Norman Oklahoma
- ahschneid
- Apr 26
- 3 min read
We arrived at Thunderbird State Park in Norman Oklahoma on 23 April 2025 for four nights. Our main reason for coming here was to see Steve's cousins Rhonda and Ron. They hadn't seen each other in about 50 years! After high school everyone went their separate ways and while they heard about each other every now and then through the years, it had been half a century since seeing each other in person.
We had rain and thunderstorms forecast for most of our time in Norman, but we got windows with no rain to walk around the campground the day we arrived. There are a couple of hiking trails in the state park, but with the rain they were too muddy to walk on. It rained all morning on Thursday the 24th, but that afternoon we ventured out to Oklahoma City to see the Oklahoma City National Memorial and Museum, and St. Joseph's Old Catholic Church. These two were across the street from each other.
St. Joseph's Old Cathedral (1903) - Oklahoma City 24 April 2025
St. Joseph's Old Cathedral (1903) - Oklahoma City 24 April 2025
St. Joseph's Old Cathedral (1903) - Oklahoma City 24 April 2025
The day we were there Eucharistic adoration and a novena for Pope Francis were happening
St. Joseph's Old Cathedral (1902) - Oklahoma City 24 April 2025
St. Joseph's Old Cathedral (1902) - Oklahoma City 24 April 2025
Outside St. Joseph's Old Cathedral (1902) - Oklahoma City 24 April 2025
Outside St. Joseph's Old Cathedral (1902) - Oklahoma City 24 April 2025
"And Jesus Wept"
Oklahoma City National Memorial - 24 April 2024
Oklahoma City National Memorial - 24 April 2024
Oklahoma City National Memorial - 24 April 2024
Oklahoma City National Memorial - 24 April 2024
Oklahoma City National Memorial - 24 April 2024
Oklahoma City National Memorial - 24 April 2024
Oklahoma City National Memorial Museum - 24 April 2024
Oklahoma City National Memorial - 24 April 2024
The Survivor Tree in Oklahoma City is an American elm that survived the 1995 Oklahoma City bombing. It stands at the Oklahoma City National Memorial & Museum and is a powerful symbol of resilience, hope, and healing. The tree was located near the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building, which was destroyed in the bombing.
Oklahoma City National Memorial Museum - 24 April 2024
Oklahoma City National Memorial Museum - 24 April 2024
Oklahoma City National Memorial Museum - 24 April 2024
Oklahoma City National Memorial Museum - 24 April 2024
Oklahoma City National Memorial Museum - 24 April 2024
Oklahoma City National Memorial Museum - 24 April 2024
Oklahoma City National Memorial Museum - 24 April 2024
Oklahoma City National Memorial Museum - 24 April 2024
Oklahoma City National Memorial Museum - 24 April 2024
Oklahoma City National Memorial Museum - 24 April 2024
Oklahoma City National Memorial Museum - 24 April 2024
Oklahoma City National Memorial - 24 April 2024
Steve and I happened to be at the museum the Thursday before the 30th anniversary weekend of activities commemorating Oklahoma strength following the bombing. The actual date of the bombing was April 19th 1995. There is a big marathon happening 27 April with over 25 thousand runners. The theme for the 2025 marathon is " A Day of Darkness - Years of Light".
President George W. Bush dedicated the Oklahoma City National Memorial Museum in April of 2001. No one could know that day what was to come on September 11 2001.
Friday 25 April brought more rain and thunderstorms that morning, but it cleared up for our lunch at Chili's with Rhonda, Ron and Susan (Ron's girlfriend). None of the cousins look like they did 50 years ago, but the smiles and eyes were familiar. Everyone enjoyed hearing about each other's life.
We had planned to attend mass at 5pm at the local Catholic Church in Norman today (26 April), but it has rained all day and continues to rain as I write this. We'll watch mass online this week.
Tomorrow we'll be driving to Scott City Kansas for three nights. We're gradually making our way northwest to end up in Montana at our friends Darrell and Joanie's the second to last week in May.
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