Girl Who Travels

Travel Date: March 2026

A Deep Dive into the Great Plains

Today’s drive took us from Memphis to Oklahoma City by way of Arkansas. This is my first time experiencing the Great Plains, and let me tell you—it’s surreal. The Plains aren’t just vast stretches of emptiness; they are a masterclass in scale. It is a minimalist’s dream: just pavement, earth, and an infinite sky. People tell you it’s flat, but you can’t truly grasp it until you see it with your own eyes.

Icons of the Road

Beyond the wide-open sky, I had a mental checklist for this journey: a Sinclair station, an armadillo, elk, tumbleweeds, massive rock formations, and the desert. On this leg of the trip, I checked off two of those boxes—plus one surprise find I didn’t even know I was looking for!

I’ve always been fascinated by armadillos. Growing up with possums everywhere, seeing what I call an “armored possum” in the wild was a genuine treat. I wish I’d been able to snap a picture, but we passed it on the side of the road as we were driving down the interstate.

Then there was the Sinclair station. I have a deep, lifelong love for dinosaurs, so when I heard there was a gas station chain with a prehistoric mascot, I knew a pilgrimage was necessary. Arkansas came through! There was a fair amount of squealing (from both the people in the car and the tires) when we spotted that green dino peeking over the horizon. There is something incredibly nostalgic about that fiberglass giant standing guard over the diesel pumps—a kitschy, perfect slice of Americana. This particular station was closed, but I know we will come across others on our journey!

The surprise find? Mr. Pibb. In a world dominated by Dr. Pepper, finding an original Mr. Pibb (the legend itself, not Pibb Xtra) “in the wild” felt like uncovering buried treasure. It was the perfect, spicy-sweet fuel for a long stretch of highway.

An Oklahoma City Legend: Cattlemen’s Steakhouse

We rolled into Oklahoma City right at dinnertime. Since it was a weeknight, we decided to follow a billboard’s advice and head to Cattlemen’s Steakhouse. When in cow country, you eat steak, right?

Stepping inside feels like walking back into 1910. The atmosphere is thick with history, but the food is the real star. I’m not exaggerating when I say it was the most amazing steak I’ve ever had—it practically melted, exploding with flavor. My partner and I split a T-bone, pairing it with fresh salads for a meal that was, quite frankly, gone far too quickly.

If you find yourself in OKC, do your tastebuds a favor and stop by. It’s the perfect end to a day on the plains.