OKLAHOMA -- PART THREE

We would like to say thank you to Bob's parents for a lovely vacation. We had a blast in Oklahoma. Robert and Shirley were great hosts and we look forward to more visits. We came back relaxed and rested. Bobby, Trey, Shirley and Robert


Trey and grandpa

Uncle Charlie, Robert, Bobby, Chris and Trey
Trey and Grandma

Cherokee Heritage Center : The Cherokee Nation occupied vast areas of the Carolinas, Virgina, Tennessee, Georgia and Alabama. They spoke in dialects of Iroquoian language. They called themselves Ani-yun-wiya meaning "real people."

Their villages had up to 2000 members, who made up a republican form of government with a constitution, a chief, a senate and a house of representatives. The Cherokee people were farmers, hunters, fisherman, artisits and warriors. I was impressed by their stronge traditions, deep hertiage, agriculture and complex tribal governments-- it was interesting.

remains of the seminary columns Our guide Shawna with my handsome guys.

meeting hall
Different types of arrows for hunting and warWinter house
Summer house
Food storage house
Showing how Cherokees made their clay bowls. Our guide told us that Cherokees generally lived to the age of 35 due to levels of lead in the clay. Women wore turtle shells with small rocks inside of them during religious celebrations. The leg dressings could weight up to 30 lbs per leg.

Trail of Tears Exhibit: Trail of Tears was the relocation of Native Americans from their homelands. They were forced to walk hundreds of miles west. Many died from harsh weather conditions, hunger and disease. This exhibit through it's special effects, lighting, video, audio and life-cast figures depict pre-removal life, court battles to keep their eastern lands, imprisonment, forced removal, and the rebuilding of Cherokee lives in the new Territory.

USS Batfish : Trey's first torpedo -- The name came from the ferocious fish of the West Indies.