Tulsa, OK Oct. 1 - 5, 2011

We arrived in Tulsa on Saturday, October 1.   Our campground was the Mingo Creek RV Park on the NE side of Tulsa.   Since we got in late in the afternoon on Saturday, we just set up the trailer and acquainted ourselves with the maps and tourist info for the area.   Sunday we stayed in camp until around 3 p.m. and then explored the neighborhood flea market.   It was not as orderly and as clean as the Raleigh flea market.   Many of the stalls were already starting to take down their tarps and close up.   I also made an apple crisp from the last free apples we had picked in Utah at Capitol Reef National Park.  

As luck would have it, on our way back in from our flea market excursion we stopped at the office to inquire about the Tulsa State Fair which was being advertised on the news.   One of the ladies in the office said she lived two blocks from the fairground, and if we'd like, we could park in her driveway FREE.   Took her up on her offer the next morning and headed out to the fair.  The fair reminded me of a smaller version of the Minnesota State Fair with several commercial buildings filled with exhibiters.   The sidewalks were cement, and there were many barns for the farm animals and of course the midway!   We totally enjoyed our day, and left with tired legs!  

Tuesday we drove about 20 miles to Claremore, OK to visit the Will Rogers Museum.   This 1/4 Cherokee native son was a cowboy, a trick roper, vaudvillian, radio and movie star, as well as a journalist.   He was loved for his witty comments.    He was killed in an airplane accident on 8/15/1935 in Alaska with his pilot and friend, Wiley Post.   In the 1930's, his death was as much of an impact as John F. Kennedy's was in later years.  The museum was built in 1938 and an extension was added in 1982.   His birthplace was about 15 miles from the museum in Oologah, OK.   The ranch is called Dog Iron Ranch, and the house and a period style barn are still located on Rogers land.   There is a home on the acreage for the caretaker.   It was definitely an enjoyable day and tour.

Wednesday we Toured the Tulsa Air and Space Museum which included the history of Tulsa and it's place in the history of Aviation.   It was very interesting.   At noon we went next door to the planetarium to see a show on the search for livable planets.    Then we went back to the museum to finish our tour and back to camp to begin preparations for leaving on Thursday.     On to Topeka, KS!!!!