A Tulsa Legend

One of the country’s greatest folk singer-songwriters came from the Tulsa region. A visit to the Woody Guthrie Center allowed us to better understand the social, political, and cultural issues that entwined the country during and after the tumultuous Dust Bowl period. Events from his childhood helped forge his beliefs, and soon he became known for his protest songs. A visit to the center helps guests better understand the man and his music. (Read more about the Center here >)

Getting Hand’s On

Tulsa is filled with lots of attraction options, and with only three days, we needed to make the most of our time. The Midwest offers tons of family-friendly destinations, and Tulsa is certainly among those. We visited two museums that feature interactive exhibits designed with kids in mind. At the Tulsa Children’s Museum, kids of all ages can discover lots of science based activities created to spark the imagination. (Read more about TCM here >)

The Gilcrease Museum is a world class art museum. Housing the largest collection of American West art, the museum also includes a couple of areas with younger visitors in mind. Here kids can learn about the skills used by Native Americans for generations. Another section allows kids of all ages (Yes, even my age.) to show off their artistic side. (Read more about Gilcrease here >)

Visiting the Wild Kingdoms

Whenever we visit a new destination, we always look for any opportunities to see wildlife. The Tulsa Zoo had recently unveiled their new exhibit, The Lost Kingdom. Filled with rare species, and amazing architecture, it felt like we were exploring a newly discovered ancient village. The zoo is in the process of planning their next development, and we hope to catch it once it is complete. (Read more about the Zoo here >)

The idea of visiting a sea life center in the middle of the country was certainly intriguing. The Oklahoma Aquarium surprised us with its interactive exhibits that just kept coming. We had the chance to feed turtles, view creatures from their own level, and touch a variety of marine life. To say we were shocked by the variety of exhibits would be a complete understatement. (Read more about the Aquarium here >)

Shopping Galore

Our visits in 2017 had us staying in many downtown districts. We noticed a pattern that many cities are seeing a revitalization of these areas. The suburban sprawl is being replaced with a return to the urban cores. This allows us to park our car, and do more exploration by foot. Tulsa has a distinct downtown district that include some vibrant and growing retail sections. Be sure to carve out time in your itinerary for a little retail therapy at some locally owned shops.

Downtown Design

Architectural design is certainly more unique in the downtown sections of cities. Tulsa went through two major growth spurts due to oil booms in the early 1900’s. During this period, the Art Deco design was achieving its apex, and Tulsa has blocks of buildings constructed during this period. Each day we had the pleasure of seeing these beautiful structures during our walks. To make it even more special, our lodging was in the Courtyard Tulsa Downtown, which occupies space in the historic Atlas Life building. We found ourselves walking through history, as we made our way through the period style lobby.

Iconic Eateries

Breakfast stops are some of the hardest to blog about, since many are so similar. We always look for at least one or two special stops to showcase a little of the local flavor. In Tulsa, we found a couple really cool places to savor. Dilly Diner is a downtown eatery that specializes in clean, retro design blended with new age dishes crafted with locally sourced ingredients. (Read more about Dilly here >)

Tally’s Good Food Cafe is everything we would expect in a Route 66 diner, delicious food in a nostalgic setting. Here they embrace their location on the Mother Road, and dish up 1950’s size servings in a retro atmosphere. (Read more abut Tally’s here >)

Varied Cuisines

Throughout our visit, we savored a variety of locally owned restaurants. The cuisines were as varied as the decor, and each offered unique flavors. Check out our “Tulsa” tag in the right hand sidebar to sort all of the articles specific to this destination. Each of these restaurants have their own article, which give additional details. (Find all of the Tulsa articles here >)

Sweet Treats

Those readers that have followed our journeys for a while know that we don’t skimp when it comes to searching out sweets. Downtown Tulsa gave us a few options, and we happily accepted the challenge to test them out. Glacier Confection is home to designer chocolates made with some of the finest ingredients available. Our visit was a chance to sample loads of interesting flavor combinations, and they even sent us away with some goodies for later. (Read more about Glacier here >)

Just down the street we located Antoinette Baking Company, which is a small bake shop known to the locals. Fortunately, we had spoken with some of those locals, and they keyed us in on this hidden treasure. The pastry cases are stuffed full of tantalizing treats, and choosing just one can be quite difficult. If only we had found it sooner, we could have sampled more. (Read more about Antoinette’s here >)

Tulsa is Larger Than Life

Our three days flew by too quickly, and we only had time to scratch the surface of this fantastic destination. What we found were lots of friendly people, tons of interesting attractions, and loads of great eats. We hope that our articles inspire you to make your own plans for a visit to Tulsa Town. We are betting that your visit will be filled with just as much fun. Which place would you visit first?

The post 15 Reasons to Visit Tulsa, Oklahoma appeared first on Our Changing Life.

Casual Atmosphere Abounds At Caz’s Chowhouse

The Brady Arts District is a wonderful mix of shopping, dining, and attractions. Being within a short walk of our hotel, we spent a lot of time in this area. The buildings are largely brick, and many could have started life as warehouses. The interiors are spacious with high ceilings, which add an airy feel to the visit. The industrial vibe was present, as has become a thing in many trendy restaurants. An upstairs balcony offers additional seating but wasn’t being used during our visit. I took a gander at the space, which offers nice views of the main dining space on the lower level.

Caz’s Chowhouse has open seating during the lunch period, and we had a choice between the bar area or the main dining space. We chose the main dining area with its comfortable booths and spacious tables. While the exact cuisine style is eclectic, the menu tends to lean toward more southern style dishes. The same can be said for the decor, which had small influences of a New Orleans fashion scattered around the space. The restaurant is dim, without being too dark for social interactions, and the pops of color lend an uplifting mood to the interior. It was really a relaxed mood going on during our visit. Our server was quick to greet us and helped explain a little about the menu. While they offer a specific lunch menu, we were also able to order off of the main entree list, which is what we chose to do.

Meals With A Southern Twist

Those who have followed us for a while will recognize Crystal’s go-to (default) choice. She ordered up the Chicken Tenders, which come with the choice of one side. The breading was crispier than what we have found at many other places, and it comes with a house made dipping sauce. Her choice of side was fried okra, which she enjoyed. Not being a fan of that particular dish, I let her savor all of the goodness for herself. The portion size of her meal was more than enough to offer a filling lunch, and she left part of it uneaten.

I can be a little more adventurous in my choices, and here I was struggling. Cuban sandwiches are probably one of my favorite meals, and they offer up a turkey version. While it sounded intriguing, I decided that I didn’t want to possibly find out that it would be better than the usual pork version. Instead, I chose to go with the Chowhouse Chicken Sandwich. It is made with a chicken breast that has been soaked in sweet tea, which completely intrigued me. The flavor came through a little, but the other components tended to drown it out. The addition of jalapeno bacon, Swiss cheese, and a cream cheese spread seemed to be the overriding flavors. It was a good mix, and I had no problem finishing my sandwich. My side was the spicy coleslaw, which did have a little kick, but nothing over the top. All in all, we found the place to be a nice break from a day of sightseeing, and the staff were quite friendly. We are certainly glad that we left this opening in our schedule so that we could visit a local favorite.

The post Caz’s Chowhouse Delivers Down Home Eats appeared first on Our Changing Life.

Unassuming Exterior

During our visit to Glacier Confection (You can read more about this chocolatier here>), we got into a discussion about local restaurants. The topic of the conversation turned to Hole-in-the-Wall joints that offer surprising value and taste. A restaurant was mentioned that had not been on our radar, but certainly sounded intriguing. I made note of it, so that I could investigate later. It turned out that we would be somewhat in the neighborhood toward the end of our trip, so we decided to insert it in our plans. Tacos don Francisco is like so many of those places that people drive by and hardly notice. It sits on a busy road that is lined by an assortment of small businesses. Pulling up to the building, we were hopeful that the outside didn’t reflect the quality of the food.

This family-operated business is no-frills dining, and has just a handful of tables for seating. Most of the customers appear to grab their meals to go, but we opted for the full “dine-in” experience. The prices are quite affordable, so we ordered a nice assortment of items from the menu. We started with some Queso cheese dip, which while a little thin, still had a nice flavor. This would tide us over until our main dishes were ready.

Real Food

Before long, our plates arrived. It quickly became apparent that they do not skimp on the quantity of food they serve. The presentation reminded us of many of the Mexican food restaurants we visit in our hometown of Kansas City, Kansas. Our selection included a tamale, which was standard, but had a nice texture to the corn masa. The plate also included an enchilada, which comes topped with cheese and their red sauce. They included a small cup of hot sauce for drizzling, but it was a little too warm for our liking. (Okay, we aren’t the fiery heat lovers that some may be.)

Amazing Flavors

The other plate was their Don Francisco, which is the signature platter. This usually includes three “street” tacos, but they tossed on a fourth, so that we could sample the different meat options. These were all delicious, but the beef pastor, and the chorizo were simply amazing. The dish comes with sides of rice and refried beans, which were also just standard fare. They also threw in a Chili Rellino, which is stuffed with cheese and enchilada sauce. We had more than enough food for two, and ate all that we could, before throwing in the towel. Our visit to Tacos Don Francisco was a reminder that you can’t judge a restaurant by its exterior. What “Hole-in-the-Wall” places have you found to be hidden gems?

The post Tacos Don Francisco – Hole In The Wall Dining In Tulsa appeared first on Our Changing Life.

We want to thank the Tulsa Children’s Museum for their hospitality. Rest assured that all opinions are our own.

Timely Arrival

Visiting Oklahoma in August can bring on some hot days, and our timing was right in the heart of a heat wave. Being seasoned travelers, we plan accordingly, so outdoor activities are in the morning, and indoor during the afternoons. The day was warming up rapidly, and we were ready to seek shelter inside this unique attraction. We had scheduled to meet with Sarah Sadler, Marketing and Development Coordinator at Tulsa Children’s Museum. We arrived right on time, and Sarah was ready to give us a tour of the facility.

Learn and Burn Energy

After a short period of introductions, we headed off into the Main Hall, which is the largest room in the museum. The room is named Energy, and it showcases exhibits that show where energy comes from, as well as how it is used. The room is as large as a gymnasium, which allows plenty of room for the kids to burn off a little of their own energy. There are interactive displays lining the sides of the room, as well as a few down the middle. Having a variety of stations allows more people to be engaged at the same time.

One of the largest exhibits in the room is the Petroleum Pit. Tulsa is an oil boom town, and it is only fitting for there to be an exhibit dedicated to the principle of oil collection. Black balls are sent through pipes that represent various items that are powered by oil. The balls collect in a sorter that fills up, and finally will shoot the balls out of the oil derrick. This exhibit seemed quite popular with the kids. Nearby we watched a family trying their hand at a quiz display, which focuses questions about energy.

Exploring the Tape Tunnel

Another popular exhibit is the Tap Tunnel. This is actually constructed from packing tape. Staff members assemble the tunnel and slide sections with roll after roll of the clear tape to demonstrate the strength of layers. It is sort of the same principle as trying to break one stick versus a bundle of sticks. We enjoy exhibits that teach scientific principles, and are fun to boot. The Energy room also has a toddler area dedictaed to those visitors up to the age of three years old. After watching everyone interacting for a while, it was time to move on to the other rooms.

Problem Solving Skills

Where the Energy room is a place to run from exhibit to exhibit, in The Workshop and Featured Room there is a slower pace. Here we found a variety of stations that posed challenges needing to be resolved. A wind wall allows visitors to test the effect of various sail designs, and how they impact movement. We saw kids at easels working on designs, as well as practicing their problem solving skills. The level of concentration was high, so we tried not to interrupt the thought processes.

I noticed a couple of kids building models on an exhibit, so I went over to see what was going on. They explained that the table would vibrate, and that they were working on a design that would survive a simulated earthquake. It made me think back to the lack of places like this during my childhood. It is nice to see that this type of interactive museum is becoming much more commonplace these days. It became apparent that the kids had great skills at seeing a problem, and determining an appropriate solution.

The Only Constant is Change

Sarah had led us through the whole building, and it was obvious that the staff are passionate about the lessons being taught. Everyone was engaged in activities, and you could almost see the wheels turning. The Tulsa Children’s Museum understands the necessity of rotating the exhibits to keep things fresh. In 2018 the museum will feature an exhibit named Math and Music in the Main Hall. Visitors will not only listen to music, they will also create and perform it. The Featured Hall is currently hosting a dinosaur exhibit, and this will be followed by Marvels of Science, which will highlight the strange and remarkable world of science. All of these sound like great interactive exhibits that will certainly entertain the kids for hours. The Tulsa Children’s Museum is a must visit for families traveling to Tulsa, Oklahoma.

The post Tulsa Children’s Museum Offers Entertaining Education appeared first on Our Changing Life.

We want to thank the Dilly Diner for their hospitality. Rest assured that all opinions are our own.

Dilly Diner – A Local Favorite

For this meal we had arranged to meet up with Vanesa Masucci, the Vice President of the Tulsa Convention and Visitors Bureau. We were looking forward to this meeting, as Vanesa had been extremely helpful in identifying many of the places we visited in Tulsa. After introductions, we made our way in to start our visit. The restaurant has a nice open design, which can make it a little noisy when crowded. A long counter doubles as a bar, but most of the diners were enjoying the booth seating. We were escorted to our seats, and set about reviewing the menu for our selections. The manager brought over one of their signature croissants with some homemade raspberry jam. Once our orders were placed, we spent some time visiting. Our discussions ranged from places we had visited, as well to ones that we would have to see on a future trip. Tulsa has way too much to see in three days, so keep that in mind when planning your itinerary.

Picture Perfect Presentation

It didn’t take long for our meals to arrive, and my camera came out of it’s case. I had warned Vanesa that I wanted to take pictures before starting our meal, but being a seasoned professional, she was already expecting that. She had ordered the Brioche French Toast, which is made with homemade brioche bread. Cooked to a wonderful crusty brown, it is topped with powdered sugar and fresh strawberries. This is one of my favorite breakfast dishes, but I had decided to try something different this morning, and I was wondering if I was missing out. Vanesa described just how delicious the dish was, and the warm maple syrup added a sweet smell to our table.

Crystal ordered her standard meal, which at Dilly Diner is named the Two Egg Breakfast. The makeup of the meal is pretty obvious, but it included some fresh fruit, which isn’t always offered by other restaurants. It should be noted that although she chose toast, she could have picked biscuits and gravy to accompany her plate.

Stepping Out Of My Box

I had a discussion with the manager about some of the most popular dishes. One that he mentioned was something I had never tried. I decided to order the Breakfast Tacos, which sounded intriguing. Two flour tortillas are topped with scrambled eggs, avocado, cilantro, Cotija cheese, and a squirt of chipotle aioli.  After corralling the ingredients into a manageable shape, I tested my first bite. The variety of flavors blended so well, that I wondered why I have never seen this combination on a menu. My fear that the chipotle sauce would be too spicy was unfounded. It gave just a little kick, but the avocado quickly quenched any heat and left a creamy coolness in its place. It was difficult for me to concentrate on the table conversation, as I was truly savoring the tacos. Too soon they disappeared, and I topped off my meal with the fresh fruit. With our meal completed, we spent a little more time conversing over our coffee. Before long, we all had to head off to our next destinations. Dilly Diner is certainly on our list for another visit in the future, and I’m going to test out that French toast.

The post Taste The Freshness At Dilly Diner appeared first on Our Changing Life.

The Man Behind The Vision

Oklahoma is home to a variety of Native American tribes, who were moved to the area by federal forces. Thomas Gilcrease came from the Creek Nation area, which holds a large amount of land in and around Tulsa. When oil was discovered in 1905, which was two years prior to Oklahoma statehood, a portion of the oil fields were on his land. By the time Gilcrease was twenty years old, he was a multi-millionaire, and proved to be a good businessman. In 1922, he founded the Gilcrease Oil Company. He would move it’s office to Tulsa in 1949. That same year he unveiled the Thomas Gilcrease Institute of American History and Art. Gilcrease lived out the rest of his life in a house adjacent to the museum.

Gilcrease began collecting art and artifacts in 1912.His first purchase was an oil painting he bought for $1500. This started him on his journey of collecting, but he didn’t kick into high gear until around 1939. At that point of his career his offices were based in San Antonio, Texas. He opened the first Gilcrease Museum there, but eventually returned to his Tulsa roots. During the period of time that Gilcrease was collecting, the market showed little interest in the pieces he pursued. This allowed him to purchase large quantities in a relatively short time. By the mid-1950’s, declining oil prices had a significant effect on his company’s financial standing. Fearing the idea of his collections being split up, he offered the entire lot up for sale. The residents of Tulsa voted to approve a bond to pay Gilcrease’s debts, and in 1955 he willed his collection to the city.  That action would keep the Gilcrease Museum in Tulsa, and make it property of the city.

Preserving the Past at the Gilcrease Museum

Thomas Gilcrease had a vision to tell the story of the American West, and especially the portion that involved the native people. As we explored the museum, we were in awe at the massive amount of art and artifacts that are held within the walls. Gallery after gallery of sculptures and paintings from some of the most well known American artists can be found here. Did you know that the museum owns 18 of the 22 bronze sculptures originally created by Frederic Remington?  Of course, with a collection of over 300,000 pieces not everything can be on display at the same time. They also store many items that are rarely brought to public view. In their archive are the only known handwritten copies of the Declaration of independence and Articles of Confederation.

As we passed through the galleries, we found each one to be just as amazing as the one we just viewed. The artifacts tell the stories of civilizations who populated the lands for many generations. The details and intricacies of the artwork were unbelievable. We were joined by Melani Hamilton, the Communications Manager for the Gilcrease Museum, who spoke with us about the history and purpose of the organization. She began with the original vision, and moved through to the future of the site. A recently approved plan will add two new galleries to the museum in the near future. This will allow for additional pieces to come out of storage, and be on display for the public. It will also include a new underground parking facility, as well as an elevated restaurant, which will allow guests views of some of the 23 acres of gardens on the grounds.

Family Friendly Experience

At the Gilcrease Museum it is important that the attraction be appealing to all ages. They have included a couple of areas dedicated to the younger crowd, as well as the young at heart. The Kid’s Site is a room filled with scenes that allow children to expand upon some of the art they have seen in the museum. This open space is a perfect place to burn off a little excess energy, while entertaining the others in your group. The museum hosts visits for school classes from around the Tulsa metro, and helps build a bond between the children and the history of the American West.

We located two distinct areas in the museum that are hands on exhibits. In the first we encountered, there are a variety of touch stations, where children can explore the tools and devices used in daily life of the Native Tribes of the region. There are also some stations set up to mimic the daily activities of the members of the communities. Farther into the museum, we came upon the Kid’s Site. This room includes a stage area where kids can entertain the adults in the group with an impromptu play or puppet show. A work table allows room for crafts to be completed, and children can create their own pictographs, much like the ones viewed in the galleries.

Channeling My Inner Youth

Another area offers one of the most unique “selfie” spots we have ever seen. I could not pass up an opportunity to grab a quick click in front a tranquil mountain scene. No, I did not get in the canoe, we just used a little forced perspective in the photograph. I think it came out pretty well. As I said, it’s a great place for kids of all ages.

Additional Resources

After visiting all of the ground floor galleries, we made our way downstairs to the Kravis Discovery Center. This area holds a vast amount of artifacts from indigenous people from North, Central, and South America. Drawer after drawer hold implements and tools used by people for all sorts of daily activities. It is a great research tool, and was quite popular during our visit. The Gilcrease Museum also hosts an amazing amount of pictures from the museum’s inventory online. By visiting the “Collections” tab on their website, you can search through an extensive collection of their items. This is a great resource for researchers, but doesn’t do justice to seeing the pieces in person. We certainly hope you will have an opportunity to visit the Gilcrease Museum, and see the wonderful collection for yourself.

The post The Largest Collection Of American West Art – Gilcrease Museum appeared first on Our Changing Life.

A Tight Fit at Bohemian Pizzeria

We had an early lunch, so an early dinner was not out of the question. The walk from our hotel was about a half mile, and gave us an opportunity to scope out after dinner places to visit. Tulsa is experiencing a revitalization of it’s downtown area. We have found this to be happening in many of the cities we visit. Shops, restaurants, and other businesses are returning to the urban core. Many times they are bringing an edgy, and eclectic vibe that is artistic and fun. We passed through the area, and soon found ourselves at Bohemian Pizzeria. The dining area is narrow and tight, but it gives an excuse to mingle with the occupants at the next table.

The evening was a little warm, so we decided to eat indoors. I popped out the side door to get a look at the outdoor seating section. A couple brave parties were enduring the heat, and had the patio all to themselves. The place looks like a great spot for a happy hour celebration during a more comfortable weather period. There is even a portion that has an overhang to allow protected dining during inclement weather. I headed back inside to help decide what to order, since the rush period was beginning.

Neapolitan Pizza in Bohemian Digs

Bohemian Pizzeria takes pride in using fresh ingredients sourced locally, when they can’t get them from Italy. Yeah, Italy. They import their double “oo” flour, and San Marzano tomatoes from Italian distributors. Of course, some items are too delicate to import, so they look at local sources for these ingredients. Their mozzarella comes from buffalo, which are quite plentiful in Oklahoma. Locally raised produce is used in their salads, and the flavors come through in their dishes. Our server was quite knowledgeable about the processes used in preparing the food, and helped us pick just the perfect dinner combination. We started with the Mama Kay’s Caesar, which is served with a scrumptious homemade garlic breadstick. Salads are not especially exciting for me, but this one was very fresh, and even I could taste it.

Feature Course

Our main course was not too far behind. Being meat lovers, we picked the Tre P, which features pancetta, pepperoni, and prosciutto. These three Italian meats are spread across a crust that has been coated with their signature San Marzano tomato sauce. The whole thing is topped with the buffalo mozzarella and some freshly grated Parmesan. We decided to toss on some Castelvetrano olives for a little color, and it certainly did just that. Now back to the whole we love pizza thing. The past few years we have actually become fans of the wood-fired pizzas that are quite often associated with the Neapolitan region of Italy. The flavor that the smoky wood imparts on the crust, as well as the improved texture makes a noticeable difference. Perhaps this is why so many pizzerias are using this cooking style. Bohemian Pizzeria has combined a unique cooking style with upscale ingredients to create a delicious product. Be sure that you add Bohemian Pizzeria to your restaurant list when you next visit Tulsa. We think you will be just as impressed as we were.

The post Squeezing In To Bohemian Pizzeria appeared first on Our Changing Life.

We want to thank the Oklahoma Aquarium for their hospitality. Rest assured that all opinions are our own.

A Landlocked Ocean

The Oklahoma Aquarium is located in Jenks, Oklahoma, which is a suburb of Tulsa. When we arrived, we were amazed at the sheer size of the attraction.  It holds nine main exhibit areas, which include freshwater and salt water displays. We met up with Teri Bowers, the Executive Director of the facility, for a guided tour. She told us that the aquarium is in it’s 14th year of operation, and continues to add new exhibits. Their newest display had just opened this Spring, but we would get to that later. Off we all went to check out the place.

Getting Hands On

The entrance feeds guests into the Great Hall, which features a cafe, and is connected to the aquarium’s event center.  As we strolled down the main corridor, which connects various exhibit areas, we watched families interact with some of the hands-on displays. A large open top area holds a collection of Red-ear Slider Turtles, which can be fed by guests. Kids of all ages would dangle pieces of food for the turtles to snap up. This was an extremely popular, and entertaining exhibit. We had as much fun watching the children’s delight, as we did watching the turtles eat.

In the Amazing Invertebrates area, visitors can experience more hands on displays. Here they can feel the shells of Horseshoe Crabs or let shrimp move across their hands. This was another popular area, and it was filled with the giggles of excitement from kids of all ages. There are also an assortment of smaller displays, with various ocean invertebrates, so it is as educational as it is fun.

Introductions, Please!

We continued our tour of the Oklahoma Aquarium, and Teri explained each exhibit we passed. The time for feeding the otters and beaver was about to start, and we were in for a treat. We arrived during the otter portion, and watched with delight, as the otters scurried about their area. While the handler told the crowd facts about the animals, she doled out their food. Everyone enjoyed their lively frolicking, and this continued until all of their food had been served. Next up was the beaver. The handler climbed into the exhibit, and sat a bowl of food in front of her. The beaver scooted out, as she began explaining things about this species. The beaver was obviously impatient, and dug into the food without any hesitation. These demonstrations were just as entertaining as they were educational.

Moving Into The Ecozone

Our next stop was in the Ecozone, which contains a variety of habitats. Here we found tanks filled with sea creatures from the coral reefs, marshes, and kelp forests. Lots of families assembled in these areas, as it was filled with tons of brightly colored species. It was entertaining to watch the wonder and amazement in the faces of the children. While our kids are grown, we can still remember the same type of excitement experienced by them, when we visited aquariums and zoos. We believe it is a great way to get the next generation to bond with the other species who inhabit our planet, and hopefully instill a desire to see the changes necessary to preserve their habitats.

As we moved around the displays, we observed seahorses dance, piranhas float by in schools, and clown fish dart in and out of anemones. All of this created a kaleidoscope of color and action that was pleasing to the eyes, and calming to watch. We passed around a partition, and found more hands-on exhibits. On each side of the wall was a tank. One side contained stingrays, which at certain times can be fed by visitors. Our timing wasn’t exact, so we moved to the other side of the wall. Here we found a pair of tanks filled with small sharks. Guests were allowed to touch them, as they swam by, also on a rotating time frame. Fortunately, we were right on time, and had the chance to feel the rough skin as they passed. It was certainly quite an experience.

A Local Favorite

Before we moved too far away, Teri wanted to introduce us to one of her favorite characters. The Giant Pacific Octopus is the largest growing, and longest living of its species. It is amazing to watch, with its fluid movements. As it passed to different sections, its color changes to mimic its environment. As it became more active, the crowd grew around us. Everyone discussed its unique abilities, and this quickly became a group learning experience.

Welcome to Sea Turtle Island

The newest exhibit at the Oklahoma Aquarium recreates an offshore area inhabited by tropical fish, reef sharks, and a pair of Loggerhead sea turtles. The huge 56,000 gallon tank is contained behind a large bank of glass walls. These allow visitors to watch the inhabitants swim by alone or in schools. The exhibit can be viewed by multiple areas, with each allowing its own unique experience. The bright colors in this area create a vibrant feel, which reminded us of a visit to the Caribbean Islands.

After watching from below, we moved up a ramp at the end, which brought us above the tank. Here we could watch the action below us, as well as have a birds-eye view of the crowd. There are seating areas up here, so that visitors can rest for a bit, while watching the fish pass by. Another viewing area involves a crawl through tube that leads to an underwater observation bubble. We certainly didn’t want to pass this opportunity up, and waited our turn to crawl in. It’s a little smaller than we would have desired, but not too small to visit. It was a little like snorkeling without getting wet.

Brothers Join The Family

Periodically one of the sea turtles would pass by, much to the delight of everyone around. These grand creatures are so fun to watch, and everyone anticipated this opportunity. The Oklahoma Aquarium has a set of brothers, but the day we visited only one was on display. There are areas built into the display that allow the turtle to be out of view at times. He seemed to be in an exploring mood, which meant that he only appeared periodically. This made his appearances even more special, and certainly helped increase the crowds during those times.

Denizens of the Deep

After our exploration of the bright reef area, our next adventure would plunge us into the dark world of the shark. The Oklahoma Aquarium is home to one of the largest collections of Bull Sharks. These can be viewed from two locations, but we mostly wanted to be in the underwater section. To get there you pass through a corridor that highlights some interesting facts about these mysterious creatures.

The end of the corridor deposited us in a large underwater viewing area. All around us Bull Sharks cruised slowly through the water. The exhibit is designed so that these creatures are sometimes shrouded in darkness. Suddenly they will appear and slowly pass overhead. We have had the pleasure of visiting quite a few aquariums, and this display really stands out. By limiting the area to only this species, it made them seem even more mysterious. This was certainly one of the best focused exhibits we can remember.

More To Come

Our tour had taken us to every active exhibit in the Oklahoma Aquarium, but Teri had one more surprise for us. We passed through a door, and found ourselves in an area that is under renovation. Teri explained that this will be home to the next big exhibit, the South Pacific Reef. Many of the static pieces are already designed, and construction has begun. They are hoping to open it in 2018, and we will certainly have to find a way to add another visit to our schedule in the future. Our time to move on had come, and we bid our farewells to the staff. Everyone had been so welcoming and friendly. It certainly added a special touch to a great visit. Be sure to add the Oklahoma Aquarium to your Tulsa itinerary.

The post Oklahoma Aquarium Brings Sea Life To The Southwest appeared first on Our Changing Life.

A Boutique Bakery

We timed our visit to fall after dinner at a nearby restaurant. We spent a little while perusing the Ida Red store, as we let our dinner digest. We had planned to wait quite a while, but having seen some of the pie slices as we passed by the store front, we decided to cut our shopping short. Antoinette Baking Co. is just across the street, so we were there in no time. We had seen a steady stream of customers filing through the door, and we were a little concerned that they may sell out, before we could get our choices.

Choices Galore

Fortunately, There was no need to worry about their stock. The shop is an open air format with the kitchen in back, and the sales counter to one side. A large set of windows lend an airy feeling to the place. Tables and booths are arranged in about a fourth of the place, but it was plenty during our visit. As we made our way past the register, we began to see all of the sweet options that they had produced for that day. An assortment of cookies, bars, whoopie pies, and other pastries decorated the counter. Everything looked delicious, but we were on a mission to sample the pies we had heard about earlier.

Eye Candy

At the end of the counter we came to a refrigerated case. Here were the rewards that we were searching out. There were so many good options, and each looked better than the one before. I have to admit that I was a little shocked when Crystal bypassed the Lime Meringue Tarts. After all, she is one of the biggest fans of Key Lime Pie that I know. The bottom rows of this case held slices of pie that were almost too large to believe. This was the point that I began wondering if we should have shopped longer, so as to make more room in our bellies. Well it was too late to fret it now, so the only thing to do was to pick the flavor that sounded most appealing.

Heavenly Pillows of Meringue

I chose the Lemon & Blackberry Meringue Pie (On the left), which had a crown at least four inches tall. The sweetness of the meringue blended so well with the slightly tart lemon. It was absolute heaven. Although I knew it was unwise, I finished the entire slice. Crystal chose a Lime & Raspberry Custard with an extra large dollop of whipped cream. While her slice was not as tall, it was more dense, so just as filling. We each tasted the others, but stuck with our original choices. We finished our treats, and thanked the staff for such a delicious experience. As we left the shop, we were glad that we had a nice long walk back to our hotel. In fact, we even took the long way to help burn off some of the dessert. Doesn’t this look like a place you want to visit?

The post Tremendous Treats At Antoinette Baking Co. appeared first on Our Changing Life.

We want to thank Tally’s Good Food Cafe for their hospitality. Rest assured that all opinions are our own.

An Iconic Look

When Tally purchased the building, it had only one dining area, and was in need of lots of work. Since those early days, he has added additional dining rooms to help serve the ever increasing crowds. Tally has embraced the Route 66 theme, and brought the feel of the old roadside diner back to life. Of course, for Tally it isn’t only about growing a successful business, he also believes in giving back. Beginning the first year he opened, each Thanksgiving he opens his doors to feed the homeless.

Tulsa’s Best Cinnamon Roll

We were seated in one of the red 1950’s style booths, and ordered some coffee. Of course, we ordered coffee, it was breakfast time after all. While we scanned the menus, (they have over 100 items to choose from) tally brought us one of his famous cinnamon rolls. We aren’t sure if the picture does it justice, but this was a huge roll. What made it the most amazing was how soft the bread was. This sweetly coated treat melts in your mouth, and we were tempted to devour the whole thing. Of course, we knew that we should leave room for more of the menu items.

Breakfast All Day

One of the main appeals of Tally’s Good Food Café is that they serve breakfast all day long. This is welcomed by workers from many professions that do shift work. It is also popular with travelers, who enjoy the option of a filling breakfast meal while taking a break from the road. We were here during regular breakfast hours, and were happy to test their extensive menu. Crystal chose the Fruity French Toast with Cinnamon Apples and Whipped Cream. These delicious slices of Texas Toast are topped with a sweet fruit compote, and come in an ample portion.

Going Southern

With such a massive menu, I was struggling with a choice, until I came upon the item labeled “Tally’s Favorite“. It was obvious that this man knew a few things about good food, and I decided to follow his lead. When our waitress brought my order, it required two plates. One for the chicken and eggs, and one for the waffle.  The Belgian style waffle was crisp and sweet, and came with a dusting of powdered sugar, as well as a dollop of whipped cream. It is served with twin chicken strips and two eggs any style. When my plates were placed in front of me, I knew there was no chance that I could finish it all. I did give it my best try, as I knew I would be walking a lot of it off at the Tulsa Zoo. (You can read more about the zoo here.>)

A Route 66 Landmark

With our appetites completely conquered, we knew it was time to head toward our next destination. A great meal at an iconic restaurant was the perfect start to a day filled with exploration. Before we left we just had to capture a picture of Tally, and he was happy to oblige. We were so glad we got to meet this wonderful man, and his great staff. It’s easy to see why this place has be given so many great accolades. It is also understandable why people stop by from all over the world, when they are traveling the Mother Road. Have you ever dined at Tally’s Good Food Cafe? What are your favorite menu items? We would love to hear what we should check out on our next visit.

The post Take The Mother Road To Tally’s Cafe appeared first on Our Changing Life.

We want to thank the Tulsa Zoo for their hospitality. Rest assured that all opinions are our own.

Exploring the Lost Kingdom

Tulsa Zoo’s newest exhibit is the Lost Kingdom of Angkor-Wat. This ancient Asian city is filled with some of the rarest, and most elusive creatures in the world. As we wandered into the area, we felt like explorers entering a city that time had forgotten. The exhibits are well designed, and offer a wide range of viewing opportunities. Large glass panels give visitors ample viewing areas, and create an airy feeling to the displays. The designers of this newest attraction certainly hit a home-run with this exhibit area.

We arrived in time to watch one of the siamangs seeking shelter for a morning nap. While I was able to capture a few images of this mysterious creature, I just didn’t feel any did it justice. We will let you see it for yourself when you visit the zoo, and you can tell us what you think of it. Across from the siamang exhibit is the entrance to the Malaysian Tiger home. Stepping through the entrance, we were immediately transported to the ancient ruins of an abandoned forest city. Through the glass we spotted one of the tigers, as he surveyed his valley home. We were mesmerized, like the rest of the visitors, and watched in awe as he scoped out his abode. The exhibit includes a tiger bridge that allows the cats to travel between open areas. It also allows guests to watch them, as they prowl the “cat-walk” during their crossings.

Lessons Learned

After our time with the tigers was through, we made our way past the Komodo Dragon exhibit. One of these formidable creatures was sunning itself in the morning light, but only gave us a passing glance. We passed under the tiger bridge, and came to an area where some staff members were giving educational information to guests on the biology of the creatures in this area. Tables filled with furs, and skeletal pieces were very popular with the kids, as well as the adults. these displays helped showcase the differences between the species, and helps create a bond between the animals of the wild and humans. Our hope is that it sparks that we all need to strive to preserve all of the species that share this planet.

Rare Beauty

While Crystal examined some of the displays, my attention was drawn to a crowd that had assembled by a nearby window. Inside were a group of juvenile snow leopards, who were playfully engaged. These beautiful creatures are so rare in the wild, and enchanting to watch. Soon the staff let them loose into their yard, and the activity escalated. Running, wrestling, and exploring was the name of the game, which was everything the crowd could hope for. Staff members had placed food in strategic places, and soon the cats discovered it. The hierarchy game began, which included more wrestling.  Soon enough they all had settled in to devour their morning nourishment. We watched for a few more minutes, but then moved to allow room for more guests to view.

Welcome to the Jungle

Our next stop was at the rainforest exhibit. The entrance takes guests into a lush, almost overgrown display. Once again it felt as though we were explorers traveling into a hidden mountain pass. The landscaping at the Tulsa Zoo is filled with beautiful, and unique plantings. Each region has many plants specific to the area they represent, which adds another level of originality to the attractions. The dappled sunlight that filters through the vegetation actually makes it feel like you have stumbled upon a hidden path. We passed through a weathered arch, and into the building that houses the exhibits.

The Tulsa Zoo designed this exhibit to mimic an South American jungle. Throughout the building we stumbled upon murals, statues, and partial walls created to give the feel of ruins. Many of these are great places for a selfie, and we didn’t hesitate to get some of ourselves. A couple spots are so popular that we had to wait in line for our photo opportunity. It definitely shows that this zoo is very popular with the public.

What Big Teeth You Have

One of the first displays we came to included various aquatic creatures. A caiman was kind enough to pose for a picture that shows the dangers that can lie just below the surface. Across from this new found friend, we watched schools of piranha swimming in their tanks. Clearly this area was a good reminder to look before you leap. Fortunately, none of these creatures make their homes in our temperate waterways here in the Midwest. A little farther down the path we came to the poison dart frog exhibit, which we were surprised to find fairly open for viewing. These little guys may be brightly colored, but they can still hide when they don’t want to be seen. This particular display was another popular stop for viewing. Being big on people watching, we enjoyed seeing the children excitement when they spotted a new color pattern.

As we exited the building portion, we came upon the outdoor section, which holds the jaguars. Once again, we arrived at feeding time, so we got to witness the interaction between the two animals. One was clearly dominant, but there was enough food for both. These creatures are so beautiful to watch, and their coats are amazing to see in person. The exhibit offers a couple of different viewing areas, so guests can keep sight of the animals wherever they wander in their area. We watched these for a while, but time required us to eventually move along.

A Great Idea

During our earlier tour, Ellen Had explained a few of the unique features found at the Tulsa Zoo. One that struck a chord with us is the Family Den. This building is located near the back of the zoo, and offers a comfortable zone for families. Here mothers can nurse in comfort, and families with special needs children can find a quiet area for children who suffer from sensory overload. This is a feature we have not seen very often, and it showed an extra level of caring.

Zones of the World

The Tulsa Zoo has many more exhibits besides the ones we covered. In one area of the zoo there is a series of four buildings that highlight the animals that live in different zones. It also shows the hardships of these area, as well as how animals have adapted to them. The buildings are located in the Wildlife Trek area and include; Life in the Water, Life in the Cold, Life in the Desert, and Life in the Forest. It is easy to spend quite a bit of time in these buildings, as each offers a good educational background.

Coming Next

Tulsa Zoo is continuing with their updated master plan, and next up will be the African Plains exhibit. Much like the Lost Kingdom exhibit, this new area will feature open viewing areas that allow the animals more roaming room. We are sure that it will be just as popular as the latest exhibit expansion, and hope to have a chance to drop back by to see it when it is completed. Our time had ran out, as there was so much more of Tulsa too see. We made our way out the gate having enjoyed a wonderful morning at the Tulsa Zoo. So when are you planning to drop by for a visit?

The post Here’s Looking At Zoo! The Tulsa Zoo appeared first on Our Changing Life.

During our cruise in the Caribbean, we discovered that their cuisine celebrates life with plenty of flavor. (You can read about it here.>) Our arrival in Tulsa was celebrated with a visit to Sisserou’s Caribbean Restaurant.  We parked in the Brady Arts District, and made our way to lunch. This area of the city is filled with many dining choices, and we would find ourselves returning a couple more times. For now, we were concentrating on this location.

Sisserou’s Island Decor

As soon as you enter Sisserou’s it has a vibe that replicates some of the finer restaurants you find in the Caribbean Islands. The bright colored walls and lampshades are playful, without being too garish. The area closest to the entrance contains the bar, as well as seating that is primarily booths. We didn’t walk over to the bar area, but it looked like a nice place for a Happy Hour get together. According to their website, they offer live music at times each month. If you visit in the evening, it would be worth checking their event calendar.

We arrived right after they opened, so we were able to be seated immediately. The main dining area is comprised of tables on an elevated platform. Our server arrived, and went through the menu with us. The menu at Sisserou’s is filled with lots of dishes that would be commonly found in various islands. Many of the dishes are available for at or less than $10.00, which was a definite draw, when I was scoping out potential stops. The restaurant is owned by a couple, and I had a brief conversation with one of them. We discussed the overall theme, decor, and the cuisine choices. It was obvious that they are proud to be able to share their favorite dishes with Tulsa.

A Taste of Jamaica

The dishes our server had described certainly made our choices more difficult. So many sounded delicious, but we knew that we should take care not to get over stuffed. While we love food as much as anyone, when we are researching we know that we need to leave some room for possible treats we may uncover at places along the way. With this in mind, Crystal decided to test out one of the special menu items, and ordered the Jerk Chicken. It’s a marinated chicken breast, that is grilled to match the flavor of Nassau. Served on a wheat bun, it is topped with Swiss cheese, lettuce, tomato, red onion, and a creamy avocado sauce. Her side choice was the sweet potato chips, which are tasty without being overly seasoned.

A Cuban From Miami

If you have followed our travels for long, you know that I have a thing for a good Cuban Sandwich. The history of this savory sandwich is a little hazy. These days it is widely believed that the sandwich was brought to America by those coming from Cuba, to work in the cigar factories in Tampa. Whoever was responsible, I am truly grateful. At Sisserou’s the shredded pork is marinated in a traditional citrus blend. It is topped with ham, Swiss cheese, sweet pickles (an unusual choice), Dijon mustard, and their homemade habanero mayonnaise. Usually the Cuban sandwiches I have tasted use a sour pickle, but with the addition of the spicy mayo the sweet pickles worked great. One of the top 10 I have ever tasted. With our first meal complete, we headed out to see what else Tulsa held in store for us.

The post Taste The Islands at Sisserou’s in Tulsa appeared first on Our Changing Life.

We want to thank Glacier Confection for their hospitality. Rest assured that all opinions are our own.

Convenient Location

Glacier Confection happens to be located just a short distance from the Woody Guthrie Center, which was the first museum on our schedule. Since we were in between lunch and dinner, we didn’t figure a few bites of chocolate would do too much harm to our appetites. An added bonus of visiting inner city locations is that many stops can be combined into one walking session. In our minds, the extra steps justify the calories we consume at places like this. The owner was unavailable the day of our visit, but had arranged to have us meet with Colton Rohr, the Director of Sales.

We arrived earlier than planned, and figured it would give some time to take plenty of photos. The two staff members on duty knew about our arrival, and made us feel very at home. While the store is known for their artisan chocolates, they also carry many standards that customers have come to expect at a chocolate shop. They have the chocolate en-robed nut clusters, which come with a variety of nut options. Toffees, truffles, and a wide range of other sweets also decorate the display cases that flank the entrance. Of course, these are beautiful to look at, and delicious to taste, but they are not the star of the show at Glacier Confection.

Glacier Confection Hospitality

After taking a bunch of photos (I never know which ones I will end up using.), the staff members asked if we would like to sample some of the chocolates. Obviously the answer was, Yes! They brought out a board that held two flavors of their decorated specialties. The first we sampled was the Margarita, which is from their Cocktail collection. OMG! We were both amazed at their ability to capture this flavor in a chocolate. The second sample was the Vanilla Bean from their Dark Chocolate collection. Once again the flavor was right on the mark. Colton arrived with Hannah Shriever, Director of Operations and Erin Groff, Production Manager. This was perfect timing, since other customers were in need of the staff’s attention.

Chocolate With Purpose

Our discussion focused on Glacier Confection’s interesting background, just like some of the other chocolate companies we have covered. Bill Copeland actually was running a carton packaging company, when he decided to move into the chocolate business. He immersed himself into his study of the art of chocolate making. Under his direction, Glacier has become recognized as one of the Top Ten confectioners in North America. That is quite an accomplishment for a box maker, and shows his dedication to the business. These days he has staff to help him with his creations, but the commitment to delivering the finest quality is still paramount. It certainly comes through in the flavor of the chocolates, which we continued to sample.

Parting Kindness

After more discussion, and tasting, our time for this visit was coming to an end. We had both decided on our favorites, which is no easy feat in a shop filled with so many options. Crystal loved the Chardonnay Sea Salt, which is truly one of the best chocolates we have ever tasted. That is saying something, since I have always been partial to dark chocolate. No fear, they had just the thing to satisfy my sweet tooth. The Fortunato Solid is by far the best dark I have ever sampled. This is the kind of chocolate that needs to be savored, as it melts in your mouth.

It was time to move to our next stop, but before we did, they wanted to give us a parting gift. Colton, Hannah, and Erin assembled a mixture of their favorites for us to try out later. (By the way, Thanks! Everything was great!) They told us that Glacier Confection is in the process of preparing a second location, which will feature a lounge style setting. This is certainly a look we will want to experience, so a return to Tulsa will have to be scheduled. In the meantime, why not make your own plans to visit Glacier Confections? We are betting that you will find lots of new favorites.

The post All Wrapped Up In Chocolate Bliss At Glacier Confection appeared first on Our Changing Life.

We want to thank the Woody Guthrie Center for their hospitality. Rest assured that all opinions are our own.

Woody Guthrie Center

We arrived downtown, and found a decent parking spot in a nearby lot. We love exploring the downtown areas of cities, since it usually means we can connect a lot of places in one walking session. A quick stop at the Center of the Universe, (A “must experience” in Tulsa) and then we were off. The Woody Guthrie Center is in the Brady Arts District on the north side of the downtown area. There are lots of restaurants nearby, so it’s a great stop before or after lunch. The building is hard to miss, since it has a huge mural of Woody Guthrie on the side. This certainly makes for a great photo opportunity, as demonstrated by Crystal.

A Look Inside

To be honest, before our visit we knew very little about Woody Guthrie. We were aware that he authored “This Land is Your Land”, but had no real background knowledge of the man or his music. A visit to the Woody Guthrie Center was destined to fix this deficiency of knowledge. Visit Tulsa had arranged a tour for us, and we were met by Jerry Wofford, the Education and Public Programs Director. He was as excited to show off the center, as we were to see it. He gave us an overview of the museum’s layout, and then suggested we begin with the 14 minute video that details Woody’s beginnings. Our timing was perfect, and the video provided a solid base for exploring the museum’s exhibits.

Woody’s America

We love museums that feature interactive displays, and this one is certainly top notch in that area. After the video, we headed to the big screen exhibit titled “Woody’s America”. This touch screen display allows guests to dive deeper into Woody’s life story. Each touch brings up articles about his music. It also includes info about Tulsa, Oklahoma, and world history during Woody’s lifespan. I would rank this as one of the best designed displays I have seen in a museum setting. We would soon discover more unique audio-visual exhibits scattered throughout the center.

Disaster Strikes The Midwest

Across the hall from the interactive map, we found an alcove that highlighted the Dust Bowl period in the Central U.S. A video loop plays on one wall, and relates some of the story, as told in the Ken Burns documentary. Various displays show what was happening throughout the nation during this period. Alongside these displays is an audio exhibit where visitors can choose from a selection of songs Woody wrote and performed about the Dust Bowl. It is quite a sobering section, as you see the effects this man-made disaster had on families throughout the region.

Instruments Of Change

Moving toward the center of the museum, we found an assortment of Woody’s instruments on display. Among these was a fiddle that he carried with him during his stint in the U.S. Navy. The instrument even survived the sinking of the ship he was on. It was amusing to see the way that he decorated each of his musical instruments, and shows the lighthearted side of the man. There are other displays of his various stringed instruments, as well as some from other famous musicians that were affected by Woody’s music.

This Land

When most people think of Woody Guthrie, the song they remember is “This Land is My Land”. His music celebrates the beauty of the country from coast to coast. Woody wrote this song, because he was tired of “God Bless America” being overplayed on the radio. He wanted a more relevant theme, and adapted the words to the melody of an old gospel song. At the Woody Guthrie Center, you can listen to a recording of him singing this song. We were also able to see a copy of the original hand written lyrics. The original is kept on-site, but they only bring it out on special occasions. The rest of the time it is kept in an area that better preserves it from deterioration.

Additional Talents

Woody Guthrie was not just a musical artist. He also enjoyed painting and drawing. In the center of the building is where we found the “This Land” exhibit, and on the outside wall they have hung a collection of panels showcasing some of his drawings. He was known for being a political activist, and many ring with a cry for equality. The lyrics of many of his songs spoke out for the “little guy”, who was just trying to get by in life. This helped skyrocket his popularity with the working class, and soon he would use this stardom to help carry his message across the country, and beyond.

Special Guest Exhibits

The music of Woody Guthrie had a powerful effect on many of today’s popular artists. At the Woody Guthrie Center, we found that they have a section set aside for traveling exhibits on artists who collaborated with or found inspiration from Woody Guthrie. During our visit, the works of Pete Seger were being featured. Pete was a folk singer and activist from the same time period as Woody. Although we were not aware of his name, many of his tunes were also immediately recognizable. In a corner of the exhibit guests could do karaoke to a choice of Pete’s songs. While I didn’t belt out the lyrics, I did enjoy listening to his performance of “If I Had A Hammer”. I’m sure my refraining was appreciated by the other visitors that day. So now that you have had a peek at the Woody Guthrie Center, why not add it to your travel list? It’s just one of the many great stops we found in Tulsa Town.

The post Exploring The Woody Guthrie Center appeared first on Our Changing Life.