A Hard Man is Good To Find.... — Salina, KS
What I did
Fort Smith, Boomerang Diner at the Park at West End, Tulsa Man
We started out our day with a visit to Fort Smith National Historic Site. There had been 2 forts located there over the years, and they served as the farthest outpost, on the edge of the Indian Territory--later to become Oklahoma. The river portion of the Trail Of Tears flows in front of the fort. It was also the location of the so-called "hanging judge" Isaac Parker. We were "lucky" enough to have arrived on the anniversary of one of the hangings, and so the gallows that had been reconstructed on the site had their nooses hung as if ready for a reenactment.
There was considerable exhibit detail devoted to the Trail Of Tears, which was clearly developed and very interesting. There was also a dog-friendly hike to the overlook on the river, which all three of us liked quite a bit, although the historical significance was a bit lost on Zeus. He took the opportunity to mark his own historical signage, however.
After our visit there, we had worked up an appetite and were looking for someplace interesting for lunch. Driving out of Arkansas, we spotted an unusual grouping of buildings on the river's edge. There was an obviously antique steam-powered ferris wheel, an equally antique carousel, and a railroad dining car that served food. All this was in West End Park, and included the Boomerang Diner. We swung the car around, and headed inside.
The diner is as authentic an antique dining car as any I've ever seen. No modern updates and conveniences here--everything looks to be original. We had a very satisfying couple of sandwiches, and very much enjoyed the authentic experience.
After lunch, we headed for Tulsa. Casey discovered that the fairgrounds there is the home to what is supposed to be the largest free-standing statue in the world! It is a 76 foot high statue of an oil driller, and sure enough, he is a traffic stopper, since he stands about 30 feet off a major road just off the interstate. It was an irresistable photo opportunity. Zeus was also able to leave his mark, as it were. Can you see Casey sitting on his toe? Built of rebar and concrete, he truly is the ultimate hard man!