Ladies and gentlemen, by Stage 9 we will have officially left the Ole South and entered western territory. Cannonball Course Master, John Classen, has reported that within two miles of leaving Fort Smith, AR we will be crossing into Oklahoma and the terrain is noticeably different.

STAGE 9- From to Fort Smith, AR to Lawton, OK

Sunday, September 19

The natural terrain of Oklahoma is remarkably different than any we’ve traveled thus far. Leaving the mountains and wooded areas behind, our morning route through the Great Plains will be straight with some gently rolling hills. By midday we will be riding over flat roads through country that is more ranching than farming, on mostly state highways.

Lunch will be generously hosted by the enthusiastic city of Ada, OK and will be served at the East Central University Hallie Brown Ford Fine Arts Center.

After 276 miles, our evening will be spent in the town of Lawton, OK, which serves as the Comanche Nation Headquarters. Fort Sill, the only remaining Army installation of all the forts on the South Plains built during the Indian Wars that is still active, is located near Lawton. We will have traveled a total of 1,815 miles towards our goal of Santa Monica, California.