Oklahoma will soon be a memory-Enjoying my remaining days. Through Canute, elk city, sayre

My first riding day where it topped over 100 degrees.  Luckily  I started early when it was in the mid 70s.  The road continues to be flat and the wind was from the south at 15 mph.  The wind helped to keep me cooler.  Once the day's  ride is done a shower is a joy to wash off the sweat and road grime.  Putting on fresh clothes is finishing touch.  Air conditioning and an ice cold drink is appreciated.  This was another day to enjoy a motel.

Luckily I had not planned on staying at the Cotton Boll.  It had been a favorite spot for many years, but it is no longer in business.

In 1540-42 the Spanish explorer may have come through this area as  he went through to Kansas.  No development came here until the railroad went through and it was decided to create Elk City.  It appears that due to the land rush many Oklahoma communities were formally organized in 1901.  

For decades cattle drives had some through this area and the herd was taken to Kansas.  From there the cattle were put on the train to the stockyards in Chicago.

Jimmy Webb  (left) is pictured with Glenn Campbell.  Jimmy wrote some of my favorite songs in the 60s.  (Up, Up and Away, By the time I get to Phoenix, Wichita Lineman, Galveston, The worst that could happen, All I know, MacArthur Park.  Jimmy was born in Elk City.

This is a scene from the Grapes of Wrath.

This is the courthouse in Sayre today. It still looks good after 80 years.

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Oil and gas was discovered in the Sayre area and this was a booming in the 20s and 30s.  In the 70s natural gas was still productive.