It doesn’t take an expert to see that the variety and quality of Oklahoma’s aviation offerings are special.

Omniplex
A good first stop on Oklahoma’s unofficial aviation tour is the Omniplex Science Museum, a favorite destination to see all things scientific. From Oklahoma’s record-breaking pilot Wiley Post to our distinction as the only state with an astronaut in every manned space program, the Omniplex’s Oklahoma Aviation and Space Hall of Fame is sure to make your chest swell with pride. The museum also houses vintage aircraft and other memorabilia and the Mercury capsule simulator.

Stafford Air and Space CenterFor anyone whose aspirations are more than sky-high, the Stafford Air and Space Center in Weatherford is worth a drive west. Named after astronaut and Weatherford native General Thomas P. Stafford, the museum’s collection includes actual space suits used in flight, moon rocks and other space artifacts, and a comprehensive history of rocketry. They also have more than 20 historic planes such as a MiG-21 Russian fighter plane, an F-16 fighter plane, and a replica of the Spirit of St. Louis.

Tulsa Air and Space Museum
If “look, don’t touch,” doesn’t go over very well in your household, the Tulsa Air and Space Museum and Planetarium has a number of exhibits that encourage children to get involved. Kids can step into a Viper F-16 for a test flight in a wind tunnel, create their own tornadoes in an exhibit about aviation and weather, or man the controls of a robotic arm inside an imaginary space station. Last year the museum made use of advanced technology to open their new planetarium. Unlike old, mechanical systems, the domed ceiling of the new theater is a moving, digital projection of the entire sky, giving visitors a front-row view of the universe.

Ninety-Nines Museum of Women Pilots
Ladies have not been left out of our aviation tour. The Ninety-Nines, Inc. is an international organization of more than 5,500 licensed female pilots from 35 countries. Oklahoma City’s Museum of Women Pilots displays a unique collection of papers, personal items, and historic artifacts of women pilots. This year marks the 75th anniversary of Amelia Earhart’s Atlantic crossing and the 70th anniversary of her disappearance. To commemorate this famous female pilot’s life, the Museum of Women Pilots has a new exhibit of some of Earhart’s personal treasures. She always carried her lucky bracelet and scarf on long-distance flights, but left them with her mother when she took her last flight around the world. Those items, and many more, are displayed at the museum.

On June 19 at 8am, women pilots from across the country will take off from Wiley Post Airport in Oklahoma City for an historic international competition known as the Air Race Classic, a speed race for women pilots.

Star Spangled Salute
Seeing so many aircraft sitting inside buildings may make you hanker for the real things. The Star Spangled Salute held June 9 and 10 at Tinker Air Force Base will provide your fix. The event is billed as one of Oklahoma’s largest two-day air shows because it features the collective efforts of Tinker Eastern Oklahoma County Tourism Council and Aerospace America, who previously held separate shows.

With their combined efforts, the organizations were able to book the holy grail of air show acts—the Navy Blue Angels Jet Team. Other acts include the War Bird planes, re-enactments of former wars such as the Tora Tora Tora bombing display, several civilian air demonstrations, the Tops in Blue Air Force variety act, and the US Army Golden Knights parachute team.

When you’re ready for a break from the action, enjoy ground displays, exhibits, and a children’s play zone. On Saturday night, visitors will also be treated to a fireworks display and a concert featuring country singer Mark Chesnutt. Organizers expect as many as 150,000 people to attend this official centennial event. And did I mention all this fun is free?

With premier exhibits and events like these right here in Oklahoma, I have no excuse to remain an aviation idiot.

Editor’s Note: Details on another aeronautical event, the Aerospace America International Air Show (June 15-17) may be found on our events calendar, beginning on page 54.

Stafford Air and Space Center
Jim Cobb Rd, Weatherford, 580-772-5871
Open Monday-Saturday 9am-5pm;
Sunday 1-5pm.
$5 for adults; 18 and under admitted free.

Star Spangled Salute
Tinker Air Force Base, Midwest City, 405-455-1808, www.AeroSpaceOKC.com
Saturday-Sunday, June 9-10; events begin at 9am daily. Free admission.

Ninety-Nines Museum of Women’s Pilots
4300 Amelia Earhart Road, OKC, 405-685-9990, www.MuseumOfWomensPilots.com
Monday-Friday 9am-4pm; Saturday 10am-4pm.
$5 age 10 and up; $3 4-10; free for 3 and under.

Tulsa Air and Space Museum
3624 North 74th East Avenue, 918-834-9900, www.TulsaAirAndSpaceMuseum.com
Open Tuesday-Saturday, 10am–5pm; Sunday 1pm–5pm; closed Monday.
Admission to the museum plus one planetarium show: adults $10; seniors (62 & over) $8; students and military (ID required) $8; youth (5-12) $6;
age 4 and under free.

Omniplex Science Museum
2100 NE 52, OKC, 405-602-6664, www.Omniplex.org
Open Monday-Friday 9am-5pm;
Saturday 9am-6pm; Sunday 11am-6pm.
Prices for exhibits only are $9.50 for adults and $8.25 for seniors and children (admission to planetarium and OmniDome additional).

Chelsey Simpson is an editor who lives in Edmond with her husband and her miniature schnauzer, Ellie.

Why would you undertake such a journey? Because it’s steeped in history and, despite the lack of a true destination, so jam-packed with roadside stops and activities that it would take a year-long series to cover them all.

Welcome to Oklahoma’s Historic Route 66
Oklahoma is lucky to have more drivable miles of Route 66 than any other state—an appropriate distinction considering that it is, in many ways, the birthplace of the Mother Road. In 1927, Cyrus Avery of Tulsa became the president of the newly-commissioned US Highway 66 Association. The group’s task was to pave and unite a helter-skelter network of local highways, creating the first Interstate Highway stretching from Chicago to California.

There are as many ways to explore Route 66 as there are curves and detours in the road. Covering every mile of asphalt between the Texas and Kansas borders is an undertaking best reserved for longer trips, but central Oklahoma is the perfect starting point for a number of day-trips or weekend excursions. Beginning in the east, here are some of my picks for family-friendly stops along the route.

The Blue Whale, Catoosa
Of all of Oklahoma’s Route 66 landmarks, the whale is perhaps the most memorable and nationally-acclaimed. Constructed around 1970 by Hugh Davis for his wife Zelta, the Blue Whale guards a swimming hole and park that entertained local children into the 1980s. But before you arrive, remind your would-be water nymphs that this pond has long since closed, and the whale is only strong enough for careful exploration and some fun photos.

The Rock Café, Stroud
In the beginning I said this trip would not involve any cartoon characters, but here’s an exception. Dawn Welch, who owns the Rock Café, was the inspiration for Sally in the 2006 Pixar Entertainment and Disney Studios movie, Cars. If you’re feeling adventurous, the Rock Café offers alligator burgers, but for those who aren’t inclined to eat reptiles, there are plenty of other items on their large and reasonably-priced menu.

Hillbillee’s Bed and Breakfast and Café and The Round Barn, Arcadia
Kids will like the Wild West look of the Hillbillee building’s façade, while couples can enjoy luxury with a rustic flair in “The Cabin,” a new room billed as a honeymoon suite. Originally a Phillips 66 station dating back to the early days of the road, the remodeled property is steeped in 66 lore.

Across the highway from Hillbillee’s lies another Route 66 institution—The Round Barn. You won’t need to spend a lot of time here, but taking a look inside is free, and the history is interesting.

Fort Reno, El Reno
Since its beginnings as a military camp in 1874, this frontier outpost has accumulated so much interesting history it deserves an article of its own. Fort Reno’s visitors’ center is open daily, but check out their website before you hit the road. It contains information about monthly events, such as their “Ghost of Ft. Reno” reenactment tours. This month’s Ghost of Ft. Reno takes place on March 17, 7:30pm. See our calendar for details.

Oklahoma Route 66 Museum, Clinton
Don’t let the two museums dedicated to Route 66 confuse you. The Oklahoma Route 66 Museum in Clinton does not play second fiddle to the National Route 66 Museum in Elk City. The museum’s director, Pat Smith, and her husband Virgil obviously take personal pride in every inch of the establishment, especially the lovingly-restored diner that sits on the museum grounds. From this counter, they often distribute free Moon Pies and Coca-Cola in glass bottles. The historical context the museum provides makes it an ideal stop for a larger Route 66 tour.

For a more complete list of Route 66 destinations, I recommend contacting the Oklahoma Tourism Department at 800-652-6552 or the Oklahoma Route 66 Association at 405-258-0008. Oklahoma Route 66 by Jim Ross is also an authoritative book on the subject.

The Rock Café
114 West Main Street
Stroud, Oklahoma 74079
918-968-3990
www.RockCafeRoute66.com

Hillbillee’s
206 E. Hwy 66
Arcadia, OK 73007
405-396-2982

The Old Round Barn
P.O. Box 134
Arcadia, OK 73007
405-396-0824

Fort Reno
7107 W. Cheyenne St.
El Reno, OK 73036
405-262-3987
www.FortReno.org

Oklahoma Route 66 Museum
Pat Smith, Director
2229 West Gary Blvd
Clinton, Oklahoma 73601
580-323-7866
www.Route66.org

Chelsey Simpson is an editor who lives in Edmond with her husband and her miniature schnauzer, Ellie.

1. The Oklahoma Centennial Parade, Sunday, October 14, 2007, in Downtown Oklahoma City, is not to be missed. Organizers say this will be the largest parade in Oklahoma history. It will feature giant helium balloons, celebrities on floats, and marching bands. Volunteers are needed to help with the fun—register and find parade details at www.OKCentennialParade.com.

2. Another spectacular event will be the Guthrie Statehood Day Parade, November 16, 2007. Starting at the Scottish Rite Temple and following the route of the 1907 Guthrie parade to celebrate statehood, it will end at Mineral Wells Park. The theme of the parade is Statehood 1906-1907, so float designs and costumes will reflect that period. The parade is still being planned; check www.GuthrieCentennial.com for updates.

3. Many Oklahoma students have participated in land run reenactments. This year, see a reenactment of this most important event that created our state during the annual 89er Wagon Train and Land Run Celebration, April 14-21. Covered wagons, buggies and riders on horseback will ride through the state to commemorate the opening of the Unassigned Lands. Details of the event are still being determined, so check www.Norman89.com nearer the date for specifics.

4. April 19-21, Choctaw will host its 4th Annual Choctaw Land Run Festival at Choctaw Creek Park. Historical re-enactors and local performers will depict the 1889 land run. Watch www.ChoctawCity.org for more information.

5. Fifty years ago, as part of Oklahoma’s 50th birthday celebration, the citizens of Tulsa buried a 1957 Plymouth Belvedere Sport Coupe in a time capsule. This year, on June 15, at 6th Street and Denver Avenue, the car will be unearthed and opened to celebrate the Centennial. The car was buried in front of the Tulsa county courthouse, and the glove compartment and the trunk were filled with items Tulsans felt represented their lifestyle. I can’t wait to see what is in the lady’s purse! Find details and a video about the burying of the car at www.BuriedCar.com.

6. If you haven’t visited the new Oklahoma History Center, you are missing a treat. You probably can’t see it all in one day, so pick a couple of Saturdays or Sundays and take your time. The Center is divided into four permanent exhibit spaces, an area for special exhibits, a research center, gift shop, and the Winnie Mae Café. Don’t miss exhibits with items from one family’s covered wagon and the Pawnee Bill Wild West Show memorabilia. The Center is open Monday-Saturday 9am-5pm and Sunday 12-5pm. Admission is $5 for adults and $4 for seniors, students, and children under 5. Visit the Center’s web site at www.OKHistoryCenter.org for more information.

7. Plan to visit the Oklahoma Route 66 Museum in Clinton where visitors learn about transportation, lodging, restaurants, garages, and curio shops along the Mother Road. The museum is open Monday-Saturday, 9am-5pm and Sunday, 1-5pm. Admission is $3 for adults and $1 for children 6-18. Learn more at www.Route66.org.

8. Celebrate the Centennial by playing Oklahoma Rising on your trips exploring Oklahoma. This two-disc set features Oklahoma legends like Woody Guthrie and Gene Autry as well as current Okie favorites like Vince Gill and The Flaming Lips. Pick one up at area 7-Eleven stores. Proceeds benefit Habitat for Humanity in Oklahoma.

9. This summer, the theme of the Oklahoma library’s Summer Reading Program will be Oklahoma Kids: A Kaleidoscope. The program will focus on stories about famous Oklahomans as children and children’s lives through the state’s history. Visit you local library or www.odl.state.ok.us/Summer for more information.

Adults may participate in the Oklahoma Reads Oklahoma project by reading and discussion Rilla Askew’s Fire in Beulah. The author will tour the state to talk about the book during 2007. Visit www.OKReadsOK.org for a complete schedule.

10. As summer approaches, Oklahoma rodeos will abound. Almost every town will host one, but be sure to check out the Pawnee Bill Memorial Rodeo in Pawnee, August 9-11. This event won the Ford Rodeo Series for the last four years and is well worth the short trip. Pawnee also hosts a cattle drive, a western art show, and a cowboy dance. Visit www.CityOfPawnee.com for complete information. If you can’t make this rodeo, check www.TravelOK.com, keyword rodeo, for a complete listing of rodeos across the state.

For more family fun, visit the official Oklahoma Centennial, visit www.OklahomaCentennial.com. Here, you’ll find all official Centennial projects including art instillations, historical restorations, living history projects, and special exhibits.

Pam Washington is the Dean of the College of Liberal Arts at the University of Central Oklahoma. She and her husband Mike have been married for six years and have traveled Oklahoma with their blended family of five children.

Head southwest of the Oklahoma City area toward green pastures and open skies. Here you can see forever and the view is clean, serene, and peaceful. This is Great Plains Country. It's calling you to explore Oklahoma's rich history and unspoiled natural treasures.

Weatherford
The Thomas P. Stafford Air & Space Museum, located at the Weatherford Airport near I-40 and Airport Rd., is truly a fun place to visit. Stafford graduated from Weatherford High School, the U.S. Naval Academy, and the U.S. Air Force Test Pilot School. As one of America's first astronauts, he participated in NASA's Gemini and Apollo projects and was commander of the Apollo 10 mission, the first lunar module to land on the moon, in 1969. During re-entry, he achieved the highest speed ever attained by man-28,547 miles per hour.

The collection of aircraft, space craft components, photos, and memorabilia housed in the Stafford museum are as impressive as the man's career-and the collection is still growing. Admission is $5 for adults 19 and older, free for children and students. Open 9am - 5pm Mon.-Sat. and Sun. 1-5pm. Visit their web site or call 580-772-5871.

Duncan
What do actor/director Ron Howard and four million Texas longhorn cattle have in common? Historic ties to Duncan: Howard was born there and the cattle were herded through the area on the historic Chisholm Trail. The town is also home to one of our state's best, and most fun, museums-the Chisholm Trail Heritage Center.

Over a span of 17 years after the Civil War, some 4 million cattle were driven from south Texas through Indian Territory on their way to the railroads in Kansas for shipment to the East. The war depleted the eastern U.S. beef supply and folks in these parts capitalized on the shortage by rounding up the plentiful Texas longhorns to make big bucks.

The Chisholm Trail Heritage Center recreates "the greatest animal migration known to man," and helps visitors relive the adventure of life on the wind-swept trail. The story is told by a Comanche Indian, a Buffalo Soldier, a cowboy, and a cow-town mayor. You see, feel, and smell what it was like, thanks to the special-effects in The Chisholm Trail Experience Theater.

A remarkable life-size bronze sculpture entitled "On the Chisholm Trail" by Paul Moore sits outside the museum doors. The youth gallery offers fun hands-on activities for the half-pints. Hours are 10am-5pm Mon.-Sat., 1-5 pm Sun. Web site; 580-252-6692.

Next to the center is Centennial Park, a great place for parents to rest while the kids burn off some energy on the large, wooden climb and play structure. A water fountain and soda machine are on site, as is a 9-hole disk golf course (bring your flying disk).

Visit the downtown tearooms and antique shops in historic Downtown Duncan. There you will see historical buildings with original tin ceilings, exposed brick and wood flooring.

To Duncan from OKC: I-44 south to Hwy. 81 south, past beautiful bluebonnets in the medians, or I-35 south to Hwy 7 west.
For more information: web site or 800-782-7167.

Lawton
Two unique, well-maintained museums are located on beautiful Elmer Thomas Park in Lawton: The Museum of the Great Plains and the Percussive Arts Museum. From I-44, take Exit 37/Gore Blvd. and go west, then head north on 2nd St. (Business 281), and west on Ferris Ave.

The beautiful Museum of the Great Plains houses a vast collection of historical, ethnological, and archaeological items, plus thousands of photos, maps, and documents. Kids will love exploring the one-room schoolhouse and 1830s Red River trading post. Special exhibits spotlight the cultural and natural history of the area. Admission is $5 for adults and $2.50 for children, under 6 free with adult. Hours are 10am-5pm Mon.-Sat. and 1-5 pm Sun. Web site or 580-581-3460.

At Elmer Thomas Park, visitors enjoy walking-trails, playgrounds, picnic tables, and the lovely Lake Helen. The park is also home to a colony of adorable prairie dogs. Please note that the prairie dogs are fun to watch, but they are not domesticated animals.

While in Lawton, visit the Fort Sill National Landmark museum complex. After the Civil War, the famous "Buffalo Soldiers" of the 10th U.S. Cavalry built their post and established regimental headquarters here. Fort Sill has been home to the U.S. Army Field Artillery Center and School since 1911. There are 48 original buildings in the Historic Landmark, 26 serve as the museum. Fort Sill is also the final resting place of the famed Apache leader, Geronimo. Admission is free. Open 8:30am-5pm daily.

Stop by the Meers Store and Restaurant for a famous Meers Burger, made of lean Texas Longhorn beef from owner Joe Maranto's ranch. This burger was voted 2003 Best Hamburger in Oklahoma by Oklahoma Living readers. According to Maranto, longhorn beef is lower in fat, calories and cholesterol than turkey or chicken. The restaurant's menu also includes steaks, barbecue, and one of the best BLT sandwiches you will ever taste. Desserts include homemade ice cream, peach or cherry cobbler, pecan pie and coconut pie.

The Meers Store is located on Highway 115, 1 1/2 miles north of the Wichita Mountain Wildlife Refuge. Take I-44 to Hwy 49, travel west about 4 miles to Hwy 58, then turn to the north for about 5 miles to the turn-off to Meers (follow the signs). Next turn to the west for 4 miles and don't blink or you'll miss it. Hours are 10:30 am - 8:30 pm Sun. - Thurs.; 10:30 am - 9 pm Fri. & Sat. Closed Tuesdays. No credit cards. for more information, contact their web site or call 580-429-8051.

Described as "wild, rugged, and weathered," the Wichita Mountain range is one of the oldest mountain ranges in North America. The 59,000-acre Wichita Mountain Wildlife Refuge is the oldest managed wildlife preserve in the U.S. Buffalo, longhorn cattle, deer, and elk roam free on the Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge. The prairie dog town is very popular with the kids. Picnic and camping areas are available.

The refuge is home to lakes, streams, canyons, grasslands, and mountains. Be sure to stop by the impressive and well-maintained visitors' center at the crossroads of highways 49 and 115 to learn about the area and pick up a few souvenirs. The drive up the 3.5-mile, paved road to the top of Mount Scott offers a breathtaking view of the surrounding prairie land. The visitors' center is closed on Tuesdays. To get there, take I-44 south to exit 45 Medicine Park/Hwy. 49 and go west 14 miles. 580-429-3222.

Medicine Park is a charming cobblestone community neighboring the refuge. It was founded in 1908 as an exclusive vacation resort and was very popular in the 1920s and 1930s. While the throngs of vacationers faded with the onset of the Great Depression, its relaxing beauty remains. The lovely Medicine Creek runs through town and visitors can take a dip in the renovated Bath Lake swimming area. Quaint shops and restaurants are within walking distance. Cobblestone cabins and lofts are available for rent. I-44, take exit 45, Medicine Park/Carnegie, and head west on Hwy. 49. Web site.

To Lawton from OKC: 80 miles straight down I-44.

Altus
West of Lawton and north of Altus, cradled in the western Wichita Mountains, is Quartz Mountain, located 17 miles north of Altus on SH-44A, overlooking Lake Altus-Lugert. There you will find many fun outdoor activities including hiking, boating, golfing and mini-golfing, sand dune exploring, swimming, water skiing, paddle boating, horseback riding, plus a nature center and train rides. Stay at the beautiful resort lodge, rent a cabin, or pitch a tent in one of the camping areas. For cabin and lodge reservations, call 580-563-2424.

In nearby Altus (a 10-minute drive), take a tour of Altus Airforce Base and see the C-5, the free world's largest airplane. Or visit The Museum of the Western Prairie and step back in time to the 18th century. Museum hours are 9am-5pm, Tues.-Sat.; closed Sun. and Mon. Visit their web site or call 580-482-1044.

Anadarko
A visit to Indian City USA in Anadarko is a step back in time into the lives of our country's native people before the white men invaded. A Native American Ambassador will guide you through seven life-size villages with replicas of Pueblo, Caddo, Kiowa, Wichita, Apache, Navaho, and Pawnee homes. Guides share information about each tribe's unique customs and beliefs. The walking tours take 30-45 minutes.

Visits include a performance of Native American dancers in authentic costumes in the dance arbor. On a recent visit, Ambassador Tom Mauchahty-Ware, of Kiowa and Comanche descent, described the dances and accompanied the performers on drum. He has been enlightening visitors as to the real ways of Native American people and dispelling phony Hollywood stereotypes since the park opened. One tip he gives to visitors, "Don't make a fool of yourself by greeting someone with 'how!'"

On site is a one of the southwest's largest Indian museums featuring a large number of artifacts and a gift shop with a wide selection of Native American arts, crafts, and souvenirs.

The park's 140-acre exotic game pasture is home to buffalo, fallow deer, wild turkey, black buck antelope, emus and llamas. For a true rustic adventure, spend the night at Indian City's Thunderbird Campground, nestled at the foot of the Tonkawa Hills.

Indian City USA is located 2 1⁄2 miles southeast of Anadarko on Hwy 8. Hours are 9am-5pm daily. Admission is $8.50 for adults, $4.50 for children 6-11, children 5 and under admitted free. 405-247-5661 or 800-433-5661 or visit their web site.

For more Native American culture, visit the Southern Plains Indian Museum on Hwy. 62, east of Anadarko. It houses historic exhibits of Southern Plains tribes and contemporary Native American arts and crafts. Admission is $3 for adults, $1 for children ages 6-12, kids 5 and under free. Sundays are free. Hours are June-Sept., Mon.-Sat., 9am to 5pm, Sun., 1 to 5pm; Oct.-May, Tues.-Sat., 9am to 5pm Sun., 1-5pm. Photography is prohibited. 405-247-6221.

To Anadarko from OKC: I-44 south to Hwy 62, exit 83 west.

Katherine Leidy is a freelance writer and public relations professional based in Norman. She and her husband, Robert, have a daughter, Allison.

First Stop: Weatherford
Parents and kids will be amazed by the air and space flight exhibits at the General Thomas P. Stafford Space Museum, 3000 Logan Road, Building No. 2, at the Weatherford airport. The museum also features exhibits of General Stafford's early days in Weatherford and video of his four space missions. Admission is $5 for adults 19 and older, free for children and students. Hours are 9am-5pm Mon.-Sat.; 1-5pm Sun. For more information call 580-772-5871.

Next Stop: Clinton
Clinton is home to the Oklahoma Route 66 Museum, 2229 Gary Boulevard. The museum takes visitors on a trip through the history of the famous highway's life, with exhibits showcasing memorabilia and tales from the 1920s to the 1970s. Admission is $3 for adults, $2.50 for seniors, $1 for children 6-18, under 6 free. Hours are Monday-Saturday 9am-7pm, Sunday 1-6pm, closed on state holidays. For more information, call 580-323-7866.

Across the street is the town's Trade Winds Courtyard Inn. They say that Elvis Presley once stayed there. You can grab a bite to eat at the motel's Route 66 Restaurant.

The kids can burn some energy at McLain Rogers Park, S 10th and Jaycee Lane. The 15-acre park which was used by many Route 66 travelers in its heyday welcomes visitors with a neon art deco entrance. It has pavilions, picnic areas, a children's play park, and a swimming pool and water slide.

At the Cherokee Trading Post & Restaurant, located just east of town at the Custer City exit, you can get a hot meal or a slice of pie and shop from a large selection of American Indian art, gifts, and souvenirs.

Final Stop: Elk City
Elk City is the home of the National Route 66 Museum, located within the Old Town Museum Complex, US66 and Pioneer Road. The museum focuses on the people who lived, worked, and traveled the road, and takes visitors through all eight states, highlighted by murals and exhibit vignettes featuring vintage automobiles. Admission is $5 for adults and $4 for students. Children under 6 are free. Hours are Monday-Saturday 9am-5pm, Sunday 2-5pm. 580-225-6266.

The Old Town Museum Complex celebrates pioneer life with historic structures and exhibits including a farm and ranch museum, turn-of-the-century church, one-room school house, and doctor's office. Visitors can enjoy a dinner theatre production in an opera house and take a stroll around the cowtown watering hole. Hours are Tuesday-Saturday 9am-5 pm and Sundays 2-5pm. For more information, call 580-225-2207.

Visit the state tourism web site for a free Oklahoma Route 66 brochure...and hit the road!

Katherine Leidy is a freelance writer and public relations professional based in Norman. She and her husband, Robert, have a daughter, Allison.