Clinton, Oklahoma to Fort Smith, Arkansas 10/08/2013

OCTOBER 8, 2013 (Tuesday)

Spent the night in Clinton, Oklahoma at the Days Inn. We also went to dinner at the restaurant associated with the Days Inn. After dinner we went into the bar and looked around. Lexi hasn’t been in any other bar other than the one in Prunedale. Typical smoky and loud bar. We went back to our room.

Braums, a southern chain that is a horrible, wonderful place to eat.

Cherokee Trading Post that was fun. Just outside Clinton, Oklahoma.

Armadillo bottle holder, makes me think of Jack Estep and a funny story he tells.

We left around 10:00 AM and drove for awhile before stopping for gas and breakfast. We tried a McDonald’s but it was too late for breakfast, and then we tried Braum’s, and again too late. We stopped at a Cherokee Trading Post and looked around. It was fun to see some of the things they had. The lady in the store said they also had buffalo and Texas longhorns. We went to find them but they were in their barns and we weren’t able to see them. Then we went across the street and ended up at a Subway in a Love’s Gas Station just east of Clinton, Oklahoma.

While driving through Oklahoma City, we decided we wanted to see the Oklahoma City Memorial. It was pretty easy to find and parking was readily available on the street. The reflecting pond of the memorial was being worked on but the memorial itself was lovely. They used some of the materials from the building as the walkway, and parts of the building were left for the memorial. I was glad we got to see it.

Oklahoma City Memorial reflecting pool being repaired.

The wall is the original foundation and walls of the Alfred P Murrah Building. The sidewalks are made from salvaged granite from the original building.

Beautiful grounds and very somber spirit at the memorial.

The chairs represent each of the victims and which floor they were on when the explosion occurred.

Couldn't go inside, due to budget battles and dysfunction of Congress. — Couldn’t go inside, due to budget battles and dysfunction of Congress.

Lex making a face at her mother, followed by a grumpy old man looking for something to criticize.

After leaving Oklahoma City, it was more about the drive. We drove and drove, but only about 250 miles total today, and got into Fort Smith around 4:00 PM. We checked into the Days Inn in Fort Smith (less than $60.00 a night) and waited for Uncle Claude and Aunt Gail to call. Uncle Claude and Aunt Gail are very special. My Dad lived in a little studio on Uncle Claude’s property in Catoosa, Oklahoma for many years. My Uncle Claude and Aunt Gail were the ones who took such good care of my father while he was so sick.

Fort Smith, Arkansas, a pretty town with lots of brick.

Days Inn Fort Smith, can't wait for a resort! — Days Inn Fort Smith, can’t wait for a resort!

Aunt Gail called around 5:30 PM and we agreed to meet up at a restaurant in Roland. It was so good to see them and they both looked good. They both had doctor’s appointments today and didn’t get home until late in the afternoon. The dinner was absolutely wonderful, but even more wonderful was seeing them. After dinner we went back to their beautiful place and visited for awhile. We left around 8:00 PM.

Uncle Claude's Cheese Quesadilla. — Uncle Claude’s cheese quesadilla.

Lex's Cheese Bacon Quesadilla. — Lex’s cheese bacon quesadilla.

Aunt Gale's Beef Steak Nacdos — Aunt Gail’s beef steak nacdos

Edie's Tacos and a burrito. — Edie’s tacos and a burrito.

Lex and Uncle Claude. He turns 85 next week. He had ear surgery to remove cancer and a skin graft from his neck to his ear. A great and fun guy.

Only sweet and beautiful Aunt Gale could get the grumpy old man to smile. — Only sweet and beautiful Aunt Gail could get the grumpy old man to smile.

Uncle Claude's tomatoes. — Uncle Claude’s tomatoes.

That was our day. Hope yours was great!