Fall Foliage and the RV Round Robin

Years ago when I was taking private pilot training, the FAA (Federal Aviation Administration) required all private pilot trainees to complete a “round robin” flight prior to licensing.  A round robin consisted of a solo flight from point “A” to point “B” to point “C,” then returning to the point of origin, point “A.”  Our RV round robin includes a couple of additional waypoints, i.e., points “D” and “E,” which made for a wonderful way to wrap up the fall travel season and view Oklahoma’s beautiful fall foliage.   

It all began with a call from our friends, Jonathan and Angela Bonanno, who just purchased their new Landmark “Key Largo.” 

They bought their RV from Kelly at Lewis RV Center in Oklahoma City (Point “A”), where we bought ours.  The Key Largo is very similar to our San Antonio, but the Bonannos’ is clearly distinguished by its full body paint.  As I stated to Jonathan when I first saw it, “It drips with gorgeous!” 

   

While the Bonannos weren’t watching, Susan and I tried out their new king-size bed!

Congratulations, Jonathan and Angela! 

The Bonannos wanted to take their new coach on a short outing to become more familiar with its operation before hitting the highway.  So, we began the first leg of our “round robin” by accompanying them to Cedar Valley RV Park in Guthrie, Oklahoma (Point “B”).

The weather was excellent and we enjoyed each others’ company while cooking out and becoming acquainted with the new coach.  Jonathan and Angela treated us to Kobe steaks with sautéed mushrooms, and they were wonderful!

After two nights stay in Guthrie, we caravanned to Duncan, Oklahoma for the November campout of the Modern Wagoneers.

  

The Tidballs and Adams hosted this month’s event and chose Chisholm Trail RV Park (Point “C”). 

Their choice of RV parks served our needs quite well.  We had use of the club room for our meeting, meals, and games.  

Although the RV pads were grass and gravel, each site had full hookups and a concrete patio . . . .

And, we were able to have a nightly campfire now that the “burn ban” is lifted. 

The only reservation I overheard was the existence of grass burrs or stickers that attached to the dogs’ hair.  If my standing motion to ban dogs from all future campouts won approval, grass burrs and stickers wouldn’t be an issue! 

Below, Jonathan pulled in a little close.  He must have been trying to mate his new Key Largo with our San Antonio!  Would that result in a “San Largo?”  No one appreciates my humor or my motion to ban dogs at campouts! 

 

 

We saw the following RV pull into the park . . . .

The owner had just purchased it from an individual and the outside skin began to shred off as he towed it home.  We wish him well and better travels! 

The scheduled activity for this campout was a trip to the “Chisholm Trail Heritage Center.”  The displays are very well presented and chronicle the 19th Century cattle drives through Oklahoma from Texas to Kansas. 

Below, a 19th Century RV . . . .

Sue Gelm attempts to ride a bucking bronco . . . ,

As does Vickie Tidball! 

Obviously, the “Chisholm Trail Heritage Center” turned out to be lots of fun! 

RVers are always in search of good food . . . .

Like the rich chocolate-dipped marshmallows at Golden Corral.

Following a three night campout in Duncan, the Bonannos followed us to our new lot at Cedar Blue (Point “D”).  Before our arrival, the Cains poured another gravel pad adjacent to the patio for our guests.

The shade produced by the coaches parked side-by-side make for a fine leisurely afternoon! 

Sulphur is situated in the Arbuckle Mountain Range of south-central Oklahoma.  The Arbuckle Mountains are an ancient mountain range dating back 1.4 billion years.  The range is named for General Matthew Arbuckle, who commanded troops in the area guarding the California road during the late 1800’s.  

The Arbuckles are vibrant with color during the fall . . . .

Susan and I treated Jonathan and Angie to a foliage tour of the Chickasaw National Recreation Area and surrounding area . . . .

Below, is the “Lake of the Arbuckles” . . . .

Above, Jonathan views the town of Sulphur from high above Bromide Hill.  Below, is a view of the new Artesian Hotel currently under construction in Sulphur.  Owned by the Chickasaw Nation, the new hotel will have a conference center, and of course, a casino!

Below is the original Artesian, which burned in 1962.  It opened in 1906 using furnishings from the St. Louis World’s Fair.  The Artesian was known as the “Summer White House” of Oklahoma’s first governor, Charles Haskell.  Movie stars, John Wayne and Roy Rogers, both stayed at the Artesian while filming movies in Oklahoma.  

The following is a series of fall foliage pictures taken in the Flower Park area of the Chickasaw National Recreation Area . . . .

 

Use your imagination and the cactus pictured below takes on the resemblance of “Pac Man.”

Click on the following image to enlarge and learn more about “Lincoln Bridge” and the following pictures. 

The east end of the park contains “Little Niagara,” which is a waterfall fed by an underground stream.  Because of the long drought experienced in Oklahoma and other nearby states, the falls and stream have dried up.  I’ve been a visitor to the area for over 30 years and this is the first time I’ve ever seen Little Niagara dry. 

During a typical fall season, water will cascade off the above rock ledge forming the falls known as “Little Niagara.” 

Above, a pool of water will normally form allowing for swimming and wading. 

Ironically, the sign pictured in the image below states: “Caution Shallow Water.”

After three nights at Cedar Blue and our foliage tour of the Chickasaw National Recreation Area, we left the Sulphur area and headed south to Thackerville, Oklahoma, the home of WinStar World Casino (Point “E”).   

The “Oklahoma Heartland Owners Club” gathered here for the Fall Rally.  Susan and I, along with the Bonannos and several other couples, are founding members of the club.  The Inaugural Rally of the Oklahoma Chapter was also held here in May 2012. 

WinStar hosts a luxury RV Park with concrete pads, full hookups, swimming pool, and spacious club room . . . .

And, they provide convenient shuttle service to and from the casino . . . .

The casino is “world class,” and serves as a venue for many celebrity attractions, i.e., George Lopez, Willie Nelson, etc. 

 

If you haven’t visited WinStar, it’s worth the trip to see the decor and architecture of the facility . . . ,

and take in the “free” Thursday morning senior breakfast with live entertainment!

The Bonannos must have brought us good luck, because the slots were actually “friendly” to us this trip!

Larry and Donna Keever are the Oklahoma Heartland Club “Chapter Leaders.”

Donna appropriately titled the theme for this rally as “Honor Our Veterans,” in recognition of Veterans Day. 

 

Founding chapter member, Paul Lineen, shared his military uniform and photographs . . . .

Donna did an excellent job of decorating the facility for the event, and Jonathan Bonanno built the honorary flag displays to be given to each of our veteran members during the ceremony. 

Below, the Oklahoma Heartland Club veterans pose with their honorary flags . . . .

Rally dinners are just as good as campout dinners.  Larry and Jonathan grill burgers and hot dogs the first night of the rally.

Followed by an evening out to “Babe’s Chicken Dinner House” in Sanger, Texas (highly recommended!).  If you go, Babe’s is located at 202 North 4th Street in Sanger.  They serve “family style” chicken dinner with all the trimmings. 

Below, Susan and Corbin Tayloe meet a new friend at Babe’s Chicken House . . . .

An interesting use of a vintage Chris Craft Boat . . . .

Larry with the “Chicken!”

Other views of Sanger, Texas . . . .

Jonathan found the perfect addition to his “man cave.”

The final night of the rally included games and a potluck dinner, including Jonathan’s special smoked ribs and Larry’s pork loin with apricot sauce.

Game winners holding their “winners badges.”

Believe it or not, I actually won the “First Place” badge for “Thirty-One!”  I never win anything; but of course, Susan says I have to play to win.

What a feast!

Larry and Donna always surprise members and guests to the rally with door prizes . . . .

The rally concluded Sunday morning.  Because of the early morning thunderstorms that rolled into the area, Susan and I decided to delay our departure until the skies cleared.  The remaining group decided to have lunch at “El Fenix” inside the casino.  The food was great, and apparently, so was the beer!

 

When the skies finally cleared, Susan and I readied the coach to head back to the origin of our trip, Oklahoma City (Point “A”).  But not before Jonathan could try to stop us . . . .

We really enjoyed traveling with our new friends, Jonathan and Angela, and look forward to many more adventures with them. Thanks to the Tidballs and Adams for hosting the Duncan campout, and thanks to Larry and Donna for sponsoring the Heartland Rally.  We appreciate everyone in our Modern Wagoneer Good Sam chapter, as well as all of our new friends in the Oklahoma Heartland Owners Club.  Safe travels and we look forward to seeing all of you soon!