Traveled on to Sedalia, MO for the FMCA Rally 9-25-29. Rallies are gatherings of RVers to learn more about their coach and lifestyle, spend money with the vendors, enjoy entertainment, meet new people and see old friends. And that we did!

We did venture out one day to see MKT (Katy) Depot which was built in 1896 and used to house railroad offices and restaurants. The tracks of the old railroad track route have been removed and it is now a walking or biking trail. We also went to visit the Bothwell Lodge State Historic Site, a castle like building we saw up in the hills while traveling on Highway 65. This lodge was constructed in 4 sections on top of 3 natural caves, from 1897 to 1928, using native rock from the estate grounds. It was built for a prominent Sedalia lawyer, John Homer Bothwell. The 12,000 square foot lodge contains 31 room and 5 bathrooms, which was something for that time period. Mr. Bothwell thought if he built over the natural caves he could use the cool air to cool his home. He was wrong as cool air does not rise.

We left Sedalia and traveled on, stopping a few days in Checotah, OK. This town brags about being the hometown of Carrie Underwood, 2005 American Idol. After visiting Checotah, Eufaula and Muskogee, it was time to head on to Oklahoma City. We went to see the National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum. This gave us the opportunity to look at the period of the cowboys and the pioneers, remembering the western heroes that we idolized as a child, such as Tom Mix, Hopalong Cassidy, Gene Audrey, Roy and Dale Rogers, and by far the most impressive being John Wayne. There was a large collection of memorabilia that John Wayne left to the museum for display. A must see for anyone traveling in this area.

Next we visited the Oklahoma City National Memorial which is an excellent tribute to the victims of the terrorist attack of April 19, 1995. There are twin gates that frame the moment of destruction. The East Gate shows the time 9:01 and represents the innocence of the city before the attack (9:02). The West Gate shows the time 9:03 the moment when we were changed forever. Between the gates is a shallow pool of water representing the street in front of the Federal Building. The gently flowing water is intended to help soothe the wounds. There is a field of 168 chairs representing those that perished in the attack. The chairs, large size for adults and smaller chairs representing the children are placed in nine rows representing the 9 stories of the building and are placed according to the floor on which those killed worked or were visiting. There is a glass base below each chair with the name of a victim which illuminates at night.

There is a 90 year old Elm tree that survived the attack. A circular concrete overlook is now built around the Survivor Tree so families, friends and visitors can come there to view the memorial.

Next we visited Bricktown and had lunch on the canal. In 1999 a canal was built in what was once the old warehouse and wrecked buildings of Oklahoma City. A lot of those buildings have now been transformed into restaurants. There is also a baseball stadium, theater, convention center and arena sports theater. We believe they are trying to rejuvenate this older section of town.

Next stop was Amarillo, TX. Here we drove thru the Palo Duro Canyon, one the nation’s most magnificent scenic attractions. Although it is not the Grand Canyon, it was a great sight to see. Unfortunately we were too late to see a show at the outdoor Pioneer Amphitheater. And if you in the area of Amarillo, at least 40 miles outside the city limits you will see a sign that says “Free 72 oz. steak”. Well that is unbelievable – 4 l/2 pounds of meat and all the trimmings free if you eat it in one hour. So we had to see – not eat – and we went to The Big Texan Restaurant to see if anyone would try that challenge. Unfortunately no one did while we were there but they said that over 8,000 people have done so since the restaurant opened in 1960.

Next stop – the Balloon Fest in Albuquerque.