Heading east toward Vinita.

Nothing to see here, folks. Move along….

Two-lane 66 west of Vinita.

I’m not sure why I like this hay bale so much. Maybe it’s the texture, or maybe it’s just the way the light is hitting it as it sits in an empty field west of Vinita.

Storage tank between Chelsea and Vinita.

This bar lies between Chelsea and Vinita on Route 66.

This crane has been standing like a lonely sentinel above a downed structure on Route 66 east of Chelsea for as long as I can remember. Why did it stop working? What was it supposed to be doing? Why is it still there? Who owns the property? I’d love to know the backstory.

This steel-truss bridge — located on an old alignment of Route 66 at the east end of Chelsea — is one of my favorite spots on the Mother Road in Oklahoma.

Downtown Chelsea, Okla.

Western edge of Chelsea. If you’re ever in town, try to time it so you’re there in the evening; the Chelsea Motor Inn, at the east end of town, is a wonderful little place to stay, with immaculate rooms, friendly owners, and an unforgettable mascot — a female American bison who poses for photos and eats out of her owner’s hand.

Emily