Bridgeport,oklahoma

.https://abandonedok.com/bridgeport/ There is not much  left here these days.  Already along the road we have seen where the town cleared out once the route changed. We have seen towns that boomed and then died after the mine was not economically viable.   Bridgeport has been impacted by the road shifting and the Interstate, but it was also impacted by the Dust Bowl of the 1930s.

The Dust Bowl impacted many plains states.  John Steinbeck wrote Grapes of Wrath.  I remember reading this in high school.  The story follows the Joads as they migrate from Oklahoma to California.  Steinbeck refers to Route 66 as the "Mother Road".  The road was to be the path to prosperity.

What will Route 66 be to me?  
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    Well you can see each day I learn a little bit about our past.

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Bridgeport is on the Canadian River.  I just heard of it today and I was surprised that it is 900 miles long and starts in Colorado, flows into New Mexico and Texas before getting to Oklahoma.  This spot was a place to ford the river at low water times and a ferry business existed for the high water.  The river can widen nearly one mile wide.

This is the current bridge, with a unique style. It is the longest bridge on the route.at almost 4000'.  Now I see how the town got its name.  

Today I had a 12 mph tailwind from the  SE.  I am starting to see a gradual elevation increase when I look at the feet above see level.  I did not feel the change during riding .  I am at about 1690'.

This area may be a good spot to stealth camp.  There are not any people around and I do not need a fire.  I will keep a low profile and leave the spot clean.  The evening is now going to cool down much at all from the high of the day at 87 degrees.  The low tonight will be 78.  It will be a clear sky and I will enjoy the stars.

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