Tirzah’s Travel Thoughts: Oklahoma-Missouri 2010

In the past, I’ve often gotten depressed when people talk about their traveling, and I complain about how I’ve never been “anywhere.” This year, I wanted to do something about it. :) My very good friend Liz from Missouri invited me to see her in the Show-Me State about 16 years ago, and last month, I finally got to go! Instead of flying, I took a road trip so I could actually SEE America (and because driving is CHEAPER).

♫ Ooook-lahoma! ♫
I’ve visited Oklahoma before, with family, but in a different part of the state. You know how every small town in Texas has a Dairy Queen? I discovered that every small town in Eastern Oklahoma has a Braum’s. There are also plenty of Arby’s here and in Missouri. I ordered a salad at an Oklahoma Arby’s, but they got confused and thought I had ordered a salad that had been discontinued or something, so they gave me a different salad instead. There was turkey, bacon, and regular lettuce on top and shredded lettuce on the bottom. It was OK. (Rimshot.) But I might not order any more salads at Arby’s or Sonic, which also shreds their lettuce. (I’m making a big deal about fast-food salads because this topic has recently fascinated me. See my post from 10/11/09.)

I’ve lived in Texas all my life, so I’ve seen cows all my life. But on this road trip, I was struck at how many cows in Oklahoma (and Missouri) like to herd together under a tree and also take a dip in the pond on a hot summer day. Or maybe there just aren’t that many trees or ponds in West Texas to hang out at... I also passed 4 casinos on the road. Near the Missouri border, I took an Oklahoma toll road and paid $2 to travel about 38 miles. When compared to the Dallas toll roads (where you pay like $1 every few miles), it wasn’t as pretty, but it was a pretty good deal.

The people were friendly, and the scenery was beautiful! Next year, I should actually stop the car and take pictures, rather than take snapshots while I’m driving...


Show me Missouri!
My brother-in-law once told me that there isn’t anything in Missouri. I respectfully, severely disagree. Missouri reminds me of Texas! Except the trees are taller, the barns are quainter, and the landscape is prettier. I believe it was either on Route 5 or Highway 54 where I saw some chickens following a strutting rooster out on someone’s front lawn. I was particularly impressed with Osage Beach, which looks to me like they could film Hallmark movies there (if they haven’t already). The pictures I snapped from my car wouldn’t even begin to do it justice. However, I would like to share a photo I took near Columbia. It’s beautiful out there, especially at dusk!


My very good friend Liz drove me to St. Louis, where we toured the City Museum and visited the Arch! It was a very hot, very sweaty day, but I had tons of fun. (And I’m thankful that all the sweat didn’t show up in the pictures.)


Land of Lincoln!
Then on our way back, we got lost for about 5 minutes in ILLINOIS!! I was in ecstatic shock. First I visit Missouri for the first time, and then I accidentally/spontaneously visit Illinois for the first time!

Conclusion
This was the first summer in a long time that I’ve had the opportunity to travel for fun (versus traveling to take care of business or visit family -- not that visiting family isn’t fun!). I usually work during the summers or work overtime. This was the first time I had traveled out of state alone, and it was the farthest Northeast I had ever traveled alone. God protected me, and we had fun. What a completely, totally awesome trip! :)