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We left Arizona on Monday, Sept 16, as planned. We weren't sure we'd make the targeted get away because Stu had a case of food poisoning (some white fish salad left in our fridge a week too long). I kept thinking "The Exorcist" whenever I looked in his direction. I must admit, sometimes I felt badly for him, other times I thought I'm leaving on Monday and he can fly to whatever city I've reached. But, Stu was a trooper and even though he was a bit out of sorts, we left Monday morning.
First stop Albequerque. We did no sightseeing along the way, and even missed the Nuclear Energy museum we planned to visit. Instead, we stopped at every rest stop between Peoria and Albequerque--thank you Stu for this scenic tour!
Night two: Tulsa. We had a beautiful, long driving day with the intention to push through Oklahoma so we could be closer to St. Louis on Wed morning. We are sorry that we drove through so quickly. The state was in full green glory. Lots of museums along the way, Native American cultural centers worth stopping at, the Cowboy Hall of Fame, and other spots, worth returning to Oklahoma. Next time we'll get to stop to see my friend Jeannie Owens in Muskogee. We were determined, however, to make one tourist stop before heading for St. Louis. We visited Will Rogers birthplace in Claremore, Oklahoma--worth the stop and truly the beginning of feeling like we are on vacation.
Will Rogers was the youngest of 11, some of whom didn't make it to adulthood. Dad was a councilman and politician as well as a rancher/farmer. Their home, open to the public without a fee, is currently maintained by the Will Rogers Foundation. The two story house has four bedrooms, two upstairs, two on the main floor, a kitchen, parlor with a piano, and no indoor plumbing. Good to remember that the family went outside for water, there's a well on the property, and personal necessities. The barn still houses goats, several pregnant and others milking, two donkeys, misc. chickens and roosters. The hill top property overlooks Lake Oologah and the dam. Calm. That's how I felt standing on the porch steps, calm and simple. Yes, one had to keep to a schedule, feed the chickens, milk the goats, make the cheese, cook for the family, see the kids all studied, but I felt (probably romanticizing) like when one is busy with real tasks one doesn't have time for so much BS (the kind we've been involved in with our HOA Board). I yearn for that simplicity and am trying to find it within our lives. Did you know that when Rogers was writing and broadcasting he had a weekly audience of 40 million! And the population wasn't that big. That's a large audience listening to the man who liked everyone, who had friendly homespun advice that included loving one's neighbor. Different message from what most of our talk show hosts shout from their pulpits. Again, calm and simple.
After the 22 mile detour to Will Rogers birthplace, we drove almost non-stop to St. Louis to the best Bed & Breakfast we've ever visited--the Lydia and Harvey Friedman B&B in Chesterfield, Mo. (We made a short detour, at the Friedman's suggestion, to Sandstone Gardens--a new/old French-style villa featuring a bistro, and beautifully selected statuary, home decor, artificial flowers, candle, silver, and more. Worth the stop.) Back to the Friedman's: Sticking with one word descriptive summaries, gracious. From the wrought iron gates to the front door, this 37 home enclave of stone and wood invited us in. The Friendman's home is a must stop on any trip you make in their general direction. We know the Friedman's and their Western themed Trilogy house; we were unprepared for the elegant, straight out of the pages of Architectural Digest, high ceilinged home. Not a detail is unplanned or haphazard. From the living room baby grand to the views of the patios and lush green woods, we were dazzled. After seeing the rough pine bed the Friedman's commissioned for their Arizona home, who would expect French elegance, gilt, painted French country murals, antiques and silk. The charm and grace didn't stop downstairs. We had our choice of guest rooms and chose the one with fresh red roses and chocolates on a silver tray.
Stu and I weren't interested in touring the area, so we opted to a light dairy dinner on the patio and then--here comes the best part--a three hour game of hand and foot, Friedman rules (we'll teach you). Somewhere amidst the laughter, whining, and cut throat competition, Harvey and Lydia forgot to be hosts and let their guests win. Still, it was a close game and they have promised a rematch when we're all in Arizona this winter. After going to sleep after 2 in the morning no one stirred too early. A lazy morning coffee and conversation, a picnic style brunch we took with us in the car, and we were off to Branson, Mo., but not until a long, sincere, warm farewell to the Friedmans and their beautiful home.
Branson, here's where our vacation truly began. Stay tuned to Travels #2 in a few days.
Thinking of you all, grateful we can take this trip, thanking Aunt Roz for reminding us that these are our "go-go" years,
Stu & Adrienne
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