Tulsa Woodward Park and Conservatory

Back in August, Tyler and I visited Tulsa while he had a work conference.  So it was more like I visited Tulsa by myself and then ate dinner with Tyler after he worked.  I made a draft for this blog post in August and forgot about it (we've been really busy these past few months), so it is going to be posted in November.  Lucky for you me hubby is working this Saturday, so I have some time to do some things for myself and with the blog!

Although I've lived in Oklahoma all my life, Tulsa was usually a bit far for my family to travel since we've always been in the central part, so I haven't been there many times.  I went to the renowned venue Cain's Ballroom for my first concert when I was 15, another concert at the BOK Center in college (do you get my drift that Tulsa has all the good venues, OKC is trying to catch up but not quite there yet).  I went to the art museums while in high school, but otherwise I have not been there besides trips that were for very specific purposes or that were under close supervision.  

This trip I discovered that Tulsa has some very amazing recreational areas and parks - Woodward Park reminded me much of some of the large parks I saw when I visited the U.K.  This particular post I'm going to focus on this beautiful conservatory.

Near the historical society there is the Lord & Burnham Conservatory with some very beautiful cacti, ferns, orchids, and other exotic plants.  It has separate rooms, all with their own climate to accommodate certain species of plants.

From the Cactus Room:

I really can't get over the webbing on these.  I think they are so beautiful. 

The gardener there said he had just watched this flower open up about 45 minutes before I came there.  The flower emits a smell to draw the flies, which in turn pollinate it.  

The Tropical Room - has palms, ferns, etc.  

I just love the white infrastructure - it was built in 1924.

I enjoyed at least a good hour walking through the conservatory observing the different plants.  The gardener was also happy to walk me around and show me some plants that were particularly special or difficult to care for.  There's just something about this old structure that is also pleasant.

Hopefully I'll have some time now to share a little more often on the blog what we've been up to and maybe some projects here and there.

Morning in Algiers

On our second day in New Orleans, we decided we would take a $2 ferry across the Mississippi River to a historic neighborhood on the other side.  We didn't really know what to expect, but decided to walk around and explore.

Our hostel offered contenential breakfast, so we ate some bagels and cereal and drank coffee before we left.  We got some information about the street car and found the closest stop a few blocks away to catch a ride to the end of the line close to the river and the French Quarter.  

After walking right past the entrance to the ferry twice, we finally figured out where to go and caught the ferry just before it left.

The views from the ferry were definitely worth the $2 ride across!

Now on the Algiers side... 

The first thing that greets you once you get off the ferry boarding station is a giant statue of Louis Armstrong.  

I believe this statue is part of a Jazz walk of fame with other statues of important jazz figures, however we never saw the rest of the statues.  There was a large walking track that follows the river that we walked on for a few miles, the statues perhaps line the opposite direction than the way we walked.

Along the walking track we saw all kinds of action on the Mississippi from tugboats, cargo ships, to large Navy ships.

Flowers growing along the sides of the Mississippi and the walking/biking trail.

When we got back from our walk, we decided to eat lunch at the Dry Dock Cafe, near the ferry loading station.  

This was just your quaint little mom and pop type restaurant where you feel like you've known the waitress for years and you just get that small town atmosphere.

I had the crawfish maureenica, and Tyler had the muffaletta.  This was by far my favorite meal while in New Orleans.  You might not be able to tell how large this bowl is, but I ate most of it until I just couldn't anymore.  

It. was. so. good.

After lunch we headed back to the loading station and Tyler wanted to go look for street performances.

Back on the ferry, waiting on it to take off again.

It was amazing seeing some of these huge ships along the river, and with titles in many different languages.  

Tyler was surprised when I asked if this ship was named 17 February in Arabic, until he realized there was English just above it.

Do you prefer to go on trips with a fully booked day of activities, or schedule a few things and find things to do along the way?