All those miles provide an educational opportunity into the insights of classic rock 'n roll and outlaw country, the only channels that UPLNDR can seem to dial in clearly on the XM signal. The good news is that Rush has finally been nominated to the RnR Hall of Fame, righting a wrong that has been out there for too long. Despite selling tens of millions of albums, creating numerous rock anthems, and providing chronic lyrictosis for many teenagers ("living on a fish island..."), I believe the media snobs were always put-off by Rush's veiled politicism and support for individual freedoms (The Trees and Red Barchetta come to mind), albeit on the opposite spectrum of U2, whom everyone loves. I hope none of the band members show up for the induction!
No his mind is not for rent
To any God or government
Always hopeful, yet discontent
He knows changes aren't permanent
But change is
But, I digress...
Sophia crossed the Red River for the first time, startled by the throaty strains of "OOOOOOOOOklahoma..." and the marked lack of water. We were soon in downtown OKC for our first destination.
And a somber one at that ... the Murrah Federal building destroyed by McVeigh on 4-19-1995. The site is so well done, a fitting monument to those who died and those who gave so much attempting to preserve life, a nice place to reflect on the fragility of life, the evil that exists, and the indelible American spirit that overcomes all tragedy. Thankfully, there's no celebrity treatment of the idiot perps - in fact, if they sought a legacy of some sadistic sort, they'd be sorely disappointed.
From OKC we headed west to Cheyenne and the Battle of Washita NHS. Really a misnomer ... Custer swept down on Black Kettle's sleeping village of Cheyenne, killing and capturing mostly women and children until he was forced to withdraw back to Kansas when warriors from neighboring villages appeared on the ridges above him! Not much of a battle and if Black Kettle had listened to his wife and camped just a bit closer to the other tribes, it may have been the last ever written about Custer. Research Black Kettle a bit to see how resilient he was, survivng the Sand Creek Massacre and then just trying for one more winter of freedom with his people.
We'll cross the Boy General's path multiple times on this trip, and encounter the many episodes of Indians who sued for peace and were overrun by the pioneers and US Army.
No significant food events on this day other than the introduction to fried green beans at the Old West Cafe in Sanger, TX. Goes good with ranch dressing!
678.3 miles
Got goosebumps seeing the upclose photo of the Murrah Building. Sophia needs to learn the words to "Oooooo-ak-lahoma, where the wind comes rushing down the plains, etc. etc. etc."
ReplyDeleteI couldn't figure out why Rush LIMBAUGH would have been nominated to RNR HOF, so it took me a minute to catch on to that rant ;-)