Oklahoma Fall Gathering at Cedar Lake

 

  

The Oklahoma Fall Gathering originated as a Pop-Up camper rally at Popupportal. I had decided since I kind of had the ball rolling on this fall adventure that I would call it a gathering as to not step on anyone's toes that had always been rallying up the Okies for the previous rallies. 

The destination was voted upon and the subject went cold, or so I had thought, apparently it had been started as another topic in another thread on the forum. I discovered later when trying to relocate the topic through search. By the time I located the other thread I had already made my reservations and was settled in on a camping adventure to a place I hadn't been in the great state of Oklahoma, Cedar Lake.

Cedar Lake is located in South Eastern Oklahoma, we took the scenic route to get to the lake down the Talimena Scenic Byway, Winding Stair. Who new Oklahoma has rolling hills with forests and little hilly type mountans! Old two lane highways with logging trucks! Such a beatiful place in Oklahoma!

We made it to the Shady Grove Campground. The camp sites were shady and very spacious! Unfortunately not spacious enough for the campers who thought it was okay to send their young kids out to play before 8 AM screaming down the street, "Wake Up!" You go to get away and camp in a playground. Or so it seemed most of Friday afternoon and while we there Saturday.

For most of the day Saturday we decided to take a drive and do some site seeing along the Talihina Scenic drive so that I could get some pictures. We pull over to a look out point, my husband get's out and comes around to my side to get the dog from me and then I proceed to get out of the car.

I look down and about 3 inches from my dog is a tarantula.  That's right. Here's proof!

My husband has a great respect for these spiders so before we decided to get my pictures and return to the car he made sure the spider was back safely in the grass as to not get run over by future passerby's. 

Before getting back to the vehicle my husband spotted a rather large walking stick. I finally took my pictures of the amazing views of southeastern Oklahoma mountains.

 After I took some shots we discovered another historical site called the Three sticks. The three "sticks" stand for LAND, WOOD, and WATER. A dedication sign on the sight reads:

"In Appreciation of the Leadership in the Rapid Development of Our State Roads, Water, Recreation, Forests
"LAND --- WOOD ---WATER"
We, the Grateful Citizens of McCurtain and LeFlore Counties Contribute and Dedicate This Monument to the Following:
SENATOR ROBERT S. KERR
SENATOR MIKE MONRONEY
CONGRESSMAN CARL ALBERT
GOVERNOR RAYMOND GARY
R.G. MILLER

After our day trip of sites, we headed back to camp in hopes to meet some Okies at Potluck. It wasn't set in stone that anyone else was for sure showing since I was the only one from the group who had even made a reservation. But just in case I made sure they all new what site I had reserved and if they showed I would have plenty of Rattlesnake Beans to share! I didn't want to be unprepared. I even had prizes to give, just in case.

 So it seemed the only other breathing thing at the potluck was Bambi, our beloved Pomeranian. 

 The camp site was looking pretty empty at this point. I continued with the beans and decided to make some cornbread as well.

Dinner came and went no one came to the site and introduced themselves as being part of the group. Boy did we have a lot of beans to eat. Luckily, the following day of our departure we chose to stay another week at one of our favorite places in Oklahoma, Beaver's Bend State Park.

Fly-Fishing the Rio Grande

My hubby Fly-fishing the Rio Grande River, Colorado!

Rio Grande National Forest

What a temperature change from the triple digits of Oklahoma! We really enjoyed the location of the Colorado Rally we attended this year. We camped Thirtymile Campground for a week and then boon-docked in the Rio Grande National forest. The beauty of Colorado is unlike any state I have camped. We absolutely love Colorado and the wonderful people we have met through the rallies. I will post a few of my favorite pictures soon, but this is just a taste of what I have been doing the last few weeks! :D

Another Ressie Made!

Click on photo for owners blog about their trip.

I am so excited! I have spent my evening researching the area of Thirtymile Campground in Creede, Colorado for our next vacation camping trip. Made reservations for an overnight stay on the way there and one for when we are returning home. We use to take a lot of trips back and forth to and from Indiana so we know we do not like extended 12 hour rides in the car.  Amazing we are only one state over and it takes just as long to get there, but if it weren't for those majestic Rocky Mountains it wouldn't be worth it. Colorado is one of the most beautiful places I have ever visited and had the pleasure to camp. After the heat waves we are having here in Oklahoma I will be packing my long johns with a smile across my face!

Last Chance Ranch - Castle, Oklahoma

We finally made it out for our 1st weekender camping of the year 2011!  A family we met a few years ago through an Oklahoma camping rally, had invited us to their daughter's 18th birthday celebration. It just so happened to also be the weekend following their Anniversary, and the weekend of the man of their house's birthday. So it was a weekend worth celebrating. We new we wanted to take the camper all we needed was a good reason. Celebrations are always  worth attending!

The view from our campsite was very nice. It was so very HOT, I think 110 or something so the water looked very nice for swimming. Last Chance Ranch is a very peaceful place to relax, grab your favorite book and just kick the easy chairs back. A hassle free relaxing stay that's for sure!

The view from the ranch house. We went up to the club house to try out Steve's Dutch Oven Lasagna before the birthday party. That guy can make a mean meal in the Dutch Oven. I apologize for not getting any pics of it, it was a hungry crowd! 

The view from the dock. At Last Chance Ranch the paddle boats are free to ride!

While the Lasagna was cooking, I decided to take a stroll over to the barn. I spotted this beautiful carriage. Isn't it just amazing. Oh how I love the look of these old horse carriages. Definitely very pleased to have a camera with me. But a camera is no good if you forget your memory card. Yes I forgot  my memory card in my computer at home. By gosh it was my lucky weekend because our rally friends just so happened to have an extra card that fit my camera! MWAH! Hugs to you Laura!! You are AWESOME!

You know where ever there is a horse carriage around the corner should be horses!  To my delight there were horses!! They were gorgeous and snugly my favorite kind!

Can you fish at Last Chance Ranch you might be wondering. Well YES you can! Besides the many little fishes my husband caught throughout the weekend, on the last morning this BIG guy was the catch of the day!

I never in my life seen a frog so huge! They said he is a bull frog. If your into eating frogs I bet this fella' would have been good eats.

After breakfast we packed up, said our good byes, and off we went North on old Hwy 48 towards Bristow, Oklahoma. 

America's Historic Route 66 runs right through Bristow, Oklahoma! One of these days I am going to drive across the state and see every little town in Oklahoma off of Route 66! I love historical towns.

j

I hadn't noticed it on our 1st trip through but one of our favorite Mexican Restaurants is right in Bristow. I wonder if the employees are as wonderful as our local Los Arcos. Good food, tasty Margarita's and GREAT service!

Off we went to the Oklahoma Turnpike and before we knew it we were pulling into the driveway. It was a very nice weekend and I am so pleased we finally started our camping season. As soon as this sunburn heals, I'm ready to go out again!