My Dad came for a short visit from Idaho for Thanksgiving. He likes historical type stuff and I wanted to show him something new so we headed down the turnpike to Muskogee.
First we went to the Five Civilized Tribes Museum. It is not that big but it is powerful. It has displays on the five tribes that were forcibly resettled from the southeast USA to Oklahoma. No photos are allowed but they have a dynamite display on Native American Medal of Honor awardees from the Five Civilized Tribes. Upstairs they had an art show going on. Check it out when you are in town. Very inexpensive admission charge.
The building it is housed in is the original Agency Headquarters from the 19th century. Very handsome in it own right. Gotta remember to stay off the grass if you go!
Next we went down to the Port of Muskogee to check out the USS Batfish. The Batfish was a submarine that sunk fourteen enemy ships during World War II. Unfortunately the museum was closed but we could look at the vessel through the fence.
There were some other things to look at also. Some anti-aircraft guns.
And this. It looks like it could ruin somebody’s whole day downrange.
And a little bit of humor.
It was an overcast day with no color. So how about a photo of my Soul.
Then we toured the port a little bit. I’m in the natural gas business. We are always looking for pipe. Our engineers can’t ever find any. We found some. Come and get it guys.
We found this cool machine. Dad and I love looking at this kind of stuff. Sweetie and SPB can’t stand it.
So, we had a pretty good road trip.
I just read a news story that replicas of the Nina and the Pinta have docked in Muskogee and will be there until Dec 7. I think we’ll be making a trip down to see them. I guess they hadn’t arrived when you were there?
@Granny – Well we saw a television news story about the ships when we got back to town. We missed out. I think the family may be going down this weekend.
Road trip! It looks like it was great fun. 🙂 We, too, stop and peer through fences when places are closed when we happen by.
Sounds like a terrific place! I’d love to visit there and what a fun day with your Dad! Always fun to be with family on the holidays! I know my kids certainly made mine!! Hope you have a great week!
Sylvia
How wonderful to share an interest in history with your Dad. I like the building the museum is housed in but they seem to have a lot of rules.
I guess I have to rethink about there being a port in OK where a submarine resides, which would be as interesting to tour as the replicas.
The “Trail of Tears” was a black mark on our history. Were I in that part of our world I would want to visit the museum.
Your comment on the pipe reminds me, the penstock ruptured at the power plant where Hubby worked, this was during the first Gulf War. Kuwait was buying up all of the large diameter pipe and there was concern that none would be available. The penstock was part of the LA Aqueduct and it would have meant real problems for LA’s water supply. Fortunately a supply was located in time to complete repairs before Los Angeles ran out of water.
I don’t remember if I ever did a post on that, it was an interesting event.
There is something so special about being boys together that nothing else can quite replicate. My guess is having you to himself was a highlight of the holiday.
Interesting post.
Sydney – City and Suburbs
What a grand time you had with your Dad. Makes a road trip great fun!
Great shots of the awesome country we live in ~thanks, namaste, Carol (A Creative Harbor, USA
I really enjoyed your tour of Muskogee. I stopped in Tahlequah to visit old sites there on my way across country. Enjoy the coming holidays.
You know, Muskogee is a 15 minute drive from my home town of Wagoner. Muskogee scares me. I’m serious. It’s not the same town that it used to be. I steer clear of the mall. And you know what’s sad? I didn’t even know about the USS Batfish And I’ve never been in that museum. Yep. Lame.
Nice to visit the museum with your dad. Must be a great and fun day for you all. Great photos.
What a great day with your dad doing typical boy things.
Funny, when I see pipes I think of how many we could use on the farm for culverts and that nice little machine could come in handy as well.
Nice post.
It’s precious just to spend quality time together… and your road trip to this historical place sounds grand.
I would day this was a super duper visit. Had to ask Buddy about the Five Civilized Tribes. He is a student of Native American history, and he knew all about it. I am pretty ignorant on the subject. Enjoyed all of your shots tonight. Being the unusual 72 year old I am, I have to say my favorite is the BIG BLUE MACHINE. I would love to see it doing its thing. genie
Since I am unfamiliar with Oklahoma, I enjoyed going along with you and your Dad on your journey. Thanks.
Sounds like you spent some great quality time with your dad!
That looks like a great place to visit. I just read a book about Quanah Parker, and your post made me think of his experience. Tough stuff.
I enjoy your sense of humor, too!