Route 66 in the News
An Oklahoma Tourism Press Tour
2008-04-06 16:40:55
EDMOND, Okla. - Every time I come home from a press trip, someone comments, “Gee, I want your job.” Yes, it’s a lot of fun but it’s also serious business. State tourism organizations, convention and visitors’ bureaus and destinations host groups of writers, introduce them to their product(s) and hope for press coverage in return.
Last fall, the state of Oklahoma hosted a major press tour. Two dozen writers from across the country descended on the state for five days of constant activity.
The tour was organized and conducted by Geiger and Associates, a public relations firm that specializes in tourism exclusively. Its reputation and relationship with hundreds of writers make it efficient in meeting both its clients’ and the writers’ needs. The firm only represents clients who can offer writers great story opportunities.
In order to let you know what a travel writer’s life is like on the road, I’ll share with you one day’s schedule. On this day, I chose a Route 66 excursion, one of several options offered.
- 7:45 — Leave Tulsa accommodations.
- 8:30-9 a.m. — Blue Whale, Catoosa. Considered a Route 66 icon, the whale actually was built several years after the eclipse of the historic highway by the interstate. Hugh Davis built the structure for his wife as an anniversary present in 1972. She must have been the girl who had everything! In its heyday it was a popular spot for local children who enjoyed diving and sliding into the water from the happy cerulean cetacean. Today it attracts photographers and nostalgia buffs but its days as the hit of the old swimming hole are long gone.
- 9:30-10:30 a.m. — The Will Rogers Memorial, Claremore. This stop was typical for us — not enough time to see everything, just enough time to get a quick overview. Will Rogers was such an amazing and versatile person. It would be helpful to schedule visits long enough to read some of Will’s writing, watch some of the movies and get acquainted with Oklahoma’s best-loved son. And we all rubbed the toe of his shoe for good luck.
- 10:45-11:10 a.m. — Will Rogers Birthplace, Oologah. On the DogIron Ranch is the white, two-story home where Will was born in 1879. It was moved from its original location which now is covered by Lake Oologah. Special features include an Amish-built barn — new construction, but appropriate to the period — and long-horned cattle.
- 11:30 a.m. to noon — Totem Pole Park, Foyil. If you missed the article on this attraction, go to www.edmondsun.com and type “totem pole park” in the search box.
- 12:45-1:30 p.m. — Summerside Vineyards and Winery, Vinita. Entering under a vine-covered pergola, we were escorted into the Grapevine Bistro, a great spot for lunch, where we enjoyed a variety of soups, salads and sandwiches. A quick tour, wine tasting and, as always, a minute in the gift shop, and we were on our way again. The tasting room is open from 9:30 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday through Saturday and from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday. The Bistro is open from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Thursday through Saturday.
- 2-3 p.m. — Afton Station, Afton. This is a classic, 1930’s gas station now an unofficial Route 66 visitor center with cool memorabilia, maps and guidebooks and a collection of vintage Packards. Here we met the Tattoo Man, a die-hard Route 66 fan who has Mother Road highlights all over his body — or at least the parts we could see! Hours are really erratic; so, if you go, call 918-257-4044 for information.
- 3:45-4 p.m. — Coleman Theatre, Miami. What a beautiful theatre! Opened in 1929, it’s never been closed. It did go through a serious period of disrepair and took many dollars and volunteer hours to restore its elegant interior replete with gold leaf, stained glass and sparkling crystal. The theatre is open for public tours from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday through Friday and from 10 a.m. to noon Saturday.
- We arrived back in Tulsa with about 30 minutes of free time to prepare for dinner. This was a typical day on one of my trips.
Was the trip worth it for the state of Oklahoma? I hope so. I’ve seen articles — results of that trip — in several magazines and newspapers, including an inflight magazine, and I know there’ll be more throughout the next year.
But very best of all — on a press trip last week I sat at dinner one night next to a journalist who had been on the Oklahoma trip. He was describing our state to a writer from the West Coast. “You won’t believe Oklahoma,” he said. “They’ve got more Chihuly’s than anybody and Frank Lloyd Wright’s only skyscraper and great food . . .” He went on and on and I just sat there smiling. I love Oklahoma and I love my job!
~Elaine Warner, EdmondSun.com
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