Christmas In The City

It is COLD in Oklahoma now.  I have had to get Scootard to pull the battery out of Ms Vickey as the temps have plumeted to below freezing in the past couple of days.  I guess winter is officially here.  We did have one nice day the other day and decided to take our daughter to the state capital. 

She had never been and Scootard and I have been twice for his visit, but always caught them "closed".  It had been several years since I had been inside and was a little sad over the pitiful displays that were there.  But I did like this one that was sitting over the state seal in the middle of the rotunda...by the way, I tried resizing my pics before posting them.  The first two were fine, then all the rest uploaded according to the size they are now.....:-(.  So, I just made them all uniform or rather Scootard did, but had to do it from his computer.  We have concluded that it is something with my computer that is causing the resizing issue or some kind of a conflict with the blogger software.  Otherwise, you would be looking at this from a microscope....:-(.

The ceiling is so massive that it was impossible for me to get the whole thing in a single shot.  This is looking three stories up AND the lighting was not that great.

This is what I call the "grand stair case".....:-).  Can you imagine living somewhere with steps like that?  Geeze...definately would have to have "merry maids" coming in at least once a week.

Since Scootard and my daughter had not been here on a tour we decided to take one.  Did I mention security was "intense" going through.  It was almost like being at an airport.  But I guess once you have had a visit from the likes of Terry McVeigh (the Oklahoma city bomber), you cannot be too cautious.  After learning that the tour started every half hour, Scootard had just enough time to make a new friend.  I'm not sure I liked her...:-(.

We met up with the tour guide and began making our rounds....The bronze statue was called "The Watchman".  This is the top of the grand staircase that "Merry Maids" would have had to come clean if I lived here....:-).

This is the Hall Of Governors.  All of the governors that have served the state of Oklahoma are immortalized here in bronze with the exception of three governors.  The current governor is among the three and must finish her term before she is set in bronze here.  The other two were impeached and will not be admitted here.  

Art was in abundance in the capital halls.  This is an example of some of the work on the walls and ceilings.

After completing our tour, our daughter wanted to visit the Memorial and the museum for the memorial of the Oklahoma City bombing.  This is the west side of the memorial.

I had only been able to bring myself here two years ago.  It was hard to believe that it had been 17 years since this happened.  Being there made it feel like "yesterday".  It took me 15 years to get here and this was my third visit.  It was bitter sweet.  The wreaths were so beautiful, but the memory was bitter and sad.  You could almost here the blood crying out from the ground.  Very sobering indeed.  A stark reminder of the depravity that humans are capable of stooping to.

Very nice....you cannot see the difference from this shot in the chairs, but the smaller ones were for the children that were killed in the day care center.  McVeigh, before his execution refered to them as "collatoral damage".

We went through the entire inside and after having had enough sadness for the day, we decided to get some dinner.  Time was passing by, it was cold outside and we were hungry.  Scootard found a place to park and we waited outside the resturant for him.  I was tempted to rent this coach for a night ride, but the wind was biting a bit.

I had my heart set on some spinach manicotti, but alas it was no longer on the menu. 

The right side of the picture below shows a street car that has been made into a seating area for the patrons to eat in.  I have eatten in it once, but it seemed that they forgot I was there.  So, I opted to sit at a regular table.  Also, it would have been hard for my daughter to get up the stairs.

She loves here veggies and decided to order a vegetable lasagna.  I don't think she left any either...ha.

I ordered garlic shrimp.....it was spectacular!  I could not finish it and had it for leftovers later.

Scootard ordered Southwest chicken lasagna.  It was pretty good too.  I had a taste of it....:-).  But I didn't give them any of mine! haha

It was time to head home after filling our bellies.  The lights were on everywhere and it made the city that much more beautiful.

I love this time of year as I think lights make everything....well...brighter; of course!

parting is such sweet sorrow!  Farewell, resturant....

There is a section of the city called Bricktown which is a huge torrist attraction in the winter and summer months if the weather permits.  This is a shot of the canal that I tried to get "on the fly" from the car as we passed by.

I'll bet living in those apartments right over the canal is not a cheap thing....

Then we passed this bird looking thingee on the highway......I think I could have made better use of tax payers dollars than that thing.....:-(.

 An hour and a half later, we made it back to our own city and decided to take a quick trip through the "Holiday In The Park" which comes up every year at Christmas time.

I think it has only been hosted here for the past 4-5 years now.  I still find it a bit sparce.  I don't know how tall this tree is, but I am sure it was taller than me...:-). Which, by the way doesn't take much to do....

Well, we heard later that the prairie dogs who are locals in the park have been vandalizing the sets by chewing on the wires and causing some of the lights to go out.  There has also been vandalism by humans....wow, what a world is all I can say to that. 



It was a wonderfully full day with family....:-).  Once we got home and got settled in again, I decided to go into our backyard and see what the sun was doing.  This is what I saw.....:-).

See ya next time!

Plumbing, Restaurants, and Burgers! Oh My!

If you have ever had a day that seemed that it wouldn't end, that was me last night.  We noticed over a few days that the water pressure in our home seemed to be getting weaker by the day.  Finally when it takes FOREVER just to wash dishes or fill a pot with water, it's time to check into things.  We just had a brand new water line installed the week after we got here because of a MAJOR, very expensive leak just feet ahead of the main water pipe that leads into the house.  So, NOT getting water is not acceptable $2000.00 later. 

We needed to find out what the problem was.  The city comes out and checks the pressure and all is well.  ????? By the time we get ready for bed, there is virtually no flow coming from the kitchen tap....I mean it was so little that a bird would have been upset over a missed bath!  AND it was close to midnight....:-(.

Well, since we don't know what is wrong, we had to take the whole contraption off and try to find out; which by the way was no easy task. The water is very hard here.  Harder than in years past and seems to have a lot of calcium in the water now.
First order of business is to see if we can soak it and get some of the build up out of the mixer mechanism inside the faucet.  But just in case, we visited the local Wal-Mart super store and picked up a replacement.  Thank God for 24 hour stores!  I hate waking up to a dirty kitchen and the dishes were still not done yet:-(.

Since I cannot reach high enough to do the job, you know who (Scootard) was on a mission to get it done.

After a lot struggle, pulling and grunting, Scootard was able to pull the fixture off.  We soaked it in the CLR solution, scrubbed with a wire brush, soaked some more, ran water through it, blew air through it and reassembled it in hopes that it would get water flow and then take the new fixture back to the store.  

I went to bed exhausted and slept like a log.  It's amazing how watching someone else work so hard can wear you out! ha  I woke up to a clear, beautiful fall day.  The trees are mostly bear now.  Not the lush green that was still present when we arrived over two months ago.  

It's been several days since Ms Vickey and I went out for a spin and the days are getting chilly! So, I decided to saddle up and ride.

There is an historic restuarant that is known for its food located at the cross section of these roads called "Meers".  It is also located in Meers Oklahoma.  I believe the restaurant was established in 1901.  They have good food if you can get a seat.

The original building which you see here has been moved from its original site and some updates had to be made in order for it to be in code.  The interior used to be covered with business cards.  Even the ceiling and walls were covered.  They closed for a bit and when they reopened, it had a heating unit, added room and all of the cards were gone by order of the fire marshall I suppose.   

It had been over a year since I was here last and was anxious to get inside and have some lunch.  And then.......

WHAT!???  We came all this way and you don't want my visa???  UGH!  I'm starving by now......:-(.  Ok, back to town I guess for some food. 

On the way back to town, we saw this forgotten restuarant.  Scootard had not been and I had, but wasn't too impressed with the food.  However, it had been over 5 years, so maybe they won't let me down this time.  Ann's Country Kitchen.

Wow, that was some wicked gravel I had to ride over.  Glad to make it inside where it's warmer....:-)

Scootard is excited about his lunch coming....haha.  See the "glee"?  haha. 

We ordered the buffulo burgers and I was sure they were going to be dry.  Not everyone can cook this the right way, although I must admit I am one of the ones who can.....:-)

And don't forget the onion rings.....:-).  Scootard found one shaped like a "Q" and thought that was funny......

After lunch, we (he) had desert.  Italian Cream cake was the order of the day.  I was told that it was wonderful.  I passed on desert as I found it hard to even finish my lunch.  Scootard was estatic probably about not having to share with me....haha.  We should write a movie called "Scootard Sees A Q"......haha

and then it was time to make the long trip home as the weather was starting to turn chilly....

well, not that long, but the temperature dropped from 68F (19c) to 16c (65F) which is chilly when you are moving at 70 miles per hour.  We hope to be able to get a little more riding in before we leave.  Our leaving keeps getting pushed back further. I guess we will eventually get back to Canada....

See ya next time!

Just Chillin....

It's been a week or more since I made an entry.  It has been a busy time trying to get ready to go back to Canada with lots of interuptions.  The time of staying in my
"semi-hideaway" is nearing an end.  Here's a quick shot of my Oklahoma hideout. This is where I spend most of my time when I am not out riding....:-).  It's a panoramic shot, so it looks a little weird....

The weather has been back and forth between beautiful (and windy) to cold (and windy). Afterall, this is Oklahoma where the wind comes whistling over the plains; as the song goes....:-). The evenings have been chilly enough to light an outdoor fire pit that a friend gave me 3 years ago.  You can tell that it was quite chilly because we were wearing jackets and freezing our rear ends off....haha. Just look at Scootard. If you see a Canadian wearing jacket, IT'S COLD! ha

Now, for some reason after I upgraded my storage for my blog, I lost the ability to edit my pictures.  Now, they all come out in various sizes with no way to make corrections.  I have even tried editing the size BEFORE uploading to blogger with no success.  oh well.....:-(. 

The next morning it was apparent to me that I should get Ms Vickey ready for the winter.  We are leaving the bikes here in the states since we will be returning in May. The wind was fierce, so Scootard took her to the shop for me to have her serviced.   He's "the man with his finger on the button of power"...:-(.  Anyway,  here is Ms Vickey on her way to the shop and Scootard posing with her.....:-) 

 

 

 

She was there for 3 days before we could pick her up.  She had her 7000k tune-up....:-).  She's a big girl now!  And this is her when we got her back.

 

TADA!

 

 

and here is Scootard after all of the festivities.......haha

 

 

 

We hope to be able to ride at least once more before heading back to the great north "wet".  Until then,  her and "the Maj" will have to wait.  But I'll be ready when the time is right.....:-).

 



 

 





 

 



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 







Day Trip to Snyder, Oklahoma

It has been almost two weeks since Ms Vickey had been on the road. Since today was very pleasant and in the 70's, it seemed like a good idea to get out on the open road before winter really set in on us.  

But first things first.....off to the court house to pay the property taxes for the year.  Since we paid our Oklahoma home off last year, this would be the first time taxes were paid by me and not an escrow account.   Ouch!!  I looked at the itemization that was on the bill and all I could say was "why am I PAYING FOR THAT!?"  I thought the taxes were for "my" property; not everything one elses too.....:-(. 

The good thing is that Scootard was still able to transact business on his cell phone on the way out of the building.   I was still stinging from the large tax bill, but at least it was paid in full for the year........yikes!
 

We started down the highway and the further I went, the more aware I became that I was not feeling well at all.......my throat was hurting and my sinuses were itchy.....:-(.

First stop........

There wasn't one single soul at the park.  It was completely deserted with the exception of some water foul that I was too far away from to get a picture of. But it was beautiful and quiet... 

Now, whenever I go on rides like this, I always have to go to the bathroom.  And as bad as I had to go, how is it that I drove right past it!?  haha....oh no!  I didn't feel confident to turn the bike around where I was as there were slight drop off's on either side of the road.  So, I decided to take the long way back around.  Scootard met me when I got half way there and came to my rescue.  We met where the drop off's were "not".....ha
  

I was in desparate need of a rest since I was not feeling well at all.....

Finally!



Wow, that was too close for comfort!

I came out of the bathroom to discover that Scootard was practicing being the master of his universe.....hahaha. 
 

Next stop was to the Tom Sneed Dam.  I came here many years ago, but now it was different.  911 had taken place and the Dam was now gated off.  Scootard was taking pictures while I stood there in disbelief....

 

I decided to take other area pictures.

I don't know if these are prickly pear or not.  I didn't see the red flower that would normally be on top of that kind of cactus.  Perhaps the flower had faded already?  I'm not sure....

Scootard drove across some loose gravel to get pictures of the dam.  I was not going to do that, so I waited for him to come back.

He wanted to get a shot of me "in action" as he calls it.  Not sure it was a good one as I was moving pretty fast when he took the shot.  Oh well. ha

 On the way back to our own city, we saw this along the way........

I couldn't help but think that someone used to live here.  Or maybe it was just for the "help" who would come to work the fields many moons ago.  I was somewhat surprised that the county has not made the owners knock it down.  I mean, they would only have to do half the work now anyway!

The road was calling me. And I was feeling increasingly sick like I had the flu or something.....

When we got into the town of Snyder, we found it sleepy and pretty much deserted.  I did find this old pressing machine interesting, though......:-).



I mean, not a soul..ya'll.  zippo.....nada, nobody.  And this is the middle of the day on a week day.....wow.



I guess this is the name of their team?  I have no clue...

After what seemed like forever, we finally made it back to our city and were on the hunt for dinner.  I was starving and in need of medicine.

BINGO!  Dinner is served......:-)

Scootard was in great anticipation of what was beyond those doors......:-).

I was exhausted and starving.  I loaded up my plate which is my custom as I do not like going back for seconds.  Not because I wouldn't eat them, but because by the time I eat the first plate, I might be too full to get up for the second one..ha.  Notice the frog leg on top?  Kinda looks like a fish of some sort.

Scootard was ready to attack his food like he was mad at it!  hahaha



by the time we finished eating, the sun was setting.  I was still in need of some meds and we needed to gas up Ms Vicky.

For some reason, Ms Vickey burned a LOT of gas. We just changed her oil and checked the spark plug. So, I don't know why other than the fact that I had the throttle pinned; which is something I had never done before. But at least I had found out that she will in fact do 75mph, but not a mile more...ha. Bless her little heart....:-).

After we got gased up, Scootard decided to get the "bug matter" off of our windshields as well.





And now, off to more important things.

YES!  DRUGS!  We decided on the "night and day" variety since we have to make a trip out of town again tomorrow.

ok.....so I made it home and am ready to kick this cold/flu -allergy thing that is trying to get me.  You can't keep a good Scooterchick down for long!

See ya next time....:-).