Gramps is still visiting. We enjoyed looking at all the western art at the Gilcrease Museum that we decided to make a little road trip down to Oklahoma City to see the National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum. It’s only about an hour and a half drive from Tulsa. Those two shadowy characters underneath the sculpture is us. (The sculpture is “The End of the Trail” by James Earle Fraser.)
It is loaded with Remingtons and Russells and works from other great art from guys like Bierstadt, Leigh, John Singer Sargent. They also have a great collection of contemporary western art also. Guys that our grandchildren will be talking about. They restrict photography in many of the galleries.
(“Emigrants Crossing the Plains” by Albert Bierstadt)
It is much more than an art museum though. They have a whole gallery on the west as portrayed on television and in movies.
Remember this guy?
(That is Marshall Dillon from Gunsmoke you Gen X and Y folks.)
How about this guy?
In their Special Events Center the Museum has five triptych works by Wilson Hurley. Each of the triptychs is 18 feet tall and 46 feet wide and are named “Windows to the West.” I’ve attended several banquets and luncheons at the facility and studying the paintings are a great way to get past a droning speaker. (My apologies to the droning speakers I’ve listened to in the past.)
Here is an example.
(“Wyoming Suite” portraying the lower falls of the Yellowstone River.)
I strongly recommend a stop at the museum if you find yourself in Oklahoma City. They have got lots more stuff than what I’m showing here. We were on a road trip. You don’t have time to poke your head into every nook and cranny when you are on a road trip. Road trips are about moving on.
So we moved on to Leo’s Barbecue Factory. You can really pig out at this joint but we just had the barbecue sandwich without any side except the baked potato.
It’s kind of basic, but it is great.
Leo’s Barbecue Factory
7 Harrison Avenue
Oklahoma City, OK 73104
Next, we motored back to Tulsa. We made a pit stop at the Phillips 66 in Stroud and that is where I found what I’m getting Sweetie for Christmas. I’ll show you what it is but you have to promise not to tell. Yeah really.
What do you think of these?
I think that she’ll love them! And you know, its like as they years go by I can add to her collection. And they are so affordable.
Have you picked out what you are getting your loved ones for Christmas yet? Tell me, your secret is safe here.
What a great place to visit Yogi. Will have to keep it in mind whenever we get to Oklahoma City. I grew up watching Marshall Dillon. My Dad was a big cowboy fan and we watched all those old shows. Sweetie will love your Christmas gift. I’m having a hard time thinking of what to get my Sweetie this year. As for your barbecue? Well, sometimes basic is the best.
This is one of my fave places to take visitors from across the pond. It gives such a great feel for our history here and gives them the Wild West too. We love the tryptich room too, in fact we bought the Grand Canyon print version there, had it framed and it hangs iver our bed.
You guys like museums a lot. You should go to the ones in FW! They are amazing!!
I bought you a little something today. It will show up in your mailbox soon. You will know when you see it…
I’ve always been fascinated by “the end of the trail” sculpture. I’ve seen our horses stand like that during a storm, with the wind at their backs.
Nice tour of the museum.
You have been on a museum binge lately. Grandpa should visit more often. I confess that I have never been to the Cowboy Museum. We really should go see it.
That outfit that James Arness (Matt Dillion) is wearing looks very much like the iconic John Wayne costume, minus the scarf. Who could forget Walter Brennen? BBQ would be the only way to finish this road trip. Well done!
That Cowboy Museum is awesome. I used to hate museums when I was a kid. Now I love them. I even read the information now. 😉