Category Archives: Our World Tuesday

Our World – On the Trail and the Road

Sunday morning after dropping the kid off at work I headed to Turkey Mountain for a little hiking.

Virginia Creeper?

I’ve been reading the novel, The Overstory by Richard Powers and it is blowing me away with its talk of how trees in a forest are all interconnected and they exchange nutrients with one another and with other plants via a network of fungal hyphae, miles and miles of tubular fungus that exchange minerals with trees for sugar. I already read the book and then I started reading it again. It’s pretty amazing.

Hairy Ruellia?

The woods on Turkey Mountain are very new. It used to be small farms and ranches but oil was discovered and what trees that were there were cut down for fuel for the boilers that powered the pumps.

Headache!!! I’m afraid some poor mountain biker hit his noggin.

So the trees that are there now are pretty new and mostly skinny. There are a few older ones that are bigger and are more spread out. I find the whole life cycle of tree thing to be fascinating.

American Trumpet Vine maybe

I know that Sunday I pretty much had the place to myself. Most people on Turkey Mountain stick to the more established east side with its overlooks of the Arkansas River and well developed trails. The west side is a little wilder and the trails less established and mapped.

I went all the over the the YMCA and took a pic. Not much going on there.

Shining Sumac perhaps

Just 3 miles but hey I was refreshed.

In the afternoon I checked out Route 66 for some geocaching. I stopped one of my favorites. The Blue Whale of Catoosa.

Right next to it was this. Apparently it is supposed to be an Ark as part of a journey through the Bible attraction but it didn’t really take off.

I found this museum in Catoosa. It was closed but it has a great mural out back.

And this is an old bridge on Route 66 that has been relocated. So I am continuing my turning 66 on Route 66 thing that I have going on.

I hope your Sunday was as fun as mine!!

I am linking with Our World Tuesday

Our World – Hanging out in Okmulgee

Monday morning, I drove 43 miles south of Tulsa to the little burg of Okmulgee, Oklahoma in order to pursue my geocaching hobby. First up on the list is an Adventure Lab geocache at Oklahoma State University Institute of Technology. Adventure Lab caches don’t involve finding a physical object, instead you have to navigate to various places and then answer questions about what you find. You use an app on your phone to navigate and it has technology that makes sure you are physically there where you say you are. It discourages “armchair geocachers.”

So it had me go all over the campus finding information. I learned that the campus started out as an Army Hospital during World War II and then later a hospital for German POWs. After the war the USA sold the campus to what is now Oklahoma State University for a dollar.

OSU loves the color orange, they put it on everything. Even their flowers are orange.

It is an applied technology school. You don’t go here to think the big thoughts. You go here to learn nursing, engine repair, cooking and a bunch of other fields. It has a 100% placement rate for their graduates.

This is a solar pond that helps reduce the campus heating and cooling costs. The water is circulated through a heat pump is how it works.

This is OSU’s mascot, Pistol Pete. He’s based on a real person, Frank Eaton. At eight years old, he witnessed his father’s murder by six vigilantes. Young Frank practiced shooting until he was fifteen years old and then spent the next six years hunting down and killing his father’s murderers. He later served as a US Marshall for Oklahoma under the Hanging Judge, Isaac Parker. He became the mascot for OSU after he died in 1958. You can’t make this stuff up!! I love stories like this.

Nothing to do with the cache but this is the Natural Gas Compression Technology building. I spent about 40 years messing with natural gas compressors in various capacities. Compressors are what is used to move the natural gas all the way from the wellhead to industrial and home use. It is hard to get into this program. For years all of the graduates have had jobs before they graduate.

And then shifting gears to downtown Okmulgee. It was an oilfield boom town way back when and then went into a long slow decline as the production in the area waned. There is a new spirit in town. People are moving in buying and renovating the many beautiful old buildings that were decaying. They are also commissioning murals such as the one above by famed Native American Muralist, Yatika Starr Fields. The mural above may be the most beautiful mural I have ever seen, (and I have seen a lot of them.)

Even OSU Tech got in on the action converting the above building to an off campus dorm.

So with this cache I went to a lot different murals. It was fun.

With a Where I Go geocache, you eventually have to find a physical object and I did. I don’t want to spoil it for anybody but it is a nanocache which makes it tiny. Lots smaller than the tip of my pinkie fingers.

Anyway, a good morning. It took me a little more than an hour to log both caches and then headed home.

I am linking with Our World Tuesday

To find out more about Geocaching

Our World – Tess 5K Trail Run on Turkey Mountain

Saturday I raced my second race since the pandemic started. It was the Tess 5K Trail Run. It was on Turkey Mountain and was a fund and awareness raiser for the Tristesse Grief Center a local Tulsa non-profit that provides grief services such as counseling. The event also included a 10K run.

I did the race with my race friend Paula. We basically walked it and trotted it when we found non-rocky relatively flat places which on Turkey Mountain are not many.

I told everybody that I finished first in my age group, and I did and I was also dead last of the 13 men who ran the race. I was there though and finished vertically.

Got this nice medal. Truth be told, I am not a fan of the medals. They don’t really fit into my wife’s decorating scheme for the house.

Here’s the route. We started at the south parking lot (bottom of page) and went straight up the mountain (hill really) and did a loop, and came back down. The course was marked enough to where we didn’t get lost. Apparently somebody on a bicycle messed up the markers for the 10K so it’s results were in chaos. I am not knocking cyclists. They way outnumber the trail runners when it comes to cleanup days at the local trails.

So a good time was had by all. We each got a beer to go with the medal so that was an unexpected bonus.

The event was a win/win/win.

Challenging well marked course, check!

Unflappable course timers, I got the wrong tag number but the timer guy figured it out quickly without a lot of drama, check!

Nice tee shirt, check!

Beer, check!

Friendly race director and well organized volunteers, check.

I had a good time, I will be back!!

Our World Tuesday

Our World – Idaho Falls, Idaho

The Snake River in Idaho Falls, Idaho

The Snake River as it passes through Idaho Falls, ID. A photo I took in 2016 and re-edited recently. The city has built very attractive trails on both sides of the river and that is where everybody goes on warm summer evenings, tourists staying at the nearby hotels, residents, runners, bicyclists. It is quite a gathering.

Our World Tuesday

Our World – RiverParks Bike Ride

I hope everybody is recovered from the Fourth of July celebrations. Those of us who celebrate it anyway. It was low key for us. I put our flag up early. We grilled burgers at our house and took dinner over to the world’s great MIL’s house. We ate and visited and then went swimming. Had a pretty good time. We left just as her neighbor’s were working up their celebration. Remember the video we saw during the first gulf war when the US was attacking Baghdad and everybody in that town was shooting up in the air. That’s kind of what it was like.

We got home to much less of a ruckus. Tulsa doesn’t allow home fireworks, although it seems unenforced but it does tamp it down compared to Broken Arrow, where MIL lives where you can do what you want. I got home in time to launch the drone. I was going to be cute and say come back Thursday to see what I got but I’m giving it to you now.

Pretty decent sunset. So now the pressure is on I have to come up something decent for Skywatch Friday. So if you are a wise ass, you would tell me that I have never had anything decent before, why worry about it now. But I know you are not that kind of person. I am!! But you are not, I have faith in you. Don’t let me down.

So next morning I go on a bike ride. That’s what this whole post started out being about but I got sidetracked. I’m blaming you. Just fess up so we can move on cuz I am not taking the blame. I’ve told you before I’m in training to be a politician.

It was a nice day. Warm and dry for a change. Out west they are having hot and humid. Something is up. You and I both know what it is and it doesn’t involve cow farts. Anyway with all the rain we are having the Arkansas River is way up.

I rode the RiverParks trails up to the Neon Sign Park off southwest Boulevard. These are facsimile signs from actual businesses that used to operate on Route 66. This is where I remind you that I am 66 this year and so Route 66 is a big deal to me this year. And probably next year because I don’t know if a route 67 exists and even if it does it is probably too far to drive to get photographs. 67 is a prime number though and I just love prime numbers.

Across the River is Cyrus Avery Plaza. Avery is the guy who invented the concept of a cross country route from Chicago to Los Angeles. I love the plaza but the homeless folks drive me batty. They are not threatening just annoying. To be fair though if I was starving and had no place to live I would be more annoying than they are.

So all told about 14 miles which is just a warmup for most riders I know. You know it took me an hour and a half and that is about all I’m going to do. I had a good time though.

Went to the gym and showered put clean clothes on ( I love using the gym’s hot water and towels, especially for non-gym exercising) and got home just in time for Lizzy the yoga cat’s finishing up her Shavasana pose. She’s great at yoga, especially the cat and cow poses. She refuses to do up or down dog though.

Hey you want a hoot. We have two idiot dogs and I put on some dog youtube videos. Abby loves them. Barks her head off.

That’s it for now folks. I’m linking with Our World Tuesday

Our World – Deer on Turkey Mountain

The other day I went for a hike on Tulsa’s Turkey Mountain Urban Wilderness Area. Last time I was out I followed trails on the east side overlooking the Arkansas River. This time I took the west side trails.

I checked out the new trail segment that I helped build in early April along with a bunch of other people.

I got down close to the YMCA and turned back. I got along a segment paralleling 61st street thinking that that was the place to see deer. I looked up and there were two of them. I hardly ever see them in broad daylight.

We stayed there looking at each other for a couple minutes and they had enough and went on. Seeing deer on Turkey Mountain is a rare thing since the area became popular after a dipweed shopping center developer proposed an outlet mall on the mountain. (They dropped the project after overwhelming community opposition.)

A short video of my trek.

I’m linking with Our World Tuesday. Come check it out.

Our World – Rock Climbing and More

Saturday I ventured to a popular rock climbing area in Tulsa near Chandler Park here in Tulsa to meet IRL a couple people I knew through social media, Tim and Brittany. They are rock climbers and they were going to let me use my drone to video them doing what they do. I’d never been close to the sport before and I guess what I learned is that I don’t have enough upper, lower, or core strength to even get off the ground.

I was impressed with the whole rock climbing infrastructure in the area. Previous climbers had already installed a lot of the bolts and pins they use for their safety ropes and harnesses. They told me that there is an app (of course, there is always an app, right!) that maps out the areas and routes. So I got to meet Tim and Brittany and learned a little about their sport. The video is on their youtube channel. Check out their other videos, they are very active. They hike, camp, bike, and go kayaking in addition to their rock climbing adventures and do a good job editing their videos. Give them a like and subscribe to see their other adventures.

I was flying in tight quarters between trees and the face of the rock so I wasn’t keeping up with the climber as I should have some of the time. Still it was nice to go somewhere besides my back yard to fly the thing.

They had offered to bring an extra harness so that I could try it. I’m like thank you but no. At my age gravity is not my friend!

Gilcrease Expressway Construction Update

After we parted ways I stopped nearby where the State is building a new expressway in west Tulsa. I got the drone out and started taking it up and due to high winds I had to call it off plus some small bird was flying around the drone in a not very friendly manner so I called it quits and brought it back down. Still not a bad shot.

Alan - Drone Piloting

And here is yours truly, the drone pilot in my element. Tshirt, boots, and hiking boots, I have totally gotten worthless. I love being retired. Maybe I can buy this old gas station and get it going again. Whaddya think. Maybe not is what I say.

Come join the fun at Our World Tuesday

Our World – Cry Baby Hill – Tulsa Tough Bike Races 2021

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One of the huge sports events in Tulsa is Tulsa Tough. A series of bicycle rides and races over three days that includes everything from a “Townie Ride” of a few miles to long distance rides and everybody’s favorite the Criterium Races which are short races on a closed loop of multiple laps. The criterium races attract professional riders from all over the world. Most of the riders though are talented amateurs.

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Last Year’s Tulsa Tough was cancelled as were all sorts of other events all over the world. This year it was back bigger than ever.

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I participated in the the shortest distant event two years ago at about 30 miles and got my butt thoroughly kicked. I didn’t even finish. We were going by where my car was parked and I was like, I am cutting this agony short. I hope you are not too shocked by my cowardly craven decision. If you are, that is kind of your problem (just kidding folks.)

So Sunday it was hot and I went out to the Criterium Course, officially something like the RiverParks Criterium but everybody calls it CryBaby Hill. It is a short course that starts on the Riverside Drive and then climbs up a steep hill and then comes down the hill and turns back on to Riverside a turn well sharper than 90 degrees. Do this about 14 times and you have the race. Sunday it was done in 90 degree temperatures.

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These guys and gals are very tough and very fit. I walked one loop Sunday and I was done. I left well before noon before it got hot.

So you got a race going on but you also have a big party that has approached legendary proportions. I’ve always left over the years before the legendary part.

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I’ve never spent too much time on Crybaby Hill. For one thing it is in residential neighborhood with no sidewalks so it is kind of crowded. Plus I don’t do well when I’m hot. I’m told the party really gets crazy after 3 pm.. Well Sunday I was gone before noon. So sorry, I missed it.

I think everybody is really glad to get back to normal. I just hope that we are not doing it too soon. I don’t feel too threatened since I am vaccinated and try to stick with outdoor events. Our world has forever changed though. But for these last three days Tulsa celebrated a return to normalcy.

I’m linking with Our World Tuesday come check it out!!

Previous Years Tulsa Tough Posts

2015 Crybaby Hill Report

2016 Crybaby Hill Report

2017 Crybaby Hill Report

2018 Crybaby Hill Report

2019 The Year I actually participated in Tulsa Tough. Epic Failure with a good name “Grand Fondo” and a heck of bike ride. Didn’t go to Crybaby Hill

Our World – Memorial Day and More

It’s Memorial Day in the USA. A day where we honor those who sacrificed their lives for their country. It’s also a day were we honor all of our passed on relatives, forefathers, and friends. The cemeteries are very busy with people bringing flowers and sprucing up the grave sites. It’s a great day for remembering.

I am not aware of any family members who actually died in combat but I have plenty of relatives who served their country. My brother and brother-in-law both. (We have to remember that family members of servicemen and women also served as they suffer hardships when their families are deployed.) A niece’s husband is in the armed forces now. My father, at least two uncles, and many others also served.

It’s a great day to honor these men and women.

Our World Tuesday

Working the Tulsa Ironman Triathlon

We had a major sports event here in Tulsa Sunday. The North American Ironman race. A triathlon race covering over 2 miles of open water swimming in a lake starting a dark thirty in the morning, a 112 mile bike ride through the Osage Hills and finishing with a marathon distance run up and down Tulsa’s RiverParks trails. And no I didn’t participate in the race. I helped out an aid station on Sunday afternoon on the marathon course.

It seemed like most of the racers were from out of state. I was told it cost about $900 to enter the race. It’s like what!!!! Oh well. The organizers really had their act together on this. They can bring a lot of resources to bear. From my point of view as a volunteer they made it very easy to sign up and they broke the tasks down so even I could understand it.

I was in charge of Gatorade. I didn’t have a lot of takers. For one thing they had lots of aid stations so it wasn’t like they were famished when they got to us. I think another thing is that runners would rather have salty type foods or even pickle juice than Gatorade. Back in the day when I was running longer distances Gatorade didn’t sit too well with me. But hey, anybody that wanted some, I was ready! We never really got swarmed during the race. By the time the racers got to the running event, they were pretty well spaced out.

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I was amazed by the racers. You have to be very dedicated to do this. You can’t really fake it to make it on a triathlon. The early front runners were running like there was no stress. When I left Sunday night at 7:30 there were still lots of runners just starting their second loop. I was thinking oh wow, are they going to make it another 13 miles or so. Out of all the people I saw I observed only a handful that were what some might call overweight. I saw a lot of people my age or older, probably the majority of them were women who looked very fit.

I was getting kind of hungry and the race organizers got pizza for the volunteers. Sign me up!!

I think the Ironman is coming back to Tulsa for two more years. I’ll be there, volunteering.

I’m linking with Our World Tuesday, come and check it out.