And another thing about Oklahoma is it's complete lack of topography. Not just flat, but eerily flat. I had a hard time getting my mind around how there was just nothing on the horizon. Not a mountain, not a rolling hill, nothing. It just goes and goes, making you feel strangely claustrophobic. Lisa described Oklahoma as being "so flat, you can watch your dog run away for three days".
(the view from our hotel room in OKC)
We missed the rehearsal itself (our role was to distribute long-stemmed white roses for the flower communion), but we caught up with the family in time for the rehearsal dinner, which featured apple fritters in lieu of bread and butter. Emma stole the show by trotting around the table and giggling after telling the waitress that to drink, she wanted "cake!" I didn't get to spend much time with her, but I'm glad I got to see her so soon after our trip to San Diego.
The Bachelor Party took Eric to a divy bowling alley that exclusively served Budweiser. Eric sought to go with the flow, and nearly gagged on it. But, playing under the assumed Okie name "Festus" (as selected by Colin), he tied one game and won another.
The Bachelorette Party took me to a cheezy, tropically themed restaurant, where we imbibed drinks called Beach Blanket Bingo and Toasty Almond. We proceeded to a house and played Bachelorette Party games. The eclectic group of women was almost out of a sitcom: the indie-music lover, the intellectual, the girly-girl, the comic book enthusiast, and me.
Due to persistant rain, lightening and thunder, the wedding was moved inside. Ironically, it was Oklahoma's weather that drew Lisa there in the first place.
The wedding was lovely--everyone was very elegant and the Unitarian ceremony was based more on love than religion. Emma was adorable in her emerald green flower girl dress, and clicky shoes that she adored. Eric looked sharp in his uniform--it didn't take me long to realize that I am now married to "the guy in the uniform" when it comes to events like this. I like it.
I think I have consumed more deep fried food in the last five days than I have over the course of the last five years. Apple fritters, mozzerella sticks (twice), flaquitas, jalepeno poppers, tater tots, etc. Nothin but celery and top ramen when we get back to Seattle.
After attending the gift opening brunch, we headed to Austin to visit Heather and Stephen. The weather cleared up nicely for the drive and we stopped at Cabella's in Fort Worth, which contained more examples of taxidermy than your average natural history museum. I felt compelled to call my parents and tell them this, and my dad reminded me that in 1976, he very seriously considered taking a job with Texas Instruments in the Dallas/Fort Worth area. I spent some time over the rest of our trip considering what a different person I would be today if I had been raised in Texas. I like to think that Dad made the right choice. Thanks, Dad. I'll pick y'all out a right nice old folks home.
It seems that Texans must actually schedule time into their day for road rage. Like it's a pasttime or tradition that cannot be ignored. Football, cowboys and road rage. As Stephen put it, Texas hospitality is evident when Texans are outside of their cars. When they're inside their cars, you see the Texan hostility.
At the Texas Capitol Building.
We toured the capitol building by latching onto a high school field trip. We visited the Whole Foods flagship store and picniced on the shore of Town Lake, where we saw common grackles, a turtle, an assassin beetle, a crawfish and ducks. Later we dined at Trudy's, then rolled out of Trudy's to Cavender's Boot City, where I procured a cowgirl hat. Eric tried on a black Stetson, but just would not be convinced to buy it. We played a little dominoes before heading to bed.
We drove back to Oklahoma via Dallas. Eric wanted to see Dealey Plaza (where JFK was assassinated). We skipped the museum but checked out the grassy knoll, the sixth floor window of the Texas School Book Depository and the JFK memorial. I did note though, at the door of the museum, was this sign:
You know you're in Texas when they have to tell you that you're not allowed to bring your concealed weapon into a building.
The drive back to OKC brought a lightening storm on the horizon, but we didn't get rained on too badly. Our flights were uneventful, save for a very rough landing in Denver. Initial touchdown had us only on the port side landing gear, then a bounce and hard thud down on all wheels. Wheeeee!
Back in Seattle, we're back to unpacking the remaining boxes. It was a great trip, I hope we never stop going to new places. Cheers.
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