Touring Tulsa

Baker family plot in Okmulgee

Grandmother and Grandfather Baker's house

Lunch at Dilly Deli

Papa Deck's grave in Tulsa

The house where Grandma grew up

Wow, today is hard to comprehend...We visited so many historical places and relived so many memories. Katie and Cody are trying hard to remember and record everything that happens. Katie is beginning to understand some of her family history so much better. We went to Okmogee in the morning to visit the Baker family plot which is Grandma's mother's family.  Crazy to see Katie's great great grandmother and grandfather's graves along with all of their boys, wives, and Grandma's mother.  We also found (after some creative searching) Grandmother and Grandfather Bakers house which looks almost exactly the same to Grandma. She knew it right away.  She would take the train up there when she was old enough to stay with them on holidays. Grandfather Baker was a banker during the depression and owned a lot of Okmulgee and the first automobile in Okmulgee. 

We found a cute sandwich place back in Tulsa for lunch called Dilly Deli.  Food was great and really interesting open atmosphere.  There were games and books on shelves lining one of the walls.  After lunch we met up with Aunt Carolyn, and she toured us around through the family historic sights.  Grandma's house is so cute! Katie loved the area where she grew up with the park, neighborhood, and Philbrook art museum.  Fun fact: Grandma's father and step-mother were next door neighbors until they started dating. Then she had to move to a different part of town because it looked too scandalous. We went to a cemetary in Tulsa where there is a Deck family plot where Katie's Great Great Grandparents and Great Grandfather are buried.  We also went to see Aunt Janet who was married to Grandma's brother, Bill.  She was very cheerful.  Grandma showed Katie the hospital where she was born. Here Katie tried to teach Grandma not to just jump in any car that pulls up to the curb, but to check who the driver is first...We ate dinner tonight at a restaurant called, Charleston's with Aunt Carolyn and her son Kirk.

That is the basic summary of today except...It is 104 degrees average...It is really really HOT! Well, the litle red jeep had a heat stroke and quit producing cold air around noon today. So Cody spent a lot of time trying to get the car fixed. Luckily, it is a minor part issue, and can be easily fixed just not on a Saturday with an older vehicle that needs older parts. Not to worry! We have it all under control. It will just be a little warm for a little while...

This trip has already been such a blessing for all of us! Katie and Cody are loving having Grandma all to themselves and talking with her. She is so much fun to be around! The deep conversations and light-hearted laughter are priceless.