Oct 21 - Oklahoma capitol and Oklahoma City Memorial

We left our hotel upset with issues we experienced there. It was the first real problem we have had with any hotel on this trip. But James and I decided to leave it there and go on (although I was going to send the general manager an e-mail.) As we left the hotel, we spotted another oil well and got a good picture and then we drove toward Oklahoma City. It took longer than we estimated because Ms. Lizzie was programmed to avoid toll roads and we went miles out of the way through small towns. I fixed that! We got to the state capitol in time for the 2 p.m. tour. The tour guide was very knowledgeable of the history of Oklahoma and how it affected the capitol. There are numerous items depicting their history, particularly the influence of the Indians on the state. Their state seal shows an Indian and a white man standing with Justice in the center. Also, the center has 5 points, each with the representative of one of the five Indian tribes that were in the territory. I learned that prior to statehood there was an Indian territory and a white territory. There was a bill introduced into congress to make the Indian Territory the state of Sequoyah. The bill was tabled and later the two territories were brought in as the state of Oklahoma. There are paintings of the most well known Oklahomans – Babe Ruth, Will Rogers, and Jim Thorpe. The capitol is not as ornate as many we have seen on this trip but it is very interesting. The initial model of the capitol had the central dome in the design; however, when the capitol was built funding ran out and the dome was left off. The structure was left in such a way as to allow the dome to be added later and it was completed in 2005! When the dome was added, the Indian statue entitled “The Guardian” was added. A replica of the statue is in the rotunda. We went into the Governor’s ceremonial meeting room, the House of Representatives and into the Supreme Court. As we left the capitol we saw an oil well pump in downtown Oklahoma City! We left there and headed to the Oklahoma City bombing memorial. The outside area is maintained by the National Park Service and is absolutely breath-taking. After the bombing of the Murrah Federal Building, a chain-link fence was erected to keep people out after the recovery effort was completed. People brought memorials to such an extent that the decision was made to retain the fence as part of the permanent memorial to reflect the caring of the community. Once you go inside, you walk through a “gate” that is a large wall with engraving of 9:03. At the other end of the park is another wall with an engraving of 9:01. In between is a reflecting pool which represents the exact moment of the explosion – 9:02. Then to the side are copper colored structures which are depicting “empty chairs.” There is a chair for each victim. Their name is engraved on the chair and, at night, it is lit from underneath as a beacon of hope. To the other side is a tree which has been designated “the survivor tree.” This tree is over 100 years old and survived the crash. The tree has become the symbol of the memorial – survival. We went to the memorial museum and outside there is a wall of tiles which children from all over the US painted and sent to the city to show their support of the children. We toured the museum and did not make any pictures out of respect. It was very emotional. Although it clearly depicts the horror of the bombing, it also depicts the spirit of America in pulling together throughout the rescue and recovery effort. One of the rescue workers is shown on a TV screen saying there was nothing that they needed that wasn’t provided. One TV program reported that the rescue dogs were cutting their paws on the metal in the debris and the next morning there were over 100 special pads provided for the dog’s feet! The survivors are on TV screens talking about their experiences and the support they received from the entire community. I cannot really tell you I felt about the museum. It was totally depressing and totally up-lifting! Would I recommend it for any ADULT that had the opportunity to be in Oklahoma City – ABSOLUTELY! We left there about 6 p.m., ate supper, and headed to the hotel where we watched the Phillies win the National League championship – YEAH! Another great day.