Last year at this time we were in the middle of one of the biggest New Years celebrations in the world, Hogmanay in Edinburgh Scotland. We discovered that, much to our chagrin, our party animal days are well and truly behind us, so this year we were looking for a slightly less alcohol-fuelled way to bring in the new year and Tulsa Oklahoma offered up the ideal solution- a 5km run that would start in 2015 and finish in 2016. It even seemed somewhat appropriate from a historic perspective- originally the state of Oklahoma was set aside for the exclusive use of the Indians but in 1889, the land was opened to settlers in what became known as the "Oklahoma Land Rush." On the first opening day on April 22, 1889, 50,000 people literally ran into the area (those who tried to beat the noon starting gun were called Sooners, hence the state's nickname).

With respect to running, DH is more of a Later than a Sooner and is under strict medical orders to confine her running to the memories of her glory days. We were able to confirm that walking was allowed as long as we could finish within an hour and a half (even with her recent medical make-over DH can speed walk most of the 5km and we assumed that I could fireman-carry her for whatever was left).

The web site also encouraged costumes (carefully reminding everyone that kids would be involved so the costumes needed to be family-rated), Given that it was going to be well below zero in Tulsa at midnight, I'm not sure they needed to issue any kind of skimpy clothing warnings- our goal was to find a costume that would allow for substantial layering underneath. Our new friends at Walmart seem to accidentally produce a high number of people in strange costumes so we made a quick stop and, sure enough, we were going to bring the New Year in as retired, out-of-shape super heroes. 

The midnight 'run’ along the Arkansas River was good fun and the City of Tulsa graciously started their fireworks show just as we rounded a bend so we got to enjoy the whole thing. We were clipping along at a pretty brisk pace and we were even passing some of the people that were running- having a mask on did help hide the shame of having to walk instead of run but as I carried DH over the finish line it did seem as though she was having a good time.

Going to Tulsa also gave us an excuse to get back on Route 66 for a while- we got to tick off a whole new set of iconic landmarks (Oklahoma has more miles of the original Route 66 than any other state). Much to DH's joy, despite inventing the aerosol can, the parking meter, and the shopping cart, Oklahoma hadn't yet set up any museums for any of these items so she was able to get some serious driving in.

They may not have the museums but, perhaps because they are in the middle of tornado alley, they do have quite the collection of odd rules:
 
Whaling is illegal in the state of Oklahoma.
In Bristow, Oklahoma it is against the law to serve water to a customer in a restaurant unless one peanut in a shell is also served. 
Women may not gamble in the nude, in lingerie, or while wearing a towel in Schulter.
In Clinton, Oklahoma molesting an automobile is illegal.
It is unlawful to put any hypnotized person in a display window in Hawthahorne.
Tissues in the back of cars are illegal.
In Wynona, mules may not drink out of bird baths.
In Oklahoma , it is illegal for the owner of a bar to allow anyone inside to pretend to have sex with a buffalo.
It is against the law to bring an elephant into Tulsa's downtown area.