Yukon, Oklahoma

If you want abridged version, just read the following line: best day ever. Now, it probably seems weird that I call every day the best day ever. People probably wondering what is this Brian guy trying to pull claiming everyday as the best? Well everyday just gets a little and little better. You won't understand until you do Bike and Build and I'm sorry for you because this is a great feeling to miss out on. Being July 25, Christmas in July celebrations were deemed appropriate and festivities did not dissappoint. We had one days notice of secret Santa and bike decorating so many people stopped at tag sales and dollar stores to find hidden treasures. Some people got stockings, garland, and squeeky Christmas toys to really deck out their bike. I don't know what the heck I was doing, but call me Scrooge because I failed to decorate. We were woken up with Xmas jingles and I even shared I Want a Hippopotamus for Christmas for those in the group who have never heard it. Our cue sheet said the route was only 60 miles to Yukon, but we still woke up at 5am to avoid burning hot weather. 30 miles was our halfway point and was thus the spot we set up lunch. Maybe it would be more appropriate to call it second breakfast because by 9am were were at a diner not even tired or hungry from the previous miles of flat land. I was actually able to exercise self restraint for the first time in my life and avoid getting food. This diner was primary a soda supercenter, or pop as it's called out here. Interestingly enough, the establishment is called Pop's and has over 400 varieties of soda. Aside from normals flavors and small time brews, there were novelty brands, big names, and beverages from all across the country. Foxon Park soda based out of East Haven, CT was even represented through about 6 flavors I saw. I haven't drank soda in about 7 years, but I decided now was as good a place as any to break that. I was trying to size up what I wanted so I had a sip of someones butterscotch rootbeer named Dang that everyon was raving about. I didn't think it was anything even close to tasty so I renounced soda again and didn't buy my own. I quickly relapsed after I found a Moxie and told everyone it was the state drink of Maine. 47 other states declared milk as their state drink, but not Maine. I heard it was disgusting stuff, so I convinced other people to buy one and drink it. After much complaining and passing of the bottle, I had to see what the hubbub was all about so I took a quick swig and kind of enjoyed it. It seems my pallette is completely out of whack with everyone elses, much like my sense of reality. Brandt and I decided we were so close to Oklahoma City that we needed to make a detour and explore. We had been making really good time in the morning, and with a short cycling day, we figured we could make it happen. First we stopped in to attend a local mass at church. It is Sunday and we are good Christian boys. Ok so actually we passed this huge mega church that does TV broadcasts and we wanted to see what it was all about. Being raised Roman Catholic in a religion that is very ceremonious and stuck in doctrine, I was shocked by the scene at this church. We first walked in and entered a black light area with neon images. Other playground type kids areas surrounded this and I was instantly lost. I wandered deeper into the rabbit hole to find the actual praying and got a little lost on the way. The church was now an arena. There was an area outside the auditorium that sold food and drink and had different Pixar themed zones. People were sitting in ratatouille's french bistro and watching church on tv at their red and white checkered tablecloth tables. Across the way was a Monsters Inc. interactive zone where kids were encouraged to play in a room with a heading, we scare because we care. So finally we entered the auditorium to see what the worship was like. Amidst the huge screens and sea of people, an usher approached us ready to find us open seats. We opted to stand in the back so we could see everything go down and make a speedy exit if necessary. Church here was not like the church I know. They watched movies on five large screens hanging over a stage with drums and a guitar. People wandered in at anytime with sodas and popcorn to watch Brendan Fraiser and Harrison Ford try to cure Pompeii Disease in their new movie. Every twenty minutes, a prerecorded bible verse was read and explained by a virtual pastor who spent 2 min on it and looke like he was 30. It was absurd. Brandt got to talking with a man who told us this is the second biggest church following in the nation, second only to Houston, probably where Joel Osteen preaches. This Nondemoninational Christian group has 22 who all just watch these weekly broadcasts shot in the pastors home. 2/3 of the time, he shows up at the large church we were at, but never actually makes an appearance at the others. I know it's the digital age, but I never thought of how that would apply to religion. It seems the further I get awy from home, the less I know about life. This journey is very interesting. Brandt and I cycled on and stopped at mile 50 and used google maps on my iPhone to reroute us to OK City. I really wanted to see the memorial there. I knew nothing else about the city, but I had seen a picture of the memorial one time lit up at night and it looked beautiful. Without knowing if I would ever cross paths with Oklahoma again in my life, I went for it. We rode an extra 25 miles to OKC and then 15 from there to get to our host in Yukon. The memorial blew my expectations, and please see pictures for a further description. I have been to all the memorials in DC and some in other places in the east, but this was by far the most respectful and well done one I have ever seen. Brandt and I stood in awe as we gazed beyond the relfecting pool and took in the facts of this tragedy. We got back just before 4pm which is the deadline to get in which was nice because it was 103 degrees and I was hot. After eating the leftover food the church left for our group that had been torn apart by riders who got in hours ago, I set off for goodwill to buy a hodown outfit. I won't reveal any details of that journey because it will spoil the pictures in a couple of days. I got back to the church, I was banned from showering because everyone was waiting to present my secret Santa gift to me. This made me really nervous because when people are standing around with cameras waiting for something that is a mystery to you, your mind runs all over the place. I was led to the back of the church where to my delight there was a slip an slide primed and waiting for me. Two tarps with soapy water extended the sliding capabilities on the end for more big kid fun. Major props to Emily for the best gift ever, I'm so happy people know I love extreme fun in a childish manner. I delayed dinner so I could slip and slide longer and had a blast getting my slide on. Tonight Ryan got asked by Emily to prom in the form of an original song recorded to the tune of music from Juno. It was really great. I got asked by Alex through those colorful refridgerator letters. This was a sound idea because I spend a fair amount of time browsing the kitchen so I was going to see them. I guess they had been posted for a while and I didn't notice because I got in late and was having way too much fun playing around. I tell the bike and build story to atleast three strangers a day who ask who I am, why I'm cycling when it's so hot, etc. The looks and responses always get me because the further we get away from Boston, the more peoples jaws drop when you tell them your story. It's awesome. Best day ever yet again. I love OK.