected part of the city and killed 24 people and caused much damage so all the rooms were either booked out to the displaced families or to people who were staying to see the tornado-relief concert next door hosted by Oklahoma's Blake Shelton.

Luckily, there was one room free in the Marriott Courtyard down the road (right next to the concert) and we got a massive discount and to park the Rv right outside. In all the chaos around the rain and concert we also fell on our feet as our room service got forgotten and they ended up giving it to us for free. We were able to watch TV and listen to the concert in luxury!

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