Yes, I'm stealing lines from Talladega Nights. No, I'm not sure if I'm proud of that or not.
Earlier this month, Alec and I decided it was time to take another of our patented Oklahoma road trips. We had long talked about making a pilgrimage, and we use pilgrimage in only the loosest sense of the word, to the National Shrine of the Infant Jesus of Prague. I cannot begin to justice to the story of the Infant Jesus that begins all the way back in Prague, Czechoslovakia during the Thirty Years War some four hundred years ago, so I will leave you to peruse the history on the fine website associated with the parish. This Infant Jesus is not that original Infant Jesus, but one sent over to be an American version.
Our day began as we attempted to get on the motorcycle. I was excited to ride, as this would be my first long-ish ride and the new backrest was now in place. Unfortunately, the bike had other plans. Like having a mostly dead battery (anyone else hearing Billy Crystal from the Princess Bride right now?). So, Bird set up the trickle charger and I put on some sunscreen. We finally headed out the scenic way to Prague, which is pronounced with a long a sound, not like the European city. Makes it so much more fun to say you went to see the Infant Jesus of "Praig."
On our way to Prague, we passed by a country corner with a man selling school spirit yard decorations. They were your typical Sooner Schooners and Pistol Petes, except for one grouping. There he was, SpongeBob SquarePants, waving an OU flag. If we hadn't been on the motorcycle on the way TO Prague, we might have tried to find a way to bring SpongeBob home.
We arrived in Prague, not really knowing exactly where to go, but hoping we would find it quickly and a kolache stand would be right next door. Sadly the only thing that looked open on main street was Subway *sad trombone* So we stopped and looked at the Jim Thorpe historical marker (he was born just outside Prague! He was the greatest athlete of the first part of the 20th century!), admired the mural, found our destination, hopped our (excrutiatingly sore--oh wait, that was just me) butts back on the bike, and drove a bit down the street to the church.
The National Shrine of the Infant Jesus of Prague was impressive. A very pretty chapel. An interesting story. An icon with more fancy outfits than I have, all lined up in a glass case. I felt it would be in poor taste to take any photos inside the chapel, so I didn't. But if you look at the website you get a glimpse of him. And, as much as I'm trying not to be offensive, I couldn't help but find him a bit creepy. And all of the stained glass windows featured him in some way. Must be the thick-skinned Protestant in me coming out. Nonetheless, beautiful and worth seeing. It was amazing how many people from across the country had signed the guest book--Illinois, Texas, New Mexico, and others I can't remember. No telling if they came for blessings or just saw the highway sign, but the diversity was interesting. If you want to hit the gift shop, however, it's not open on Saturday, so no Infant Jesus dashboard bobbleheads for us!
We walked around a bit, found a garden that appeared to feature St. Francis of Assissi (we found a croc for Travis!) and then hopped back on the bike to go once I thought my knees and rear could stand it again. I did learn that, as uncomfortable as those motorcycles with the really extended legs look, they're probably really comfortable because my knees were screaming at me for being bent by the time we finished the day! But, it was awesome to be out in the sunshine and wind :-)
On our way home we made a stop in Shawnee at Sonic. When we stopped we had no idea that we were stopping at the 3000th Sonic. Pin a rose on our noses! They had it bricked into the patio and a plaque out front to boot. I think it made us enjoy our vanilla Dr. Pepper and cherry limeade that much more.
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