Following a mild Oklahoma winter, Susan, Maynard, and me are roaring and ready to hit the road. Two weeks ahead of last year's initial outing, we took the truck and coach to our local RV park, Twin Fountains, to make sure all is ready for a busy upcoming travel season. Short of another leaky hydraulic ram, all systems checked OK, and nothing else appears to be leaking or otherwise damaged from freezing temperatures. Our dealer has ordered a new ram, but we're not going to delay any trips pending its arrival.
Our participation in the Oklahoma Good Sam Club just became more involved. The Oklahoma State Director, Bettye Franz, asked Susan and me to accept open positions on her staff. Susan will assume the roll of "Indoor Game Coordinator," and manage the games during the spring and fall Samborees. I will fill a state officer position by becoming the "Assistant State Director for the Southeast Region of Oklahoma." The Southeast Region covers the area of the state from Interstate 40 south and Interstate 35 east, and consists of three chapters including the Kickapoo Sams (Shawnee), Southern Oklahoma Sams (Madill), and Texoma Sams (Durant). The new appointment required me to resign my position as vice president of the Modern Wagoneers, but our good friend and travel companion, Frank Fowler, graciously agreed to succeed me.
We also helped charter a state chapter of the "Heartland Owners Club." Heartland is the manufacturer who built our coach. Thanks go out to Larry and Donna Keever for stepping up and taking on the leadership role in our new Oklahoma Chapter! Susan and I will caravan with a number of other members to Gillette, Wyoming later this year for the national rally.
Because of our dual participation in both organizations, I asked Susan to help me design a two-sided "fun card" identifying our positions in these organizations. Because I'm fully retired and no longer engage in any form of business activity, I refrain from referring to it as a "business card," and instead choose to call it a "fun card."
The first official campout for the Modern Wagoneers was at Arbuckle RV Resort in Sulphur, Oklahoma. Several of the chapter members wanted to revisit the new Chickasaw Cultural Center. Suz and I toured it during our last visit, so we opted out of this trip's tour and instead spent some time at the Tribe's other establishment, i.e., Treasure Valley Casino. I won't say whether we won or lost, but I will admit that the Tribe made a nice contribution to our diesel fund for this year's travel.
We enjoyed pleasant weather, and as usual, plenty of good food.
Our small charcoal grill serves a dual purpose . . . cooking and pinon wood fireplace. 
For great food in the Sulphur area, visit "Roma's Italian Restaurant." Be sure to try the olive oil, garlic and basil with fresh dinner rolls. I've likely written about it before, but it deserves a second mention.
Below is a picture of Jay Thomasbeard, the "singing cowboy" at Roma's. Oddly, he sounds just like Dean Martin.
Follow us in the next segment to beautiful Lake Eufaula as Suz and I join Texoma Sams for our first regional campout. The forecast is calling for severe storms and falling temperatures. This trip may prove to be interesting!
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