Oklahoma couple plans visit to 50th state capital

HARRAH, Okla. (AP) -- It's taken 15 years and thousands of miles, but an Oklahoma couple will soon accomplish their goal of visiting all 50 state capitals.<br/><br/>Next month, Joe Ray and Jonita Thomas

Monday, June 27th 2005, 6:30 am

By: News On 6

HARRAH, Okla. (AP) -- It's taken 15 years and thousands of miles, but an Oklahoma couple will soon accomplish their goal of visiting all 50 state capitals.

Next month, Joe Ray and Jonita Thomas will board a cruise ship to Juneau, Alaska -- the only state capital they haven't visited.

After retiring in the early 1990s, the couple began working at the Oklahoma State Capitol. Joe Thomas was a sergeant at arms while his wife worked as a tour guide. She now works in the bill processing department.

The couple started visiting state capitals in 1990 with a trip to Jefferson City, Missouri. It wasn't until two years later that they began documenting their trips with pictures.

The Thomases share an interest in history. But they say the people they meet along the way are what make their trips memorable.