Starting mileage 430
Finishing mileage 760.
After a restless sleep I started my journey to Tulsa, Oklahoma. This would be a 330 mile trip stopping at Joplin along the way. Leaving early also helps with the sun. It has started turning real hot and with the sun behind me in the morning it is less harsh.
I hopped on and off I44 passing through desolate towns that were once bustling tourist attractions. Since the introduction of the interstate freeways the towns have lost a lot of passing commerce. After around 4 hours riding i found the Joplin turnoff.
Joplin is a small iconic route 66 town that was hit by the deadliest twister in over 50 years only a few months back. I had seen pictures on the web but nothing prepared me for the devastation I saw. A lady at a local diner pointed me to the main area that was hit. As I rode down the main street my jaw literally dropped. There were entire streets flattened. Down to just their bases. Nothing more than a foot high wall was all that was left of most houses. Debris lined the sides of the road, collected into piles to help the clear up process. I started taking pictures from a distance. These plots of destroyed land were still owned by people so I stayed on the road. The only people I saw were builders and guys removing rubble. Some houses further in still had a few walls standing. You could still see clothes in ripped open cupboards, exposed to any passer by. This must have been terrifying for residents. I heard a hospital also got hit but I didn't get to see it.
Back on I44 to Tulsa. It took me a total of 6 hours riding to get to Tulsa from Cuba. The heat was unbearable with my leather jacket so I managed to squeeze it in the luggage bags attached to the bike. Jeans and t-shirt were now the look.
I also managed to get the 'passing a Harley' wave perfected. Whereas day one I would give a wave I now know you have to point your first 2 fingers out and to the left at an angle to the floor. Very smooth.... I'm one of the gang..
I rode into downtown Tulsa and checked into a Holiday Inn. Hardly iconic 66 but i really wanted a good bed as the ride had exhausted me.
I was in two minds about heading out for the evening or staying in with MTV and CNN. Then I remembered it was the last Thursday of the week and worth trying to celebrate.
Like everywhere i've been so far outside of Chicago the streets seemed desolate. I asked a policeman if there were any local bars that were worth me going. He said go to Arnie's and he and his colleague escorted me there genuinelly interested in my travel stories.
Arnie's bar was an Irish bar with a lot of characters. I instantly got talking to some people at the bar and settled in. There was a live band playing some great Irish folk songs. Well I say live, the band members looked over 100 years old.
I had a great night in there an it seemed my accent instantly made me friends with anyone there. This was stark contrast to my previous night in Cuba. I had started to question my acceptance as a Brit in the US and I thank the people I met in Tulsa for restoring my faith. Everyone person I met in Tulsa for the whole time I was there were friendly and fun.
Cuba sucks Tulsa rocks.
