Our last few weeks on the road are a bit of a zig-zag across the middle of the country as we try to pick up a few more state stickers before calling it quits. One such stop is Oklahoma City. The drive from Palo Duro to OKC was easy and actually pretty. It wasn't as flat as I thought it was going to be and very green. That changed when we hit the city. The entire city's road system seems to be under construction. We picked Council Road RV park which just outside the downtown area and boasted "easy on easy off". Well they weren't kidding. This gave easy on/off a whole new meaning. The park is right off Hwy 40 and Council Road a major thoroughfare across the street from a huge truck stop. The parks gravel roads were extremely rough with huge holes filled with water. One of their selling features is a storm shelter on site and yes there was threat of severe weather during our three night stay!
We spent our two days glued to the weather channel as the idea of witnessing a tornedo from our trailer is not something we were looking forward to. Luckily it never materialized nor did the predicted hail. There must have been a fire station close by as well because the passing sirens were a constant. Not our favorite stop, but we did earn a sticker!
We did drive into downtown to see the Oklahoma City National Memorial and Museum which documents the OKC bombing from April 19, 1995. We parked on a street across from the memorial and as we started walking when we were startled by a man hitting the side of the truck as he walked by shouting loudly. He didn't do any damage, but it was a little scary. Walking thru the memorial and towards the museum I was looking at the outside of the building wondering why it was so run down. As we approached we saw the plaque on the side saying the side of the building was left as it was after the bombing. The museum is inside what used to be the Journal Record building which stands adjacent to where the Arthur Murrah Federal building stood before the bombing. The museum was very well done and very powerful. It takes you through the entire day and then the investigation and prosecution of the McVeigh and Nichols. I had no idea that the FBI actually figured out they were responsible within two days. Considering the amount of death and destruction this was an incredible feat. This museum is definitely worth a visit if you are ever in the area.
The outside of the museum left as it was
Survivor tree and rescuer's orchard. Notice the fire escape, somewhat mangled with the middle missing.
Field of empty chairs - smaller ones for the 19 children
We drove around the rest of the downtown to see Bricktown, which is a tourist area with a river walk atmosphere and lots of shops and restaurants. We drove over to Stockyard City where the cattle come in, but there was no activity. We were ready to get on our way.
Stockyard City sign
Coming soon.... Back to Texas to see Alex and Jacob! Woo hoo!
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