The whale doesn't seem to mind.
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Friday 🗺️ June 19, 2026 🗺️ Off Grid in the Ozarks Happy Friday, Reader! We’ve landed in the Missouri Ozarks this week, and let me tell you, the weather here is having a full-on identity crisis. One minute it’s so hot and sticky you’re praying for the AC, and the next it’s cool and sunny, and you just want to soak it all in. While I’ve been dodging the wild weather, Jody’s been on a mission to fix a weird battery issue and get the most out of his new 3D printer. The result? A hilarious little Grumpy Moose that’s every bit as awesome as it sounds sits proudly on my desk. But enough about that. This week, I want to share some highlights on Route 66 from Catoosa to the edges of Miami, OK. The whale that never disappointsSeriously, who can resist a giant blue whale chilling on a little pond in Oklahoma? Not me! I’ve stopped here more times than I can count. This was my first visit back since the park finally reopened on May 30 after what felt like forever (okay, only nine-ish months) of construction. The whale was right where I left it, grinning at the water under a moody gray sky. Hugh Davis built this beauty in the early 70s as an anniversary surprise for his wife, Zelta, who loved collecting whale figurines. The signs at the new visitor center share their sweet story with anyone who pulls over to check it out. And let me tell you, people really do pull over for this whale. That’s what I love about it! All day long, cars slow down, and folks hop out to pose in the whale’s open mouth just like they’ve been doing for fifty years. The new visitor center was closed when we rolled through, but there’s a shiny new neon sign now, the whale’s first ever! I’ll definitely have to come back at night to see it glow. Standing at the edge of the pond, I tried to imagine the old days when you could swim here, kids flying down the slide and splashing under the whale’s chin. It’s quiet now, but the whale seems perfectly happy. Still my favorite Route 66 stop, hands down, and I don’t see that changing anytime soon. Storm clouds stacked up over Vinita while the restored station sat quiet and lit on an empty lot. Froella, the giant pink elephant, is new to Miami and already a favorite. She stands guard over the shaved-ice shop in a restored gas station that claims to be the oldest in town. Only nine feet wide, this 1922 stretch, they call the Ribbon Road (aka Sidewalk Highway), was being repaired to save it from crumbling away for good. ​ Every license plate read 1776, the flags counted down to 250 years, and the whole bay felt like somebody’s very full (and patriotic) heart. One man’s folk-art tribute to Native America, the painted figures held still under a sky that looked ready to open. One Thing to KnowWhen the light’s flat but the sky is putting on a show, I say go wide and let those clouds steal the spotlight. That moody sky over the totem park above? Perfect example. The weather sets the whole vibe and draws your eye across the scene, rather than getting lost in the little details. Honestly, some of my favorite shots are the ones where Mother Nature does all the heavy lifting. Come back next week for a trip down the longest Main Street on Route 66, right through the heart of Miami, Oklahoma. PS: If you like camping off grid, check out this post for more information and share your experiences! ​
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