Long day, mostly interstate, though, and we traveled 462 miles – diagonally NW through LA, then across the NE corner of TX to a KOA in Colbert, OK, just across the Red River from TX. As mentioned yesterday, LA doesn’t have rest areas. Saw a couple of former rest areas along I-49, but they’ve been bulldozed over. Must be a story there. We had lunch in TuziTwo at a very nice TX welcome center on I-20.
Leaving Lafayette, we found a couple of Cajun call-in and music shows on the radio. Very entertaining, even without translations. Was it Justin Wilson who long ago told Cajun stories?
Which reminds me, I forgot to mention that the Cajun band at Randol's in Lafayette was joined for a couple of songs by an active, older chap playing rhythm on a sheet of tin hanging over his shoulders. He used kitchen egg beaters (not electrical powered) to provide the sound. I’m often amazed at the variety of ways the human mind and spirit have conceived to make music.
When I talked to my sister, Connie, a few days earlier, she mentioned that today, November 16, was Oklahoma’s Centennial. There was a parade this morning in Guthrie, the first capital, and a big celebration in OKC tonight that was being telecast. That wasn’t the conscious reason for driving as far as we did, but after we got here, I remembered the telecast and we watched. (I just wanted to get within 200 miles of OKC to shorten our trip tomorrow. Must have been some telepathy at work, also. My sister, Verla, said she thought about calling me to remind us to watch.) Great program! Rheba McIntire, Vince Gill, Johnny Bench, Garth Brooks, an amazing Indian aerialist, Shirley Jones, Patti Page, and more. Brought a few tears to my sentimental eyes. One of the highlights was a 100-year old Oklahoma gentleman singing the original state song.
Here's the OK Centennial USPS stamp -- pretty nice, don't you think? That's the Cimarron River.
I found an internet article the other day on the development of the musical Oklahoma! (the exclamation point did it!). That link should take you to it. The play broke new ground for Broadway musicals. The theme song was almost an afterthought. It’s not just about the state, but it’s about becoming a state. How perfect!
Brand new state!
Brand new state
Gonna treat you great!
Gonna give you barley, carrots and pertaters,
Pasture fer the cattle, spinach and termayters!
Flowers on the prairie where the June bugs zoom,
Plen'y of air and plen'y of room,
Plen'y of room to swing a rope!
Plen'y of heart and plen'y of hope
Oaaa-klahoma…
The show was broadcast by PBS, so maybe it will show up someday in a pledge drive near you. Watch for it.
The show was broadcast by PBS, so maybe it will show up someday in a pledge drive near you. Watch for it.
Anyhow:
We know we belong to the land
And the land we belong to is grand!
And when we say Yeeow!
A-yip-i-o-ee-ay!
We're only sayin'You're doin' fine, Oklahoma!
Oklahoma OK!
For your enjoyment, some photos from the internet:
For excitement, visit Oklahoma!
Historic Route 66
Had a nice drive Saturday morning and got to OKC just after noon. Along the way, down one off-ramp I saw a sign pointing to two towns:
WAYNE (arrow pointing right)
(arrow pointing left) PAYNE.
There must be a story there. Wish I'd gotten a picture.
And that was about it for entertainment.
Sunday morning we went to church at the First United Methodist Church in Edmond, OK. Both the children's minister and the main minister had inspired and inspirational Thanksgiving-themed messages. The children's minister pulled several vegetables out of his bag. The common characteristic is that they all grow underground -- potato, onion, carrot. Point was that there are things we can't see that we should be thankful for. Pastor's message was based on scripture in which Jesus heals 10 lepers. They rush off to share their good news, but only one, a Samaritan, turns back and says thank you.
My sisters and their families have been working hard to spruce up Mom's house to sell, now that she is living in an assisted living facility. Our real estate agents, who happen to be from my home town of Tonkawa, suggested that it would help to paint one of the bedrooms, so I did that today, Monday. Susie washed windows. We're heading home tomorrow. Home on Wednesday -- a reason for thanksgiving.
We're past 5000 miles on the odometer, about 500 to go.
Saving the best for last: here's a picture of the Salt Fork River, near Tonkawa! Once upon a time two friends and I tried to float this roaring torrent. We walked much of the way.
Cheers,
Rob and Susie
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