I had the most amazing night’s sleep at WangShi China Bed & Breakfast in Oklahoma City. The bed was super comfortable and the sun greeted me through the translucent floral curtains. I went out to my balcony and sat on the wooden swing and just soaked in the sun’s rays feeling super grateful for this trip I’ve been able to take.
I had breakfast downstairs waiting for me at 8:30am and my god it was a feast they served me. I felt badly that I only ate maybe 1/4 of it! I don’t know about you, but I’m not super hungry in the mornings!
Dow, the co-owner and my guy with the lime green sneakers came down to say good morning and had breakfast with me. He offered me some baileys for my coffee and I thought why the hell not.
Dow is 90 years-old and told me some of his life stories like how he was an architect and how he met his wife Victoria. He told me about some of his other businesses and I (happily) gave him some free advice as I do online marketing.
I also got to tell him a little bit about my solo trip adventuring and he was SHOCKED I was doing this trip, but admitted he was “old school.” He had a difficult time understanding how I could travel alone as a woman and leave my husband behind at home, but he was somewhat mesmerized by it and willing to understand, so I got to tell him that a lot of women want to know what it’s like to feel free. To go somewhere and not feel like we are beholden to other people. To make our own path without being told what path we should be on. To satiate our inner curiosity. And I told him how I had always wanted to do a solo trip, yet [legitimate] fear and excuses held me back. But some fierce spark in me was telling me to “just go” — so I listened to that inner voice and went.
I told Dow how one day I woke up and told my husband I was going to do this trip and how my husband was super supportive of it and even helped me prepare. Dow’s mouth was agape as I don’t think he EVER expected to have a guest like me come waltzing through his B&B.
As I left, he told me he was so glad I stopped in and that he learned a lot from me. But I also learned a lot from Dow, too. He demonstrated to me, even at 90 years-old to do what you love and to have curiosity about others. Of course I had to get a pic with this lovely couple who helped make this journey all the more fun! Everyone, meet Down and Victoria.
As I left, I had to get one more pic of the pimp-ass limo.
Next, I headed into Oklahoma City. I went to The Jones Assembly per a recommendation from another woman solo traveler, but it didn’t open until 4pm—boo! So, I headed to Elemental Coffee and brought my Atlas with me so I could plan my next stop. After a little while I got a little hungry, so I got some salmon toast and it was the bomb dot com.
I decided I wanted to take a scenic byway (Route 1), which extended into Arkansas. It was a lot of ups, downs, and tight turns.
After several hours of driving, I made it into Little Rock, AR around 7pm and scoped out where I was staying. I couldn’t get any pics of Little Rock tonight because it is too dark. I have a long drive ahead of me tomorrow, so I am going to cut this blog a little short and I’ll catch you all tomorrow!
today's memoir 