October 17, 2013 - “Family and Friends”

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We finally departed Forest City in route to Oklahoma City to visit family and friends. Our first overnight was once again at Prairie Flower COE, just north of Des Moines. The following day we continued on I-35 South to Wallace State Park, about 40 miles north of Kansas City, MO, where we planned to catch up with CC’s cousin, Joy, whom we had not seen in 3 years. We had a delightful lunch, and the afternoon passed way too quickly. (As usual, click on any image to enlarge.)

Wallace State Park was so quiet and peaceful, we decided after our stressful adventure at Winnebago, we needed some “quiet time”, and so we decided to stay a few more days.

From Wallace, we high tailed it to Bartlesville, OK to meet back up with Carl and Carla who were on their way back to the St. Louis area after spending most of their month in UT and AZ. Osage Hills State Park would become our home for the next week.

The area was perfect for Carla’s pet, Tula, to get some much needed exercise after being cooped up for almost two months in the Airstream.

Carl wanted to make a return visit to Woolaroc, Frank Phillips ranch just south of Bartlesville. CC and I spent part of our childhood growing up in OK, and never knew this place existed, but we are certainly glad Carl insisted, as it is truly amazing. The museum, exotic and domestic animals, and the lake and surrounding woods; I can now understand why he felt so strongly about Woolaroc.

Once again, our travel planner suggested we venture to the Tallgrass Prairie Preserve, owned and managed by the Nature Conservancy. It is protected as the largest tallgrass prairie in the world, and home to almost 3,000 bison.

At week’s end, we bid farewell to Carl and Carla, and pointed Elly in the direction of OKC, for a visit with family and friends. CC’s daughter, Letta, drove in for the weekend with her granddaughter, Haley, for hugs and kisses from relatives in the area. CC’s aunt Gayle, had not yet met Haley, and she wasted no time in wrapping Gayle around her little finger.

On our second day in OKC, CC’s brother, Mike, called and said he was flying in for a visit. Being a Delta pilot allows him the privilege of flying, space available, wherever and whenever he desires, free of charge. We had not seen him in three years, so it was good to catch up and indulge in a Scottish beverage or two, after lunch at Pearl’s with mother Jo.

The week was a blur; dinner with Rick at Abuelo’s was fantastic. Thanks Rick. Good luck in your new position with Chesapeake. Sid and his son Conner, just back from Iraq, met CC and I for a cold one, and we learned of his upcoming nuptials….Congrats Conner. Always a highlight of our time in OKC, is our annual dinner at Gabriella’s with Chuck and Kelley, Bobby and Marilyn; next year we need to take a timeout from the frivolity for a picture. Take care of you and yours, they are all you have. Thanks for the good time!

John and Vicki invited us to a weekend of sailing at Lake Texoma. The weather and wind were perfect on Friday, temps in the 80’s and winds 15 – 20 mph. By the time we returned to their condo, Letta called and said she was on the way, as she needed some down time outside of Childress; long story don’t ask. All in all we had a fantastic visit, unfortunately the winds died on Saturday, which meant a top speed of 1.9 knots. Thanks John and Vicki.

That rounds out our visit in OKC. Tomorrow we will move to Childress, TX for a few days before moving southward to our winter home. Thanks for stopping by. Take care and stay well………….........