B & D's USA Hideout: Norman, OK

Leaving Arkansas, we drove the rig over the hills and through the woods of the Ouachita National Forest and into Oklahoma. This stop was primarily to visit with Brian's aunt and uncle and cousins who live in Norman, Oklahoma. We camped at Lake Thunderbird State Park, which was a really nice park right on the lake. We arrived later in the day on Monday so we got settled and spent the rest of the evening relaxing. On Tuesday we brought a mountain of laundry over to the Murphy's and had a very enjoyable afternoon catching up and having lunch with Brian's uncle, Dick. We reunited with the rest (almost) of the Murphy's later for dinner at a local Mexican cantina.

We spent Wednesday in Oklahoma City touring the Oklahoma City National Memorial and Museum. Brian and I were pretty young when this tragedy occurred so it was very interesting to revisit that time period. The museum was excellent. It had all new and updated technology but also carried a very extensive collection of memorabilia from the remains of the building and of the times. The museum is set up for a self-guided walk through each second of the tragedy, from the minutes before the explosion to the trial and execution of Timothy McVeigh. It was all very moving and an exceptional tribute to those who lost their lives that day.

Later on we hosted a mini cookout for Dick and Meghan and her son, Lance. Good one on one time and a great visit overall.

I will say we were a bit concerned about being in Oklahoma at the beginning of tornado season. Luckily, no tornados dropped down during our visit but we did experience some very severe thunderstorms.

Today is Thursday and we are leaving the red dirt in a haze behind us as we drive south and west to Big Bend National Park. We won't make the whole way in one day so we'll make a Walmart stop tonight and complete the rest of the drive early tomorrow morning.