The Centennial Land Run Monument in Oklahoma City is totally epic! It commemorates the Land Run of 1889 “when 50,000 people rushed into the Unassigned Lands of Oklahoma Territory to stake their claim for free land” (per their website). Paul Moore of Norman, Oklahoma is the sculptor, and his great-grandfather participated in the Land Run of 1889.
It is one of the world’s largest bronze sculptures, with 47 statues spread over 365 feet! The figures at are one-and-a-half life size. 38 people, 34 horses, three wagons and more are included. The details are realistic and incredible. Though the bulk of the sculptures are grouped racing towards the stream, as you look around you see more sculptures scattered about –– folks waving their families goodbye and people watching the madness from a distance.
Can you see how far the sculptures spread, across the stream into the distance?!
Sonic Drive-In
Sonic Drive-In was founded in Shawnee (about 40 miles southeast of OKC) in 1953, though that location was called Top Hat Drive-In. Currently headquartered in OKC, it has more than 3,500 locations in the United States.
Given the nature of its menu offerings, I’d never been, and our van is not drive-in friendly. However, we found a location where we could order at an outside table, and gave it a go.
I had read to at least try the tater tots & Cherry Limeade. I went all-in on the drink, ordering the full-calorie version; it was not as exciting as I expected it to be for nearly 400 calories. The tater tots were fine, nothing exciting, and the only food item on the menu I could eat was grilled cheese, which was surprisingly tasty. We rounded out the meal with pickle fries and a chili cheese hotdog. Gotta sit for a bit after that.
Lunch of champions!
Cherry Limeade, I expected more of you!
Have I ever heard Doug mention the Flaming Lips? No. Did he want to go see the Flaming Lips sign? Yes.
Skydance Bridge is a pedestrian bridge inspired by the mating dance of Oklahoma’s state bird, the scissor-tailed flycatcher. It’s my understand it lights up at night, but we were never able to catch it so.
Braum’s Dairy has almost 300 ice cream parlors and restaurants in 5 states, all within 300 miles of its home farm in Tuttle (about 30 miles southwest of OKC) in order to maintain freshness. The ice cream was delicious and unbelievably cheap — we paid less than $5 total for the pictured items!
Can we talk about these Arbuckle Mountain Original Fried Pies? OMG SO GOOD! They were first created in Springer, about 90 miles south of OKC. We went to a hole in the wall to buy them, purchasing the savory ones pictured here for lunch, and a few dessert ones for later. It’s a good thing we don’t live near these.
While in OKC Doug had to try a Tucker’s Onion Burger, even though he’s not especially a big fan of onions. This is an all-time classic regional burger that originated at Tucker’s, which is now a local chain.
I’m happy to support any business whose motto is “Home of the Mother Tucker.” Look at that beautiful van, too!
Hideaway Pizza was founded in 1957 in Stillwater, about 65 miles north of OKC. They now have 23 locations in Teax, Oklahoma and Arkansas. We ordered a special, the El Jefe: enchilada sauce, taco meat (on Doug’s half), cheddar, onion, black beans, tomatoes, jalapenos, lettuce, cilantro, and queso fresco. We had asked them to hold the jalapenos but they forgot; they realized their mistake before they’d even brought it out, and went ahead and made us a second correct pizza on the house. So while it was quite tasty, we were heartily sick of it by the time we were done eating the leftovers.
A brisket sandwich at Swadley’s World-Famous Bar-B-Q.
In my opinion, we got snagged by a tourist trap by visiting Pops 66 Soda Ranch. Located in Arcadia (just north of OKC proper) on historic Route 66, it’s got more than 700 different types of soda for sale (we bought a mixed six for $19.99). The roadside soda bottle is 66 feet tall.
While some of what we purchased was delicious, I was a little horrified by how much that six-pack cost!
Well hello beautiful! A yellow-crowned night heron.
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