Stephen H. Long Trail 1819 — 1820

Day 33: September 25th, 2008 Clinton — Oklahoma City

Map Clinton to Oklahoma City

The Super 8 is pleasantly quiet and I am able to sleep almost until eight in the morning. Seems my plan for the Early Bird breakfast until 9am will not work out. But who cares, first I make myself now ready. Then I quickly prepare a text message. Around a quarter past nine I walk over to the Branding Iron Restaurant from yesterday, which also serves breakfast. The service is okay. Only my coffee ran dry for a short amount of time. But the bacon is really great! I pay and put my stuff together in the motel room. Then I quickly send my text message before I hit the road.

BUS40/W Gary Blvd, Clinton, OK

My navigation software does not send me to I–40 this time but over highways back to my route. So I follow this advice.

Highway 73, OK

Highway 44, Lake Washita/Foss Reservoir, OK

First I drive on Highway 73, then on Highway 44 along Lake Washita.

At Butler I continue on Highway 33.

Near Hammon I turn onto Highway 34. Then I continue on Highway 47. Finally I am back on my trail and I continue now on gravel roads.

N 2140 Rd, OK

E 800 Rd, OK

E 800 Rd, OK

E 800 Rd, OK

E 800 Rd, OK

N 2170 Rd, OK

N 2170 Rd, OK

N 2170 Rd, OK

E 815 Rd, OK

E 810 Rd, OK

Alternately, I am driving on pavement and gravel.

E 770 Rd, OK

Backroad, OK

Backroad, OK

In the end I get blocked once again by a “No Trespassing”–sign. When I am still busy studying my map on how to circle around, the property owner drives up by chance and stops. He thinks I maybe got lost. But I tell him about my historic trails and he offers me the permit to trespass his property. He even gives me an exact description on how I must drive through his property and that there is also a small water crossing involved. This is really nice, especially compared to this arrogant guy in Texas!

He tells me that his family owns this property since 1903 and it’s about 1000 acre. This is really big. I say thank you and before we say good–bye we also exchange our names: His name is Tuffy and is a really nice elderly farmer, maybe around 70 to 80 years old and a big cigar end in the corner of his mouth — a real genuine guy! It is so sad that exactly now someone is approaching and he must drive on. Otherwise I would have asked him if I would be allowed to take a picture of him!

Backroad, Sorter Creek, OK

Backroad, Sorter Creek, OK

Backroad, OK

Backroad, OK

Backroad, OK

Backroad, OK

Now I drive on through his property. The water crossing looks a bit muddy. But you can already see that many others have passed this obstacle. So I also dare to cross it. Just to be sure, I put in 4LO. There is no problem in crossing and I follow his way description until I am back on a bigger gravel road.

E 760 Rd, Sorter Creek, OK

Unfortunately I run into private property again soon. But this time, no land owner shows up. So I drive back a lot and must continue on the highway. But only for a short distance. Then I continue again on backroads, alternately on pavement and gravel.

N 2330 Rd, OK

N 2330 Rd, Trail Creek, OK

N 2340 Rd, OK

N 2340 Rd, Flanders Creek, OK

N 2340 Rd, Flanders Creek, OK

Backroad, OK

Backroad, OK

E 890 Rd, OK

E 900 Rd, OK

Backroad, OK

Backroad, OK

Turkey, Backroad, OK

E 970 Rd, OK

One time I must drive a detour because the bridge is gone. Another time they have built a small detour.

CR 2510, OK

CR 2510, Deer Creek, OK

Old 66 Rd/CR N4280, OK

Old 66 Rd/CR N4280, OK

Old 66 Rd/CR N4280, OK

Old 66 Rd/CR N4280, OK

Beside traveling on backroads, I must go back to the Interstate for a short distance once.

W Reno Ave, OK

S Karns Rd, OK

SW 15th St, Canadian River, OK

22nd St/SW D1097 Rd, OK

S Ranch Rd, Canadian River, OK

S Heaston Rd/CR N2760, OK

Then I am back on my backroads and drive alternately on pavement and gravel.

At Union City I cross once again the Canadian River.

W Silver City Ridge Rd, East Creek, OK

S Meridian Ave, Oklahoma City, OK

Then I arrive well in Oklahoma City. Without any searching around, I find the planned Motel 6. But there is nobody at the reception! After a felt eternity of 10 minutes (in the meantime another one has arrived who waits) the reception lady shows up with a glower and commanding tone. No word of excuse for the waiting. Never before I have seen someone this unfriendly. Also to the French guy behind me, she is as unfriendly as she was to me. But at least she is quick in checking people in.

I put my stuff into the room. Then I check the first part of my video taping. There should also be an Outback around here and only half a mile away. This is where I want to have dinner. But unfortunately I am not able to find it straightaway and I am not in the mood for searching around. Therefore I go to the Trappers Fishcamp, which looks really cozy. So does also look the interior and I receive a perfect dinner service from April.

Around half past nine I leave the restaurant completely full. There I have tried a Prime Rib for the first time, which was good. Now I hurry up to get back to my motel to check the rest of my video taping. Then I write my diary. My planned Wal–Mart visit is now postponed to tomorrow. Even so, it is already half past twelve when I am eventually able to go to bed…

The next day is in preparation…