O Is for Oklahoma City

Remembering the Oklahoma City Bombing, Thirty years later

In yet another break from Blogging from A to Z protocol, we are postponing L-M-N, which are all connected, and moving directly to O. We're honoring history and the 168 people who died thirty years ago in Oklahoma City when the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building was bombed. 

I've written about my visit to the Oklahoma City National Museum in the fall after my visit to Oklahoma City. I was in Oklahoma City for a reunion with dear friends and an opportunity to visit a state I hadn't yet visited.  It was a quick visit and I knew there wasn't a lot of time for sight-seeing, but I knew had to visit the National Memorial and pay my respects to those that died there. That was a non-negotiable part of the trip. I knew it would be moving, but the memorial and the exhibit about all that happened thirty years ago today and the months that followed were beyond moving. 

My friend Debbie and I spent several hours going through the Museum, riveted by the thoughtful retelling of the events of the day and time following. It brought back memories of watching days of television coverage, and for me, too, the memories of September 11. If you're able to visit Oklahoma City this sacred site is top of the list. 

Welcome to  Route 66

Oklahoma was the 46th US state that I've visited. Some of the visits -- Wyoming and Kansas -- have been as short as one meal, and other states I've visited and stayed in multiple times. I'm looking at you Maine, Louisiana and California, and I've lived in five states: Connecticut, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Tennessee and New York. Four states are left to visit: Iowa, Nebraska and North and South Dakota. I don't have plans to visit them, but it's always in the back of my mind. What states are in your travel plans for 2025?   

Tomorrow we're taking a break from the A to Z travel posts, but I'm hoping to pop on quickly with pictures of the Easter Parade, which isn't really a parade, but lots of people walking on Fifth Avenue. Weather permitting I'm hoping to join in the fun. 

As ever, thanks for visiting and wishes for a bright and blessed Easter.