17th day - 27.02.2022

The breakfast lives up to its promise. This place is simply a class better with everything. There are even two waffle batters. In addition, omelette with bell peppers, potato wedges, a biscuit, cranberry juice, real maple syrup, and yogurt. Three different types of coffee and fruits. Funny enough, there is a quirky group of women at my breakfast. All just over 20, all dressed in relatively tight sport shorts, and all wearing crocs. I don't need to mention that the sport shorts don't exactly flatter their figures. Out of courtesy, I don't take a picture. But it's already hilarious.

Refreshed and in a good mood, I check out. On the way to the parking lot, I discover that they overcharged me by more than $20. I walk back and complain. Once again, I realize that the systems in Germany and the USA work completely differently. While their room rate does not include anything, i.e., no taxes and no fees, which are added later, everything is gross for us. Nevertheless, they made a mistake of over 20 €. They assure me that they will correct it. A small shadow on an otherwise perfect stay.

I always drive along the 180 for the entire route until almost Fort Worth. The landscape hardly changes anymore. But there are many small towns along my route and I stop in five of them. These little nests have nice cafes and are perfect for a rest. It is the first day when I actually don't have any sightseeing planned. And it gives me a little peace. The driving is very pleasant, the traffic minimal, and the landscape, although not so spectacular, is relaxing. A thoroughly relaxing drive.

After a small purchase at a Wal-Mart, I arrive in Fort Worth relatively early. The motel is run by an older man from Trinidad and Tobago. I tell him that during my studies, I once met a compatriot of his. And she raved about the islands. But that was already 30 years ago. He says that a lot has changed. Especially the crime has increased incredibly. And they have a corrupt government. Since I have never dealt with this, I plan to read something about it. These suggestions are part of the 🇺🇸 road trip!

My room is great again, almost as good as the last one. But at the entrance area, I see that I shouldn't expect breakfast. But that doesn't matter. It wasn't planned anyway. I try to cope with a few cold symptoms with medicine from the format. It's always a little worse at night. But that's why there's night medicine. And America is the Mecca for over-the-counter medicine.

I'm a little dreading tomorrow because I have to go through two big cities. I'm not really excited about that, but I really wanted to go to Dallas. If you were born in 1963 like me, or around that time, you couldn't escape the TV series back then. And then you want to see it at least once while driving. After that, I prefer the lonely routes again, even if I stay in Oklahoma City tomorrow night. But that's the last big city on my way back to San Diego.