Chandler, Oklahoma

Chandler, OK- the place where dreams are made. Besides the wind that punched at my face like I was constantly slamming into a brick wall, today was great. I really appreciate being on flat land even if turbulence is the price to pay. The first sign of pure Oklahoma happiness came at lunch time when we stopped in Bristow to eat. We rolled down mainstreet and The Devil Went Down to Georgia by The Charlie Daniels Band was blasting through the streets and everyone got so pumped up but the adrenaline was wasted because lunch was around the next corner. The town was setting up for a westen day parade. What exactly that is, I'm not sure, but I stuck around to atleast see the streets fill with horses, homemade wagons, and people dressed in all kinds of stylish garb. Along the street I found a table full of hats that attracted my attention because I was looking for a hodown getup. I went into the store by the table and again entered a foreign world of wonder. Items for sale in this place: hats, saddles, boots, spurs, rope, and miscellaneous items made out of leather. I struck up a conversation witht the shop keeper because I was in the marke for a cowboy hat. After searching for the right style, price and size, he made me a deal. I told him the bike and build story and he hooked me up with a 45 dollar authentic straw hat for 20 dollars. It's really nice and I'm told it's the one all professional cowboys wear and anyone who's anyone. He told the girls I was too good looking to let go to a hodown in a cheap canvas hat. He was very nice and knowledgeable about all the stuff in the store and even stretched the hat on a machine to give it a custom fit to my head. I wear it every second I'm not wearing my helmet. A mile out from our host, we found a community pool so we gave the bike and build talk and got in for free. Across the street was the rt. 66 interpretive center and museum. Again, the bike and build discount of free so we could explore the rt. 66 attractions. Dinner at the church was a delicious pulled pork concoction and the same brocolli slaw my mom makes. So the delicious local taste was also a comforting taste of home. The pastor gave a blessing in Korean and I was wowed once again.