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!

Fourth Time’s a Charm!

Susan and I recently purchased our fourth lot at Cedar Blue RV Resort south of Sulphur, Oklahoma.  If you care to read as far back as the first segment of this blog, you’ll see the first Cedar Blue lot we purchased in 2001.  It seems we just can’t stay away! 

We searched for a small RV friendly lake lot at Eufaula or some other nearby location for a quick getaway.  But with no success, we once again found ourselves viewing available lots at Cedar Blue.  Interestingly, we perceived the ideal lot as having nothing more in improvements than a concrete patio and storage shed.  That’s exactly what we found! 

Our priority use of the RV is extended road trips.  With few permanent fixtures in the way, we can maintain the mobility of the coach with easy access to and from the lot. 

A previous owner built the concrete patio with a stamped/stained surface.  We purchased the lot from a couple who owned it a very short time when an electrical fire destroyed their RV, patio cover, and other accessories.  The storage shed survived, but will have to be reroofed and sided. 

As seen in the following pictures, we’re able to back the coach alongside the concrete patio . . . .

With the help of our good friends, Jerry Sr. and Jerry Jr. Cain, we were able to shape up the driveway, level the gravel pad for the RV, and install new plumbing facilities . . . .

We also had to recruit our favorite electrician, Josh Shiry, to help us replace the electrical service . . . .

 

We now have 200 volt, 50 amp, 30 amp, and 20 amp service. 

Sulphur’s a great community to visit, and only a little over an hour away from home.  Cedar Blue is a gated community with 24/7 security.  Our new lot is on a cul-de-sac, and backs up to a wooded common area flanked by a fish-stocked pond . . . .

Even Maynard looks forward to visiting “lake home!”

2012 Fall Samboree and a Little R&R!

Susan and I just returned home from the 2012 Fall Samboree held in Claremore, Oklahoma.  I was recently appointed “Webmaster” for the Oklahoma Good Sam Club, and will be updating the Club’s website and blogging future Samborees. Oklahoma Samborees are lots of fun!  Click on this direct link to experience the fun of the 2012 Oklahoma Fall Samboree:   http://oklahomagoodsamclub.blogspot.com/

Our friends, Johnathan and Angie Bonanno, joined us after the Samboree for a “little R&R” in Branson, Missouri. 

They have visited Branson before, but never took in a music show.  We saw “Six,” which is an a cappella group formed by 6 brothers.  Susan and I think it is currently the best show in Branson.  We also saw “Pierce Arrow,” a quartet accompanied by a hilarious comedian.  I don’t think I’ve ever seen any person (Angie) laugh so much! 

We stayed at the Branson KOA, which is located on Animal Safari Road.  It’s adjacent to Highway 76 and most major music shows and other attractions in Branson.  If you go and don’t mind the extra cost, ask for (or reserve) a “luxury site.” If you’re traveling with another couple, I recommend sites 130-131.  These sites face each other (the Bonanno’s door opened towards our door) and both have patios, furniture, grill, and chimineas. 

Susan and I put in a full week working the Samboree and were quite ready to relax and be entertained.  Branson is the ideal retreat, and the Bonannos proved to be good company. 

  

We try to make a Branson trip twice per year, spring and fall.  Fall is a beautiful time to visit Branson because of the vibrant colors . . . .

Before I forget, if you visit Branson and want to pull a harmless trick on someone, take them to lunch at McFarland’s Restaurant.  They have a “rising table” that slowly ascends as you dine. 

Compare the height of the table in the above pictures.  About the time the table reached the height of the right picture, Angie said: “I think I need a booster-seat!”  

We’ll soon be heading to Duncan, Oklahoma for a Modern Wagoneer campout, and then to the WinStar Casino and RV Park for the Oklahoma Heartland Chapter Fall Rally.  Safe travels! 

Boys and Their Toys!

Is what my wife says when she looks at my truck these days.  I never reach the point of “road rage,” but when other drivers enter major highways and refuse to yield to me while towing the rig, I’ve often wished I had a set of semi air horns that would blow the cell phone out of their hands.  The momentary burst of adrenaline caused by the piercing sound of the horns is far less damaging then the alternative 26,000 lbs of diesel truck and trailer crashing into their rear end. 

I began the search for a good set of air horns several months ago, but I was hesitant to purchase anything I found online for fear it would be inadequate (not loud enough!).  I discovered a set of Hadley horns for sale at Camping World, which is the same kit used on most high-end motorhomes.  But for me, the cost was prohibitive ($495.00 + installation).  The kit included the necessary compressor, air tank, and accessories, but with Camping World installation, I would have close to $1,500.00 invested. 

Patience often pays off!  On a recent trip to my local Camping World for unrelated items, I noticed the lone set of Hadley’s in the same spot on the shelf where they’ve been for months.  Out of curiosity, I checked the price and it was marked down for “closeout” to $199.00.  I quickly loaded the box into the cart and rushed to checkout before anyone else attempted to steal my horns. 

Thanks to Sean at Lewis RV, my horns are installed and working  as expected!  Sean does a meticulous installation and for much less than his competitors.  The compressor and air tank are installed in one of the bed’s storage compartments just below the compressor and tank used for the air bags.  

Sean also installed two switches on the center console that allow me to cycle the pump on/off, and switch between the factory horn and the air horns. 

Susan calls my new horns “toys,” I like to think of them as “truck bling.”  Just wait till the new 5-inch chrome exhaust stacks arrive.