Oklahoma City, Oklahoma

The next stop is two nights in OKC at a privately owned campground a few exits from town and right next to a part of the cities excellent bicycle path system.

I arrived on Saturday November 18th.  There was a prominent sign noting Church Service in the clubhouse at 9:00 on Sunday mornings.  Daily they offer free newspapers and fresh baked muffins.  

Upon my arrival I set up quickly on my large pull through site, so I would have time to go for a bike ride before sunset.  The owner recommended I go out the gate and turn right in toward the man-made lake, about 4 miles away.  

Along the route are some industrial lands.  It reminded me a bit of the Portland area in Toronto. 

The following day was going to be my big day of sight seeing in the City.  

I happened to be ready for a muffin just before 9:00 a.m., so thought it might be interesting to sit in on the "Church" service. There was a fairly young pastor there as well as the owner, one other male visitor and one other female visitor, an intimate group. The service lasted about 30 minutes and included the lords prayer, prayer for healing of the sick and study of a portion of the new testament.  I don't recall the chapter and verse, but it was construed to suggest patience with the transition of power happening in January after the election of Donald Trump, that was heated and that things will work out O.K. 

First stop was the Centennial Land Run Monument. This depicts the time when would be settlers could stake their claim in Oklahoma.  The run started with the firing of a cannon:

Then the settlers took off, flags in hand, on horseback or in all manner on horse drawn vehicle.

  

 

The bronze statues are very detailed and make you feel the power and movement. I would say they are about twice life size:

The term "sooner" was used for those that left before the official start. 

The entrance to the park where the statues are is behind the OKC Bass Pro Shop, an interesting store to browse in every if you aren't an avid fisherperson.

Next stop was the Oklahoma City (Bombing) National Memorial.  It commemorates the event of April 19,1995, when Timothy McVeigh, (who in 2001 was executed for his crimes,) set off a truck bomb in front of the federal government building killing 168, including 19 children and injuring more than 500.  I remember hearing about it on the news.  

The memorial is on the site of that former building.  The monument is comprised of a Field of Empty Chairs (representing those killed) 

standing in-between massive bronze Gates of Time (before and after and names of those injured,) which frame the site of the bombing.  

There is a reflecting pool and "Survivor Tree."

The most touching thing was some of the notes and trinkets people have attached to the chain link fence outside the memorial.  Visiting the memorial was enough for me, I didn't go into the museum. 

The family story on here about the things that have
happened since the loss of their mother
was heart wrenching. 

 

Next I went to the Chesapeake Energy Arena to see if I would be able to get a reasonably priced ticket for that evenings NBA game. The Thunder were playing the Indiana Pacers. I was able to get a ticket and had a few hours left before tip off.  

I found a free parking spot a short distance from the Arena and took a little walk around the Bricktown area, something like the distillery district in Toronto.

I stopped into the Coyote Ugly bar.  Although it wasn't very busy the bar tender decided to do some dancing:

I grabbed a quick Mexican dinner and then headed into the Arena for the game.   

Outside the arena there were some festivities going on:

Inside there were some fan experience stuff:

I went for the cheap, nose bleed seat for this one:

Championship banners:

A little Canadian presence:

OKC played pretty poorly, particularly at the beginning of the game.  They couldn't complete a pass or make a basket.  At times it seemed the ball was greased as they couldn't seem to hold onto it.  They managed to drain a buzzer beater to tie the game, resulting in an extra frame.  Their luck ran out and they ended up loosing in OT.  

I made it safely back to the truck and then the campground, capping a wonderful day in OKC, with enough things left for a possible future visit.