Location: Dallas, TX
Destination: Guthrie, OK
Distance: 234 Miles
As a mother of three, it’s not very often that I get a little quiet time. That’s why when I had the opportunity to take off for a weekend, a flurry of options immediately flooded my mind. In the end, I decided to do something I hadn’t done in eight years…hit the road, alone.
My girlfriend, Lisa, lives in Guthrie, Oklahoma, and has been begging me to come visit her new home and semi-new husband. So, I filled up the SUV and headed north from Dallas on I-35.
I used to live in Oklahoma City, so I was very familiar with the route. However, this trip was a little different. I wasn’t in the normal rush to get from point A to point B, so I could relax and just enjoy the ride. That’s when I noticed it. The road between Dallas and Guthrie was a scenic one. The picturesque views started at the Texas/Oklahoma border where the Red River snaked through the canyons and valleys between the two states.
About 30 miles north of the border, there is a highway exit called the Scenic Turnout, near Turner Falls. But it’s more than just an “exit.” It’s a spot to get out of the car, stretch your legs and take in the mountainous terrain of southern Oklahoma. Mountains… in the state where “the wind comes sweeping down the plain.” Who knew?
There are lots of wide-open spaces in Oklahoma, but when you hit the city of Norman, home of the OU Sooners, it becomes a sprawling metropolis, with Oklahoma City as the main anchor. Thirty more miles to the north, and I arrived in Guthrie.
Before heading to Lisa’s house, she asked me to meet her at the Cimarron River Canyon, where she’s invited a few friends, cranked up a campfire and planned to pass out marshmallows and sticks.
I arrived along the river bank with relative ease. After I get over the fact that my freshly washed, dark green car was covered in bright red dirt, I was humbled by the sheer natural beauty. There were hills, caves, caverns and the headliner for this show, the Cimarron River. The water level was low, so you could see fish swimming with the current. Not to be outdone by the river, the land provided its own form of entertainment. There were two-wheelers, four-wheelers and every other number of wheeled vehicles you could think of, on hand. Some of us road on a path, others made their own paths over the hills and through the woods.
After playing out in the country, Lisa decided it was time to show me around the quaint town of Guthrie. The former capital of Oklahoma was just what I thought it would be. Downtown was filled with red-brick buildings, antique shops, and old school drug stores, reminiscent of turn-of-the-century living. What used to be the state capital building was still standing, marking the center of town. It was step back in time. And on this first solo road trip, I immediately thought that the kiddos would love this. I took a few pictures for them to see. But that wouldn’t do it justice. I would have to bring them back here soon.
It was a quick trip, as the next morning, I hit the trail back to Big D. After seven years and some pretty decent maintenance, my car was in good shape, but just in case, I had roadside assistance on speed dial. I may need a new car soon and for that, I’ll call RoadLoans for a fast, easy application and instant approval. But for now, I will keep hitting the road to visit the next great road trip destination!
If you have a road-trip experience you want to share, tell us about it at roadtrips@scusa.us. RoadLoans would love to go along for the ride. Don’t forget to send pictures.
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