Frozen in Memories

Some days don’t go as planned. But, they are still good days!

Today, the work I brought with me took longer than planned. I did not have a set time to leave. So, it really was ok. And I kept reminding myself of that. You know when you plan a day without time limits, it is easy to plan more things than can really fit in a day. And I was feeling a little like that as I left the hotel close to check out time.

The drive was beautiful! Thru the Ozarks, over the prairies, beautiful, beautiful scenery! 😍

I was very excited to see Tulsa! And here is what I found, the Tulsa that is physically present and the Tulsa in my memories are different places. I mean, it has been 26 years. So, I did think some things may have changed. When Google said that Olive Garden was still operating in Utica Square, I was excited to see the place that I worked while I lived in Tulsa! Except, it wasn’t. They built a new building. And the old building is all closed up. That was ok. But, the whole area had a different feel.
Driving thru town, almost nothing looked familiar. I drove to the WalMart across from my old college campus. (I had decided to get myself something to wear that said “Tulsa”) I peeked across the street and it looked like there was at least one new building. At that point, I decided to just view the campus from the street. I didn’t want to have anything competing with my memories.

Before I left town, I thought I would go some trails that I walked before at Turkey Hill. I drove and saw all the construction where the parking had been. So, no Turkey Hill either. Yeah, the Tulsa in my memories is safer in my memories. I like the way it is there, with the people and the moments that are frozen in time 🙂

Next on my list was to eat at Kendalls in Noble, Oklahoma. I watch Adam Moran of Beard Meats Food, and of all the places he has been; that is still his favorite! I was excited to be so close!!! I put it in my google maps and google warned it might be closed. I looked it up, and sure enough; it is closed on Monday and Tuesday. After Kendalls was supposed to be Alabaster Cavern State Park. I typed that in to google maps and found that the cavern closed at 4:30! I couldn’t get there in time.

So, I started googling some places between where I was and where I am going to be tomorrow. I found a hotel and started on my way. I looked at signs on the way, looking for something to peak my interest. Either there wasn’t much, or I was emotionally recovering from the change of plans; I just wasn’t finding a reason to stop . . until . . Paris! Yes! I would eat dinner in Paris!! I reviewed some menus online for something mild that my healing tummy could handle, and I was stopping in Paris!

Tonight I am thankful for beautiful scenery and dinner in Paris! I am also thankful for getting to go thru Tulsa again. Although it wasn’t like my memories, I’ve thought about going back to visit many times over the years. Now I have. And now I know my memories are just for me ❤️❤️ And maybe that’s a little more special ❤️❤️❤️