Oklahoma and New York June 2007 - Miss Belvedere and Coney Island

Hey guys, I just got home from a week in Oklahoma with a little side trip to New York.



I’m sure y’all saw the story about the 1957 Belvedere (it was all over the news) that was buried downtown Tulsa in 1957 and unearthed last week during the state’s centennial celebration.



I was there Friday night for the unveiling. Unfortunately, the car did not come out as good as we had hoped it would. Water had gotten in and it was pretty well rusted and full of holes. Still, it was in one piece and it was really exciting to see it unveiled. Lot of activities going on regarding the centennial, but this was probably the best one. The convention center was packed and everyone had a really good time. The car was moved to one of the exhibit halls after the unveiling to join other antique cars in a show. I went back over Sunday to get a closer look.



Oklahoma has done a really good job celebrating the Centennial. It’s a great time to be a proud Okie.



On Monday, I headed to New York for a couple of days. Primary reason for my visit was to see INHERIT THE WIND starring Brian Dennehy, my A#1 celebrity heart throb. It was an EXCELLENT play – and he, of course, was wonderful. I can’t believe he didn’t get nominated for a TONY. And Christopher Plummer, too, was Tony caliber.



I have a friend, Roberta, who lives in Queens and on Tuesday we went to Coney Island. In the 25 years I have been going to New York, this was my first trip there. It was awesome!!! Coney Island is just like it was in it’s heyday – it hasn’t been turned into a Disneyland like commercialized blight!!! It was a beautiful day to walk along the boardwalk, breathe the wonderful sea air, enjoy an ice cream cone, and just people watch.



We went to the aquarium – which was OK, but nothing to compare to some of the newer, more modern ones like in Atlanta. We rode the WONDER WHEEL – the 87 year old Ferris Wheel in the amusement park. Now, y’all know I love Ferris wheels and carrousels and ride them every chance I get, but this is the first time an operator has asked me if I wanted swinging or non-swinging car. Of course I said swinging which elicited a dirty look from my friend. It was a bit windy that day and boy, the car did swing!!!! But, it was fun.



It’s a good thing we did not get our Nathan’s hot dogs BEFORE riding the wheel, though. And speaking of Nathan’s – it was indeed a good hot dog and well deserving of it’s fame. I was impressed. My favorite is still Chet’s dogs in Muskogee, though (sorry, Chuck).



Now I did something I have never done before in New York. Since it was a short trip and the only thing I was doing in Manhattan was the theatre, I decided to save a few pennies and stay in QUEENS close to the airport and SHEA stadium (I was going to try and go to the game Monday night, but weather delayed my connection in Chicago so I didn’t get there I time).



Anyway, I stayed the first night in a hotel – the people were very nice and I had had good experiences booking the hotel and getting information from them. They got wonderful reviews on TRIPADVISOR. But, I was very uncomfortable there – it is old and dated and I waspractically the only American not to mention the only woman traveling alone there. Clientele appeared to be mainly foreign college kids. I’m sure they were very nice and harmless, but I just didn’t feel good about it and there was a lot of noise and music and running in the hallways. And the subway station was four blocks away. Now, where I usually stay in Manhattan, I have no concerns about walking around after dark, but not knowing Queens very well, I wasn’t too sure about walking four blocks late at night after the theatre.



My friend Roberta lives in QUEENS and she drove us to Coney Island and the bus into the city runs right by her apartment. So I stayed with her the 2nd night. Unfortunately, she has a cat and so by the time I left for home, I was sick and all my clothes smelled of cat urine. Aside from the allergies, her whole apartment smelled of “cat” so I was sick to my stomach most of the time.



So, I have learned my lesson. I will stick with tried and true and stay in Manhattan from now on.



But, I had a WONDERFUL time. Had dinner at a new Italian restaurant in the theatre district before the play and it was very good. The weather was nice and it was good to just be walking around Manhattan. We got caught in a sudden rainstorm waiting for the bus home and got soaked to the bone – no umbrellas, but there had been no indication of rain so neither one of us thought to take one. That happened the last time I went to the theatre with her – several years ago.



Well, I’m home now and ready to get back into the daily grind. Y’all have a great weekend. I am going to Durant tomorrow night to see the OAK RIDGE BOYS and Sunday night to the Myerson to see the Turtle Creek Chorale. Dallas friends – you might want to look into this. They are doing a concert of all their favorite numbers over the years. Here’s an excerpt from the promo. And I believe that Jaston Williams is going to be there doing some Vera Carp skits (you know, from GREATER TUNA).





There will be favorites from the 60's show, Broadway concerts, and even a few operatic excerpts. There will be surprises galore and possible special appearances by Patsy Cline on yet another “Back to Earth” tour, the infamous monks, a tutu or two and perhaps even a Strangerette!