Know anybody who's been to Oklahoma? We don’t either. Well, now you do! OK was the next logical stop on our trip, as it abuts Missouri and could be reached within a reasonable drive of Branson. Tulsa would be our first destination.
TULSA
We quickly learned why this seemed an odd choice
. Whenever we were asked: "Where are you from?" (a common occurrence), we would answer with a general "Canada" and their reactions were priceless. The most common was a dumbfounded stare accompanied by a “huh!!”. Another common reaction was: “Why’d ya come here?” They weren’t being rude or malicious, just friendly/curious. I guess that Tulsa doesn’t get many Canadian tourists. So, when we showed up with our Ontario plates and our “ehs”, they were surprised to see us.
Tulsa is a fairly low-key affair, and it was a nice relaxed place to spend a couple of days. We visited many of its highlights, including some oddball ones that you could never expect. Tulsa was a hot spot during the oil boom days of the early 1900’s and the buildings downtown reflect the art deco architecture popular during those times. These are divided by those which have been restored and serve active contemporary uses, and those sitting neglected and in poor repair. We toured the downtown area and got the historical perspective on these buildings and on their builders, Perhaps the most stunning of them all was a large opulent Methodist church which can only be described as awe-inspiring in its spirituality
. The man who envisioned this church, and saw it built to his specs, had the stated intention of creating a place where people would be motivated to pray, by virtue of the building’s impact of the building on them. We almost started praying ourselves.
The Christian south is pretty evident everywhere, and you quickly adjust to the fact that all others here are in the minority. Besides the plethora of churches, heck, even Oral Roberts University is located here. Yup, we visited the campus cause we heard that it has some almost kitchy 60’s architecture, looking a little like the set of the Jetsons (and it does- see the picture!)
Ironically, there’s a Museum of Jewish Art near by. It holds an excellent collection of art and artifacts representing Jewish history, customs and traditions. The Holocaust exhibit was particularly striking and while we were there, a church group was being given a tour, and seemed to be moved by it.
The other unexpected site we visited is the farm/compound known as the Tam Bao Buddhist temple , on a beautiful bucolic property which sports a 50-ft Buddha, benevolently looking down, with dozens of other smaller Buddhas dotting the property. In Tulsa, Oklahoma? Yes!
And speaking of temples, we visited one last temple- one dedicated to greed. That’s right, we went to the local casino. However, our motives were pure
. There was a sold-out Beach Boys concert, but we had no tickets. We hoped that some kind soul would have a spare pair, and lo and behold, we wound up in high roller seats. Our prayers had been answered. While it was funny to see these 70 year olds singing surfer numbers, voices are still strong and every song was a faithful recreation of the originals we all know and love.
Our time in Tulsa had been surprisingly full, and surprisingly enjoyable. Who knew?
OKLAHOMA CITY
Our next stop was Oklahoma City, the capital. This city answers the popular question: “Where’s the beef?” The answer seems to be “here in OKC”. With a history rich in the cattle business, it continues in full force. We visited a cattle auction, saw cowboys in action, ate a delectable steak in an OKC institution called Cattlemen’s Café, and then capped it off with an awesome museum dedicated to the West, The National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum
. We shopped in western wear shoppes, looked for hats, boots, and chaps. Luckily common sense prevailed, and we limited acquisitions to some great shots of the endless aisles of goods offered.
We had a great time getting into the rhythm of the city, which has been divided into catchy-named districts like Bricktown, Stockyards City, Arts District, Boathouse District, and several more. We visited a few of them, including a fun riverwalk along an inner-city canal that is a magnet for party-seekers.
On a more somber note, we visited the memorial site dedicated to the bombing of the Murrah Federal Building in 1995. It is a simple reflecting pool surrounded by 168 chairs, one for each of the victims. Of these, smaller chairs represented the 21 children who died that day.
To cap off our stay, we witnessed an intense mid-western thunderstorm on our last night. We watched the action from the safety of our hotel room, thankfully, but this gave us a glimpse into the kind of violent weather patterns that seem to be common here in the midwest.
Oklahoma has been an eye-opening experience for us. We loved the warmth and hospitality of the people here. We loved being Okies from Muskokee., if only for a brief time. OK, maybe the hot weather has gotten to us, but much of the west is suffering through this stifling heat.
Next, having been acclimated to the slower pace of the Midwest, we intend to continue our time here. We are now heading to Wichita, Kansas, where, no doubt, we will have more to share with you.
BIBLE, BEEF, BOMBING, BEACH BOYS
Tuesday, July 21, 2015
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, United States
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Comments

2025-02-16
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The Sunnies
2015-07-29
Your blogs continue to amaze me, as do your travels! Sounds like you and Bonnie may return to Toronto on horseback! As I recall, when we were growing up, you had a Davy Crockett hat...now aren't you sorry you no longer have it? I am sure it would have been a big hit in the mid-West! Seriously, you always manage to find the most interesting (and sometimes unusual!) spots to visit wherever your journey takes you!
I hope your good times continue as you explore Kansas! They, too, have some pretty fierce weather!
Continued safe travels to our favorite cousins!!!
cissie.retired
2015-07-29
Such an interesting blog! Tulsa and OKC sound really different to visit, but you found all the best parts to see. I loved your photos!
We are melting here in Toronto!! Our hottest day, so everyone was out getting their errands done in the morning. My condo had an emergency water shut down today, so even the AC has been turned off! @#%^*! Not the day for that!
Looked at my bank account this morning, and lo and behold I received an extra $1.13 from the OAS! Wherever shall I spend this extra?
Olivia Chow has decided to run for Federal politics again and will go up against Adam Vaughn. Lots of talk about trying for the 2024 Olympics in TO: and finally, now that everyone is used to the HOV lanes, they probably are here to stay, but for 2plus people instead of 3. Sigh!
I look forward to your next entry, pardner! Have fun and be safe.
Nurit
2015-07-30
Dear Cousins
I enjoyed sooo much the reading and learned some more English as well as I got some more understanding about this globe. What an interesting plannet we've got here, if only we know who's blog to read!!!
Love you,
Kisses,
Nurit
Hope Springman
2015-07-30
Loved your blog - Bonnie and David doing the Wild, Wild West! So many amazing adventures - and you two definitely belong in the "High Roller" seats anywhere you go! Interesting about the violent weather you witnessed - Mother Nature reminding us who's really in charge! Safe travels to Wichita and looking forward to hearing from you again soon! Xox