Stephen H. Long Trail 1819 — 1820

Day 32: September 24th, 2008 Amarillo — Clinton

Map Amarillo to Clinton

Today I wake up again around five in the morning because my ear plugs are annoying me. But without them I am also not able to sleep because of the nearby Interstate. Therefore I am just dozing a bit. Around seven in the morning I finally get up. All in all I must drive the long distance of 100 miles back to Canadian.

I have breakfast again at the Cracker Barrel and check illegally my emails by the next door motel WiFi. Then I hit the road.

Sunset Highway 60/E Amarillo Blvd, Amarillo, TX

Train, Highway 60, TX

First I drive out of Amarillo. There I pass the airport on Highway 60 and am able to watch how a plane starts its descent to the airport over the Interstate.

Highway 60/W Wilks St, Pampa, TX

Highway 60, TX

Next, I reach Pampa, where the room was too expensive and the restaurant situation too unclear whether I will be able to get some food or not.

Highway 60/W Commercial St, Miami, TX

Highway 60, TX

Like Yesterday, I drive through Miami in Texas again.

Highway 60/83, TX

FM2388/Marshall Dr, TX

FM2388/Marshall Dr, TX

On Highway 60 I make good miles. However, it still takes until half past twelve until I arrive in Canadian. Just to be sure I gas up in town before I start my originally planned journey of today.

CR P/Marshall Dr, TX

CR P/Marshall Dr, TX

CR P/Marshall Dr, TX

CR P/Marshall Dr, TX

CR P/Marshall Dr, TX

CR P/Marshall Dr, TX

CR P/Marshall Dr, TX

CR P/Marshall Dr, TX

CR P/Marshall Dr, TX

CR P/Marshall Dr, TX

Actually, I expect being blocked by private property again at the end of paved roads. But to my surprise I am allowed to drive everything as I planned it.

CR N, State Line TX and OK

Without any issues I reach the state line to Oklahoma on gravel roads, where a small mud hole greets me exactly at the state line.

N 1700 Rd, OK

E 780 Rd, OK

E 780 Rd, OK

E 780 Rd, OK

E 780 Rd, OK

Then I drive alternately on paved and gravel roads.

N 1740 Rd, OK

N 1740 Rd, Antelope Hills, OK

N 1750 Rd, Antelope Hills, OK

The Antelope Hills can already be seen from far away. Also the Canadian River has left his traces here. You wouldn’t believe that such a small creek would be able to build this kind of canyon.

E 740 Rd, OK

N 1780 Rd, OK

N 1780 Rd, OK

N 1840 Rd, OK

N 1840 Rd, OK

N 1840 Rd, OK

Now I continue for a short distance on pavement before I turn onto a gravel road again.

E 820 Rd, OK

N 1940 Rd, OK

E 780 Rd, OK

E 780 Rd, OK

E 730 Rd, OK

E 730 Rd, OK

Again I drive alternately on paved and gravel roads, whereas the gravel is deep red around here.

N 1980 Rd, OK

E 713 Rd, OK

E 710 Rd, OK

E 720 Rd, OK

N 2050 Rd, OK

E 710 Rd, OK

Now I continue through the hilly landscape of Oklahoma.

N 2090 Rd, OK

N 2090 Rd, OK

N 2090 Rd, OK

N 2090 Rd, OK

Once again I take some gravel under my wheels before I finally turn onto the highway for today.

Highway 34, OK

The sun is getting lower when I turn onto Highway 34.

I still make good miles and arrive in Elk City just before 7pm. But also here everything is booked. The lady at the Motel 6 reception is even so nice to call a bunch of other motels. But they are also completely booked. So I drive back to the Interstate. Worst case, I must drive the 100 miles to Oklahoma City — seems like I am getting used to situations like this…

But already at the next small town Clinton I am able to find plenty of rooms at the local Super 8. And just next door they recommend the Branding Iron restaurant within the Days Inn. I quickly put my stuff into the room. Then I walk over for dinner. I order the filet, because it looks like the most reasonable thing on the menu. However, it is not really great but still okay. Instead of medium I also received it well done, which is not really bothering me too much.

Around 9pm I pay and walk back to my motel. There I first check my video taping of yesterday. Also I check my route for visiting my friends Christine & Chris at a concert in Texas and my friends in Charlotte. This should be all doable, whereas finding a motel in Winnsboro, Texas, for the night might be getting difficult. The same is probably for finding a restaurant for dinner. Maybe I stay overnight in Mt. Pleasant, which is around 45 minutes away. Then I quickly write my diary bevore I fall dog–tired into my bed around half past twelve…

The next day is in preparation…