Sulphur, OK (USA)

Mollie and I had to take care of some unfinished business today - her Junior Ranger badge at Chickasaw National Recreation Area. Last time (see MAR 2011) we left the house too late in the day to turn in the paperwork for that cool program. Today we got going around 1215 and had a nice drive up to Davis - just a little bit of traffic. It has been SO hot lately, we wore our bathing suits to be able to take advantage of the water in the Travertine Creek at the park. Stopped for some info at the OK visitors center (nice people...). After arriving in Sulphur (1400), we went straight to the Nature Center and finished the last activity in Mollie's workbook. The Ranger gave her a pin and a patch this time - and had her say a unique pledge. Immediately after that, we headed over to Little Niagara and found lots of people enjoying the cool water below the Falls (which were actually nearly dried up!). What a difference a drought and several summer months makes (we should have gone swimming last time...)! Still we had a good time - Mollie jumped the four feet off the top of the Falls into the water below. We also explored down the creek a bit - but there was very little water anywhere else. After about an hour, we walked back to the Nature Center and waded around in some shallow water there - watching some people catching crawfish (lots of them!). I wanted to show Mollie Lake Arbuckle - that was our next destination. On the way, we went swimming in Veteran's Lake (nearby) and watched people jumping off a 30 foot cliff into the water. It was much cooler water - and not muddy, like the Little Niagara pond was. Packed up again and drove back into Sulphur. We got gas in town and then headed down to the Point Area (see FEB 2011). I took Mollie down a gravel road where I had seen lots of deer in the Spring, but we didn't see any... We spotted lots of miniature horses, though. Took a look at Lake Arbuckle - swimmers, boaters, breezy cookout area... Mollie said she was tired of swimming, so we drove back to the Interstate (1730). We'd seen some signs for a place called the Blue Pig (BBQ) in Ardmore - decided to have dinner there. It wasn't a long drive - and we got off the exit right where the billboard said. But, after driving all the way into town, we never saw it. Back to I-35, still not seeing it, I decided to turn around and eat somewhere else. As I was making a U-turn, we spotted a little trailer with picnic tables outside - and a truck with a Blue Pig on the side. That was it! Now, call me crazy, but good BBQ isn't worth sitting outside for dinner with 40+ Celsius temperatures... Instead, had dinner at the nearby Prairie Kitchen restaurant. We enjoyed some good conversation (actually, we have all day - very nice) and good food. Finished up around 1900 and got back on the Interstate... As we crossed the Arbuckle Mountains, I realized how different the sun's position was from our last visit - I hadn't realized how many months had passed since we got to visit Oklahoma. No chance to watch the sunset this time - at least in the mountains... Stopped at Rumpy's again - our favorite German Bakery - picked up a dozen tasty kolaches for the family. Spoke with the lady who worked there about the community pool that was nearby (first saw it in December) - she said it was only open for special events. It was a nice chat. On the road again soon after (changed out of our bathing suits). In previous trips to the area north of Denton, we'd seen a drag strip (North Star Racetrack) - and that they had races on the weekend. It took some trouble (frontage road roullette between Sanger and Denton, side roads, railroad tracks and road closures) but we found the place just as the sun went down. Paid $10 to get in to watch the show - well worth it. Races were nearly continuous - traditional drag racers and custom cars, some looked like street racers. It was very loud but exciting. Mollie enjoyed it, actually. We walked around the track and in the pit area - commenting on the painted cars and talking with some of the drivers. Stayed for about an hour and a half before heading home. Arrived around 2200 - tired but re-charged...

Fort Worth, TX (USA)

[birthday party (Rodeo Zone) at the Stockyards in Fort Worth]

North Richland Hills, TX (USA)

[***possible (need second validation)*** Birthday tickets for Twins at NRH2O Family Water Park (arrived at 0950)]

Midland, TX (USA)

[fourth VA appointment - had to drive over to Midland - left around 0715L - no problems with traffic - gas fillup in Willow Park (0800L) - made it to Midland around 1200L - found doctors office - saw signs for the childhood home of George W. Bush (nearby) and found it - then went to lunch at Furr's Buffet - it was interesting: get a tray and walk down a cafeteria lunch counter, they gave me little bowls of different types of food - you can get seconds if you go through the line again - home style country cooking was good, too - finished around 1245L and drove over to doctor's office, hoping they could see me early - it worked out and I got in around 1315L - finished by 1345L - drove back towards DFW - stretched fuel to make Sweetwater - gas fillup (1535L) - traffic increasing - made good time all the way home and arrived around 1845L - trip was worth it, since I'm now done with the VA...]

Farmer's Branch, TX (USA)

[third VA appointment - near I-35E & I-635 - explored nearby (historic and fancy homes) - also visited Coogan Drive (off Royal Drive)]