Day 9 - Wed, June 11, 2008 - Tulsa, OK to Clinton, OK - 384.5 km, Total 3049.5 km.

High Temp displayed today 34C/93F.

Windy today & wind picked up as the day progressed.

Stopped at Round Barn In Arcadia. Barn originally built to withstand high winds & tornados. The volunteer there said he doubts that round barns, or just about any structure, can withstand a tornado. He also said that the loft is rented out for various occasions but square dances are not allowed because there are no square corners in this building. Met Rob Gilson outside the round barn. He was the recent owner of a 750 Kawi & he advised me to stop in at Jiggs for dinner on my way west.

Used my GPS to avoid one gravel section of Old 66 since I didn't expect it to be in very good shape due to the recent weather and I'm not too fond of hauling a trailer on gravel. Passed my first oil rigs after seeing pumpjacks in many fields along the road in OK. Crossed a 38 span bridge before Weatherford. Many explanations for large number but most plausible is that each was the most the equipment of the time could lift.

With the strong winds I was experiencing I wondered why I hadn't seen a wind farm since leaving Canada. Then, just outside of Weatherford I saw what looked like rotor blades lying in a field across the Interstate. Over the next rise I saw many wind turbines on both sides of the road and they were rotating faster than any I had seen before. Good clean power.

Decided to stay in Clinton for the night so took Rob's suggestion and went to find Jiggs first. There it was a short distance west after exiting I-40 at exit 62 North. Since it was shortly before the 7:00 p.m. closing time there was only one other couple there and we struck up a conversation. Turns out I was talking to George, the operator of Jiggs for 24 years & owner for 23. His son Lynn now owns Jiggs & carries on the tradition of great smokehouse food. As I was leaving, Lynn brought me some beef jerky for my trip. Great people so google Jiggs Smokehouse for more info if you intend to pass through this area.

Just a little over 100 km. to Texas.

Photos: Inside top of round barn from loft; 38-span bridge; Jiggs Smokehouse.