FROM THE TEXAS PANHANDLE TO ARKANSAS

From Lake Meredith in the Texas Panhandle we took a flying trip to Cove Lake just below Paris, Arkansas. This was not our plans but like dummies we didn't think... about the Memorial Weekend.  The Memorial Weekend and the 4th of July are dreaded dates as far as finding a campground with an unoccupied site to pull our rig into. When we arrived at Lake Eufaula in Oklahoma we went completely around the lake and every campground was full. Usually there are the worst sites left open or they have a first come first serve area with a few sites. But because of all of the rain that they had recently gotten some of their sites were closed due to the high water. We gave up the hunt and went back up to Interstate 40 and continued our journey to the east. Ending up sleeping once again at a rest area parking lot. All and all it wasn't that bad as we didn't have a semi refrigerated truck running all night next to us.

I had never given much thought about these trucks before except to watch them in rear view mirror when driving. Now, I have learned how to spot the refrigerated trucks so that we can avoid trying to sleep next to one. It is not by accident that I use the word "trying". The problem is that they keep their motor running all night which keeps the cooling system going for whatever they are hauling. The motor is loud and just when you get used to hearing it...  it revs up kicking in the refrigerator. In the morning I feel like I have been sleeping next to a lion that spent the night growling and roaring. I am just about that jittery. That is the reason I quickly started paying attention to what they look like. LOL.

We drove through a section of  tornado damage near Shawnee, Oklahoma. Wow, I was amazed at the damage from the wind. Mother Nature must have had a case of PMS. Either that or she was throwing a hissy fit...

Hope she didn't damage these railroad track as she wiped out the trees in her path...

She uprooted trees and made toothpicks out of them. As well as taking down power lines. This is a horizontal electrical power pole...

I  can only imagine the damage left by the F5 tornado that took out the town of Moore, Oklahoma. My heart really goes out to the survivors of that community.

 

We made a turn off of Interstate 40 towards the small town of Ozark, Ar. Such a beautiful drive...

Here the cattle stand belly deep in rich lush grass pastures. A rancher's dream...

They have already begun the cutting of the hay fields. The one just behind this horse has been cut and is ready to bale. Meanwhile, this beautiful animal is enjoying his feast of fresh green grass...

We continued on our journey through Ozark and on down the road past Paris, Arkansas until we came to a small campground nestled next to Cove Lake...

Although this is called a primitive campground it doesn't mean it isn't well maintained. Just that there are no flush toliets or showers. No electricity and no sewer dump (which is the black water or gray water holding tanks). It is a form of boondocking. We settled in for the week.

 

Saturday night we were surprised by Michel (our daughter), Tim, and Ken (their neighbor and good friend). They had been at the Renaissance Fair in Muskogee, Oklahoma. Ken gave me a 18x200 zoom telephoto lens for my new Nikon D-80 Digital SLR camera.... I love it!!! With the zoom that I had I could not get a photo of anything closeup without changing my lens. This is an example of the new zoom...

 The photo is of a real honest to goodness Lady Bug... not the imported out of control Asia Beetle. Lady Bugs are red and the Asia Beetle is tan. This is the type of photo I have dreamed of being able to take... even the lichen on the rock is very defined. I am so grateful for this magnificent gift. Thank you Ken.

 

We had a great visit. Everyone was dressed up in costume. Lol, I didn't know my daughter was a belly dancer. I hated to see them leave so soon after arriving but totally understood that it was a long trip home.

 

Well, it is that time so I will sign off for now. To my wonderful daughter... remember Keep On Dancing... I love you.

 

Remember life is short... so laugh as much as you can... even if it is at yourself. And Everyone Keep On Dancing ...