...to Wheeler, Texas and the Texas Panhandle [mostly photographs]

[Daniel Kalal]

Late October is the perfect time to ride this area; there may not be many trees, but the ones that are there are bound to be in full color.
 
Kansas
 
Attica, Kansas, next to the Santa Fe tracks.
 

 
While Attica exists only because of the Santa Fe Railroad, the location of Medicine Lodge--with a good supply of water and nearby salt--has probably been occupied by people for centuries.
 

 
Gypsum Hills, Kansas (locally called the Gyp Hills).  Kansas isn't often thought of for its mines (or quarries), but Gypsum has been industrially mined in this region since the mid-1800s, and the mineral was likely gathered long before that.
 

 
US-160 through Barber County.
 

 
West of the Gypsum Hills, it's still somewhat rolling.  This is US-160.
 

 

 

 
Texas
 
Perryton, Texas
 

 
Riding south on US-83.
 

 

 
Looking south over the broad Canadian River Valley.
 

 

 

 
Canadian, Texas.  This location would have always been a natural stopping point along the trail that follows the Canadian River.  Today, the BNSF Railroad runs through the town.
 

 
Briscoe, Texas.  There's also a Briscoe County in Texas, but this little town is in Wheeler County.
 

 
Wheeler, Texas.  I noticed a statue of an astronaut; it turns out that Alan Bean (forth man to walk on the moon) was born here.
 

 
The Wheeler County courthouse still looks nice.  On the other hand, I’m not sure what they were going for with that old jail building.
 
 
 
Oklahoma
 
Custer City, Oklahoma.
 

 
The Canton, Oklahoma bridge crossing over the North Canadian River is not here.  The old steel truss bridges in Oklahoma are rapidly being torn down and replaced by uninspiring reinforced concrete.  For now, look for an alternate route.
 

 
Fairview, Oklahoma.
 

 
Cherokee, Oklahoma.
 

 
Kansas
 

 
The Salt Fork of the Arkansas River begins in Kansas, just about here.
 

 
Oklahoma-58 is not much used, but it is--at the very least--paved.   After crossing north in to Kansas, the pavement gives way to dirt and the road loses its highway number.
 

[Gliderjohn]

Thanks for the pictures. Looks like it was a nice ride.
GliderJohn

[oldbike54]

 Maybe the folks who designed the jail in Wheeler County were hoping the Pythoners would film a movie there 

 That part of the country has a unique charm , thanks Deke .

 Dusty

[rocker59]

The Wheeler County courthouse still looks nice.  On the other hand, I�m not sure what they were going for with that old jail building.
 

I think the castle theme was supposed to give the appearance of strength.  The castle theme can be seen in many prisons and small town jails around the country.  The old Washington County Jail here in my town also has a castle them.
 

The Canton, Oklahoma bridge crossing over the North Canadian River is not here.  The old steel truss bridges in Oklahoma are rapidly being torn down and replaced by uninspiring reinforced concrete.  For now, look for an alternate route.
 

 

When was this photo taken?  Is this the Main Street bridge?  Or, Santa Fe Road?

[Daniel Kalal]

I think the castle theme was supposed to give the appearance of strength.  The castle theme can be seen in many prisons and small town jails around the country.  The old Washington County Jail here in my town also has a castle them.

They're proud of it.  I'm glad they didn't take it down--it might have been too difficult.

When was this photo taken?  Is this the Main Street bridge?  Or, Santa Fe Road?

The photo was taken yesterday.  This is East Main Street / OK-58.  I crossed over the upriver dam as I wasn't sure if the Santa Fe Road crossing was open, either (there were no signs directing traffic towards it).

[Guzzistajohn]

Hy 160 is Campbell street in Springfield, MO. I took it from SGF to the Royal George a couple of summers back. It's a nice way to get across Ks.

[Daniel Kalal]

Hy 160 is Campbell street in Springfield, MO. I took it from SGF to the Royal George a couple of summers back. It's a nice way to get across Ks.

I agree.  If asked, I'll suggest either US-160 or US-36 to cross Kansas.  I-70 is the worst (being no better than I-70 across Missouri).

[rocker59]

They're proud of it.  I'm glad they didn't take it down--it might have been too difficult.



The photo was taken yesterday.  This is East Main Street / OK-58.  I crossed over the upriver dam as I wasn't sure if the Santa Fe Road crossing was open, either (there were no signs directing traffic towards it).

 

[Gliderjohn]

From Daniel:

If asked, I'll suggest either US-160 or US-36 to cross Kansas.

If you need to go out and back through southern KS, suggest taking 160 one way and then 166 the other. They are not far apart and both have their charms.
GliderJohn

[Texas Turnip]

Did you go further south on 83 to Shamrock and kiss the blarney stone? A number of towns such as Briscoe are not in Brisco County. Tyler, TX is not in Tyler County etc.
 There used to be a Veterans ride on 83 from Perryton to the Rio Grande Valley. 600 miles or so.
A motorcycle friend of mine lives in Perryton. He told me how his family moved via train from AR to Perryton in 1920 where his dad got 5 sections of land.

Ditto on the pictures and refreshing my memory of trips to the panhandle.
Tex

[Sheepdog]

Great photos, Daniel. I've spent a great deal of time in the Texas Panhandle, but it never occurred to me that I should take a picture. The rigors of work caused me to overlook the charm of the area.

[Daniel Kalal]

...to Shamrock and kiss the blarney stone?

I've been through Shamrock several times (although, not on this ride), but didn't know they had a blarney stone.  Of course, I also have no interest in kissing the real deal in Ireland, but what is supposed to be the result of kissing the one in Texas?

[Guzzistajohn]

I was given the opportunity to kiss the Blarney Stone @ a Shriner St. Patty's Day party one time, It wasn't pretty  

[rocker59]

I've been through Shamrock several times (although, not on this ride), but didn't know they had a blarney stone.  Of course, I also have no interest in kissing the real deal in Ireland, but what is supposed to be the result of kissing the one in Texas?

https://www.roadsideamerica.com/story/2228

[Kiwi_Roy]

Bump