Oklahoma City, Oklahoma

Labor Omnia Vincit 
(Labor Conquers All Things)

State Animal: Buffalo
State Bird: Scissor-tailed Flycatcher
State Flower: Oklahoma  Rose
State Beverage: Milk
State Fruit: Strawberry
State Vegetable: Watermelon (Correct. Watermelon)

The world’s first parking meter was born in Oklahoma City

“Oklahoma: Come stroke our panhandle”

Fifty-five degrees is much cooler going 75 mph than it is standing in your garage. Our trip to Oklahoma City taught me that nasty lesson. The first of a three state trip, the ride to OKC was rough. We made it about an hour and a half outside DFW when I had to pull over. Shaking uncontrollably and, of course, crying, it was simply too cold. A lovely little Braum’s right off I-35 was all the solace I needed. Rawley and I sat in the corner, hot cup of coffee in our hands, as I cried and decided I couldn’t do this anymore. If I couldn’t make it 2 hours up the road how could I make it to Alaska? Deciding The Honor Trip was a stupid idea and Dad wouldn’t know about it anyways, I gave up. Set in my decision, I told Rawley we should just go back. 

But he wasn’t having it. Rawley, coming from a strict upbringing of never quitting, wouldn’t allow it. He gave me every reason in the book: we would be just as cold driving back home, I would have to tell everyone I quit, it might not be as cold up the road, we can always stop somewhere else and wait for the weather to warm. 

Finally, after many tears and a lot of pressure, I agreed to forge ahead. Back outside in the Braum’s parking lot, Rawley bundled me up creating his own little version of Randy from A Christmas Story. I tumbled onto the bike and cried all the way to Anne’s Chicken Fry House in Oklahoma City. 

Born in 1948 as a gas station and reborn into Anne’s Chicken Fry House in 1971, the restaurant has a  history of serving up the best chicken fried steak to travelers along the famous Route 66. I don’t typically enjoy chicken fried steak, so I figured if I ever had a chance to be turned into a fan, this would be the place. 

Anne’s was everything a diner should be. Small, quaint, inexpensive, smelled like grease (the good, clean kind), and the waitress wasn’t overly friendly. A juke box in the corner, photos-some black and white, some color, all a nod to old-time pop culture- lined the walls. The place was dripping in nostalgia from Howdy Doody to Elvis to any and everything Route 66, and of course, lit up with neon. 

We ordered fried green tomatoes, chicken fried steak, french fries, and copious amounts of coffee and Pepsi. Everything was piping hot and fresh with the chicken fried steak being the largest I had ever seen, hanging off the plate and taking up most of the tiny table. . Think the size of a laptop computer. Much to my disappointment, the food did not live up to its reputation. Dry, bland, with a surprising but welcomed lack of grease. But after all, the experience was what we were looking for. 

Outside, I leaned down and spread my Dad’s ashes. Right next to the bikes. In the grass. Next to some trash that had fallen from the dumpster. 

And for the second time that day, I questioned what the hell I was doing with The Honor Trip. 

***At the time this blog post was written Anne’s Chicken Fry House permanently closed due to the impact of COVID-19***

Our Oklahoma City theme song:

On the Road Again

Willie Nelson

On the road again
Just can’t wait to get on the road again
The life I love is making music with my friends

And I can’t wait to get on the road again
On the road again
Goin’ places that I’ve never been
Seein’ things that I may never see again
And I can’t wait to get on the road again

On the road again
Like a band of gypsies we go down the highway
We’re the best of friends
Insisting that the world keep turning our way
And our way
Is on the road again
I just can’t wait to get on the road again
The life I love is makin’ music with my friends
And I can’t wait to get on the road again

On the road again
Like a band of gypsies we go down the highway
We’re the best of friends
Insisting that the world keep turning our way
And our way
Is on the road again
Just can’t wait to get on the road again
The life I love is makin’ music with my friends
And I can’t wait to get on the road again
And I can’t wait to get on the road again