Over 1,500 miles and 6 states in, Ron and I pulled into Springfield, MO last night after riding through the Ozark National Forest. It ended up a humid 96 degrees so we rode past the National Quilt Museum, crossed through IL into Missouri, and finally crossed the mighty Mississippi River. We saw a gentleman at Taco Bell proudly wearing his gun on his waste. Not exactly sure why since there is little that can kill you in the heart of the midwest other then the summer heat. Missouri is filled with mega-farms that stretch as far as the eye can see and we headed onward this morning at a milder 69 towards Oklahoma!

On our way in search of Route 66, we got to try out our rainsuits. Note to self, my rainsuit is easy to get on over my shoes and less easy to get off. Must practice. Anyway, our ride today was a contrast to yesterday and as we are clearly in the plains and they are not kidding about the whipping wind! We didn’t see any tornadoes, but we did see a sign stating “Hitch Hikers May be Escaped Inmates.” Well, good to know I guess!

We finally picked up Route 66! This is called the “Main Street of America” due to it’s historic nature helping folks move out and settle the west. It is no longer a national highway but is now owned and operated in each individual state and it has been renamed in some places. In Oklahoma…it’s even a toll road! We made it to Oklahome City with only one thing on the agenda, the Memorial.

I don’t think the Memorial was at the top of my list of things to see but honestly, it is the most amazing thing we have seen so far and if you get the chance to visit – DO! I remember 1995 and the devestation of the bombing. 168 people we killed at 9:02am on Wednesday, April 19, 1995, 19 children were lost that day as there was a daycare center on the second floor of the building and another one nearby. Before September 11, 2001, it was the deadliest attack on US soil. The memorial includes a reflecting pool honoring the rescue workers, survivial tree honoring those who survived and were change, a field of chairs representing those who died that day.

The sole purpotrator who executed the bombing was executed in 2001 and there is an incredible documentary on this event. It tells the story of this right wing, white supremists. Even though the bombnig took place 27 years ago, The Memorial is a chilling reminder of the senseless violence we live in even today. Let me ask you, do you like what you see on main street?