Day Four

Day 4: Three states, one day.

We checked into a hotel off I-40, just before Amarillo, TX late last night. We hadn't seen Texas in daylight, so waking up to prairie, surrounded by more prairie was interesting. We eagerly asked the hotel "concierge" about Cadillac Ranch. His response: People come from Europe to see it... I don't see the point... It's just the chassis, not even the whole car. So we ignored him and went anyway. We reached the destination... and survived a frigid, tornado-like walk (it was really cold) about 200 yards from the road.

We were not alone. A man stepped out of an impressive tour bus with an extreme paint job. We think his name was Allen Johnson or Tom Allen... We assumed he was a race car driver. He walked the distance to the cars carrying 2 gold trophies, and followed by a lady carrying a giant check in the wind, which was hilarious, as giant checks turn into sails in windy weather. Following them, a man with a camera. We aren't sure what this photo op was all about. Why did they need the giant check photographed, too? This has since given us a few good laughs.

On our way in, we met two nice ladies traveling from Michigan. We talked about life on the road as wandering women. This seems to be the season of lady travelers. They told us they left some cans of paint we could use. Pink and green.

We found a place inside one of the cars, shielded from the extreme weather, and sprayed MALAGA 4-EVA. We took some pictures, then sprinted back to the car.

Windy day at Cadillac Ranch

On the road again... Headed towards Oklahoma!

Upon crossing the Texas-Oklahoma border we stopped into the most impressive rest-stop we had ever seen... Clean bathrooms, granite countertops, free coffee, leather chairs, and two of the sweetest Oklahomans with thick accents. We talked about where Liz's great-grandparents, and grandfather came from, Dewey County and Tuttle, OK. 

She was eager to tell us about all there was for us in Oklahoma. Her suggestions for Oklahoma City sites included some neighborhoods, a river tour,  pawn shops and the Cracker Barrel Gift Shop. She was really excited about the Cracker Barrel Gift Shop.

A passer-by added to the suggestions... "you know what's really good? Golden Corral." We nodded, thanked, and left. I think we'll skip Golden Corral this trip.

Oklahoma was flat, but surprisingly beautiful. Dark red dirt, bright yellow fields, blue sky. It's just like the song... Oh, what a beautiful morning...Bright golden haze on the meadow...

Our stop of the day would be Oklahoma City, about halfway between Amarillo and Little Rock. It would be a quick stop. Lunch, stretch, leave.

Per Isaac's suggestion we ate bison burgers at Kaiser's American Bistro where the waiter called Laura "ma'am." Delicious. Friendly.

Bison burgers, sweet potato fries, and a root beer float.

We drove through OKC, passed landmarks and beautiful buildings and both decided we would come back to take full advantage of the city's offerings.

East of Oklahoma City, the land became hilly and forested, which surprised us as we hadn't heard of this type of Oklahoma .

Great names in Oklahoma:

Lotawata - right near a lake

Thlopthlocco tribe

Toad Suck Park?!

Fantasy Island on Tinker Diagonal
Deep Deuce

Crossed the Arkansas border, greeted the state with a "Hellooooooooo, Arkansas!" A tradition Laura brought with her on this trip.

After an interesting phone conversation, we made last minute reservations at a hotel on the outskirts of Little Rock. Sleep after a day of driving...ahh.