Catoosa, Oklahoma: Blue Whale

It's rather interesting that one of the top attractions of Route 66 first came along past the road's biggest moments of fame ... and really opened up to the public well after that.

Say hello to the relatively famous Blue Whale of Catoosa, Oklahoma. It was built by Hugh Davis, starting late in the 1960s. Construction took place from 1970 to 1972. It turned into something of an attraction for people driving by, and Davis apparently welcomed everyone to hop in the pond and play on the whale.

Davis closed the whale in 1988, and it slid downhill for a decade or so before people realized that it needed to be brought back. It was restored and reopened, and Catoosa's number one attraction was back.

There is a concession stand that's open on weekends - a little disappointing, since we were there on a weekday, but understandable. There are tables for picnics, and the area is always open to those driving by.

The Blue Whale became iconic somewhere along the way. Maybe it's because just looking at it brings a smile that's as wide as a whale's mouth.

Learn more about the creature at the official website.

And let's walk around the whale:

 

Tulsa, Oklahoma: Blue Dome Station

There's a Blue Dome District in downtown Tulsa. Now you know why. Presenting - the Blue Dome.

The building used to be a service station once upon a time, opening in 1924 for Gulf. In fact, the attendant lived upstairs in the building. He kept it open 24 hours a day, seven days away - and we'll assume he had some help at times.

More than 90 years later, the building is still in use, although the gas pumps are gone. It's a symbol for the neighborhood, which has a variety of bars, restaurants and other businesses. The concept sounds promising, although it looked like they have a ways to go yet with it.

By the way, it's easy to drive by it. The Blue Dome is on the near corner of a one-way street, and views can be obscured by the building in front of it. We went zipping past a couple of times before stumbling on it. So you are now so warned.

Tulsa, Oklahoma: Prayer Tower

One thing about evangelist Oral Roberts - he was a believer in thinking big.

When he started building the university that bears his name, Roberts made sure to have some interesting architecture be part of the landscape. This might be the best example of it.

The prayer tower is more or less in the middle of the campus. It goes 200 feet up. The highlight is the walkway in the middle. It goes in a circle in order to offer a full look at the campus.

We didn't have much time for a visit, but made it in shortly before closing. We were instructed to take a lap in the building, stopping at designated spots to read a quote from Roberts and pray. Well, we didn't exactly follow the instructions, which made it quicker to get around. But it's a nice view. The inside portions of the tower have rooms designed for prayer by groups or individuals.

By the way, it's free.

Tulsa, Oklahoma: The Healing Hands

Whoa. That's one big pair of hands.

The structure is how visitors are greeted at the main entrance to Oral Roberts University. The statistics tell some of the story. This is 60 feet high and it weighs 30 tons.

The praying hands used to be in front of a faith-healing hospital. However, that business didn't do too well and was eventually shuttered. The hands were shipped down the street to the university, where they seem, at the least, appropriate. Roberts at his peak was a well-known evangelist with a relatively popular TV show, although he did receive criticism for a flamboyant, expensive lifestyle.

There is a parking lot about a couple of dozen cars nearby, and it's an easy walk from there to the pretty campus. If you are in the neighborhood, bring a camera.

Tulsa, Oklahoma: The Golden Driller

Think they do things big in Texas? Oklahoma takes a back seat to no one when it comes to a statue.

In fact, "The Golden Driller" is the largest free-standing statue in the United States. This is one big oil man.

This is the third Mr. Driller, according to Roadside America. The first was built in 1953 on the State Fairgrounds in Tulsa. It was popular enough to build a second one, and then a third - the current one, which went up in 1966.

This is now the official state monument, for what it's worth. It's pretty hard to miss at the entrance to the Fairgrounds, not far from downtown. The Driller is 75 feet tall and weighs 22 tons.

Wonder what size T-shirt he wears?

Tulsa, Oklahoma: Sonic Center of the Universe

It's tough to know why this particular spot earned the name "Sonic Center of the Universe." That sounds a little pretentious.

But no matter what you call it, you should visit it if you happen to be in downtown Tulsa. Park on Archer St. (meters available) and cross the overpass bridge that runs above the railroad tracks. In fact, the old railroad station is on the other side of the tracks.

Then stand in the middle of the circle of the picture. And say something loudly. Don't scream, but speak up.

You, and only you, will be able to hear an echo of your voice come back. It doesn't work a few feet away, but it will work for you.

And that's why it's the Sonic Center of the Universe. There are concrete planters around that spot in the plaza, and someone has guessed that the sound reflects back to that point. But that takes a little of the romance out of it, and a little romance is always welcome.

By the way, that's one big building in the background - the BOK Tower. It's the centerpiece of downtown, and the second-tallest building in Oklahoma at 52 floors.