Gathering Place and Tulsa River Trails - OK

After several years of construction,  Gathering Place is now open and free to the public.  It surrounds Riverside Dr. between 27th and 33rd avenues and incorporates a portion of the Tulsa River Trails.  If urban parks across our nation were ranked for quality, this one would undoubtedly rise to the top.  As a result, it is now one of our favorite trike ride destinations.

We began our ride from Cherry Hill RV Park and headed north on the River Parks West Trail.  Fall colors are just beginning to show.  We caught a glimpse of a bobcat near this point but it didn't hang around for picture taking.

The Tulsa River trails are very popular.  Even though the bike trail is separate from the walking trail, we had to ride single file much of the way to allow passing traffic.

Approaching the 21st Street Bridge we catch a shot of  downtown Tulsa and the Arkansas River.  With all the recent rains, the river has rapids and would be extremely treacherous for kayakers. 

The 21st Street Bridge has a steep ramp on the east side of the river.  It's much easier coming down versus going up.

Entering Gathering Place from the west side of Riverside is now simple from the trail.  Rather than crossing traffic at about the 2700 block, ride 2 more blocks and cross over Riverside at about the 2900 block.  Here there is an overpass walking/biking bridge that reminds me of the I-44 overpass facility near Vinita, Oklahoma.

We are now on the Midland Valley Trail that wraps around the east side of Gathering Place.  Then the trail heads north towards downtown Tulsa.  Via connector routes and trail, you can actually ride all the way to Skiatook, if you are so inclined.

 In this portion of the park, bikes, and other toys, are permitted only on the perimeter trails.

Bike parking is plentiful around the park - not quite so much for car parking although it's available as well.

Inside the park there is a mountain of activities to exhaust kids, parents, and grandparents. 

There is also a couple of restaurants and of course, ice cream.  I recommend the salted butterscotch, or carmel butter percan, or chocolate raspberry,  or all three.

For us older kids there is a scooter track, skateboard track, and basketball/volleyball courts.  Well, I might do the basketball.   The scooter track did look fun though.

Heading south down the River Parks East trail we notice the maple trees are in full color.

Crossing the 71st street bridge and heading to the park halfway up Turkey mountain was our biggest challenge of the day.   We generally take one rest stop on the climb.

The Turkey Mountain Park has lots of hiking and mountain biking trails that are worth the effort but not today.

Don't let the climb up Turkey Mountain scare you off seeing this portion of the trail especially this time of the year.  The sandstone cliffs and fall foliage are worth the view.  Our loop around the river which included a short jaunt up the Midland Valley Trail totaled a little over 15 miles.  It was a gorgeous day.

River Parks, Newblock, and KATY Trail - Tulsa (OK)

Tulsa Skyline from West Bank of Arkansas River

Tulsa bike trails are among our favorites (scenic, well maintained, and accessible).  Over the past several years the Tulsa Parks Department in cooperation with other local groups have done an outstanding job in developing a trail system where not only locals can enjoy the local beauty, but one in which out-of-town enthusiasts may also enjoy.

Our high on Wednesday was expected to be in the lower 70s with a mild wind (under 15 mph) so Chris and I took off to explore a trail to Sand Springs, OK.  Over half of the ride would be on trail that we have not previously ridden.

This year our northern trek will be a different route than previous years.  Chris has been investigating 5 or 6 trails along this new route that we have not previously ridden.  At least one of the trails has potential of about a 45 mile leg.  In Michigan we ride 36-38 round trip miles to New Era and back almost weekly.  We do not have our Michigan "legs" back yet. Between now and then we will work on increasing the length of our rides in order to prepare.

As we ride out of Cherry Hill Mobile Home Park it is a matter of crossing Elwood and we are immediately on the first leg of our ride.  This portion of the trail is the River Parks West Bank trail and leads to downtown Tulsa.  Both banks of the river are very pretty and have many rest areas available.

Chris waits while I snap pics

We are riding recumbents.  Chris is on the trike and I'm on the bike for this pic.  We switch on the hills so that I'm on the trike, mainly because I'm less likely to fall over on it as I'm trying to keep the bike in motion uphill.  I can even stop and catch my breath for just a minute on the trike without getting off!  Now that is sweet!

At the north end of the West Bank trail is the connector to the KATY.

Below the bridge over the Arkansas River and parallel to I-244 Chris took the above left picture of the Holly Frontier Refinery.  This part of the trail is somewhat isolated.  There are multiple train tracks, trains, and some workers.  The above right pic is of the bridge we use to cross the river.  On the other side of this bridge is the bridge over the old rail yard and begins the new part of the trail for Chris and I.

This bridge has recently been remodeled and leads to the 1.5 mile Newblock Park Trail. After crossing this bridge we have a pretty good hill to climb and a beautiful rest area shown in the next pic.

We stopped at this rest area (left) and took the pic on the right.
In the background of this pic is the Holly Frontier Refinery from the north east bank of the Arkansas River.

KATY trail in Oklahoma

The Newblock Park Trail then connects us to the KATY Trail.  The KATY is an old rail trail, meaning the grades are no more than 3-5%.  It spans 8.1 miles east and west from downtown Tulsa. We rode west toward Sand Springs.

On the KATY trail in Oklahoma

The KATY trail in Missouri is one we have ridden almost annually.  The 237 mile crushed limestone trail is the longest rail trail in the United States.  To ride the paved KATY trail in Oklahoma was a very pleasant experience.

After riding 11 miles we came upon lunch options.  Wendy's or Billy Sim's?  Burger vs Barbecue?

The decision was not difficult for us.  BBQ for the win!  After lunch we turned around and headed home.  The map below shows the route we took today.  Actual riding time was 2 hr and 20 min.

This 22-mile ride is not even close to 45 miles, but we still have time to train.  Looking forward to our next trail!

Oklahoma City - A Time of Remembrance (OK)

Twenty years ago on April 19, 1995 at 9:00 am I was teaching a math class at Owasso High School just north of Tulsa, OK.  Second hour started in the usual way with roll and our starter activity.  It was around 9:20 am that we received news of the tragedy in OKC, just 100 miles from us, and in the heart of our capital city.  Upon hearing the news we were overcome with sadness.  We cried and felt fear mounting deep within us.  News trickled into our classrooms at the High School in bits and pieces.  One thing was clear:  Oklahoma City had been attacked.  At that time we did not know who did it, or how many were involved. What we did know was that the terrorist attack was devastating and that the death toll would be tremendous.

Oklahomans are a strong and courageous group of people.  We love our state and we love our country.  We are also a group of people not afraid to pray in public or put our arms around someone hurting and offer prayers for them.  On this day Oklahomans were hurting and the beautiful country in which we lived reached out to us, put their arms around us, and covered us in prayer.  Our nation wept alongside of us.

At 9:00 am across the street from the Murrah Federal Building the Oklahoma Water Resources Board had started a meeting and was in the process of recording the proceedings of that meeting.  It was 9:02 am when the truck filled with chemicals exploded in front of the Murrah Building in downtown Oklahoma City killing 168, 19 of whom were children.  Glass was blown out of windows of nearby buildings and foundations shook with the explosion.  This was the worst incident of domestic terrorism America had ever experienced.

At 9:13 am the first images were broadcast to the world.  Massive rescue attempts were conducted. More than 600 are said to have survived the bombing.  People from all walks of life came together to do what they could to help.   People from across our country came to Oklahoma to assist with rescue, clean up, and restoration.

Immediately, temporary memorials started appearing.  In time there would be a permanent memorial.  It was decided that the OKC Memorial would be a place of healing and peace.  In 2001 Chris was transferred to the OKC area.  He worked within blocks of the Memorial for 11 years and we have visited the outdoor Memorial several times over the years.    Each visit to this site is very special for us.  Last fall we visited the site with family from Texas and we went through the museum as well.  The museum, which is thorough and tastefully assembled, offers a chronological walk-through of the day's events, in particular visitors may listen to the tape of the proceedings of the Water Resources Board up to the time of the explosion.  At that time we become participants rather than observers.  It is quite moving.

Across the street from the Memorial

This is the And Jesus Wept statue erected by St. Joseph Catholic Church.  It is across the street from the 9:03 gate.   When gazing at this statue my heart broke.

           

Gates of Time - 9:01

These two gates frame the moment of destruction and are the formal entrances to the memorial.  On one wall is the time 9:01 which represents the innocence of the city before the attack.  The other wall has the time 9:03, representing the moment we were changed forever.  Between the two gates is a reflecting pool of gently flowing water symbolizing the healing of wounds and a place of reflection.

 

Gates of Time - 9:03

Field of Empty Chairs

Below is the Field of Empty Chairs.  There are 168 chairs representing the lives lost.  The smaller chairs represent the children.  The chairs are arranged in 9 rows representing the nine floors of the building and are placed according to the floor on which they were working or visiting.  Each chair is on a glass base and has the name of the victim etched upon it.


Oklahomans, with the help of people from around the country and around the world, came together during this time with a determination to heal.  One day at a time was all they could do for quite some time.  Healing is a slow process.  It has been 20 years since 168 Oklahomans lost their lives here.  For survivors and for those who lost loved ones, healing is ongoing.  The OKC National Memorial is a beautiful tribute and place of solace. Anyone who visits this site will be touched in a special way as we remember, as we reflect, and as we heal.

Tulsa River Parks (OK)

On Sunday, October 12, we arrived in Tulsa, OK and pulled into our favorite "campground" which is a mobile home park.  The heavily wooded park is home to many mobile homes, 5th wheels, travel trailers, and motor homes.  They also have reserved short-term sites for travelers staying less than a week.  We are here for 2 months in the spring and 2 months in the fall.  It is a beautiful place for us to stay in addition to being convenient for visiting our two sons who live in Tulsa, close to shopping amenities, and in particular it is just a few hundred feet to bicycle to our trail at the Tulsa River Parks.

Downtown Tulsa from the West side of the river

The River Parks includes 800 acres of land along the Arkansas River and features 26 miles of asphalt-surfaced trails weaving past playgrounds, wildlife sculptures, fountains, and rest areas.  Improvements over the past few years have included a divided path separating walkers/joggers from the bicyclists on most of the East trail.  We enjoy riding the Tulsa River Parks Trails whenever we can while here.  This particular 14.5 mile ride was selected for being especially level.  This particular day was chosen because of the mild temp of 65 and low winds of less than 15 mph.  A perfect fall day for riding along the river.

Divided trail

One of many places to stop, rest, and enjoy the view

 Turkey Mountain Urban Wilderness area offers 45 miles of dirt trails for hiking, dirt bike riding, and horseback riding.  The bicycle trail passes through the Turkey Mountain area and is quite a challenge.  We have made the climb on our bike but normally I try to avoid this area in search of the more level trails.

 

This is the pedestrian bridge which allows cyclists and walkers/joggers to cross the river.  There are benches to sit and enjoy the view, and there are lookout areas.  The river is not very deep and there are always people fishing from the water.

While on the trail we ride next to old Route 66.  There are monuments depicting the old model T encountering a horse and buggy.  A sign of the changing times from days gone by.  

A ride on the Tulsa trails  provides a workout to challenge all levels of fitness as well as providing a few hours of simple relaxation.