Oklahoma City, Almost Dead Center of the USA

Our first stop was the Memorial at the site of the old Murrah Federal Building which was blown up on April 19, 1995 by Timothy McVeigh.  On one side of a reflecting pool is a field containing 168 empty bronze and stone chairs with the name of a victim on each one.  We've seen this on TV and in magazines, but in person it is significantly more impressive.







On the other side of the pool ls the "Survivor Tree" which was damaged but, miraculously, continues to thrive and another office building which houses a 3-story museum.

Inside is everything from taped recordings and TV news reports to the actions of first responders to the capture, conviction and execution of the killer.  We could also see part of this building's wall which was blown in from the blast.

The most poignant moments came in the "Gallery of Honor" which contains photos and descriptions, along with small memorabilia of the 168 men, women and children (there was a daycare in the basement.)  At this point Joan reached for the Kleenex and we were both moved to tears.

We walked around outside again and noticed the children's area with painted tiles from all over the US.  The one in the center here says it all:

To lighten the mood, we drove to a "happening" section of the city called Bricktown and got on a water taxi which took us and a few others on a relaxing cruise along a canal through town.

There were statues of horses and covered wagons depicting the beginning of the land rush of the 1870's.......not certain of the date.  This is reportedly the largest bronze exhibit in the country.

We spotted a restaurant with Toby Keith's name on it -- I Love This Bar -- and stopped for an early dinner.  They did not serve the beer in Red Solo Cups, but we enjoyed it anyway!