Davis, OK (USA)

[most exciting day of the trip - couldn't get the Twins out of bed early, but took Mollie back to the Arbuckle Mountains in Oklahoma for some fun - no traffic on I-35 all the way to the Red River (Mollie train whistle) - stopped for gas in Marietta, Oklahoma - continued without delay to Turner Falls in Davis (arrived at 1000L) - we were early enough there were very few people - waded in the lower pool (very cool water) and explored up the river - lots of little water falls - after a few hours, we had some lunch - after that, took a shuttle ride up to the HUGE falls (there was another pool there) - more and more people coming all day - after waiting for a VERY long time for a shuttle bus back to our car, decided to walk - it was very crowded and there wasn't much fun left by that point - Mollie had wanted to return to the nearby Arbuckle Wilderness, but we already been there (see MAR 2011) - instead, we drove north again and visited the G. W. Exotic Animal Park - what a treat! - we got the "works" package and (in addition to the spectacular exhibits of bears, lions, tigers and monkeys) we were able to go "behind the scenes" to hold baby animals and see some rare Ligers, Tigons and Taligers (cross breeds between Lions and Tigers) - we had a great time and wouldn't have left at 1700L except that it was nearly two hours back to Fort Worth - made great time back to Texas - before the end of our trip, we did a couple of errands (including picking up some presents for the Twins) - back at the house, we celebrated a belated birthday for Erin and Brenna (complete with Nicky's homemade cake) - relaxed for a while (watching NASCAR race - Coca Cola 600) - packed and got ready for bed (late)]