What is Oklahoma like? (Tulsa, Stillwater: income, property taxes, train)
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When I go out of state, I always emphasize my accent. That way,when I am asked where I'm from I can tell them about how miserable Oklahoma is. I just like doing my part to keep this part of the country from getting too overcrowded.
I tried to post this a minute ago but something or someone cut me off....not sure why. Anyway....I'll just do it again.
I have read many negative things in these forums about Oklahoma. I am an Oklahoma native. I was born here....have always lived here....and will die here. So, let me enlighten some of you that may not be aware of what Oklahoma truly is. And, it's obvious that a lot of you have no idea.
First let me just say that I do not have anything against anyone that moves here from somewhere else. It's just that a lot of false information gets spread by some people who have absolutely no idea what they're talking about. In my opinion, you can't truly know Oklahoma unless you were born and raised here. Tulsa and Oklahoma City....and Stillwater, attract the majority of non-native folks so you really can't judge Oklahoma based on those places because it does not give a true representation of Oklahoma or it's people.
As far as an accent....we have one, as well as slang. However, again, Tulsa and OKC do not represent it correctly because people from all over congregate in those places so their accent isn't authentic. It's more of a blending of theirs, from where they came from, and ours. Basically, if you want to really hear what we sound like you need to get away from those places. There you'll find true Oklahomans.
The people of Oklahoma (true Oklahomans) are the nicest people you could ever hope to meet. I'm not saying that outsiders aren't nice too, but we're talking about Oklahoma here so I'm focusing on born-and-bred Oklahomans. For example, if you break down or have a flat tire someone will always stop and ask if you need help or if you need a ride. And, they are sincere about. They aren't trying to get money from you or take advantage of you. They really want to help you. But, once again, you don't find this quite as much in Tulsa and OKC as you do in the rest of the state. And once again, I'm not bashing Tulsa or OKC. I'm simply saying that those places are actual cities with city mentalities with too many people rushing around and not slowing down to take time like they should. You mentioned earlier that people drive fast here. Well, actually they don't. Only in Tulsa, OKC, or Stillwater. Most anywhere else you'll find folks usually driving slower than the speed limit....even on the highway. Now, we definitely have our nut cases just like everywhere else but our population density is much lower than most other states so....less crazies.
We have many varieties of lanscapes and environments here in Oklahoma. We have everything from mountains, mesas, rolling hills, prairie, desert, flat land, rock formations, hundreds of lakes and rivers, and extremely diverse wildlife. The red clay you saw is not indicative of the entire state although we do have it. But, we also have alabaster (which is beautiful white colored rock) out in Watonga in Roman Nose State Park and also have Alabaster Caverns near there also. Roman Nose State Park is an old Cheyenne winter campground. Very cool canyons and crystal clear lakes. Definitely a must see. There are many many other state parks all over Oklahoma. Like Beaver's Bend in the southeastern part of the state in the Quachita (pronounced "wichita") Mountains in Broken Bow. Also, down close to there, we have the Talamina drive which is the most beautiful scenery you can imagine anywhere, especially in fall when the leaves are red, orange, yellow, green. I would challenge anybody to find a more beautiful and colorful scene. Then there is the Illinois River, on the eastern side of the state. This is where everybody goes to go rafting and canoeing. You can float for miles and miles down this crystal clear beautiful river. Awesome! Also in the south central part of Oklahoma there is Turner Falls in Davis in the Arbuckle Mountains. It has a 77 ft waterfall and you can swim right under it and there are also three natural caves to explore. Not far from Turner Falls is Arbuckle Wilderness. This is an exotic animal park that you actually drive through. You can get buckets of feed to feed the various animals as you drive through. Very cool! Also, in Honobia they have the fall Bigfoot festival. Yes, that's right BIGFOOT. It's a very cool event with native crafts and all sorts of cool things going on, not just Bigfoot. Then, way out west in the panhandle, there is Black Mesa, which got its name from the layer of black lava rock that coated the mesa about 30 million years ago. The nature preserve is located 15 miles from the state park and features Oklahoma's highest elevation at 4,973 feet above sea level. There are dinosaur footprints and fossils to be found there also. These are just a few of the things we have here but the list is just to numerous to mention everything but as you can see everyone should be able to find lots of things to enjoy in Oklahoma.
Now, let me correct some myths about Oklahoma. First, this is not the old west. You won't find any tumbleweeds rolling down main street while Clint Eastwood shoots everything up. I don't know why people have that vision of us but that is not the way it is here. People don't travel in wagons (well most people) and this is not the cowboys and indians so ridiculously portrayed on TV. We are not illiterate hillbillies nor do we still have to kill our own food and cook it on an open fire. However, we do a lot of hunting, fishing, and living outdoors (camping to you city folk).
Oklahoma is also very rich in Native American culture. Oklahoma has the highest concentration of Native Americans in the U.S. You'll notice that the majority of names for towns, rivers, etc. are Native American or have Native American roots. A lot of tribes have festivals each year. There is the Choctaw festival, which I attend every year. It is in Tuskahoma on Labor Day and is a four day event. It has grown to the point that there are thousands of visitors from all over the U.S. show up. They have big name country acts show up like Trace Adkins and Loretta Lynn and this event is totally FREE. We also have the Cherokee festival in Tahlequah that is very popular and the Creek festival in Okmulgee.
And, last but certainly not least, Owasso Oklahoma is home to none other than Garth Brooks who, to us, is just another Oklahoman and goes to Wal-Mart just like the rest of us. Ok, Ok, so he's got more money than his grandkids can spend in there lifetime....so what.... But seriously, he couldn't live there if he were constantly mobbed by fans, but he goes where he wants and nobody bothers him.
So, my point here is that Oklahoma is NOT a boring, average place. Not in our culture, not in our people, not in our weather, not in the things to do. So, don't let anyone tell you any different. Once you're here just look on the internet or ask one of us what there is to do and we'll point you in the right direction.
I truly hope you enjoy your stay here and hope you might choose someday to live here.
Don't forget the other country singers from Oklahoma:
Toby Keith, Reba Mc Intyre, Carrie Underwood, Keith Anderson, Christian Simmons and Rascal Flatts.
Okay, so here's the deal. I am in a bit of a pickle. I am trying to find a way to go home for Thanksgiving break. My plan is to leave OSU sometime the Tuesday before Thanksgiving and get back on Saturday before the game. I heard that OSU has a shuttle that goes to the OSU Tulsa Campus and Tulsa Airport which would work on the way there. However, the shuttle does not go on the weekends or on Thanksgiving break which is where my problem comes in. I have no idea how I would be able to get back to Stillwater from Tulsa.
Does anyone know of any busses of shuttles that go between Stillwater and either Tulsa or OKC airports daily?
Okay, so here's the deal. I am in a bit of a pickle. I am trying to find a way to go home for Thanksgiving break. My plan is to leave OSU sometime the Tuesday before Thanksgiving and get back on Saturday before the game. I heard that OSU has a shuttle that goes to the OSU Tulsa Campus and Tulsa Airport which would work on the way there. However, the shuttle does not go on the weekends or on Thanksgiving break which is where my problem comes in. I have no idea how I would be able to get back to Stillwater from Tulsa.
Does anyone know of any busses of shuttles that go between Stillwater and either Tulsa or OKC airports daily?
Thanks,
Casey
It isn't cheap, but here's one:
Call (405) 681-3311 Toll Free (877) 688-3311 for reservations
Airport Express "The Blue Van Company"
Advance reservations accepted by calling toll free (877) 688-3311
Casey, there should be LOTS of people headed from Tulsa to Stillwater that day for the game. You might try finding someone to carpool with either through the dorms or try some of the OSU-sports specific message boards to see if anyone could give you a ride. OSU fans are pretty friendly folks and would probably be happy to help a fan get to the game (and back to school)!
For those that were wondering I was able to go home for Thanksgiving. Thanks to everyone who helped me out. I was able to schedule rides with friends to and from OKC. It was nice to see the family for the first time since August but I was ready to come back to Oklahoma. Oklahoma trumps Maryland any day. I didn't realize how much I liked Oklahoma until I went home.
I was able to make it back to Oklahoma for Bedlam and it was amazing! It was an exciting game even though OSU lost. Both teams played really hard but, I guess, OU played a little harder. It's hard to be upset about losing when it was such a great game to watch.
The main reason I made a post today is because I have a question and I figured this would be the best place to get a reasonable answer.
My question is why are the country radio stations in Oklahoma 100 times better than the country radio stations in Maryland. I started listening to 101.9 The Twister a couple weeks back and really enjoy it. I usually don't really get into a radio station but I found myself listening to The Twister on the internet when I was in Maryland.
Obviously Oklahoma is more country than Maryland so they play a better mix of songs. But can anyone think of any other reason? On the weekends The Twister calls it the "Red Dirt Weekends". Is that a type of music or something?
Thanks,
Casey
P.S.
If anyone here lives in or around Stillwater I think it would be pretty cool just to meet up with a couple of the locals. Just a thought.
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Okie Country singers
