More Oklahoma

Oklahoma has a small riverwalk in an area of town known as Brick Town.

At the end of the walk is a larger than life sculpture of the Land Rush that began settlement in the area.

We spend a couple days in Oklahoma City contemplating working for Amazon.com up in Coffeyville KS just north of OKC or continue west to California to sell Christmas Trees.  A hotline ad is posted for South Texas in the Rio Grand Valley working at a flea market and we apply for that and are offered the job.  We decide a sure job 3 days a week until April in a warm climate is better than a 1 month temp job in colder weather and then having to start the job hunt again.

Hi Ho Hi Ho its off to work we go!

Oklahoma's OK!

First Stop is Fort Smith, OK where the Visitors Center is located in an old Brothel. 

Forth Smith, OK

Take Route 66 to Tulsa

Tulsa has alot of parks.  This one featured a 4 tiered Rose Garden.

View under bridge on walk along the River

Oklahoma City and the Memorial. 

A portion of the wall remains.

At each end of the reflecting pool is a wall,
one with the time of the start of the explosion
and the other with the end

Chairs are arranged in rows for each floor where victims died .  They are different sizes according to whether the person was a child, man or woman.

Names are etched in the clear base which are lit at night.

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

Outside the Memorial is a fence where people have left pictures and Momentos.

I can't begin to explain how viewing this Memorial in person makes one feel.  The reality of seeing it and realizing that these were just everyday people like you and me living their life, going through the normal day to day things we all go through and their lives, hopes and dreams snuffed out in minutes by a madman.  There by the grace of God . . .

It saddened me even more  to think that 9 years after 911 there is still no

Memorial in place.  The Oklahoma Memorial was done within 2 years, I believe, and is a beautiful tribute to the victims.

Arkansas

Little Rock Arkansa

Little Rock Central High School where in 1957, the Governor of Arkansas called out the National Guard to keep order among floating rumors of planned violence during desegration, and to block the entry of 9 African American students to the School.  Mobs followed, spat on, and threatened violence to the students.  A court ordered the National Guard withdrawn riots ensued and an angry crowd beat both black and white journalists who were between the angry mob and the students.  Two days later 1,200 soldiers were sent in to escort the students to class.

 

The Capitol Building is quite impressive.

The Portrait you can just make out on the right is of the young Bill Clinton.

A nice walking trail by the River had a nice sculpture garden.

Next stop Hot Springs National Park

the US's 18th National Park

We hiked up a trail to the observation tower.

Bathhouse Row

The water averages 143 degrees and is over 4.000 years old when it emerges from the hot springs.  The park collects 700,00 gallons a day for use in the public drinking foundtains and bathhouses.  Most of the 47 springs have been covered with boxes to prevent contamination.  There are several thermal fountains where you can fill jugs of water to take.

Oklahoma! Where the wind comes sweeping down the plain . . .

On the Road to Memphis

Leave Nashville and continue on to Memphis stopping at Shiloh National Military Park

Completed in 1994 the double arched bridge that spans Birdsong Hollow received the Presidential Award for Design Excellance.  It rises 155 ft above the valley and eliminates the need for spandrel columns.

Arrive in Memphis to rain but head down to Beale Street

The rain picks up so we pick up and get on one of the Trolleys for a quick tour of the town

Next Stop Arkansas!

Nashville, TN

After a nice visit with Gary's Aunt Lois and Uncle Dave and Uncle George and Aunt Cindy we head for a walking tour of Nashville where Elvis is always alive and well.

Skyline from the LP Stadium where we parked the RV

and took the Walking Bridge to Downtown

Across the river was a replica of an old fort

Hit the Honky Tonk row

Visited the Charlie Daniels Museum

and Managed to Play on stage in Nashville!

and who new there was a Parthenon in Nashville?

On to the Natchez Trace Parkway and Memphis!