A Few Stops Along The Way!!

 

October 30-November 16, 2020

We finally left Bo Woods on a cold fall day about 9am, with the sun trying to shine we were the last of the volunteers to leave Bo Woods. We had a good summer, but are glad for the change in scenery. Our first days travel was 322 miles to Marshfield MO where we overnighted at RV Express RV Park, $34/night-non discounter,  FHU and an easy on and off for an overnight. While we could hear road noise once we turned the AC on it was all drowned out.

The next days’ mileage was only 192 and soon we were pulling into Rocky Point COE-Ft Gibson Lake in Wagoner OK. US 69 in OK needs work, teeth jarring potholes aren’t fun at 60mph. Site  58 fit us nicely, water and electric, views of the lake, a nice way to start our trek to our Christmas tree lot.

Site 58

While there we spent a day hiking at Sequyah State Park, some nice trails, some trails that were under water-if we’d stopped at the office on the way in we probably would have found that out, found a geocache.

Wheretogo cache

Micro cache

One day we took a ride to see a whale!! The Blue Whale of Catoosa OK is a route 66 roadside attraction. Originally built as an anniversary gift to a wife who collected whale figurines, it soon became a local swimming hole that eventually opened to the public, locals, location, and Route 66 traffic turned it into a must-see roadside attraction. With the addition of an Animal Reptile Kingdom, they lasted until 1988 when the owners were no longer able to continue managing the attraction. With the death of the wife in 2001, her husband preceded her in 1990, the park fell into disrepair until over a decade later the locals, and Hampton Inn, between their fundraising and volunteer work the Blue Whale has been restored and repainted its original blue. 

Reminders of a bygone era roadside attractions.

We walked every day, trying to get 6+ miles a day in. Our first two walks we included the local neighborhood, after being chased both days by different dogs we curtailed our walking to the park, 3 full laps of the park and we had our 6+ miles. 

Halloween Full Moon!!

See the birds

We enjoyed seeing deer and birds on our walks in the park. 

Morning Sunrises!

Evening campfires!

While the park is nice enough I doubt we’d be back, there are a few different options locally including the state park and another COE campground, we’d try one of the other parks. For an overnight, it would be fine, but for a longer stay, we’d look at one of the others nearby.

Soon enough it was time to move on and we headed to Burns Run East COE on Lake Texoma, where we were meeting up with friends.US 69 was still terrible, think we'll try another way next time. We’ve been having intermittent issues with our trailer brakes, the truck isn’t always recognizing the trailer is attached, or when it does, at some point while driving that day it no longer does.

Site 11

Once we were set up we wandered down to check in with our friends who had arrived before us. Because of Covid, we planned that any gatherings would be outside. Since our first evening was so nice we got to enjoy a fire that evening. It has been a few years since we last saw them at a rally in Quartzsite, so lots to catch up on.

Burns Run was large enough to get us a 3+ mile walk in so we did that a couple of times during the day, sometimes joined by our friends Steve and Kari. One evening Steve and Dave each smoked a rack of pork ribs, along with some sides we ate well. Windy days put the kibosh on having any more fires, our outdoor shrimp fry turned into a meal to go. Too soon, it was time for Steve and Kari to head on towards their FL stomping grounds. We look forward to crossing trails with them again. 

Beautiful sunrises from our site!

Our next drive was only 85 miles, brakes still acting up. Hickory Creek COE on Lake Lewisville, 16 miles from our Christmas tree lot. Hickory Creek is a larger park with 100+ sites, and enough roads to get a six-mile walk in.

Site 79

We did get time to take a look at one of my folks' former houses. Mom and Dad here are some pictures for you guys. I always wished I could have their address there, Miracle Lane in Flower Mound, sounds like a great place. My folks enjoyed it there for a few years. 

We took care of some personal business here, kept up with our walking, prepared a number of large meals so our freezer is now full of premade meals for the crazy weekend nights on the Christmas tree lot. Pasta Faggioli, 15 bean soup and chicken noodles-yes Glenda very similar to yours, already cooked, they will make for some warm fulfilling meals on the go in the upcoming weeks. The fridge is full, pantry stocked up, laundry caught up, truck fueled up and packages in the mail. Time to move onto the Christmas tree lot. Carrollton TX here we come!!

Until next time....