After fits and starts too complicated to recount here, the quest to make Route 66 in Oklahoma a scenic byway is starting to get some traction.
(Disclosure: I was involved to a small degree in this effort via the Oklahoma Route 66 Association, but we finally got someone in the state who will do this for us.)
Here’s what’s interesting about Route 66 and the byway: Towns that aren’t even on Route 66 are interested in it. The town of Cushing, which at least 20 miles off the Mother Road, attended a meeting to discuss it, according to the Cushing Daily Citizen.
Here’s why:
According to Richard Andrews, Oklahoma Scenic Byways coordinator, Oklahoma currently has five designated state ‘scenic byways’ but only one – the Talimena Drive – has achieved this national designation. It’s felt that since Oklahoma has more drivable miles of Route 66 than any other state this could be a big drawing card in the field of Oklahoma tourism.
He calls Oklahoma’s section of Route 66 the ‘crown jewel’ in the Route 66 ‘Mother Road’ and says it is the envy of many states. […]According to Smith, “We know from previous experience that Cushing has things of interest for tourists, even though those of us who see them every day sometimes lose sight of them. Involvement in the Route 66 Scenic Byways initiative will give us an opportunity to promote our community to Mother Road enthusiasts from across the nation. After all, if someone’s traveled across the country or across the world to see Route 66 they might be willing to drive a few miles further to see what we have to offer.”
Apparently Cushing knows a good thing when it sees it. It’s a pity there are a few towns actually on Route 66 that don’t display this enthusiasm.