The Last Legs Of My Road Trip

I knew we had to go through Oklahoma on the way home from Texas so I contacted my good friend Pearl and invited her to lunch. Pearl lives in Oklahoma City and I just knew she would be up for a midday snack. I was so happy when she accepted my invitation and told Mom to put the pedal to the metal because Pearly and I were getting hungry!

Pearl's pretty momma Kelly found a great restaurant with outdoor seating that was dog friendly. After being in so many pug friendly cities I figured all restaurants allowed dogs but this is not the case. Kelly told Mom that Oklahoma City is not as dog friendly as most cities but that they're slowing getting with the program. I didn't care where we had lunch as long as Pearl and I could get some food. Menus please!

Look at Pearl and her momma! Aren't they just the cutest things ever? I felt like I already knew Pearl since we've been blogging friends for so long. I know that Pearl has a reputation for acting a little how do I say this, not so ladylike, but she was a perfect little lady at our lunch.

Pearl was so excited to meet me that she never stopped moving. I couldn't really keep up with her so I just played it cool and sat there like the gentleman that I am. Mom ordered her usual boring food while Dad ordered me something really special.

Fried pickles! OMD! These things were delicious. I couldn't get enough of them and wanted to get an order to go. Apparently everything is fried down in Oklahoma and that's right up my alley. Yippee!

Nom, nom, nom!

Mom took so many pictures of Pearl and her momma. Look how cute they are with the lighthouse in the background. That Pearl sure isn't camera shy! Work it Pearly!

Our lunch was over way too soon. Kelly had to get back to work and Pearl had to get back to her nap. I wish you could hear what Pearl was saying or should I say screaming to me in this picture - "Y'all come back now, y'hear?" I just love that Pearl!

One last picture before we said goodbye to Pearl, Kelly, and Oklahoma - sigh. I didn't want to leave but we were on a tight time schedule. Thanks again to Pearl and Kelly for a great lunch date. We were so glad we got to meet you guys and can't wait to get together again.

We couldn't drive all the way back home on Friday after lunching with Pearl so we stopped in Springfield, Missouri to get some rest. Dad got us a suite and boy was it sweet! I loved having rooms to cruise around in and a nice comfy bed to rest my tired body on. All that visiting wears a pug out!

I sure didn't want to get up and leave Missouri on Saturday morning but Mom convinced me to move my body. And I did - slowly.

Because my road trip was almost over. This would be my last morning in a hotel and I wanted to savour each and every moment. As I was laying there half asleep, I reflected on the past two weeks with awe. I met friends I felt I already knew, met many new friends, visited so many new places, and ate so many delicious foodables.

I got to do things I'd never dreamt I'd do like see the Golden Gate Bridge. I had such an awesome two weeks on the road that I didn't want it to end. Ever.

As our car flew up Interstate 55 in Illinois, I promised myself that I would do this again. I would take another road trip and visit more friends. Friends who live here and there, in warm places and cold, in houses and apartments. Oh yes my friends. I will do it again but the last leg of my road trip called and it was the one I looked forward to the most.

The one that would take me to that special place that Dorothy talked about. She recognized it and so did I. I knew I would be there soon because there's no place like home.