Wednesday, March 28, 2018

The Visitor Center and Nature Center

Wednesday brought about our return to town to see the Visitor Center and the Nature Center.
We went in the visitor center and watched a short film. This area used to be designated as a National Park. The Chickasaw and Choctaw Tribe sold some of their land to the US Government to add acreage and to preserve the area for all to enjoy. They sold their acreage to the Government for $20/acre.  But it was very nice of them to think of the future generations of people that would enjoy the natural bounty of this place. There are many natural springs in the area that are supposed to have medicinal benefits.


Art in Visitor Center




Artesian Hotel



Artesian Hotel
Visitor Center from the Street

Artesian Hoteld


Artesian Hotel
Logan & Austyn at the Nature Center

Logan Balancing


Buffalo Spring


 Most of these pictures were taken on our walk to the Springs along Travertine Creek. After our walk, we ate Pizza for lunch and returned to the RV. Steve and the kids tried fishing Wednesday evening also. I made Chili for supper and we had another great Campfire. 
On Thursday we packed up and drove to Oklahoma City where we stayed at Twin Fountains. We all got showered and the kids played mini golf. This is a nice RV park, but not cheap - It was $49.50 /night. They also have a grill - but I made everyone eat leftovers. We spoke with Kristi and found out she would drive up to Perry on Friday after work to get the kids. Logan was supposed to have a soccer game on Saturday - but it got cancelled. Therefore everyone stayed at our house and Saturday we went to Stillwater and ate at Schlotzky's for lunch and got what we needed for hamburger on the grill again for our supper.  We even made S'mores again in the back yard! More fun! Sunday everybody left and we rested and caught up the laundry.
OK the pictures made the alignment WONKY again! So I will sign out for the day and do a final blog for the  remainder of the month.


Spring Break More Fun!

On Tuesday, the 20th we moved to the Chickasaw National Recreation Area.  I got online the day before and we were able to snag two nights at The Point Campground in the Chickasaw NRA.

We took the dogs for a walk by Arbuckle Lake (viewable from our site). And Logan skipped some rocks!





We had a run to Walmart after moving for more food supplies - these kids have hollow legs! So we had a campfire and had hamburgers, grilling beans, and chips. Then we played lawn darts (lots of laughs).  Steve & I beat the kids.  Yea! Then we had S'mores. After the cooking was over we added some fun packets to our campfire for pretty colors. You can't see it in my pictures but we had teal, purple and other colors. It was neat and fun. The kids told us scary made up stories and about jumped out of their skins when something moved in the leaves!







Spring Break Week - Chickasaw Cultural Center

On Saturday the 17th we loaded up the RV,  put the tow bar on and hooked up the Pickup. Then we headed out to El Reno. We went through downtown OKC near Bass Pro Shop because Steve wanted to look at shoes. Well, big surprise, lot of people, traffic, etc - because why?? Well it is St. Patrick's Day and there are people everywhere. The parking lot at Bass Pro is packed full! Forget that! So we got back out on the interstate and went on to El Reno.
Then Kristi and the kids came out and we went back to Bass Pro in the car and Steve got some new shoes. Then we all went to Texas Roadhouse to eat! Again it was packed! But we had called ahead and didn't have to wait too long.
Sunday came about and we left El Reno and drove to Sulphur OK.  I wanted to stay at the Chickasaw Recreation Area but the campground was full.  When I called a month ago - they said there was no need for reservations. WRONG! They have 2 campgrounds (Buckhorn & The Point) with Water/Electric hook-ups and a dump site. Some are reservable and some are first come, get a site. But when I called there were no sites available. Some of the sites in these campgrounds are tent sites also.
So we stayed at Arbuckle RV Park. This was actually very convenient, less than a mile from town and the Chickasaw Cultural Center was right across the street.  So we got hooked up and toured the little town of Sulphur and viewed the Buckhorn Campground, where we saw some empty sites that had reserved signs on them. I called again and they said everything was taken/reserved. OK.  We took the kids to McDonald's and then stopped at Walmart for supplies.
Monday the 19th we went to the Chickasaw Cultural Center. They are having their Three Sisters Festival. We toured the museum and the grounds. We watched a dance, sampled some Chickasaw foods and then ate in their restaurant. Steve and I got the Chickasaw Special, Indian Taco (on FryBread), Grape Dumplings and Hominy Soup. It was good. Austyn ordered a Buffalo burger and Logan got Chicken Strips - he was not too adventurous. The day was pretty cool and very windy. We got a few minutes of sun but mostly clouds! The grounds and landscaping are beautiful here. If you get a chance - visit. Great Native American history and culture information.
Warrior
Austyn & Logan
Steve, Austyn & Logan
Eternal Flame

Amphitheater

Bell



Pond
Water Feature








Flowers (my fave: Pansies)
























Turtle





OK the pictures went WONKY so I will start another  entry!