NATIONAL MEMORIAL AND MUSEUM

This museum is done in a very tasteful, respectful manner, very impressive, and sad that there's a reason for it. All the exhibits tug on your heartstrings, especially ones about the children who were killed. They don't allow photography in the building, but it tells the story of terrorism, the history of the event, rescue and recovery, and rebuilding of their community. At the end, there's a book, where you can write your comments-the man ahead of me wrote, "I work very hard with national homeland security, so this will never happen again". God bless him!Outdoors, the twin gates symbolize innocence at 9:01, the moment of destruction was 9:02, and the other gate represents hope for the future at 9:03. The reflecting pool replaces the street and helps soothe wounds and presents a calming effect for reflection. The field of empty chairs is impressive with a chair for each of the 168 fatalities. The orchard was planted for the volunteers and rescuers who helped.

The reflecting pool replaces the street that used to go through, and the soothing water is to create a peaceful atmosphere for reflexion.

The survivor tree, is a 90 year old American elm that survived the bombing and now stands as a symbol of human resilience.

When the construction workers put up a fence to protect the area they were working on, people started leaving symbols of their memories on it. When the memorial was constructed, the families requested this fence be included.

On the side of the gate it says:

"We come here to remember those who were killed, those who survived and those changed forever. May all who leave here know the impact of violence. May this memorial offer comfort, strength, peace, hope and serenity."

I LOVE THIS BAR

While in Bricktown, we found Toby Keith's Restaurant, I Love This Bar, and it didn't take much creativity to get Mulert through the door. I was all ready with, "But honey, it's my favorite song, etc.". I wondered why it was a two story building, until we got inside.

We didn't have to wait, but if we had, we would have to sit on the tailgate of a pickup truck as you can see here.(Don's favorite part)

It's decorated quite tastefully with many Toby Keith things such as his clothes, motorcycle, awards and even part of his old bus in the wall above the stage.



It also has a small balcony, as you can see in the distance.

Wow, I got carried away on the decorating, and forgot the food-it was great! They had a prime rib sandwich special with au jus and homemade "freedom fries", which was excellent. We were a little leary of ordering it, since it's what we thought we were ordering the day before at Del Rancho-but it fit our version of a steak sandwich! As you can see-I loved this bar!!

LAND RUN

We took a ride to Bricktown, where they have boats in their canal similar to the ones in San Antonio. Here's one area of the canal.

Right along this area, they've placed sculptures to depict the land run of 1889, when they fired the canon, and everyone came running to claim land, in what would be Oklahoma City. It extends from one side to the other. Very impressive!

CATHEDRAL

Oklahoma City also has the Cathedral of Our Lady of Perpetual Help, which is in an oriental neighborhood. A smaller church of St. Joseph, used to be a cathedral, and is across from the old federal building that was bombed. This is the current cathedral.

FESTIVAL OF LIGHT

We took an evening drive down to Chickasha to see the 3 1/2 million lights at one of their parks. They've been doing it for about 15 years and it's all funded with donations. It was amazing! I was especially grateful that it was so nice-I didn't think I was going to have a happy husband if it was a fluke. After the 40 mile drive, we entered the waiting line about nine blocks back. It took about a half hour to reach the destination, but it was well worth the wait. When we left, the line was a lot longer. There was a lake in the park, so we could see the reflections of the lights in the water.

There was a walking bridge across the lake, which also created a reflexion.



They also had a light show, pictures with Santa, etc.-a fun evening for those who are "kids at heart".

NATIONAL COWBOY & WESTERN HERITAGE MUSEUM

We continued on to the National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum, which was more interesting than I expected it to be.It's a huge place full of artifacts, sculptures, artwork, and even an old western town.

This sculpture awaits you as you enter.

This is just one example of the beautiful beadwork displayed.

They have a whole room of different examples of barbed wire and branding irons.

I really enjoyed the displays about old movie and TV cowboys-it sure brought back memories. Sorry for the poor quality picture-glass and lights make museum pictures a challenge.

Don had fun in the western town, as you can see.

He also enjoyed the many Remington sculptures, and the artwork on the saddles and spurs. This museum is well done, first class, but it's a maze and easy to get lost. Of course, if you're lost in a room with Hugh O'Brien or Tom Selleck-who's gonna complain?

STEAK SANDWICH

I asked a lady at the bakery if they had a good steak sandwich at the Cattlemen's Restaurant, and she said we should go to Del Rancho. It's an old drive-in, but you can eat inside also. You phone in your order from your booth. This place is known for their steak sandwiches-and it was good-but it's not what we expected-it's country fried steak.