S2S trip report day 1
We decided to head to OU a day early so D could drive all the way and not feel rushed. This is our second visit, third actually if you count our whirlwind visit two weeks ago for her audition for the School of Music. The first time we spent a lot of time exploring the campus and areas near campus. This time, since we have more time, we decided to explore areas of interest father a field. D will have a car on campus so I know she’ll likely do some things in the general area.
Our first stop was Turner Falls. OMG! They are just gorgeous! We just stopped at the observation area near the curio shop that was closed and didn’t actually pay to enter the park. The vista was amazing the water looked very clear and D is looking forward to returning to do some serious hiking on those hilly trails, so different flat Norman! This is so up her alley!
Next we checked into the hotel. That was a bit of an adventure, the hotel is sold out and several people where checking in and others looking for rooms. When we got to our room we found a king size bed and a little sofa. S18 is tagging along for this trip and there is no way that DS, DD and I are sharing one bed! Upon further inspection the little sofa is actually a pull out. Problem was it was brand new and still had the packing strap in place that prevents it from opening and covered in plastic and no bedding. The hotel staff was very nice and explained they has just replaced the furniture and must have overlooked the packing material on the pull out bed. It took three different people to deal with it but it was handled very quickly and DS is so happy he doesn’t have to share a bed with me and his sister.
Next we headed off to Oklahoma City as I’ve never been before. Earlier in the trip I mentioned to D that I’d like to see the Oklahoma Memorial in OKC and was stunned to learn that she had no idea what I was talking about and had never heard of the worst act of domestic terrorism in our country’s history! Kid got straight A’s in AP American History and had never heard about this?! Needless to say she got a history lesson on the way! She wanted to she the art district and it was a little less impressive than she expected but really enjoyed looking at the houses and architecture in the neighborhood. Then we headed to Brick Town I had thought we’d eat dinner there but our timing was off, There was some sort of Monster Truck thing that just let out as we were arriving and hundreds of people were just leaving the event and looking for a place for dinner. Brick Town reminds me of 6th Street in Austin. Nothing really jumped out us as a must eat here. We decided to eat at Charleston’s in Norman. It was still early so we got seated right away and the food and service were good. Now the kids are in the hotel room working on their weekend home work and the work they will miss next week. I’m hanging out in the hotel lobby to not disturb them. The hotel lobby is very comfortable (lost of furniture, tv, WiFi and a bistro that sells wine and snacks) and a fun place to people watch:-).
Looking forward to sleeping in tomorrow and then meeting some CC folks at S2S at OU!
We had an issue with our hotel bill upon check out, I had given them a credit card for incidentals when we checked in but for some reason the things I had charged to the room were not showing up on my bill. The staff were were appreciative that I pointed out they were under billing me and figured out that they had mistakenly charged all my purchases at the Bistro (including a bottle of wine) to OU! Yes OU treats NM parents very well but I didn’t expect them to pay for my libations and it took the hotel staff a while to figure out how to fix it, but they did get it fixed before I finished breakfast.