06/05/2016

Oklahoma City Memorial

First I want to apologize for the formatting of these posts. Second, I realized after posting last week I had inadvertently uploaded a vide file incorrectly. For all those who reminded me I was the IT guy and this was unacceptable, I apologize. Apparently the video was much larger than the 100MB limit of this blog.…  Kathy didn’t get the one of me being pulled out of the mud by the tractor so you wouldn't have gotten to see the best part. My motto is if it ain’t on tape, it didn’t happen!

The rest of the time spent in Adel, Iowa was uneventful. Sunday was spent watching the Nascar race and all the other RV’s in the park packing up and leaving. By Monday morning it was pretty much just us. 

We left out on Tuesday morning headed for Kansas City, MO to spend a few nights boondocking at the Ameristar Casino. We explored the casino the first night stopping in to have dinner at the buffet but refrained from any gambling. We considered a movie since they had 18 screens but I think we were all more hungry and tired from the day’s drive.

Wednesday we got up and went into Kansas City, KS looking for a Wells Fargo Bank. We needed to have some paperwork notarized and a Cashier’s Check for the car registration. We later found out there are no Wells Fargo Banks in Missouri as well as a few other states because of state laws/regulations that prohibit banks from operating in those states until they meet the necessary requirements. After the bank and then the post office to mail the paperwork we spent the remainder of the day at the Farmer’s Market in downtown Kansas City, KS. 

An artists impression of what the
bottom of the Missouri River looks like today

Some of the 200,000 lbs of treasure
 found on the Arabia

Woodworking tools found on the Arabia

Fireplace shovels

Specifically, we wanted to see the Arabia Steamboat Museum. As we entered the museum area I was not impressed. It was a small gift shop and I saw nothing I wanted to spend my money on to see. We followed the others in the shop and purchased our tour tickets anyway and followed the tour guide down some steps into the basement of the building. Wow! This guy knew his stuff. He was a great story teller and as we rounded the corners he proceeded to tell us about the early steamboats on the Missouri River and why so many had sunk over the years. The story of the Arabia is fascinating. From the location where the boat was found to how the guys got together to locate it and the treasures found in its hull it is a great tour. We even ran into and got to listen to one of the original 5 gentlemen who dug the boat up and found the treasure leading some friends on a personal tour. If you’re ever in Kansas you won’t want to miss this tour. Lunch was had at a small Italian Deli at the Farmer’s Market afterwards.

Lunch in Kansas City, KS

Decorative beads of all colors
and sizes for women's clothing

Kansas City, KS skyline


Next, we headed for the Harry S. Truman Library & Museum. The tour was only 6 dollars  for Kathy. I got in free for being a veteran! YES! Actually, we have noticed a lot more veteran discounts here in the Midwest than we ever found in Southern California. Being a veteran actually means something here! The museum is a huge collection of documents and letters sent and received by Truman along with video and a timeline tour of his years before, during and after in office. Truman, his wife and daughter are all buried in the courtyard.

Truman graves

A random Victorian style house we liked

Thursday was spent traveling to the Walmart in Newton, IA where we went shopping for groceries and spent the night in their parking lot.

Friday we left Walmart and found our way to Guthrie, Oklahoma. Michael prefers the freeways but because we’re all cheapskates I led us through the 2-lane back roads to avoid the toll roads. We found the cheapest price so far for diesel fuel of $2.099 a gallon. We found our campground and got settled in for the next day. Kathy & I were excited to get going on Saturday to tour the Oklahoma City Memorial Site.

Reflection pool outside
memorial where street used to be when
 McVeigh parked the truck that exploded

We went into Oklahoma City Saturday morning to an empty downtown area and the monument. As soon as you enter the monument area a hush falls over everyone and all you really hear are birds and the trickle of the reflection pond. It was so somber an experience. I was fascinated with the memorial. Even though I had followed the news stories back in 1995 when it occurred, I really didn’t know all the background and specifics. This another one of those places that should be on your bucket list.

One chair for each person killed.
Large for adults and small for children.
Placed in a row coinciding with the floor they were on when killed

Kathy examining one of the chairs
 that signify each of those killed

Timothy McVeigh's getaway car

Kathy looking at some of the pictures
 of the 168 killed including 19 children 

Guess who?

Old architecture

  

New architecture

Today Micheal & Sara have gone into town to see a movie and explore while Kathy & I take an off day to finish catching up on paying bills and writing blogs!

Tomorrow we leave for the hotter temps of the Southwest. I’ve already got an appointment scheduled to have the cab A/C looked at. It hasn’t worked since we purchased the RV but never really needed it. I’m guessing that’s about to change!

PS... We thought you might like to see our calendar from last month...