The Pony Bridge

6 x 12 oil on 3/8" gessoed panel

The Pony Bridge in Oklahoma, also known as The Canadian Bridge, built in 1933, spans the South Canadian River. The bridge used 38 Pony trusses in it's construction and made possible the continued alignment of Route 66. In the filming of "The Grapes of Wrath," the scene of Grandpas death and burial was shot near the west end of the bridge.

Lucille's-Hydro, Oklahoma

4 x 6 oil on 3/8" gessoed panel

Lucille's Gas Station and Auto Court was built in 1927 and purchased in 1941 by Carl and Lucille Harmon. When Carl passed Lucille continued to manage the business, even after the arrival of the Interstate. Because of her devotion to Route 66, she was dubbed "Mother of the Mother Road." In 1997 Lucille's was named to the National Historic Register and she received the Oklahoma 66 Hall of Fame Award. Today Lucille's has new owners and has been nicely restored as a historic symbol of the old Route.

The Round Barn-Route 66

5 x 10 oil on 3/8" gessoed panel

The Round Barn in Arcadia, Oklahoma was built in 1898 and was restored by the "Over the Hill Gang." This is the ninth painting in my Route 66 series.

The Rock Cafe

The Rock Cafe in Stroud, Oklahoma was built in 1936 with rocks unearthed from the construction of Route 66. The sign and awning were originally green, the sign is now red. John Lesseter, founder of Pixar Studios drew and created Buzz Lightyear the "Toy Story" character, while he was eating at the Rock Cafe. The owner Dawn Welch was also Lesseter's inspiration for the character Sally , the Porche, in the movie "Cars." Unfortunately the inside was partly destroyed by a fire in 2008, but I believe it has been rebuilt.

The Mother Road

18 x 24 oil on 3/8" gessoed board

available at $1500

This is the large painting of a section of Route 66 that is no longer in use and now shows the passage of time. The growing prairie grasses and weeds have created a new sense of beauty, but one of a loss of history.

Rock Creek Bridge

9 x 12 oil on 3/8" gessoed panel

The Rock Creek Bridge, on Route 66, is in Sapulpa, Oklahoma. It was built in 1921 and is the only red brick paved bridge in America. The bridge is 12' long.

The Pink Sink-Room 66

5 x 10 oil on 3/8" gessoed board

Now, why paint a sink? Well, this sink is in room 66 in the Monger Moss motel in Lebanon, Missouri.

The Monger Moss is a motel original to Route 66. I could have painted the more recognizable sign, but this pink sink against the aqua colored tiles just had such an aura of the fifties, I could not resist it.

Bob and Ramona, the owners of the Monger Moss are two delightful people who work very hard to stay original to the Route, there is a room dedicated to Route 66 memorabilia.

If ever in that area, stay at the Monger Moss, you will not regret it, and also hope you get to see the Starlight Lanes (bowling alley) lit up at night, for a brief moment you will be in the fifties.

Lunch at the Cozy Dog

8 x 10 oil on 3/8" high quality gessoed panel

On the third day of our trip, after visiting the Lincons’ residence and memorial, we headed for lunch at the Cozy Dog, in Springfield, Illinois, a favorite and original stop for 66 travelers.

The Cozy Dog is home to the corn dog on a stick, invented by Ed Waldmire in 1949, today it is run by third generation Waldmire.

When we were there Buzz Waldmire was on duty in the kitchen, when we told him of our trip on the route, the food and the stories kept coming.

Bob Waldmire was also there, he is the artist who does the highly detailed maps of 66, the maps are truly a collection item, the history and information in them is amazing. Bob is an avid supporter on the preservation of the Route,

The restaurant is loaded with Route 66 memorabilia.

The corn dogs, the fries and the home made doughnuts were great, but the stories were unforgettable. We left the restaurant 3-1/2 hours later, our heads spinning with all we had heard and looking forward to what else the Route had in store for us.