Day Twelve - In OKC
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.
Miles today: 63
Miles total: 2115
- ”Hogcallers” is the name for Arkansas Razorbacks fans. [↩]
11 responses so far
9/11 from the second it was conceived up to this day is all about politics. Besides, the empty holes are great propaganda in and of themselves. We’re suppose to “Never Forget”, some marble and plaques with names on them is moving forward, as long as we are “at war” the empty holes are necessary. I was really pleased with how well Burt Reynolds ’stache photoshopped onto your face: )
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Eric reply on May 12th, 2008 1:42 pm:
True, very true. But it would still be nice to have a memorial like at OKC. It’s just really really well done.
And since he was a white guy, there’s no “let’s git them there towelheads!” poison like at the Flight 93 memorial.
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I like your high tech GPS taped to your scooter. Great to see and read of your experiences Eric. Scoot on! Chris
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Eric reply on May 12th, 2008 1:42 pm:
I demand only the best!
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There are almost NO parallels from OKC and 911.
Glad to see the memorial, I hope to do the same trek as you - but to hell with the scooter.
The vespa dealership in Rehoboth Beach, DE is folding. The economy is crushing us all. I told them of your travels and they were interested. They may log and and see, but you never know. Get that tire replaced before you are in over your head!
Calder is officially insane, and we love him for it.
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Eric reply on May 12th, 2008 1:44 pm:
It’s a shame about the Rehoboth dealer. That was the place where I fell in love with scooters. I saw a blue Vespa ET4 and fell in love (oddly enough, I loathe the look of the ET4s now).
Got the tire replaced. With the same brand/make. Ugh. But it was all they had. So I can’t complain at all. They got me right in and were very cool.
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I found some less-tragic-but-still-eerie ruins for us to explore while you’re here.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sutro_Baths
Your royal ‘we’ is just charming.
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Eric reply on May 12th, 2008 1:45 pm:
The “we,” oh darling, is Ruby and me.
And sometimes it’s just not to not be traveling only with “me”… as many who have traveled only with “me” can understand.
The baths are a MUST see. We have to go.
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Terrible weather out there in Ok. Be careful. Don’t be one of those insane tornado chasers.
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Eric reply on May 12th, 2008 1:41 pm:
I would never, ever chase an insane tornado!
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Calder reply on May 12th, 2008 11:40 pm:
Leave the tornado chasing to Bill Paxton and Helen Hunt.
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