Day 18 Rt 66 to Catoosa, OK

Will Rogers is Claremore, OK's most famous son.
This was sculpted by Philip Zarkin in 1997 for the
Will Rogers Memorial in Claremore.

Eighteen Days on historic Route 66.  Covered 50 miles of the route today including major highlights like the Catoosa Blue Whale, but surprised myself with a visit to the PORT of Tulsa!  As a sailor, I'm used to ports where there is LOTs of water!  Places like Sandusky, OH, Annapolis, MD & Pittsburgh, PA.  That last port indicates the type of port to expect for Tulsa, OK.

This interesting sculpture was created by
the men of submarine USS Will Rogers

The USS Charley Border at the Tulsa Port of Catoosa, OK.
The RV with a serious towboat . . .
NOT a photo I expected to take on Rt 66!

The entire vessel is on display,
now with glass viewports in the hull.

Inside the Maritime Education Center is this chart of the port.

Port of Caloosa, main operations area

Port of Caloosa, main operations area, Click for panorama.

The "Twin Bridges" are viewed through a span of the replaced
bridge which now sits in a park and serves as the 
entrance to a restaurant.

This original span, built in 1936, was joined by the 
eastbound bridge in 1957 when Rt 66 became 4 lanes,
becoming "Twin Bridges."  The new westbound bridge
replaced this original.

The most famous landmark along Rt 66?
The Catoosa Blue Whale

These signposts greet you on entry.

This may be referring to a similar spot in Illinois.

Since most folks seem to photo the port side of
the Catoosa Blue Whale, I've gone against the grain.
Here is the Starboard side! 🙂

I took a brief walk around the old park display, but it is
clear they are no longer maintained.

The waterfront is nicely maintained, but closed while
I was there, pandemic or my late arrival?

As a kid, this must have been
a great place to play.

There's even a diving platform off the tail!

A ladder takes you into the whale's head.
This is looking forward.

Inside the whale's head looking aft.

In the belly of the beast, Click for panorama.

And the classic shot of the port side!