Michael--50 years already?

Today is our son Michael's 50th birthday! 

I can't believe it has come about so fast!

(I bet he can't either.)

To Michael:  

As stated above, I can't believe you are 50 already, and I have to say that you have been the biggest blessing and joy in my life! I have daily enjoyed the way you warm my heart as well as the laugher that comes from your sense of humor, quick wit, and fun personality. Oh yes, what a treat you are to be around! I am beyond thankful for you! 

Over the years, I have gotten countless compliments about what a great kid you are and how hilarious you are too! Like me, people love you! I'll finish with all this gushing by sharing some pics from over the years. 

Michael & his Dad

Almost 2 yrs. old

Michael and Aunt Jeanne

Christmas 1973

Ta-da!

Serious Fisherman

15 years old.

High School grad.

Imitating his Pop-Pop watching football 

and doing a crossword puzzle!

Orlando?

Lakers?

Michael Jordan?

Where's the Mavs?

Yes!

40th B'day

Michael & his boys Triston & Preston 

(when they were much younger.)

With Mom

Christmas 2011

Christmas 2016

(Triston, Preston, Michael, Donna (me), & George

To end this post, I'll say that George & I love you and we will see you soon!

Big Smiles,

D~~~~

Part 3~OKC, Twin Fountains RV Resort

While in OKC, we stayed at Twin Fountains RV Resort. It's a lovely park with spacious sites, many of which are pull-throughs, and it's easy to get to as well. 

The office. 
It has a friendly and helpful staff.

The small Catch & Release Pond is across from the office.

The park is paved with wide roads that are easy to navigate.

Some quite attractive amenities are offered by the park such as:

A Pool, 

Miniature Golf, 

Fitness Center,

Laundry Facilities, 

Salon & Spa, 

Dog Grooming, 

Several Dog Parks, 

A Bar & Grill, 

Bike Rentals, 

Fishing Pond, 

Storm Shelter 
and more! 

The quaint Semper Fi Bar & Grill  
is just inside and to the left.

The park's designer, builder & owner
is a former Marine, thus the Semper Fi name.

A limo shuttle is available to take you 

to sites within a three-mile radius. 

It runs at 10:00, 12:30 & 5:00. 

Some of those sites include: 

National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum, 

Remington Park ~ Racing & Casino, 

Tinseltown Theatre, 

OKC Firefighters Museum, 

Oklahoma City Zoo, 

Softball Museum and Complex, 

The Lincoln Park Golf Course, 

45th Infantry Division Museum, and 

Omniplex Science Museum & Planetarium. 

We had some pretty good laughs playing mini golf!

It was comforting to know that the park had a storm shelter! For the most part, we had wonderful weather but there were several nights when severe storms rolled through. By morning, the sun was always shining though with a perfect day in store. 

A peek out the door looking up the road.

Another look outside to the right where 
Joe & Geo are engaged in conversation.

If you're looking to stay near a lot of the restaurants, sites and activities that OKC has to offer, then this is the park for you! 

The park's only downside is a bit of road noise from a little road that runs in front of the park, and a highway located behind it. We didn't find it to be too much of a nuisance. In fact, the comfort of the park offset any noise for us, and we wouldn't hesitate to stay here again. 

To read Part 1 of OKC, click here. 

For Part 2, click here.

Wishing You Smiles for Many Miles,

D~~~~

Part 2~OKC, National Memorial & Myriad Botanical Gardens

I hoped to get this Oklahoma City post up much sooner but that didn't happen! My attention has been diverted lately due to some exciting life changes going on around here but that's a post for another day. Right now, here's more of OKC.

We visited the Oklahoma City National Memorial.

The reflecting pool from the street above.

Each of the 168 chairs represent a lost life.

The smaller chairs memorialize the children.

A rescuer's note.

The museum did not accept our America the Beautiful National passes which are for National Parks and Federal Recreation Lands. We thought perhaps it was considered a National Park since it's title is Oklahoma City National Museum but it's primarily funded by donations. 

The museum fee for seniors (over 62) is $12.00. If you're not a senior, it's $15.00. We opted to skip the museum.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Another day, we took a stroll 

through the Myriad Botanical Gardens.

A Starfish plant.

We've never heard of it but it's cool!

George in his Mickey Mouse hat standing 

in front of a Mickey Mouse plant! 

If you wonder how the plant got it's name, this short YouTube video explains it. The YouTube text refers to it as a Mickey Mouse plant but the vid calls it a shrub. It displays yellow blooms but also puts out interesting red blooms with black centers! The red and black is where the Mickey Mouse name comes into play. The plant wasn't in bloom when we were there. Darn it!

Hah! Cute!

We see you!

Initially, I thought this wonky bridge

was the Crystal Bridge but apparently not! 

Don't you love the wonkiness?

We do.

(Wonkiness! The made-up word of the day.) 

As far as we can tell, the poor bridge is nameless. We searched online and in the literature but a name was nowhere to be found. The brochure's map shows the bridge but doesn't make any reference to it. 

We can't leave it nameless now, can we?
NO!

Without further ado, we are officially naming the bridge...

Drumroll please... 

No! The name is not Drumroll please, its:

The Wonky Bridge

Frankly, it was a toss up between 

Gertrude, 

Fred, 

or 

The Wonky Bridge. 

After five seconds of name-grueling sweat, you see who won!

The Crystal Bridge Conservatory is below, 
and as you can see, it's housed on a bridge. 

It's the big greenhouse tube.

The Wonky Bridge is running parallel in front of it.

Don't you think the Conservatory looks like a train or a Disney ride should be shooting out the end of it at any moment now?

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

After the Botanical Garden, we asked a local if there was a nearby small town to explore. We were directed to Guthrie, Oklahoma, the former capitol of Oklahoma, about 30 minutes up the road. 

In Guthrie, we meandered the main downtown street (Oklahoma Street), grabbed a light lunch at La Potosina Mexican Kitchen, and enjoyed a tasty coffee drink at a quaint java shop named Rick's Fine Choclates & Coffees.

On the way out, we spotted Boomerang Diner. 

We gawked in the window like little kids stalking a candy store. 

It was quite the inviting diner! 

In fact, we all wished we had eaten there. 

If we're ever in Guthrie again, we'll surely 

eat at the Boomerang Diner!

Next up, Twin Fountains RV Resort.

Smiles to Y'all,

D~~~~

Part 1~OKC, Bricktown

We recently enjoyed a trip to Oklahoma City, a 3-hour jaunt from home straight up Interstate 35. We caravanned with our friends Joe & Linda, and camped at a delightful park named Twin Fountains RV Resort (More about the park in another post.)

Our main interest was exploring Bricktown which we heard was similar to San Antonio's Riverwalk. 

A Bricktown Water Taxi on the canal.

It's a one-mile canal cruise but we didn't take it.

Maybe next time.

Looking over a fountain and down a 

street named Mickey Mantle Drive.

Mickey Mantle Drive runs in front of Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark where a minor league team, the Oklahoma City Dodgers, play 70 home games.

The green and white dots standing at 

the gate are Geo & Joe looking inside.

Johnny Bench

These player's busts and the 

statues all have ties to Oklahoma.

Mickey Mantle

A Ballpark Mural

While on the Bricktown Riverwalk, 

we stopped for lunch at 

Bourbon Street Cafe. 

It was quite good! 

For dinner the next night, our friend Clyde and his daughter Rachel drove over from Tulsa where they were attending a car show. We all went to Toby's Keith's I Love This Bar & Grill in Bricktown, and I must say it was exceptionally tasty!

Bourbon Street Cafe at night (on the right).

We attempted to attend the free Bricktown Blues Festival but as soon as we arrived, the band announced they had to quit due to incoming bad weather. You don't have to tell us twice! After the weather alert, we meandered our way back to the car and headed out.

For the most part, Bricktown is similar to San Antonio's Riverwalk but it doesn't seem to be jumping like San Antonio can be, especially for the size of the place. That said, we were only there for a Friday afternoon and a few hours Saturday night. It's worth checking out though. We will definitely return.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ 

This is George's Mickey Mouse hat.

The hat's vintage image is from Steamboat Willie, 

a classic 1928 short film which you can watch here.

We had the 8mm movie as kids. 

In fact, I think I still have it!

This is George wearing his Mickey Mouse hat.

This is George's Mickey Mouse hat in the canal!

Ah, the sad victim of a gust of wind!

Hahahahaha!

It frisbeed right off his head!

"Frisbeed" is my new made-up word.

The hat slowly inched it's way over to the other side by the persistent light wind and without sinking! But barely! After a quick trek up steps, over a bridge, down steps, across a ramp, around a curve, and along a sidewalk. Geo & Joe were able to retrieve it when it hit the other side and was very close to going under.

Whew!

Thankfully, Mickey Mouse is once again perched atop Geo's head and all is well in Mickey Mouse's world. That is until he wears another hat!

Smiles,

D~~~~