Colleen would be staying with family in OK City and Lynette would be staying with her family (I don't recall the location).
I had told my dad before I left for my trip that we were staying in Oklahoma City. He called his cousin Modine to tell her that I would be stopping in and to expect me. My dad was born in Oklahoma City, OK. Since I didn't know the area and wasn't in the mood to get lost, I called and told him that the plans had changed.
We all headed out towards Oklahoma. We diverted onto Old Route 66 in Devils Elbow, MO.
Prior to this, my right chap leg zipper came undone. I didn't want to stop the group, so I just sucked it up and waited until our next stop. So, when someone motioned to turn around to take the side road to the Devils Elbow Bridge, I was relieved.
We parked at the Elbow Inn and I asked Jett to help with my zipper. Seemed that my chaps weren't used to the daily zipping and unzipping on this trip and finally gave out. What was I going to do? Well, the only logical thing to do...USE DUCT TAPE!!!This is where I dubbed myself, "Duct Tape". I think that duct tape, velcro, bungee cords and baking soda are the best inventions ever! :)
I asked Jett to please duct tape my chaps. She did a criss-cross pattern and it seemed to do the job.
We rode onto the Devil's Elbow Bridge and parked our bikes there. What a beautiful view of the Big Piney River. The Devil's Elbow Bridge is marked as one Missouri's "Seven Scenic Wonders." The steel truss bridge is very rusted and looks as if it's on it's last leg. I hope they preserve this wonder.
This video makes me laugh so much!
We get back on the I-44 to head towards Oklahoma. After approx. 1½ hrs, we head into Springfield, MO where Lilia rides past me and up to take the lead position. She diverts onto I-160 West to lead us to the Fantastic Caverns. I've heard of this place and never in my imagination did I ever think I would end up here. Fantastic Caverns is America's ONLY drive-thru cave. How effing cool is that?! Oh wait...I'm claustrophobic! eeeeekkkk!!!!
I was somewhat excited and wasn't sure what we were going to do. Lilia had checked to see the rates and the length of the tour.
A couple of the girlz didn't seem too keen on this. After all, some needed to meet up with relatives and we also were to meet up with the Tulsa chapter of WITW. After a few phone calls, and prodding those reluctant ones, we ventured on our journey through the caves. 
Our tour master, Brad, Bryan, something with a B told us that the caves were first discovered in 1862 by a farmer's dog but it wasn't until 5 years later that the first exploration took place by 12 women from Springfield. That's when I yelled out, "Towanda!" Everyone erupted in laughter...well, the guys didn't really get it. :) Their names still remain on the cave's wall.
It was FANTASTIC!!! LOL! Even those who weren't too thrilled about the detour, really enjoyed the ride. Thanks Lilia!
It was nice to actually go somewhere and see some of the great sites this country has to offer. I will say, I would never have gone on my own to see this site.
Once we got into Oklahoma, we went ahead and cancelled our OK City room reservations and reserved rooms in Tulsa, OK instead.
We met up with the Tulsa WITW chapter at a local biker hangout. Great hospitality and lots of laughs. Each of their members have biker names. Something we finally developed on our trip...well, some of us. :)
Here are some of the the Tulsa, OK chapter biker names that I recollect:
Chip - She works for Frito Lay
Sprout - She loves brussell sprouts
Dammit Beaner - don't recall why but I thought she was cute. :)
Hippie Chick - self explanatory
Undertaker - runs a funeral home
Tazer - I think she's a sheriff
They escorted us back to our hotel and waited while we dropped our bags off...we were heading to the casino! They took us on Riverside Drive, where we ran parallel with the Arkansas River. That was really pretty. Only a couple of the girlz stuck around and we thanked the others for their hospitality before heading inside.
We played a bit then headed back to our rooms. Jett was leading (I know she's tired of leading) :) and we got lost. Carol went off somewhere...think her GPS was guiding her. Jett, Becky and myself finally pulled over into a parking lot while we saw Anita & Lilia turn a corner. We waited and waited but we didn't see them. A police car looked at us and figured, we were lost.
Next thing you know, we see Lilia and Anita, and the lights flashing of a patrol car. We said, "oh shit!" We thought they were being pulled over for, well...you know?
Next thing you know, the officer is in front of the girlz, they pass us and we join in. We were being personally escorted back to our hotel. How effing cool is that?! The officer who escorted us is Naresh Peraud. He also rides a motorcycle. Did a few photo ops...which, I could have sworn I used my camera but I have never found the pics.
Carol K is already there. Obviously, her GPS got her there. I preferred getting lost and getting a personal police escort. :)
We'll be heading to Enid, OK to meet up with Colleen and Lynette before we head out.
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