October 8: Joplin MO to Elk Rapids OK

 We rose early in Joplin and got ready to hit the road for a 5 hour+ drive across the state of Oklahoma to Elk City.  AS we drove we noticed the flatness of the roads and fields.  There appeared to be a lot of grazing land with cattle.  Driving through Tulsa and Oklahoma City broke up the early drive and then we started looking for coffee shops that might have iced latte.

I was overjoyed to see the Starbuck's sign at the next exit so we turned and began our search.  We followed the google map and suddenly realized that the Starbuck's was on the Tinker Air Force Base in the commissary!  We took a sudden turn and headed back to the highway, sad and caffeine-less.

Just past El Reno we began to see the famous red dirt of Oklahoma.  This was advertised by the sign for the Red Dirt Roadhouse (we didn't stop).  It was really striking to see dirt that is so brightly red, not tan, not black.

We finally pulled into Elk City on business route 40 to search for hotels and pick one that seemed comfortable and clean.  We drove all the way through town and back out toward the highway feeling a little frustrated and wondering if our happy travel-karma was running out on us.  Then, we spotted a Holiday Inn Express just off the I-40 entrance ramp.  We asked for a room and they had one.  It was nice, clean and quiet.  The desk clerk who checked us in recommended the Prairiefire Grill for dinner.  It was in a former train station.  All the food was made onsite from scratch.  Dinner was excellent - a little bit fancy, a little bit homey and very local.  This stop really boosted our mood and gave us plenty of rest for the long drive to Albuquerque ahead.

 

  Here is a throw-back for all friends who love the play (and have been in it) Oklahoma!  We encountered the sign early in our journey across the state.