Phil's Life - Oklahoma

From the age 4 to 32 I lived in Oklahoma. It is were I went to school, were I was married and were our first child was born. It is were my grandparents spent decades making a living from the land. It is where my grandparents and father are buried. While I chose to live elsewhere, Oklahoma is a large part of who I am.

I grew up in Edmond; although I often tell people I grew up in Mayberry. Because to me it was everything that fictional town represented. 

This is my childhood home. My parents lived there for over 40 years. This was taken shortly after we moved there in 1970. The bike with training wheels was mine, The cool one with banana seat was my brother's. (Photo by my father)

Same shot but 35 years later and with my daughters and parents. The trees have grown a bit,

One of my mom's gardens. In the background is the rope ladder to my tree-house.  (Photo by my father)

Downtown Edmond - my wife was born on the second floor of the building in the foreground, which was a hospital at the time (first floor was a theater)

Bits of art are scattered around town

Fourth of July parade.

Every town in Oklahoma has to have a grain elevator.

Hafer Park - Debbie and I were married here.

Debbie's and my first home was in Edmond - although this photo was taken several years after we left.

Edmond also has the best burgers and rings in the world - thanks to Johnnies.

Me at the National Cowboy Hall of Fame.  (Photo by my father)

Much more recent shot of what is now known as the National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum.

Oklahoma City Zoo - picture taken by my wife on a school field trip in the 70s

Recent photo of my wife at the zoo.

Anyone who grow up in Oklahoma will surely remember the lion water fountains.

As well as Judy the Elephant.

My daughters at the Science Museum Oklahoma - but what I remember as the Omniplex.

The Oklahoma City National Memorial - No one who was in Oklahoma April 19th 1995 will ever forget the horrific event that ripped through our community that day.

Canals in the Bricktown district.

Sculpture along the canal commemorating the landrun.

Oklahoma State Capital from the Oklahoma History Center.

Me are the Oklahoma City Art Festival

At Lake Hefner in the late 80's

A regular site for me lately - the front of Will Rodgers World Airport (OKC).

And the interior of Will Rodgers. Really is a very nice little airport

Debbie grew up with her parents on a farm outside of Paden.

Bill (my father in law) trying to check on a calf very much against it mother's wishes.

Debbie wandering on the farm where she grew up.

Philbrook Museum of Art.

Debbie at the Tulsa Garden Center.

Guthrie is an interesting city; for a short time it was the capital of Oklahoma. I worked for several years at the Logan County Assessor office.

Picture my father took in the early 70's, when he and I went to the 89'ers day parade. April 22,1889 was the date of the most famous (of several) Oklahoma land run - and is the event that established Guthrie. Hence a big deal there - when I worked for Logan county we get 89'ers day as a paid holiday.

Several pictures of Guthrie I took fairly recently.

The State Capital building was home to a early publishing company and is now a museum.

Neat old home.

Great Temple of the Scottish Rite of Freemasonry - this was to be the site of State Capital building which was never built.

Logan County Courthouse - I worked in this building for several years.

I have spend a great deal of time on I-40 driving between North Carolina and Oklahoma. This is a rest stop in Oklahoma that for what ever reason I seem to often use. So over the years it has come to symbolize Oklahoma to me.

It was a family tradition to canoe the Illinois river near Tahlequah each summer. I have done it with my family a couple time recently.

My father enjoyed regularly taking day trips around the state. On occasion we would go to Turner Falls - this is photo he took in the early 70's  

Just outside of Edmond is the small town of Arcadia, whose claim to fame is this round barn.