Route 66 Adventure: Day 6 – From Catossa to Oklahoma City, OK – Blue Whales, Friendly Locals, and a T-Shirt Collection That’s Growing by the Day

After a well-deserved night’s sleep and an even better shower (seriously, the shower pressure at La Quinta in Catoosa was like a mini-massage), we were ready to hit the road again. By 8:00am, we were off to our first stop: the Blue Whale, one of those quirky, must-see Route 66 landmarks. It’s been on my list for ages, and I was finally going to see this giant whale in person. Spoiler: it didn’t disappoint! This roadside attraction was built in the ’70s, and it’s exactly as cool as it sounds. I mean, who doesn’t want to take a photo by a giant whale with an open mouth?

Fuel Drama: Costco Card Woes and a Kind Stranger

Now, you may have heard that Costco is a great place for cheap fuel—well, it certainly is, until your UK-issued Costco card doesn’t work. Turns out, the American cards have a fancy little magnetic strip on the back, while mine doesn’t (thanks, UK). So, I asked a friendly customer if I could borrow their card to activate the pump. Not only did he let me use it, but he insisted on paying for the fuel and told us to have an amazing time on Route 66. I mean, where else would that happen? Seriously, there are some incredible, kind-hearted people on this trip.

Blue Dome District – From Istanbul to Tulsa

Next, we headed into Tulsa to visit the Blue Dome District. Now, I had this whole Istanbul vibe going on when I saw the Blue Dome, but it turns out it was built as a service station in the Tulsa style, designed to resemble the iconic Hagia Sophia. Still, it’s a pretty cool spot for a wander around, and it definitely has a bit of European charm to it.

Buck Atom’s Curiosity Shop – T-Shirts and Roadside Oddities

We weren’t done with our shopping spree yet, so we made a pit stop at Buck Atom’s Cosmic Curiosity Shop. Of course, I had to grab another T-shirt for my ever-growing collection. By the time this trip is over, I’ll have a whole wardrobe of Route 66 T-shirts to wear. Who needs a suitcase when you have a T-shirt collection that could double as a souvenir shop? We spent a bit of time here snapping photos of the quirky figures and the cool building—definitely a must-see.

Kelly Lane Park – Scenic Views and Local Chat

By this point, we needed a break from the usual roadside attractions, so we decided to take a walk through Kelly Lane Park. It was nice to stretch our legs and chat with a few locals, who gave us some great recommendations for the area. Plus, it was a peaceful change of scenery, and who doesn’t love a good park stroll?

Rock Café – Classic Route 66 Lunch

As noon approached, it was time for a lunch break, and we stopped at the Rock Café on Route 66. This was a true original diner, and we were excited to try some of the classic American fare. I went for the Chicken Bites (because why not), while Lia went for the Buffalo Burger (bold choice, Lia). The food was exactly what we needed—a delicious pit stop to fuel us for the rest of the day’s journey.

Afternoon Stops – Pops, Jerry McCallghan, and More Route 66 Fun

The afternoon was jam-packed with classic Route 66 stops, including:

• Pops – A giant, iconic soda bottle and a must-see for anyone travelling along the highway.

• Jerry McClanahan – A Quirky Stop with Route 66 Nostalgia

  Our next stop was Jerry McClanahan, a must-visit for any Route 66 enthusiast. Jerry is the author of the EZ 66 Guide and also a talented artist, so we had the pleasure of signing his book and chatting about the changes he's seen along the iconic highway. We discussed the upcoming 100th anniversary of Route 66 next year, and Jerry kindly gave us a sneak peek of his latest work. It was a fascinating stop full of personal stories, history, and creative insight into the heart of Route 66.

• Milk Bottle – A building shaped like a giant milk bottle—because, why not?

• Gold Dome – Another architectural wonder that’s as striking as it is nostalgic.

• Round Barn – A charming stop that felt like a step back in time.

Centennial Land Run Monument – A Monumental History Lesson

After Jerry’s place, we headed over to the Centennial Land Run Monument in Oklahoma City. This monument commemorates the land rush of 1889, a pivotal moment in Oklahoma’s history. Standing there, it felt surreal to be surrounded by the massive sculptures that capture the intense energy of the settlers racing for land. The monument is incredibly detailed, and I managed to snap a few photos to remember the moment. It’s a beautiful reminder of the bold spirit that helped shape the American West.

Oklahoma City – Home Sweet Hotel

After a full day of exploring, we finally found our hotel in Oklahoma City and took a well-deserved break. We unpacked, rested for a bit, and then it was time to go on a mini adventure to Trader Joe’s and Whole Foods for dinner supplies and some snacks for the road. Because, really, is there anything better than finding a cool new food store on the road? (Answer: Yes, when there’s a whole aisle of snacks to choose from).

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Tomorrow’s another day full of adventure on the Mother Road. Bring on the next stop!