Monday, March 13, 2023

Oklahoma's Black Mesa


As I may have previously mentioned, Oklahoma is probably #5-ranked among the states I have spent the most time in, i.e., lived in and/or visited.  And my first wife, Marla, was born in NW Oklahoma, near the Panhandle.  (Our first meeting's 40th Anniversary is approaching.) 

#1 is my native Georgia, #2 is Texas (where I lived for 14 years), #3 (estimated) is New Mexico, #4 (estimated) is Arizona, and #5 (estimated) is Oklahoma.  My first introduction to "the world West of the Mississippi" was during our 1973 Family Vacation, during which we passed through #2-5.  (There are other 50th Anniversary memories upcoming, to be discussed, as well.)

My numerous visits to Oklahoma have crisscrossed the state with the exception of the Panhandle, which was deemed "just a little too far out of the way", each time.  My second wife, Mary Alice and I are discussing an April Southwest van camping trip, if all goes well.  Whether we are able to take in the OK Panhandle remains to be seen.