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Travels With Randy PodcastAuthor: Randy Smythe and Kevin Harmon
Randy Smythe has decided to retire at age 59 and spend an entire year traveling across the United States with the goal of visiting every US National Park. Our weekly podcast will follow Randy and get weekly updates on where he's been, what he's seen, and who he's met - as well as sprinkle in some retirement planning advice, income stream ideas, and e-commerce news and discussion with his good friend Kevin "Bubba" Harmon. Language: en Genres: Business, Entrepreneurship, Places & Travel, Society & Culture Contact email: Get it Feed URL: Get it iTunes ID: Get it Trailer: |
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TWR Route 66 Ep 11: Oklahoma Part 2 - Who Is The Modern Day Will Rogers?
Episode 11
Monday, 30 March, 2026
Travels With Randy Route 66 Episode 11 is here! Oklahoma Part 2 - Who Is The Modern Day Will Rogers? Route 66 and Round Barns The podcast hosts discussed their travels along Route 66, specifically focusing on Oklahoma and approaching Tulsa. They explored the history of round barns, with Beth explaining that the circular shape was built to withstand tornadoes and provide space for barn dances. The conversation included personal anecdotes about barn dances from Bubba's experience at University of Illinois and a discussion about Sadie Hawkins dances, with the hosts noting they would need to ask Beth about the origin of Sadie Hawkins. Route 66 Oklahoma Landmarks Discussion Bubba and Randy discussed historical landmarks along Route 66 in Oklahoma, including the Arcadia Round Barn, which was built in 1898 for tornado resistance. They explored the history of small towns along the route, including Wellston, which experienced a legal challenge due to a realignment that bypassed the town. Randy noted that while Wellston has a notable dinosaur statue, it is not on the realigned Route 66, and advised travelers not to miss any significant sights by skipping the town. Route 66 Centennial Planning Discussion The discussion focused on Route 66, with participants comparing different states' implementations of Route 66 signage and experiences. They noted Oklahoma's successful coordination through their Historical Society, while Texas was criticized for lacking consistency. The main news shared was that their podcast had received certification from the federal Route 66 Centennial Commission, allowing them to use the official Route 66 shield in their materials. They discussed creating a calendar to showcase the various events planned for Route 66's 100th anniversary and agreed to reach out to local historical societies for event information to share with their community. Photography Planning and Techniques Discussion Randy discussed plans to photograph Chandler and Davenport, mentioning a bowling alley with old gas station logos and plans to take evening shots to capture neon signs. The conversation then shifted to photography techniques, where Randy explained his practice of removing people and power lines from photos to focus on the subject. The discussion concluded with a debate about AI-generated photography and content, with both speakers agreeing that while AI can enhance photos, using it to create misleading content is problematic. Route 66 Travel Journey Discussion The discussion focused on a Route 66 travel journey, with detailed descriptions of stops including Tammy's Roundup Cafe in Davenport and the Rock Cafe in Stroud, which was inspired by the character Sally Carrera from the movie Cars. The conversation highlighted architectural features along Route 66, particularly the Googie style, and included a brief exchange about Art Deco and Streamline Modern design elements. The discussion ended with plans to continue exploring additional Route 66 locations in future episodes. Route 66 Drive-In Theater Discussion Randy discussed Oklahoma's Route 66, highlighting the state's numerous small towns and the challenges of following the original 1926 route, which is often dirt or abandoned. They described visiting a renovated drive-in theater in Sepulpa, which has been updated with Art Deco styling and offers accommodations like Airbnb trailers. Bubba shared his own memories of drive-in theaters, including seeing movies like Six Pack with Kenny Rogers and Herbie the Love Bug, and expressed interest in potentially renovating a drive-in to make it more modern and appealing to younger generations. Route 66 Museum Visit Discussion Randy shared his experience visiting the Heart of Route 66 Auto Museum in Sepulpa, Oklahoma, highlighting the town's efforts to preserve its Route 66 history and charm. Sepulpa, with a population of about 23,297, is situated southwest of Tulsa and has become Randy's favorite town along the route due to its well-maintained buildings and Route 66 attractions. Bubba inquired about Sadie Hawkins, leading to an explanation of the character's origin in the comic strip "Lil Abner" and how the tradition of Sadie Hawkins dances emerged. The conversation also touched on the Joad family from "The Grapes of Wrath" and their journey along Route 66. Tulsa Route 66 Experience Randy discussed his experience traveling through Tulsa on Route 66, noting how the city maintained better historical references to the route compared to other larger towns they had visited. He highlighted the well-preserved bridge over the Arkansas River, which now serves as a walking bridge, and the Cyrus Avery Park that celebrates the "father of Route 66." Randy shared plans to share photos from their visit, including a statue depicting the transition from horse-drawn carriages to cars, which symbolized the impact of Route 66 on small towns. Route 66 Tulsa Coverage Plans The discussion focused on Route 66 travel experiences in Tulsa and upcoming coverage plans. Randy shared details about exploring different Route 66 alignments in Tulsa, recommending the modern alignment (26 to 36) for efficiency or both routes if time permits, as the alternative route creates a longer 10-15 mile loop. Key stops discussed included the Blue Whale in Catoosa (built in 1972), Claremore's connection to Will Rogers, and plans to cover Chelsea and other towns before reaching the Kansas border. Randy also mentioned plans to share photos from these locations later in the week and upcoming coverage of the White Oak to Commerce section. Travel and Podcast Discussion Randy and Bubba discussed their recent travels, particularly focusing on Randy's visit to Chelsea, Oklahoma, where he searched for a mural under a bridge but was unable to find it. They also explored the historical connections between Will Rogers and Gene Autry, and debated who might be the modern-day equivalent of Will Rogers in terms of universal appeal and talent. The conversation concluded with updates about their podcast "Travels with Randy," which now has nearly 33,000 members on Facebook, and they discussed potential future content including exploring the origin of the term "cougar." SO. MANY. PHOTOS - Come join the conversation on Facebook with our 33,000 friends! https://www.facebook.com/travelswithrandypodcast Have a great idea for the guys? Want to sponsor us? Want us to sell something National Park or Route 66 related? Want to be a guest? Want to pay for both of us to go to Alaska? Want me to stop asking questions? bubba@travelswithrandypodcast.com !!
