Since travel has been restricted, I ve missed my frequent visits to the States, and it s made me nostalgic for a road trip I took with my father through Oklahoma a few years ago. It s a place that echoes through my new novel Journey to the Heartland, which I wrote during lockdown.
One of the southern states, Oklahoma is bordered by Texas to the south and west, and Kansas to the north, and is part of the Great Plains, which has shaped its history.
We checked into the Ambassador, a 1920s boutique Marriott hotel near all the action, and set off to explore. Oklahomans are some of the friendliest people in the United States and it s almost impossible to meet a stranger here. Everyone we spoke with had a little Irish and Native American in their genes and was keen to share some local knowledge with us.
By: Anjelicia Bruton
A Historic Route 66 restaurant is closing their doors for good right before their 50th anniversary due to COVID-19.
Ann s Chicken Fry House has served many Oklahomans and tourists since 1971. People from across the country have flooded social media with memories of Ann s famous chicken fried steak and fried peaches.
Patty Mitschke worked as a waitress for over 15 years. She said when the pandemic hit, the restaurant went from constantly busy to dozens of empty tables.
“Our night time customers were usually more elderly and they quit coming out. They didn t get out at night. They didn t get out because of COVID anymore,” Mitschke said.