WALKING ROUTE 66
You Can Make a Difference When You Do What You Love
It has nothing to do with making money.
It was not a restful night for a change. Usually, I slept well, but being so close to the railroad tracks didn’t help. I was on the road early, for ten minutes.
I stopped at Prairie Rose Grill for breakfast. They were kind enough to fix Oatmeal for me, even though it not on their menu. Eggs, country fried potatoes, and fresh coffee were just what the doctor ordered. I was able to rest and relax to make up for the restless night.
While I was there, a lady struck up a conversation with me; turns out she was the local Humane Society and Environmentalist rolled in one. She drove up and down route 66 and picked up beer cans and sold them for sustenance, and rescued animals in need. She showed me this most adorable little squirrel that she was currently nursing back to where it can survive.
The world is full of do-gooders of the right kind.
Foyil, OK, is only nine miles from Chelsea, and it only took me 3 hours to get there. Annie’s Diner is the first thing you see when you get to Foyil; it sits right there at the edge of town on Route 66. I assured the waitress that I would order some real food in a couple of hours once I get hungry, which I did.
Foyil is a town with four streets and 347 people, so there was not much there, but I learned that they did have a fire station, and I will most likely be able to sleep in the back there.
I headed to the fire station at 5 PM to see if I can arrange to spend the night there. It turned out that it is an emergencies only station, and no one works there. Disappointed, I was heading back to Annie’s Diner when I saw a man mowing the lawn.
Kean Issacs owned several properties in town and said I could crash in his front yard for the night. I was even able to take a shower at his place. Surprised and Delighted.
Kean was pretty knowledgeable about the town and gave a crash course on its history. Andy Payne won the First Transcontinental foot race from California to New York in 1928, was a Foyil resident.
Kean also bought the old Texaco Station on Andy Payne Blvd — the original Route 66 — and has it registered with the National Registry of historic places, and is in the process of renovating it. He has set up a Facebook page that I highly recommend that you check out.
I went back to Annie’s Diner to let Kean finish mowing and get a dessert. They had Apple pie ala mode on the menu. While there, I saw an almost parade of antique cars going to some rally.
As I think back and ponder.
An update on the Texaco gas station in Foyil — Route 66 News
People are amazing. Everyone has a purpose in life. Some people hustle to provide for their family, while others find joy in saving animals and the environment, restoring historic places, or inspiring others by running/walking cross-country.
As the sign in Annie’s Diner said, “Whatever you are, be a good one.”
Stay blessed and be happy, my friends.
Day 66: Just Three Hours (Original blog post).
Just for fun.
I invite you to tag along if you’re up to it. I am mentioning a few friends who may be interested in it. If you are tagged but don’t want to read my stories daily, let me know in the comments, and I will remove your name moving forward. If you are reading this and aren’t included in the list below, but you’d like to come along, let me know so that I can add you.
Michele Amy Trista Henery Timothy Tim P.G. Sherry Saloni Indra B. A. Linda Sharon Tree Linda Britni Desiree Elisabeth Simona Kristin Helen Julia Chris Rosennab Tom Truenorth Agnes Aurora LauraRaduenz Catherine Joe Stuart Gurpreet BFoundAPen Margie Bob NaNa'sworld Wolfie Rebecca Susannah
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Rasheed Hooda is a published author who has contributed to many of Medium’s top Publications; The Startup, The Ascent, P.S. I Love You, Rogues’ Gallery, and ILLUMINATION, to name a few. He is also a Top Writer for several topics. If you like his work, buy him a cup of coffee, he drinks a lot of it.
