Day 6: September 20, 2026 JH and 66 Cruising Comment via blog

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The main activity today was a cruise between Joplin, MO, and Vinita, OK, over a route of which major portions were followed by both the Jefferson Highway and US-66. The overpass and arch mark the entry to Galena, KS.

In Galena, we stopped at Hotrod Hangout where a pair of Valentine diner shells await being incorporated into an active diner. Plans for the owner to meet us here were scuttled by a family issue.

I have stopped at Gearhead Curios in the past but today was the first time it has been open so I could get inside and check out the world famous restroom. Ohio is represented in those overhead license plates. Fred Zander and I have been on several cruises with Quinn an Kip Wellborn (and once upon a time their now grown daughter Natalie), so the four of us gathered for a group shot in front of the tall guy in dressed in green. Rock-A-Betty fills out the panel.

Fred Zander and I are sharing a ride today. When we somehow managed to reach the Rainbow Arch Bridge ahead of the crowd, Fred stepped out of the car to take a picture. We were not alone very long.

In Miami, OK, a group of us goofed in stopping at the storefront the Dobson Museum used temporarily during int recent renovation so we walked to the correct location. The museum contains lots of regional history, and displays information on both Route 66 and the Jefferson Highway. They carry some good reading material, too.

This building in Afton, OK, once held Laurel Kane's Route 66 gift shop and museum and David Kane's collection of Packards. Every stop here is more depressing than th last.

Just up the street is the Crosstar Flag and Tag Museum. I have stopped here before when it was closed and walked around outside, but today was my first time inside and beyond the fence. Obviously, not all the cool cars are in the museum.

We were advised not to arrive at our next stop before 1:30 so burned off a little time by stopping at the edge of Vinita, OK, where a Jefferson Highway marker had recently been erected to accompany a Will Rogers Highway (a.k.a. Route 66) marker that was already there. Then a longer pause at the Phillips 66 station turned visitors center fulfilled the timing requirements.

This is the day's third roadside attraction I've stopped at but not been inside. But I didn't have to get inside before seeing something new. Big Al was not yet here when I stopped in December. There was some really good fried chicken inside, and some live music, too.

We managed to find the recently restored Ozark Court sign, a little before closing time for the store it is displayed inside.

In the evening, we were treated to a screening of the Ozark Public TV documentary Lost and Found on Route 66 and the historic Route 66 Theater in Webb City, MO. Filmmaker Nico Burasco was there to introduce the movie and answer questions the showing.

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