The past is packed with stories worth sharing.
|
Friday 🗺️ June 26, 2026 🗺️ The old stomping grounds Happy Friday, Reader! We’ve landed in Miami, Oklahoma, and this stop feels extra special because it’s got my name written all over it. The town says it has the longest Main Street on Route 66, and when I stood under the Gateway arch and looked down that stretch, I totally bought it. Funny thing is, I used to zip through here as a kid and never really paid attention. This time, I made sure to actually see it. Yep, this is my old stomping grounds, the place I waved goodbye to eight years ago when we rolled out to live on the road full-time. This week, Miami decided to show off a little, greeting me with every sign and mural just like an old friend. It didn’t feel like just another stop. It felt like the town and I were catching up over coffee. I made sure to time my day so I could be right on this corner at blue hour. When the sky darkened and the neon lights flickered on, the street got quiet, and suddenly, it felt like I had the whole place to myself. The Coleman sign was glowing red and green, just like it has since 1929. I hung out there way longer than I needed to, just soaking it all up. This building and I go way back. I watched movies here as a kid, twirled around in dance recitals on that stage, and years later, sat in the audience cheering on my own kids. I’ve seen band concerts, plays, holiday shows, and plenty of live music here. Honestly, most of my Miami memories have this theater in the background somewhere. That’s the magic of neon. It lights up every night, reminding us that the past is packed with stories worth sharing. But the Coleman isn’t just some old relic. The marquee still glows, folks still cruise downtown, park on Main Street, and head inside for a show. Not many small towns can brag about a vaudeville palace that’s still rocking after almost a hundred years, but this one sure can. It was a quiet Sunday, empty enough that I could stand in the middle of Main Street to make this one, looking down the longest Main Street on Route 66. A hand-painted reminder that Miami has been reading on the route since 1926, tucked under a new neon library sign. Old buildings provide a perfect canvas for a bright mural first painted in 2024 during Miami's Route 66 Mural Fest. I was admiring the flags lined up down the block when I noticed the town had quietly stamped its name and the route number right onto the stop sign. A restored 1920s filling station with its old Marathon pumps still standing guard, and I thought it looked like a fine place to rest on Route 66 before I ever knew you could actually book a night here. One Thing to KnowTraveling Route 66 will give you any number of interesting things to photograph or just admire. Take your time and enjoy the journey because that is the real gift. Document what is meaningful to you and create memories that bring a smile to your face. The best Route 66 photos are about more than just landmarks. And don't forget to time your visits to capture buildings and street scenes in the best light!
|
