Big bags, the Zoo and the Fish Market

Like finding an old roll of film (remember 35mm film?), running it off to the Fotomat (remember Fotomat?), getting the pictures back and exclaiming, "Hey, remember this trip we took to visit Aunt Helen...how long has she been dead now?", I neglected to finish my blog entires covering our trip to T-town at the end of Spring Break '08.

Without further ado, here are some highlights...

Our frequent-flyer comp'd coupon chain hotel room came with a complimentary breakfast for all occupants (5-9 a.m.) and as much as I wanted to find a local eatery that served big brawny, American breakfasts served by escapee waitresses from Mel's diner that called everyone "Hon," the lure of anything f-r-e-e for my Wife is as strong as a "75% off Christmas Merchandise" sale in late January.

I was placed on waffle patrol utilizing the buffets neato pour-and-flip waffle maker (on my wanted list of kitchen appliances just behind the Lil' Orbitz mini-donut making machine) while the girl's grabbed a couple of apples and oranges from the overflowing and seemingly untouched fresh fruit bowl and Wifey poured herself a bowl of raisin bran flakes.

Foregone conclusion that the eggs of the powdered and scrambled variety would be barely edible, so we left those and the biscuits and gravy hiding beneath the steamer lids alone. Four cups of half cran/half orange juice from the neon dispenser and we were fully strapped for breaking our fast.

Other than the large family that sauntered out of the buffet with several of their tote bags filled with bowls, plates, utensils, the rest of the fresh fruit from the bowl, and enough donuts to feed an army of Teamsters and two precincts of New York's finest, breakfast was uneventful.

Amazing.

Our gullets filled and our blood sugar plenty carb'd up, we piled into the family truckster and made a beeline for our planned outing at the Tulsa Zoo.

While the crowds were thick to get into the zoo, the use of open space and smartly laid out displays made the animal park seem downright vacant at times.

We roared our wild animal funk on, waxed nostalgic as we "rode" an earthquake simulator display, and even noted several items that were at the center of a controversy that made national news some years ago. Who doesn't love a good controversy every now and again?

Long about time our feet were starting to feel the need for some downtime, we stumbled into the zoo's fascinating interactive and walk-through depiction of a Masai Village. Somehow, the grass huts and peaceful surroundings of the village found us all waning of energy and wanting of home, so we made a final round-de-round on the carousel and trekked to parking section 3D where our 4-door, 40 mpg safari wagon awaited.

Dinner that evening was at the White River Fish Market for what was the best helping of red beans and rice I've ever eaten.

At a fish market no less.

The onion rings, gumbo, and fried clams were all delectable and near the top of the food scale as well.

But that RB&R...so simple, yet so vast in it's ability to deliver flavors on such a variable scale.

Who knew?

Next up, cetaceans in 3D and what happens when we put on our narc hats.