Friday, Aug 12 – Pittsburg, Kansas to Tulsa, Oklahoma
First, a visit to long-time friends at Pittsburg State University and a tour of some of the facilities in the Kansas Technology Center, then a drive to Tulsa.
Originally planning to get to the west side of Tulsa for the evening, my son saw a son for the Tulsa Aviation Museum that has an F-14 and absolutely wants to see it. So a hotel stay closer to the center of town and an easy drive to the Museum, and a longer day on Saturday!
Pittsburg State University
I was associated with the College of Technology at Pittsburg State University in Pittsburg, KS for somewhere around 30 years. The company I was working for became affiliated with Pitt State through an ISO committee and I was tasked with touring the Dean and many of his faculty through the Chrysler Tech Center and other facilities.
I was then appointed to the Dean’s Advisory Council for the College of Technology and traveled to Pitt State once or twice per year. I developed many friendships over the years. Many of the professors and instructors have retired and only two of the original crew are still around. With the Dean’s Advisory Council no longer in existence, I figured this was my last chance to say hello – and perhaps a final goodbye – to an institution I spent most of my professional career a part of.
I am still impressed with the hands-on approach to education the College has made a hallmark, and the dedication of the faculty to providing an education for students that helps them pursue a rewarding career. The job placement percentage approaches 100% each year, with excellent salaries at quality companies.
My plug for an education at PSU: they have programs in Wood Technology, Graphics & Imaging, Technology Education, Construction, Automotive Technology (2 & 4-year programs), CAT Heavy Equipment, Plastics, Castings, and I’m sure I’m missing a few. They have great partnerships with a large number of corporations throughout the US who donate equipment and compete to hire Pitt State grads. Many of their programs are nationally recognized.
And with that, some images of a great visit!
A big hello to Joe Levens, formerly a fellow member of the Dean’s Advisory Council who retired from industry (and the Council) and joined the PSU faculty. I had the pleasure of running into Joe as we were leaving.
Most importantly, a big thank you to Dr. John Iley and Dr. Jim Otter for renewing an old acquaintance and spending time with my son and I. They’ve dedicated themselves to providing kids with an education that prepares them for the business world.
Oklahoma
A jaunt down US-69 reunites us with Route 66 through Baxter Springs and into Oklahoma. Sadly, we missed the gas station in Baxter Springs and another photo op! We did catch the Dairy King in Commerce, OK, the Pryor Creek Bridge in Chelsea, the gun museum in Claremore and the Giant Oil Driller Man in Tulsa. And of course a stop at the blue whale in Catoosa and a jaunt down the section of 66 that was paved one lane and is now part bad pavement/blacktop and part gravel.
Imagine driving on a highway that is one lane, and when passing oncoming traffic you both slow down and move onto the shoulder to pass. It was a different era.
We even took a brief jaunt on I-44 to see the world’s second-largest McDonald’s – according to the guidebook – in the rest stop. A false claim, if you ask me! It’sa rest stop that goes over the highway with access from both directions. The building houses convenience stores on both sides, then up a level to a small gift shop, a Will Rogers statue, a Subway and a Mickey D’s.
Dairy King
In Commerce, OK lies a cute little shop that is open for business. Several others have posted that they bought a delicious chocolate chip cookie for $1.00. Sadly, the shop was closed when we drove by. But we had to stop and take a picture! A couple were doing the same when we drove up, a popular attraction.
Commerce is the childhood home of Mickey Mantle, known then as the Commerce Comet. Reportedly a Yankees scout came to Commerce, watched him play and offered him a contract. The rest, as they say, is history.US-
I can see why they’re called the Great Plains! The topography is the same as far as the eye can see. Once west of Springfield, MO, the land flattens out. With southeast Kansas and Oklahoma pretty similar, you’ve got farm and grazing land stretching on endlessly. Top a small rise and there’s another vista of grassland with some trees and the occasional small forest.
If there’s one image that comes to mind about Route 66, it’s the Blue Whale in Catoosa, OK. I am glad to see that it’s been re-opened and taken care of. They say no swimming is allowed but the slides and ladder at the tail are still accessible. I got a kick out of climbing up into the top of the whale. It’s a great place to stop and have a picnic, with large trees providing a ton of shade. With temps in the mid-90s as we drove through, the shade sure helped a lot.
I can only imagine how many people stopped to take a dip when air conditioning was non-existent in cars.
