Going Home through Oklahoma

The highway billboards in Missouri along I-44 were about Branson, hillbillies, Route 66, but highway 69 in Oklahoma was parallel to train tracks and was all about Indians!
This McDonalds goes over the Oklahoma Turnpike. It's supposed to be the largest McDonald's---well, it is certainly the most interesting one. It has a lot of displays on Will Rogers the humorist who was a favorite of my Grandparents Wicker.
In Missouri, we saw the Mule Smoke shop, but in Oklahoma, it is this. . .

Not only are there museums about the tribes. . .
but, also, Casinos all along the highway for at least 3 tribes. Choctaw have the largest casino---because they're fairly close to Dallas-Ft. Worth?
I loved going for a hundred miles or so with old train stations and active lines parallel with our highway. Nothing like the clickety-clack of trains and a train whistle to make my heart race.

There were often piles of railroad ties along the bed---I think they were replacing the rail lines.

I've always enjoyed looking at license plates---License Plate Bingo, anyone? But, I saw some license plates in Oklahoma that I'd never seen before!

I'll have to ask some of my Oklahoma friends how one acquires a Tribal license plate---is it something they have to pay extra for, how do they prove they have the affiliation or is it only for those with some sort of rank in the tribe?

My Oklahoma friend Kathy provided this information:

"Here are some answers to your questions. Many American Indian tribes are actually considered sovreign nations with their own governments, judicial systems, health care services and even car licensing systems. To become a member of the tribe or nation one must have proof that they have parents or ancestors listed on the Indian Rolls, or Daws Rolls. Tribal members may then purchase tribal car tags as detailed in this link to the Cherokee Nation Tag Office website: http://www.cherokee.org/Government/TagOffice"/Default.aspx"

Texas: Food and Fun

My sister was still wonderfully decorated in all its fall splendor (it took a lot of restraint on Jane's part to not decorate for Christmas Nov. 1---she waited until after I left)

Saturday, we first went shopping at Western stores. After Jim found his shirt, and Jane and I bought a few "fun" things, we went to Blue Mesa Grill for lunch.

The food was beautifully presented and delicious. Above is a black bean soup and a corn chowder---it reminded me of Rebecca's tiger striped dip that she took to Mizzou's homecoming.
Jim is pictured above with a blue margarita---Jim thought it looked like a "chick drink," but seemed to enjoy it.
Chicken, spinach enchiladas with asparagus and sweet potatoes.Jim looks like he got a sampler plate. Dave had chicken enchilada with slaw, corn, guacamole.

Jane got the adobe pie which was a delicious tamale-type dish.

We got out to the car and were surprised at Jane's odometer. She put on a few more miles after lunch showing us some communities and homes near her. Click here for more information on Legacy---one of the communities we drove through.


After we got back to Jane and Richard's, we went to their theater where we saw several films and some football, too. Thank you Jane and Richard for your wonderful hospitality!

Lynn's Graduation

We went to Texas to celebrate my niece Lynn's graduation. First, we went to her house where we met her new dogs: Journey, Charlie, Moose and had a delicious meal from Dickey's Barbecue.

Then, we went to the Naval Air Station Fort Worth, Texas where we met some of the officers, took a tour of the offices and where some of us toasted Lynn's graduation at roll call.

Then, we went to the "Drill Hall" where we all got ready for the graduation for Embry Riddle Aeronautical University.
After the ceremony, instead of tossing their hats, they flew airplanes!


We are all so proud of you, Lynn. I know Grandma and Grandpa are beaming from ear to ear in Heaven! Congratulations!

Going to Texas---Missouri I-44

All of these photos were taken from the window of a speeding car going down I-44.

I missed the water tower that said "Hot" next to the water tower that said "Cold", but I did get this one!

Some of the "attractions" have a real Missouri flavor to them.
My husband who went to school at Rolla remembered the grape vines.
But, that was long before the grapes were made into wine. Now there are several wineries.


The scenery is beautiful southwest of Rolla.
Around the turn-off for Branson, we saw a number of billboards for the entertainment there.
Speaking of entertainment, I enjoyed listening to my CD of IZ "Facing the Future" which I thought was appropriate for our first president born in Hawaii facing his new future. Click here to hear my favorite song on the CD.
One of these days we are going to do this Route 66 tour.
That would be the red dotted line that criss-crosses I-44.
I'm looking forward to all of the attractions like above---Gasoline Alley.
We spent the night in Joplin before heading to Oklahoma the next day.