Sept. 17 We left Lake of the Ozarks at 9:15 for our 270 mile drive to Tulsa area. Why Tulsa? Gary asked. because we haven't been there before. We pulled into the KOA at Will Rogers Downs about 3. We made the unwise decision to avoid the turnpike, well that was one bad idea! It added extra miles and time plus we made a total of 15 turns zig zagging through Indian Nations and farm land. Claremore (suburb NE of Tulsa) home of Will Rogers, the Casino and Downs hold horse races every weekend. Tulsa, population 402,000 elevation 772. The office staff at KOA suggested dinner at the casino (I must have looked frazzled) Good idea, we both showered and "prettied" up. The main restaurant was closed due to staff shortages so we decided to go somewhere else - another bad idea. We ended up at Buddy's Grill, the food was ok but no ambience (major understatement) We discovered Claremore has a shortage of restaurants.
Saturday, Sept. 18 After a slow start of the day we went to Cataloose to the Blue Whale a historic site along Route 66. We found out from a local that Oklahoma is the only state along 66 that have retained all the roads. Economics I guess. Time for lunch at the Hard Rock Cafe & Casino, a large complex, we felt we should drop bread crumbs to find our way out. An evening of college ball, Oregon won!
Sunday, Sept. 19 I think we're getting tired, another lazy morning before going to Tulsa, a dry run on the turnpike to check out costs. Only $1.00 each way to Tulsa from Claremore in the car. Since it was Sunday, downtown was pretty quiet, the skyline was a mix of old and new buildings. We made our way down to the Arkansas River, a lovely park with walking and biking paths. The river's system is made up of locks or levy's as a local called them, forming a year round system of navigation, irrigation and flood control. The heat was on - in the 90's but we joined many (much younger) people on the trail, we found a geo cache then a restaurant. After a late lunch we crossed the river to drive Route 66, a "Village" has been recreated to give you the feeling of the Historic Route, a cottage/gas station was built and railroad engines & cars were brought in. There was a geo cache hidden in the locomotive but we couldn't find it, maybe if it hadn't been so hot we'd have persisted. Seahawks lost in overtime Bummer!
Monday, Sept. 20 We left Claremore before 10 for our 138 mile drive to Oklahoma City, population 643,000 ele. 1201. The turnpike cost was $24. for 4 axles. We were here several years ago, visited the OKC National Monument, the outdoor symbolic memorial, chairs for each adult and child killed in the Murrah Federal Building. We did not realize that OKC has a Riverwalk similar to San Antonio's but on a smaller scale. The canal is a mile long but does run out to the Bricktown district where the Oklahoma Land Run Monument and Riversport rapids ends. The monument commemorates the opening of the unassigned land in Oklahoma territory participants. The 45 figures (much) larger than life show the emotions of the time. The project started in 2000, the last pieces feature 2 children on a horse finished in 2020.
Wednesday, Sept. 22 The capital in Oklahoma City is the only one in the US that has a working oil well on the property (100 Acres) The building has been under an extensive restoration, 60 million dollars for the exterior and 193 million interior. The Rotunda is completed, some murals but mostly lots and lots of white marble.
Friday, Sept. 24 WE left OKC for our 220 mile drive to Weatherford, Tx., a suburb of Fort Worth. So much road construction and heavy traffic, it wasn't a fun drive. I know I've said this before BUT is bears repeating. It's a real crap shoot choosing RV parks especially in areas you're not familiar with. The reviews are good, pictures are great then you pull into a dump like the KOA in Weatherford. When I stepped out of the coach to go into the office a little red headed boy (about 9) stuck a stick in my face and wanted to know if I'd like to see his preying mantis, the flies were thick and our sewer connection was not in the "usual" place next to the other utilities but clear back by the road. We had to borrow a section of sewer hose from the maintenance dept. The pool was a strange color of green and padlocked. If you wanted to go for a swim you had to ask for a key in the office. Not! Oh well we were here for 4 days, too much trouble to switch parks. So if you're ever RVing near Ft. Worth, stay out of the KOA!
Saturday, Sept. 25 On the plus side, Weatherford has the nicest laundromat I've been to. It was time to wash the king bed quilt and mattress pad. After lunch we went to Clark Gardens 10 miles out of own. Max and Billie Clark started the 173 acre garden small with Mrs. Clark designing each space, when one area was finished they would start a new project. The gardens include a chapel, train depot - an A scale train and track that run through that section of garden, 4 lakes, many ponds and water features. Being as it is late September and hot in Texas (91)there isn't much color. I imagine in the spring it must be beautiful. Oh and Oregon won again, still #3.
Sunday, Sept. 26 Chandler Gardens in Weatherford are located atop a hillside in the midst of beautiful older homes. Douglas Chandler and his wife Ina cleared the cactus covered property into a series of garden rooms. A combination of mostly Oriental gardens and English garden. Like the Clark Gardens, it is an event venue for weddings. Dang! The Seahawks lost again!
Tuesday, Sept. 28 Time to move on to Abilene to visit with Gary's brother John and his wife Jackie. We left about 10 for Dyess AFB 122 miles arriving about 1:00. Abilene population 169,00 elevation 1719. A nice "little" West Texas town with a lot of history. We had dinner with them at Texas Roadhouse, decibel level of a rock concert, a baby sitting in our area had very good lungs too. Jackie has kidney failure, every other day she has to undergo 12 hours of dialysis.
Wednesday. Sept. 29 We were supposed to spend one more night but big storms are forecast to come in this afternoon and tomorrow. Ft. Sam Houston was able to get us in a day early so we beat cheeks down to San Antonio 263 miles. I think the storms fizzled, SA didn't get a sprinkle. We'll be here the month of October, SA is one of our favorite places. Scheduled to get to Rockport 11/1.
This adventure to State Capitol Buildings took us through 13 states traveling 3,787 miles. The most we paid for diesel was $3.53 in Oklahoma and the cheapest was $2.19 in Texas. Since we last traveled the price of RV parks has risen, the most was $72. in Missoula. Mt.
This will be the last blog I publish until we start traveling again, thanks for going along for the ride with us.
TTFN, enjoy the pic's.
Gary and Pam
