Will Rogers’ Birthplace, Bowling Ball Art, and a Mysterious Space Capsule: Just Another Day Exploring Oklahoma

Today I ventured north to a couple of my favorite spots and one new one. I began the journey at Will Rogers’ Birthplace Ranch in Oologah, Oklahoma. If you’ve never been, it’s really worth the trip. The house offers a guided audio tour, there are plenty of animals to keep you entertained (including two peacocks coming next week), and it’s just a lovely, peaceful place overlooking the lake. The family takes great pride in maintaining the house and grounds, and even today I had the privilege of meeting the husband of Nancy Smith, Will Rogers’ niece. Nancy passed away in 2016, and there is a tree on the property planted in her honor, which her husband lovingly tends to and checks on often. Today, the groundskeeper was hard at work planting flowers. He told me they want to make sure everything looks great for the summer, when a lot of visitors will stop by. He could tell that I took an eager interest in learning about the place, so he told me to follow him to his truck (Don’t try this at home kids) where he gifted me a lovely book of love letters between Will and his beloved Betty. Will wooed Betty through letters for eight long years before he finally convinced her to marry him. (A man who knew what he wanted.)

Next, I ventured north to Nowata, to see Chris Barbee’s famous Bowling Ball Art Yard. If you’re a lover of one-of-a-kind sites, this is the place for you. A few years ago, Chris was a retiree, and like many in his situation, wasn’t quite sure what to do with his time. An avid bowler, he decided to spend his golden years on a creative project: creating art out of bowling balls! And create art he has done. His entire yard is full of fun and inventive art pieces he has created using bowling balls. Walking through the yard, you’ll find Mr. Potatohead, Mickey Mouse, a giant American Flag, a helicopter, and perhaps his masterpiece, a giant to-scale billiards table fashioned with bowling balls as the pool balls. Chris loves welcoming visitors to the yard, and has welcomed visitors from all over the world. Stop by and say hi sometime!

Finally, on my way home, I stopped off to set my eyes on a famed Oklahoma roadside attraction that I had long coveted-the Winganon Space Capsule in Talala, Oklahoma. Just about a mile off of Highway 169, this was my only new spot to visit today, and wow, was it ever worth it.

In 1971, a cement mixer was involved in an accident. Because the mixer was too heavy to move, it remained there for many years. In 2008, an enterprising young couple decided to paint it silver and turn it into a space capsule! Or was it all a government coverup….you decide. Big thanks to the folks at Atlas Obscura who help me with a lot of research on places to see in Oklahoma! Till next time, folks, thanks for exploring with me!