And ... It's Monday ....

... as well as President’s Day. Closed on Monday is clearly a running theme in this trip. I will have to consider how to plan better in the future. For the most part, it is unavoidable. I am where I am when I am. But perhaps a bit more micro-managing when I arrive would be helpful.

I started the day at the First Americans Museum (FAM) . This museum is very new; it only opened in 2021. To my knowledge, nothing like it exists anywhere else. It comprises two floors of extremely comprehensive and well-researched history. Many very well-done AV presentations and first person accounts. The introductory video presentation that references several origin stories is particularly captivating. Of course I am familiar with the general trajectory of the very sad and embarrassing treatment of First Americans by European Settlers, but the very raw and emotional presentations were extremely sobering. The whole second floor is devoted to a semi-permanent loan from the Smithsonian of First American artifacts.

So, recollect that yesterday’s blog post referenced the Oklahoma land run of 1889 . (Other articles say 1883 ) These were lands that had previously been assigned to the Creek (Muskogee) and Seminole peoples. Of course, this is only one example of the previous injustices perpetrated against First Americans. FAM had a whole exhibit on terminology. According to them, the current preferred descriptor is First Americans. However, I doubt the debate has been settled.

I had hoped to have lunch at their Thirty-nine restaurant (for 39 OK tribes) that serves an indigenous-inspired menu. But ... Monday. The museum was open, the restaurant was closed.

I had then hoped to visit the nearby Old Paris Flea market. Because it does not have a regular website, it was impossible to check. It was also closed, although it was unclear if it was because it was Monday or President’s day.

My next try was the Paseo Arts district . I should know by now that galleries everywhere are closed on Monday. A few restaurants were open and I was able to at least grab lunch.

I then headed over to Factory Obscura , which I knew was open because I had purchased a ticket. This is a trippy, groovy, bizarre interactive exhibit that harkens back to the 60s. I would be surprised if the creators did not have some assistance from mind-altering drugs. The exhibit is called mix-tape and is supposed to take you through the emotions of well - a mix-tape. There is also a scavenger hunt for the kids. It definitely took me back to my teen years when I had black-light posters on my bedroom walls.

The folk at Factory Obscura recommended the Plaza district , which they thought might have some shops and galleries that would be open. I did have somewhat better luck there. It also is a remarkably funky piece of counter-culture. Almost like Santa Cruz, CA got transplanted into a block of Oklahoma City. I visited the DNA gallery , which houses works from a number of independent artists that they sell on commission. The person working the register had no idea why it was called the DNA gallery.

I also visited Dig It OKC , “servin’ up all things retro, vintage & eccentric - with a side dish of obscure.” It was true to its name. At the register were Wendigo and Vega.

Finally, I visited the Oklahoma City underground . This is a series of tunnels and skywalks that connect a large part of the downtown buildings and parking garages. The tunnels are distinguished by different color lighting (fluorescents!) and some of the walls are lined with historical photographs. It was not as visually interesting as I might have hoped. I’m sure it is appreciated in inclement weather.

I did want to recognize Rashika and Savannah who work the front desk of the Aloft Oklahoma City downtown - Bricktown. They were both incredibly personable and helpful.

Tomorrow I move on to Tulsa.