Muldrow, OK to Oklahoma City, OK – 5/1/2017
May 1, 2017 (Monday)
Woke up to blue skies! So good to see it after so many days of storms and grey ugliness. We left our room and headed over to Uncle Claude and Aunt Gail’s home to get a little visit and another hug in. Bonus was we got to see Aunt Gail’s daughter, Paula, who had come to take care of her mother for a week or so. So good to see her again as it had been years. Sad to say goodbye to Uncle Claude and Aunt Gail but good to see they are doing okay and hanging in there. It’s hard getting old.
The drive today was from Muldrow to Oklahoma City, Oklahoma – about 175 miles. The roads were good (except a few bumpy spots) and mostly highway. Clarece (GPS) must have forgiven us and is now taking us on major roads most of the time. (Our first stop was a nearby McDonald’s for our travel breakfast and coffee.) We saw several rivers that were overflowing and brown from the recent storm runoff. We also saw so many beautiful wildflowers that are just now popping. Love this time of year.
We got into Oklahoma City and drove to the Super Walmart. I dropped Michael off to get a prescription filled we thought we had, but didn’t. It was an important medication and he needed to get it filled soon. No more than a minute after I had dropped him off, all sorts of police cars pulled up. One of the cars stopped in front of the Walmart, lights flashing, opened the door and the officer came running out with a shotgun. Scared me knowing that Michael was somewhere near whatever was going on. After a few minutes I asked someone and was told some guy was pointing a gun at people. I guess they got him and arrested him. Michael came walking out and didn’t even realize all the commotion, thank goodness.
Come to find out we had to go to another Walmart because they didn’t have the medication he needed. We drove to the other Walmart (about five miles away) and he was able to get it without any drama or problems. Walmart really has been great about getting our medication to us, even if they have a few glitches sometimes.
By this time it was around 2:00 PM and we headed to the State Capitol. We were following a big school bus and I kept secretly saying please don’t go to the Capitol, please don’t go to the Capitol. Well, it went to the Capitol but it was okay because they were picking up! Worked out well. There was quite a bit of construction heading into the Capitol but it was easy to find. Security was quick.
The Oklahoma Capitol is quite lovely but today it was very loud. Apparently they were having some kind of Mexican heritage day (Cinco de Mayo is coming up) and they had dancers, singers, and all sorts of things happening. I asked a man walking by where the tours were and he took us to the gift shop where they gave us a self-guide booklet, and then the kind gentleman gave us our own little tour. So nice. Come to find out he was a member of the House of Representatives from McAllister, Oklahoma – Dr. Brian Renegar. Such a nice and funny guy. So sweet that he took time out of his very busy day to give us a brief tour and tell some fun stories. Loved it. He pointed out that the very large seal on the bottom floor of the Capitol was the same size as the tiny one at the interior top of the dome. He took us to a statue that is a replica of the one on top of the dome, sculpted by a former Representative.
As we walked around and explored, we saw some very beautiful and colorful murals, some paintings, some sculptures, the dome, the House, the Senate, and we even tried to get into the Supreme Court but the doors were closed. I think once all the construction is done, it will be very grand and elegant. It is a very understated but lovely Capitol. We had to laugh when we saw the oil well rigs in front of the Capitol. How appropriate to Oklahoma. We also ran into the most wonderful mom and her five young children. She said she had some business to do in Oklahoma City (they were from the Tulsa area) and just decided to visit the Capitol.
We left and headed to get something to eat at a nearby Cheesecake Factory. We found parking really close and were surprised that it was not at all busy. I got Michael’s usual – BBQ chicken salad, and Michael got a chicken salad sandwich. Yummy (as usual). We couldn’t eat all of it so we had it packed up for later. I’m sure it won’t go to waste.
We left and drove the 2-3 short miles to our home for the night. Tonight’s hotel was found on Priceline for about $70.00. It’s called the Tower Hotel and it’s lovely, spacious, modern, and fun. We are on the 11th floor and the view is spectacular.
Didn’t realize there was so much water near Oklahoma City.
We are tired but had a good day. Hope your day was great!