It was time for our annual trip to Texas and then to Arkan
sas for the Keeling family reunion. This year has been a busy travel year for us and we have not done much at home. A lot of the travel has been to Arkansas for Relay for Life events and family responsibilities, but it still keeps us away from home and doing the things that really need to be done.
sas for the Keeling family reunion. This year has been a busy travel year for us and we have not done much at home. A lot of the travel has been to Arkansas for Relay for Life events and family responsibilities, but it still keeps us away from home and doing the things that really need to be done.Back to our current road trip. We left Trotwood last Thursday with a little threat of rain, however the sun came out and it turned out to be a great day for driving with the exception of road work in Indiana, Illinois and Oklahoma which added about 1.5 to 2 hours to our drive.
We stayed Thursday night and Friday with Don and Nancy Perrin in Mountain Park, Oklahoma. We arrived a little later than usual due to traffic, but, Don and Nancy had the grill going and steaks ready to grill. I don't know how Nancy did it, but the steaks were fantastic--great taste and so tender you could cut them with a fork. We finished the dinner with apple cobbler and ice cream. Yum Yum
We stayed Thursday night and Friday with Don and Nancy Perrin in Mountain Park, Oklahoma. We arrived a little later than usual due to traffic, but, Don and Nancy had the grill going and steaks ready to grill. I don't know how Nancy did it, but the steaks were fantastic--great taste and so tender you could cut them with a fork. We finished the dinner with apple cobbler and ice cream. Yum Yum
Friday we had a down day and just enjoyed the company of the Perrins. Don and Claude went out to one of the farms for a few minutes. Nancy and I went to The Flying Pig, the antique/flea mall where Nancy has a booth. I saw several things I liked but came home without them. Most of the day we just sat around enjoying our visit, sitting on the back porch enjoying the breeze, marveling at the pretty red building and recharging our batteries. Our visit was much too short, but, we needed to get to Burkburnett to
visit Chris, Suzi and the girls.
visit Chris, Suzi and the girls.Parker and Jacey have really grown since the last time we visited. They are beautiful young ladies and are a pleasure to be around. It is great visiting then, but it would be better if we were closer and could visit more often.
I took the girls to shop for school clothes one day at the Sikes Mall and Claude tagged a
long and went to a sports store to buy him some shoes. He then went to a book store in the mall and bought 4 books. He told the clerk that his wife and granddaughters were shopping and he would probably be back to buy more books before they were done. The girls and I had lunch in the mall, visited a few more stores and then returned to Burkburnett.
long and went to a sports store to buy him some shoes. He then went to a book store in the mall and bought 4 books. He told the clerk that his wife and granddaughters were shopping and he would probably be back to buy more books before they were done. The girls and I had lunch in the mall, visited a few more stores and then returned to Burkburnett.We took the girls to Medicine Park and the wildlife refuge yesterday and had a great visit. Medicine Park was one of the first places in Oklahoma to be developed as a tourist res
ort in the early 1900's and was very popular in its day. Unfortunately, like a lot of places, it had a significant decline. However they are trying to renovate many of the older buildings and it is a great place to visit.
ort in the early 1900's and was very popular in its day. Unfortunately, like a lot of places, it had a significant decline. However they are trying to renovate many of the older buildings and it is a great place to visit.The old buildings in the town were mostly made of cobblestone. Many have been restored and a few new ones are being built to resemble the old.
We left Medicine Park and went to the Wichita Wildlife Refuge. We decided we were hungry and went to Meers for a Meers burger. When we got there, Meers restaurant was closed. The sign said closed on Tuesday. The only place to eat was back in Medicine Park so we returned to Medicine P
ark and had lunch at the Plantation Cafe. The food was great although service was a little slow. Claude and I got to spend some quality time with the girls. The more we spend with them, the more we are amazed at how they have matured and how well adjusted they are. They genuinely enjoy each other and it shows, maybe that's a sign of good parenting.
ark and had lunch at the Plantation Cafe. The food was great although service was a little slow. Claude and I got to spend some quality time with the girls. The more we spend with them, the more we are amazed at how they have matured and how well adjusted they are. They genuinely enjoy each other and it shows, maybe that's a sign of good parenting. After a long and leisure lunch we went back to the Wildlife Refuge to visit the Prairie Dog Village and see the buffalo and long horn cattle. The scenery was great and we had a wonderful time.
Today we are taking the girls to Skate Whirl and to shop for school supplies. Tomorrow it is off to Arkansas for the Keeling Family reunion. While there Claude will help work on planning a softball tournament as a fundraiser for Relay for Life. Back home to Ohio on Monday, August 2 for a little over 2 weeks, then back to Arkansas for the softball tournament. Retirement is supposed to be a time to rest and relax, but Claude and I get involved in so many non-profit fundraisers and belong to a few that we have been more busy then when he was teaching full time. Maybe we will slow down, but I don't see that happening soon.
We will post slide shows when we get home and get a chance.
