Get Along Little Doggies

My mom took us to the Cowboy Hall of Fame yesterday... er, um, I mean the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum. My entire life the place was called one thing, then they changed it. Sure, the new title more accurately defines the place, but this doggie can't be taught new tricks very easily. It's called the Cowboy Hall of Fame, and that's that.

We had a wonderful time. If you find yourself in OKC, this place is a must on your to-do list. Here's why...

This is the Trail of Tears statue that stands at the entrance, and it's breathtaking. If you aren't up on your American history, and don't know what the Trail of Tears is, read about it. This statue is so massive that you can lose your kids on front of it.

There is so much to see, and so much to do, but very little of it can be photographed. Museums are kinda rigid like that. I'm an outlaw though.

There's a whole separate building for kids, and my boys enjoyed the saddles. Jackson is sitting on the tiniest saddle I've ever seen. Since there wasn't a sign to explain, I speculated that this saddle was like an old school car seat. 'This is how the pioneers hauled their babies around,' I told them.

This killed me, my heart stopped and broke simultaneously. Clearly, I'm never going to be able to get away from the Teton's, even in Oklahoma.

If you don't know who Dale Evans, Roy Rogers, and Gene Autry are then I can't help you. I do wish I had that guitar though.


The highlight of the day for me was seeing the Prix de West show. The Prix de West is the most prestigious invitational art exhibit there is for western artists, but for me it was yet another trip down memory lane.

When I lived in Jackson Hole I was privileged to work for Trailside Galleries. This gallery hosts many shows for several artists showing in Prix de West. While I can't say that I know these artists, I can say that I have met them, and seeing their stunning works again just thrilled me to pieces.

I wasn't supposed to take this picture, which is why it's blurry, but I had to have proof for my blog fodder.

Don't try explaining 'blog fodder' to an elderly museum security guard though, it doesn't translate.