Oklahoma, Part 7

We trekked out to the Southern Plains Ranger Research Station, in Woodward, Oklahoma.

This is a botanical research facility, where staff members cross-breed various grasses and other plants, searching for new species that will feed more livestock using less water, or species that are resistance to diseases, or that meet other criteria.

We received a tour of the greenhouses and a description of the some of the research being conducted.

Above right is a test patch of one of the cross-bred plants. At left is a closer view of one of the parent plants in the greenhouse.


The next day, we left Weatherford and drove to Andarko, where the Native Americans outnumber everyone else. We visited two sites: the Southern Plains Indian Museum, and the National Hall of Fame of Famous American Indians.

The museum had one room of Plains Indian artifacts, crafts, clothing, and other items of daily use; the second room holds contemporary Native American paintings. Photography isn't permitted.

The artifacts are grouped by type: clothing, game equipment, tools, pouches/bags, etc. Items are labeled, and each display case gives general information about Plains Indian life in the 1800s.

The Hall of Fame is a set of sidewalk displays of sculpted busts. The subjects are Native Americans from all over the United States, who held various roles in their societies. Most of the honorees lived during the 1700s, 1800s, and 1900s; both men and women are included (more men than women).

The entire display is outdoors, and is free of charge. At left is the bust of Hiawatha.





At right is Hosteen Klah, Dineh (Navajo) medicine man.







At left is Alice Brown Davis, Seminole Chieftain.






After we finished in Andarko, we moved on to Lawton, Oklahoma, and experienced a first on this (or any other) trip. When we arrived at our hotel, we were told they didn't have a room for us. Apparently some of the military families had asked to extend their stay, with the result that the hotel had overbooked their available rooms. (It was also graduation time for local schools.) So the hotel called the local Quality Inn to book us rooms.

Whether this was fair or not can be argued, but the problem was that when we got to the Quality Inn, the only two rooms they had left were smoking rooms. I don't smoke; my parents don't smoke. The cigarette smoke smell was noticeable when we walked in.

The staff was certainly friendly and helpful -- one of the maintenance men carried my parents' suitcases and so on. However, it still was a difficult night to get through.