CATOOSA, Okla. () — ABC7 Chicago is taking viewers on a nostalgic ride through Route 66 history with “Pier To Pier: Celebrating 100 Years of Route 66.” This week, Ryan Chiaverini hit the Mother Road in a 2026 Hyundai Palisade, crossing through Missouri, Kansas and Oklahoma as the journey continued west.

The trip began in Springfield, Missouri, at the Queen’s Gate 66 monument, a landmark that honors the city’s deep ties to America’s most famous highway. Etched into the monument are details about Springfield’s role in Route 66 lore, including its claim as the birthplace of the road. It was in Missouri’s third-largest city that a telegram was sent confirming “66” as the official number for the iconic highway.

Ryan also got some expert guidance from Michael Wallis, the Route 66 author who also lent his voice to Disney/Pixar’s “Cars.” Wallis pointed him toward Galena, Kansas, where a weathered tow truck parked at the former Kan-O-Tex gas station helped spark an idea for Pixar animators. That rusty roadside find inspired Tow Mater in the 2006 hit movie “Cars,” turning the site—now known as Cars On The Route—into a beloved stop along Kansas’ short but memorable 13-mile stretch of Route 66.

The final stop brought Ryan to one of Oklahoma’s most recognizable roadside attractions: the Blue Whale of Catoosa. Since 1972, the playful concrete whale has been a favorite backdrop for family road trips. Measuring about 80 feet long and 20 feet high, the structure was built in a Route 66 swimming pond in Catoosa by zoologist Hugh Davis.

“He hand-mixed 5-gallon buckets of cement at a time, hand-applied it,” said Jennifer Buchanan, the City of Catoosa’s director of visitor services. “The city of Catoosa bought the property from the family in 2000.”

With its bright blue paint and cheerful cartoon-like shape, the Blue Whale has long been linked to a charming tale that it was built as an anniversary surprise for Davis’ wife, Zelta. But local history tells a slightly different story.

“It actually was built as something fun for the grandkids and their friends to swim off of,” Buchanan said. “It just happened to be finished on their 34th wedding anniversary so he jokingly said, I gave you something no woman has.”

Swimming is no longer allowed in the pond, but the City of Catoosa now maintains the property as a park where visitors can picnic, explore the history of the Blue Whale and stop by the visitor center and gift shop. Ryan and his crew picked up a few souvenirs before getting back on Route 66 and continuing west toward Tulsa.

Pier To Pier: Celebrating 100 Years of Route 66 is sponsored by Hyundai.