19th day - March 01, 2022

The night in my huge bed was good. Funny enough, when I wake up, I see that I've only used half of it at most. So I don't seem to be tossing and turning in bed. Small beds are a sign of weakness here. Just like small portions when eating. And breakfast here is more of a big portion. It's amazing how cheap the room was in comparison.

For the first time on this trip, I get biscuits and gravy. So every morning wouldn't be for me. It's quite filling. Instead of fruit, there's canned fruit salad. The only weak point. Otherwise, it's really an experience here. Eating under these giant plants makes a big impression. I also stay seated for a while afterwards and enjoy this sight.

As mentioned before, today I'm driving on the old Route 66. In parts, it is still preserved and I want to drive those parts. It's only 15 minutes from my accommodations. And even though it's heading towards downtown, the traffic is really manageable. What a contrast to the previous big cities. I think I could even handle it in Oklahoma City.

After I've driven out of town, the road becomes two-lane and then single-lane. The clicking of the tires as you drive over the old concrete slabs is soothing. Almost like being on a train. The speed is of course moderate. You don't drive fast on this historic road. Interstate 40, which replaces the old highway in terms of traffic, is sometimes just a few meters away and it naturally goes much faster there. That's my luck, then no cars come along on this old route.

During the drive, you pass many historic places, motels, and gas stations. In El Reno, I stop. Roberts Grill looks completely run-down, but it has been open since 1926 and is the oldest hamburger joint in town. It's a shame that I just had breakfast. History is being breathed here. For almost 100 years, a burger with fried onions has been sold here. An institution.

The remaining patches of snow show that winter hasn't been over for long. But the temperatures are clearly climbing now and during the day it easily gets over 20°. After a short walk in downtown El Reno, I continue driving.

The next stop is Lucille's Old Gas Station, which is no longer in operation, of course. But the old gas pumps are still well preserved. And so they serve as a kind of small museum for a long-gone era. However, Lucille's Roadhouse is still here and I stop there for lunch. The food is abundant and tasty and not expensive either. It's totally normal and free to drink water with your food. Here, the profit is often made exclusively from the food and the servers rely on tips. That's why you shouldn't be stingy here either. 15% is standard, often a little more is allowed.

Driving down the old highway at a leisurely pace is tremendous fun. Especially when you're not in a hurry. Then you smile at the cars driving quickly next to you when the road once again runs parallel to the interstate just a few meters away. Thanks to Spotify, you naturally listen to road music.

In Clinton, I visit the Route 66 Museum. It is incredibly lovingly furnished and offers thousands of memorabilia. The over 2000-mile route from Chicago to Los Angeles was the first continuous road connecting the states. And that was almost 100 years ago. The exhibition shows how life has changed with Route 66 and how it has disappeared from everyday American life. Today, it is a beloved tradition, especially for bikers. But it seems to be too early in the year for them still.

I then arrive in Elk City for an overnight stay at one of the numerous old motels, the Flamingo Inn. The room is clean, relatively old-fashioned with amenities like a TV, microwave, and refrigerator, and incredibly cheap. €42, the absolute lowest price so far. And for that, you live right in the middle of American history.

"Get your kicks on Route 66."