Final Essay- Along the Bricktown Canal

In Downtown Oklahoma City we have the wonderful Bricktown Canal. You can buy an all day pass and take the boat to any place along the canal. When you're done, all you have to do is stand at any dock along the canal and wave your wristband at a passing boat who will pick you up and take you to your next destination.

 

As your journey begins you pass under the Devon Bridge, with the Devon Mosaic in the background and also are able to view the brand new Devon Tower: the tallest building in Oklahoma.

 

Your boat driver will make you laugh as he tell you all about the canal and Oklahoma history.

 





Another form of transportation to places that are not along the canal is a horse-drawn carriage. The driver can take you anywhere in Bricktown.
 

Occasionally you will pass other boats along the canal. There are only a few places along the canal that are wide enough for two boats to pass. Waiting for this boat to pass we get a view of Harkins Theatre. Harkins Theatre holds one of the largest theatre screens in the U.S. at 70 feet.

 

In front of Harkins Theatre I ran into a boy watching some friends from church. He lifted Jacob into the air between Jacob running down the ramp below to the canal water and back.

Farther along the canal you can catch a group of guys dancing. Many people stand and watch them as well as joining them in showing off their own moves.

 

Towards the end of the canal just before you turn around for your return trip, you pass what is known as the Land Run Memorial statues. There are currently 23 completed statues. When the Memorial statues are complete there will be 46 statues representing Oklahoma as the 46th state to enter the union.

As you come back by these dancers out in front of Sonics Corporate Headquarters, they are still going strong. Across the canal from these dancers is Toby Keiths' I Love this Bar and Grill, which serves our U.S. air force for free when they order the All American plate.

Earls Bar-B-Que is famous along the canal. Said to be started by a man who was Elvis Presley's personal chef, it is definitely some good eatin'. Just don't forget to whip the bar-b-que sauce off your face when your done.

 Beside Harkins Theatre is Marble Stone Creamery. This duet was singing for money and to promote their first album. Many people stopped to listen and support them on their way to the top of the charts.

 

 Everyone hates to have a salesman come up to you when you are trying to relax and enjoy a cool evening downtown after dinner. However this man is an ex-convict trying to put his life back on track buy becoming a business man. He spends every evening downtown along the canal selling magazine subscriptions. He has successful days and unsuccessful days but remains confident is his life ahead.

 

Harkins Theatre is not the only building to have these neon lights reflecting in the canal water but this is an example of how beautiful this area of Bricktown is at night.

The Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark, which has had many names in the past is home to the Oklahoma City RedHawks and is constructed with 480,000 bricks. This has landed the ballpark with the nickname The Brick.

This year was the 18th anniversary of the 1995 Oklahoma City bombing. This year also marks the 15th anniversary of the Memorial Marathon where almost 25,000 people ran in support of the victims of the bombing.

 Men, women, and children of all ages ran in the different events. Different branches of the United States Army as well as Firemen ran or walked, carrying flags and proving that we are united in this great state of Oklahoma.