Oklahoma City, OK to Shamrock, TX

It seemed today was cultural inappropriateness day - we stopped at a Cherokee Trading post in Clinton, and amongst the displays outside was a gauche tourist wigwam. Of course, we had to have a photo.

This fibreglass buffalo was right next to a pen containing two actual buffalo. It seemed to be somewhat lacking in tact - painted like a Native American chief, and only meters away from the animals it represents, who were panting in the 43° heat.

As part of the trading post proper (incorporating a gas/petrol station and now a new subway - yay), a glass imitation of Native American housing formed part of the building. Perhaps it's because we are so removed from the cultural dialogue that we feel these things are inappropriate - maybe it's us that just don't understand. I'm going to investigate further as we travel west, and will let you know...

This bike was one of many parked at tourist mecca POPS, where they have 500 different flavours of soda. We were hoping to see L&P, but the closest they got to international were some Mexican lemonades! Anyway, all the motorbikes (and cars - but mostly pickup trucks) that we've seen so far are in immaculate condition and very clean - unless they are missing doors or windows, in which case cleanliness has gone missing as well!

Lake Arcadia - a beautiful camping spot just north of Oklahoma City (on the way back from POPS). We sat in the car (with the air con on) eating orange Fla-vor-ices, and watched the thermometer creep up to an unbelievable 53°C. So hot, the lake through the windscreen had heat waves. Left quickly, before the car blew up. You can see in this photo how dry it has been (there are EXTREME Fire Warnings and Burn Bans everywhere) - this raft was the dock for the paddle boats. No boating today!

Moments before eating a great meal at Uncle Vern's Steakhouse (I bought the delightfully camp T-shirt), I took this shot looking west on Route 66. Our hotel for the evening had plastic palm trees, with neon pulsating lights inside!

This evening had torrential rain, thunderstorms and lightening, but by the time we had finished our steak and salads, it was mostly dried up. This is a shot of the local Conoco Gas Station, a local landmark and the previous evening had hosted an weekly rock concert for the town.