The city was dead today. But it was Sunday and I guess that’s how it goes.

I decided to stay put in OKC instead of running to Arkansas. So for all you Hogcallers¹ out there, from the bottom of my heart, I’m sorry.

However, I did decide to ride the 20 or so miles into downtown. I went to a healthfood store and bought some toothpaste and then rode to an Indian place for their buffet.

The Indian place was great. Really went all out on the decor. The food was good as well. A little pricey, but worth it.

My plan was to then ride to the site of the Oklahoma bombing. There’s a huge memorial there now.

They closed off a whole city block to memorialize it. I took a bunch of pictures. Please look at them.

There is also a museum that is really really well done. It starts you off explaining what was going on that day before the blast. You are then sent into a room where you get to hear a recording of a meeting of the OKC Water Commission (or something like that). During the recording you can hear the blast and the horrible commotion thereafter.

The museum houses a lot of evidence, including the axle of the truck that carried the bomb. It’s got quite a lot of debris as well.

The whole thing is really moving and should definitely be seen if you’re in the area.

Why something like this hasn’t been done for NYC and 9/11 is unbelievable. It’s a disgrace, really.

I spent about three hours there and it definitely could have been more. Again, this is a must-see.

The ride back to the KOA was uneventful, but really simple. The city is really easy to navigate. In face, I didn’t even need detailed instructions. Just a little slip of paper with some chicken scratch on it.

Here are my pics from today.

Miles today: 63
Miles total: 2115

1. ”Hogcallers” is the name for Arkansas Razorbacks fans. [↩]

My original plan was to be in Mena, Arkansas to night. No, Route 66 doesn’t loop back around and head into Arkansas, I just figured that I’d want a nice little side trip. Turns out that I’d love a little side trip. But I’d like a day off a bit more.

This particular side trip was two nights, three days. From Mena, Arkansas, I’d head into Texas and stay at Bonham, just west of Paris. The next night, I’d be back here.

Now, what’s happening is that I’m here, in OKC for another night. Tomorrow I’ll pack up, head down to Paris, TX (unless someone has a better idea) and then head back - on a different route - to OKC. The day after that it’s back to Route 66.

Last night, the wind here in OKC was 30mph sustained. Gusts had to have been double that. The tent was being blown in on top of me (but since I staked it down properly, it bounced right back). I was convinced that the wind would blow Ruby on her side.

But I “woke” up this morning, getting maybe three hours rest in total, and was cranky and didn’t want to go anywhere, so I didn’t. Who needs Arkansas?

On another note, I read this today:
Hail measuring 4.25 inches (11 centimeters), about the size of a softball, was reported near Baxter Springs, Kansas.

It was also reported that a tornato was spotted south of town. I was just in Baxter Springs a couple of days ago. I’m glad I missed it.

The horrible storms seem to have shifted eastward, so I shouldn’t have any troubles. For now anyway.

And in closing, Calder sent this to me yesterday.

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And a little addition to the update. Turns out I might have a little problem. My rear tire, the one I just got about 2000 miles ago, is nearly shot. I’ve got about another 1,000 to go before I get a new one.

Not sure what to do. Hm. I guess I’ll visit the Vespa shop tomorrow and see where I get with them.