Journey: Memphis, TN to Oklahoma City, OK
Number of times I gave the finger: 2, including an aggressive two-hander.
Cups of coffee: 2 cups at my host home this morning; none mid-drive because rural America.
Instances of panic because the gas tank was empty with nary a station in sight: 2
Number of times Pitbull references himself in songs: NEVER ENOUGH.
Personal growth moment: On day 1, I traveled in jeans and boots. On day 2, I traveled in jeans and sandals with socks. On day 3, I traveled in pajamas and sandals. It’s a good thing I’m not traveling tomorrow, or I’d end up wearing a trash bag.

Today was a long day. After a night with little sleep, I awoke to pouring rain in Memphis. The scheduled ride was so structured that I’d intended to do it on the trainer anyway (because the best way to enjoy a trip across America is by pedaling indoors facing a wall), so I decided to drive first and ride later. Nothing refreshes the legs like 7 hours of driving.

My destination was Oklahoma City, which meant crossing Arkansas and half of Oklahoma. I started the drive by crying and eating all of the leftover waffle cookies, because #homesick and #rain. Then I ate my way across Arkansas. Literally. It’s like I was powering the car with my stomach and the only reason I eventually stopped was because I ran out of things that didn’t require a can opener.

I got to Oklahoma City at 6pm and spent an hour waiting to get into my Airbnb house. Part of that time was passed getting more food at Walmart where I was really judgmental about the other customers until I realized I was (a) unshowered, (b) in sandals in sub-30-degree weather, and (c) wearing pajamas. Then my host called to share where he hides the key and I moved into the house I’ll be at for the next two nights while he is out of town. This Airbnb thing is a little crazy; “Hi, my name is Lindsay, you’ve never met me but I’m going to live in your house for a few days in your absence.”

But instead of throwing a wild party and stealing this guy’s valuables, I cleaned both of his toilets.

Then I got to cap off my day with a crushing trainer workout. I texted my coach about how it was late and I was tired HINT HINT, because I was hoping she’d tell me to do something easier and then I could be like “NO, I am TOUGH, I will do the workout!”

Instead she replied, “Life as a pro.”

Indeed. And that is why I love her.

Day 3 Road Trip Style
There was a time in which I gave a shit about how I looked, but that time was not today.
Day 3 Arkansas
The sign is blurry because of all my tears on the windshield.
Day 3 Oklahoma!
I can’t see a reference to this state without hearing my mother sing, “Oklahoma! Where the wind comes sweeping down the plain!”
Day 3 WTF
There are hardly words. Oh, wait. One: Oklahoma.
Day 3 Home Sweet Home
Pretty sure no Airbnb host is expecting somebody to roll a bike into their kitchen to do interval workouts. HI HONEY! I’M HOME!

2 thoughts on “Day 3 in which I struggle to understand America the Beautiful”

  1. Sorry to hear the drive is somewhat “challenging.” I admire your drive (no pun intended) and know you’ll persevere to get what you want and need. Looks like a nice Oklahoma place. Grab us some oil while you’re there.

  2. Those are some pretty fancy digs! I guarantee that if you’d taken me up on my offer your training surroundings would not be nearly so swank.

    Also, be glad you stayed south, because my daughter and her friends got stuck in a snowdrift on the interstate returning to university yesterday.

    Travel well!

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