OKLAHOMA....!

That's got you interested, hasn't it........more about Kenny in just a second!

We arrived in Oklahoma City - Oklahoma in yet another HOT day - 110 F (or 43 C).

All we new on arrival about the city, were the bombings that took place at 9.02am back in 1995. This incident killed around 165 people. It was a blast on the Federal Building in the centre of town. The perpetrators targeted this building which was the work place of many Federal Office & Law Enforcement workers and also very sadly their daycare centre.

 We took a tour of the monument site and memorial museum that they have established here in remembrance of these people. It was truly, a sad, moving and humbling experience to have the opportunity to see.

Oklahoma City also has a very nice quadrant of town called 'Bricktown' - a small man made stream surrounded by restaurants, bars and ice creamery's, which we frequented on many occasions.

Most afternoons saw us evade the heat of the day in our hotel pool. I appear to have the 'whitest' stomach around, so took the time to work on the tan! Yet as soon as my mid riff appears, unfortunately so does the rain clouds and freak thunderstorms!

At the hotel pool we were lucky enough to become friends with a Navy SEAL. He had sustained injuries which claimed one of his limbs from a war, at a very young age 2 years ago, not that it harbours him in any way whatsoever. We were lucky enough to be graced with his company for the 3 days, and he is truly one of the most inspirational, strong and heroic human beings we have ever had the chance to meet, he is a total credit to himself, his family and his country.

Off to Elk City - on historic Route 66 (approx 2 hours out of OKC) to visit another family whom we had also met at our time in Yellowstone Park together. Chy & Laura. They have a beautiful home with a pool. Flowers and gifts for the kids awaited us at the door. We had stopped at a gas station to grab  drinks before heading there. To our disappointment, they had no flowers to purchase for Laura, which had Julia thanking here lucky stars later, we had forgotten Laura was the local florist. As the sun was out I again decided to proceed to the pool area to work on my stomach tan. Now Elk City is in the middle of a drought, they have not had a drop of rain for 7 months - surely I 'can not' bring rain by exposing my stomach to the suns rays. Well guess what.............within 20 minutes the grey clouds rolled in and the heavens opened! I was very quickly asked to become a permanent resident of the area to keep the rain coming!

Now Chy had mentioned that he was fond of cooking Brisket (not that we really new what that was other than a 'cut' of beef). It is an 18 hour process of marinating, smoking and slow grilling the meat. Served up with Pork Loins, Pork shoulder, chilli beans & potatoes! Wow - close to the best red meat we have ever eaten - pictured above - (not to detract from our juicy turkey for Thanksgiving mentioned earlier in the trip blog). Enjoyed by the pool with their close friends Larry & Rhonda, who then invited us the next night to share in their family feast of Meatloaf (Makalea's favourite), brisket,  red beans & rice, Baudoin, beans, fresh rolls & potatoes! This feast was as equally as amazing - the shear quantity of food would be the equivalent to two Christmas dinners!

During the course of the afternoon, as most Americans carry or possess fire arms, we had the chance to go out to a shooting range and fire off some rounds at some targets - WHOA!

Kenny will now sign up for National Service. See all pics. On our return I checked the sky and popped out to the pool - yep, it happened again!

These times are what our memories of America will be of. Good food and truly the most hospitable people you can imagine - not to mention trying to eat the nations entire food supply in one weekend!!We sincerely thank you all and hope that one day they can make the journey to Australia so we can return the favour - I will just get a spray tan for when you come across!

Headed south across the border down to Texas (state #26) - the lone star state!

Love to all, Team Connor USA xoxoxo