Cowboys and Indians

Hi my friends!  First, I want to thank my blog friends who are still commenting on my road trip posts even though I rarely have time to comment back.  You are appreciated.  Now.. on to share more of our road trip across the SW and Midwest of the United States of America.  After we left our home town of Watonga, we headed to Oklahoma City to see the amazing National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum.  The first thing you see upon entering is this huge and amazing sculpture called "End of the Trail".  It is by American born artist Earle Fraser. See more history here. (You really should read every word of that text as the end of it will amaze you.)

We were not allowed to take photos of the huge collection of paintings in the museum but suffice it to say, they were amazing!  Finally we found the Indian part of the museum and I was able to take photos of the artifacts with no flash and used my iPhone.  Here is a beaded Indian dress.  

I love the flag inspired motif on these moccasins.  Even though the US Govt. did not treat the Native American Indians well, a peace was built and many Indians became proud of being a part of the USA.

I was so impressed with this intricate coiled basket on display.

Another beautiful hand beaded leather dress. 

An impressive hand made silver and turquoise squash blossom necklace and bracelet.

Another coiled platter shaped basket and an amazing piece of Indian made pottery.  This was likely made using coils of wet clay and built up and smoothed as it took shape.

I was impressed with these hand-beaded gloves, aren't they amazing?

This museum was HUGE and we came upon this section set up like a rodeo set.  This is a life size bronze of cowboy holding his saddle and rope.

They had a LOT of vintage saddles on display.  This looks very similar to the saddle I used when I had a Quarter horse for many years named Lady.

The had a tableaux set up of a chuckwagon that was used by the trail cook to feed the cowboys on long cattle drives across the country to bring cows to the towns across the young nation.

They had a whole town set up in the middle - but it was very dimly lit and it was difficult to take photos.  Here is a gorgeous painted stagecoach.

That evening we met with all my siblings in the old stockyards part of Oklahoma City for dinner.

We dined here at this old and beloved steak restaurant.  They gave the eight of us a private dining room!  

While most of us had iced tea, Dayle and my brother-in-law Steve had a big bottle of "Double Deuce" beer.

This is a bit messy looking but I had to show you this big 10 ounce bacon wrapped filet mignon I had with a baked potato and fresh baked yeast roll.  YUM!

Oh.. before we left Watonga we stopped to visit my Uncle Dwayne, a real and true cowboy who raised cattle all his life and rode his horse a LOT.  He married our family friend Norma Lou Knisley some years back and they are so cute together!  

Their house is gorgeous and decorated with all kinds of wonderful Western art.  Here is a favorite of mine, showing how the old farmers would raise up a new windmill using their horses.  He traded a small herd of registered horses for about 4 or 5 of these amazing paintings.  They also have bronzes and a small covered wagon that was quite something.

After we left OKC we headed through Tulsa and on to Pryor to visit Dayle's older brother, Allen.  Here are the two of them together in front of his home.

His great wife Debbie, too.  She and I sat out in their back yard and had the best talk.  She is part Cherokee Indian.

The next morning we stopped at the Amish Store and next to it was this awesome old elevator.  Isn't it neat?

We sure had fun here.. 

Every flavor of jam and jelly - canned fruit and vegetables - pickles and relish.  We got cherry jam and orange marmalade.

Chocolates, licorice, nuts and gummies.. anyone?

Dried fruit, nuts, crunchy things galore.  They also had a cafe and a bakery - and even quilts for sale.  What a neat place!  We also got a roll of butter and some farmer's cheese, plus a few more things.

After a 4 hour drive we found our hotel in Osage Beach, Missouri and checked in and rested a bit.  Then we found our condo we move into on Friday for 4 nights with our daughter and GDs.  Our girls arrive in a few hours and they'll spend one night here before we move there tomorrow.  I am so excited to see them!

This place has a balcony overlooking the pool and lake.  We should have fun there!  OK.. I'll sign off for now.  Again, thanks for the comments, they keep me going.  :-)  I hope you're having a fun summer!  ((hugs)), Teresa :-)