Oklahoma City, OK

Sorry it has taken me so long to update my blog.  We arrived at Doug and Deja's last week and have been enjoying the grand kids immensely, and we had a wonderful Thanksgiving with them.   I keep meaning to update and show you our last couple of stops before arriving here.  I will put up some pics of the kids soon.   I know I am behind on things,  but I wanted to share with you the last couple of places we stopped before coming here.  I decided it would be nice to visit Oklahoma City again since I lived there 40+ years ago and haven't been back since.   Since my oldest son was born there, it did have a great deal of significance to me.

We visited the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum there. I knew it was a place that Al would enjoy visiting. We were there for a few hours and really enjoyed all the exhibits. Unfortunately, we weren't allowed to take photos of much of it and where we were allowed, we couldn't use a flash, so the pictures didn't come out well at all.

From beautiful art work,  western TV stars, such as Hopilong Cassidy, Roy Rogers, The Lone Ranger and John Wayne etc.,  all kinds of firearms, as well as Native American objects,  and tons of historical artifacts that depicted western life back then.  I highly recommend a stop here if you are ever in the area.  Not only is it educational, but very entertaining as well.
  

                                         Picture taken outside the museum from parking lot.

  This is probably the only picture taken inside that came out fairly well, although blurry.

Another place we decided to visit was the Oklahoma City National Memorial and Museum.  We all remember the horrible act of terrorism that happened here on April 19, 1995.  A memorial was set up here to remember those who were killed, and also those who survived, but whose lives were changed forever.  At this time in history, it was the costliest act of terrorism that had occurred on American soil.  One hundred sixty-eight people were killed which included 19 children.  Over 700 people were injured. 

We only visited the outside memorial, but there is also a museum you can visit.  Unfortunately, it was getting late in the day, so we didn't have time to visit it.  The outdoor Memorial was so nice and serene, a wonderful tribute to all those who perished on that day.

People leave all kinds of memorials here on the fence outside the place

 

 

This is called the Reflection Pool, flowing water that is supposed to help soothe wounds and provides a peaceful setting for quiet thoughts.   It is also meant to show the reflection of someone changed forever after their visit to the memorial.

 

Nice area to walk along the pool.

 

 

These chairs are set up as a remembrance of each of the 168 people lost on this day. They are set up in nine rows representing each floor of the building. A name is printed on each chair.

 

 

                                                    This building houses the museum.

Our next stop after Oklahoma City was to Amarillo, TX.  I promise a much more light-hearted post in a few days.