By Rick Rodriguez
I told Dad I'd be right back. I was going to go for a drive. It's something I enjoy doing whenever I'm in a new spot in the world. Oklahoma City, Oklahoma is not a new spot for me but it has changed a lot since I first visited 25 or so years ago. Back then, there was very little that appealed to me in the area but I had no choice; my parents had been relocated there for good!
I had two spots in mind the day I drove off from my folks place in OKC. I could go north east toward Tulsa or north toward Kansas. I chose Kansas because that would allow me the opportunity to enter another state in the United States. Soon after, I drove out of Oklahoma City metro, and found myself pointed toward Guthrie. Either way I looked out of my car windows from the I-35 thoroughfare I saw the flat land that Oklahoma is known for and somehow the open plains had me thinking of what once roamed here! I looked for landmarks and saw an occasional building or barn but little else. I marveled at the condition of the roads; excellent by any standards.
I took I-35 North toward the Kansas state line and drove straight through to Wichita. It was the biggest city on my path that day. After about a 130 miles, I drove into Wichita and parked the car next to a river (Arkansas) where I found a nicely paved riverfront. Despite the warm day, I decided to go for a run up the river and then back around. I crossed over at Lewis Street and read the marker describing the importance of the Lewis Street Bridge and then ran over to the other side where I discovered a baseball field!
The field was typical of baseball parks where much of the ballpark is decorated with advertising. I reasoned because of its size that it must have been a minor league field. As I canvassed the closed park, I noticed a workman tending to his duties on the lush green outfield. The entrance gate was ajar and I wandered in for a look. In this little ballpark, I discovered that it was loaded with Baseball history and took some pictures of the significant events that had occurred there a long time ago. As I snapped away, the workman noticed that I had entered the park and quickly moved to ask me out! He told me the park was closed and watched as I exited the ballpark. I smiled as I walked back toward the gate learning a little bit more about a town and a ball field I never knew I'd cross paths with. The ballpark had written testament of what had occurred there many years ago.
I took a few pictures and read about the history of the place before I left.
Afterward, I went back to my run, running for a ways before crossing back across the Arkansas river. I made it back to my car. Hopped in and went looking for a place to grab a quick bite for the ride home. I chugged a Canadian Molson beer and a tasty sandwich while chatting it up with the bartender at Chicago Pizza. He filled me in on Wichita and told me about a great golf course the Seniors use on the Champions Tour just north of Wichita! I made one more stop in the plaza before heading South. Dad had asked me not to be late as he was making dinner and just can't stand serving food that is just not perfect! I raced back to the folks place in record time catching the commute hour into Oklahoma City.
It was a fun day spent alone driving I-35 and it never ceases to amaze me what can be discovered here in our own backyard. Somewhat amusing is that I came across this field especially with my love of the game of baseball. All that history happened on that land over 75 years ago and I stumbled across that field; rewarded for going for a drive!
I don't think I'll ever look or think about Oklahoma City the way I used to back when my parents first moved there so long ago. It's a place in the world! And, like all places it has its significance, more so now than ever, and it has my parents and a sprawling new generation of Rodriguez's there!
Moreover, I've been going for drives for so long now that it has become my habit to continue to venture on! Seeing the roads, trails, paths, and history that others before me have seen! I was thrilled that one day I drove north toward Wichita! I was thrilled to see America at it's mid-section and at one time its frontier. I can see the road even now, as I write these words, and feel the freedom to be able to drive over this great country restricted only by my time line and nothing more! America..... truly at its finest and me enjoying as much of it as it would give me!
Next time I go for a drive I'll take Dad with me and buy him dinner! After all, it was because of him that I came to know America and all its special places!
