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I am not an expert in events or tourism but it seems like maybe hosting an event to celebrate the dust bowl* while living in times where rural land (and water!)(not to mention towns)(and jobs) is threatened by data centers seems a little off the mark.
Route 66
El Reno, Oklahoma
photographed 7.26.2026
*The Dust Bowl was a severe environmental and agricultural disaster during the 1930s “Dirty Thirties,” where massive dust storms – called black blizzards – choked the American Great Plains. It was caused by severe drought combined with deep plowing and poor farming practices that stripped away natural prairie grass and left dry topsoil exposed to heavy winds. (as per Wikidpedia)
information overload
The Jesus sign was the reason I stopped. The smell from the dumpster almost made me leave. I was brave, though, and held my breath for this photo and then (still holding it) I walked right through the miasma until I got to Jesus. The sign, I mean – the Jesus sign.
And over there, someone in the kitchen at the taqueria was cooking beans and they smelled so good – even now, three weeks later, I can still recall their fragrance and can still remember thinking how delicious a bowl of these beans would be with a fresh corn tortilla.
There’s a lesson here. It might be that after a stinky trash dumpster anything will smell good. Or it might be that it’s a reminder to keep going through the stinky parts because the part you have to hold your breath to get through will be worth it.
Route 66
El Reno, Oklahoma
photographed 7.26.2026
the BBQ was top level
Parts of Oklahoma have these things the locals call “hills” – a unusual term for people from the Plains, but apparently it means that the land “changes elevation” or is higher or lower than the land right beside it. Crazy concept, but I try to be a good visitor and not feel sorry for them or whatever.
Anyway, sometimes a “hill” will require a “retaining wall” (IDK why) and that might make your neighbor’s grill actually above your own head. Again, a crazy concept. But I saw it for myself so I know it happens.
Route 66
Tulsa, Oklahoma
photographed 7.25.2026
heal thyself
I have decided to interpret this shop window’s signage and decoration as self-help advice. I don’t mean to imply that I’ve healed myself, or anything like that. All I really mean, probably, is that I like the IDEA of it. And the words.
And that giraffe-neck on the dusty mannequin adds a certain flair to the whole thing.
Route 66
Tulsa, Oklahoma
photographed 7.25.2026
hunters
Oh, Oklahoma! Could you even BE more Oklahoma than this – the Arbuckle Coon Hunters place over there in Pernell?
The reward of not scouting out places ahead of time is the sheer happiness of seeing things like this coming into view without advance knowledge. Honestly, it’s the reason I love random drives as much as I do.
And, as a bonus, there was that one folding chair and a window AC unit to add some, uh, authenticity to the whole scene.
Pernell, Oklahoma
photographed 7.24.2026
PS. Actually I think this hot mess might be slight more Oklahoma-y:
But still.
One Day | One Image 