Middle America

To be honest, the day we left South Carolina we just wanted to get from SC to Taos, New Mexico (our next major USRT stop) as quickly as possible. Along the almost 1700 mile journey through Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi, Tennessee, Arkansas, Oklahoma, and Texas, we did, however, manage to take in a couple of interesting sites.

Our first night was spent in Olive Branch, Mississippi, just outside of Memphis, Tennessee. When we got up the next morning, we drove through Memphis, and took a short detour to see the legendary Sun Studios. It was too early to take a tour, the museum wasn't even open yet, but we walked around the building and looked in the windows. Pretty cool. Standing on the same street corner where the likes of Elvis, Johnny Cash, Roy Orbison, Jerry Lee Lewis and others walked in to record their music was a big thrill, especially for Sam. 

Sun Studio, Memphis, Tennessee

Photo of the Million Dollar Quartet: Jerry Lee Lewis, Carl Perkins, Elvis, and Johnny Cash, recording at Sun Studio on December 4, 1956.

Memphis graffiti along side interesting photo...

On the second day, since Oklahoma City was on our route, we decided to stop and see the Oklahoma City National Memorial. What we found was a very thoughtful and moving memorial to the victims, survivors, rescuers and all who were forever changed by that sad day in April of 1995. 

One of the two Gates of Time: "9:01" symbolizing innocence of the city the minute just before the attack,

and "9:03" representing when all was forever changed by the horror of the moments and days following the blast.

Inscribed on the outside of each of the Gates of Time:

"We come here to remember Those who were killed, those who survived and those changed forever. May all who leave here know the impact of violence. May this memorial offer comfort, strength, peace, hope and serenity."  

The reflecting pond between the two Gates of Time.

168 chairs representing those who died in the building.

Each chair has the name of a victim, and the 19 smaller chairs are for the children who were killed.

After that sobering experience, we drove a little farther down the highway, and spent the night in Weatherford, OK. The following morning, we visited the National Route 66 Museum in nearby Elk City. 

The museum consisted of several buildings, made to look old-fashioned, and they were filled with antiques and other memorabilia from America's somewhat distant past.

Interesting note: Sam pointed out to me that the orange riding "vehicle" on the blue rug, next to the bed, is shaped like a BOMB! Weird.

This is similar to the sewing machine I learned to sew on as a young girl!

Aren't you glad they came up with a better way to give permanent waves?

Very cool old Indian motorcycle.

Appropriately enough, as we left the museum and headed back onto I-40, these old cars just happened to be on the road ahead of us!