Oklahoma and Texas: Route 66, Mishaps and Steak

OKLAHOMA - Day 5

We pulled away from our mom and pop RV park in Arkansas without ever meeting Jerry, the friendly man who took our reservation without a credit card and trusted that we would put our payment in an envelope on his front porch. We headed toward the Oklahoma border, ready to be greeted by fields of corn and friendly people.

We've been recording our state line crossings on our camcorder so we waited patiently for the Welcome to Oklahoma sign to appear so that we could make a dramatic entrance. No sign ever came, but I cranked up the theme song to the movie Oklahoma on my iPhone and sang along, to the eye rolls and head shakes of my kids. 

Then we drove across the entire state of Oklahoma. The whole thing. 

The first half was fairly uneventful. The land was flat and, well, that's about it. We passed through Tulsa and then approached Oklahoma City. At this point I was driving and ended up having a stressful encounter with some aggressive drivers. I was muttering under my breath about how I wanted to get the hell out of Oklahoma City when we decided to pull off and grab something quick for lunch. We ordered subs from a surly woman who was snapping at all the customers and decided to hightail it out of the city once and for all.

This is when another RV trip mishap occurred. Two lessons learned here the hard way: always make wide turns out of parking lots and make sure all cabinets are secured and that nothing heavy is in them. As we pulled out onto the road the back tire of the RV road up on the curb and then slammed down, rocking the RV violently side to side. Crashing sounds ensued from the back and Ella suddenly let out a bloodcurdling shriek. Jack yelled at us to stop and we literally pulled over in the middle of the road, lights blinking. A heavy flashlight laden with four double D batteries had fallen out of the overhead cabinet and right onto Ella's head.

This delayed our journey since we sat in the RV for quite some time, recovering from the fright of the moment and making sure that Ella was ok. For a short time I was sure we'd be visiting an urgent care center instead of a steakhouse that evening, but she slowly started to feel better so we continued on. First the gas mixup, then the ripped sewer hose, now a head injury. And it was only day 5. Crossing fingers that's the worst that happens!

Before we left Oklahoma we decided to embrace the journey along what was now the route of the old Route 66. We pulled off in Clinton OK and toured the Route 66 museum. It was a nice break from driving and everyone enjoyed all the Route 66 kitsch and memorabilia. We hopped back into the RV refreshed and ready to greet Texas.

 

TEXAS

At long last we finally reached our destination: Amarillo, Texas. When we were checking in the lady asked if we were taking the free limo to the Big Texan Steakhouse. I said yes and how quickly can it pick us up? After all the drama of the day we were starving and ready for some relaxation and entertainment. We quickly hooked up the RV and a second later a limo with horns on the front pulled up alongside us to pick us up.

The Big Texan is definitely a tourist trap, but a must-see along the old Route 66. They've got all the kitschy stuff there: a shooting gallery, a large stuffed brown bear that people pose with as if they're being attacked (John included!), old photos on the walls that change into skeletons as you walk by, stuffed deer and moose heads lining the enormous dining hall that looks like a cross between a German beer hall and an old saloon. They had a traveling group of guys with fiddles and guitars serenading the guests with songs like "Cotton Eyed Joe" and of course, the crowning touch: the stage where they put the brave souls who attempt to eat the 72 oz. steak.

 

When we got there the stage was empty so we figured it must not be a nightly event. I mean really, who in their right mind would attempt such a ridiculous feat? The answer would be three crazy Australians and a big beefy dude from Houston. About halfway through our meal they rang the bell to announce that they had people who had accepted the challenge. Large digital clocks above the stage showed how much time was left (they have an hour to stuff down the entire steak, baked potato, dinner roll and salad). People were getting up and taking picture, cheering them on. At one point the sole girl doing the challenge got up and dramatically took off her belt, which was they grabbed by another patron and gleefully lifted up in the air which caused the entire room to cheer.

 

It was very entertaining and needless to say, none of them finished within the hour so I guess they had a big bill to pay on the way out. Our limo driver on the way back told us that they get groups of Australians coming through at least once a week and that they are notorious for getting up on the stage for the challenge. I guess it's all part of the American experience!

The next morning I got up early and went for a four mile run around the neighborhoods of Amarillo. I was chased by a little yappy dog who followed me for a block nipping at my heels, I heard a rooster crow and I ended up stepping in a big pile of mud along the way. But it was all good. We were all pleasantly surprised by the mild temperatures in Texas. We packed up the RV and got ready to start day six and the road to New Mexico! One step closer to the Grand Canyon.