Blogs from Oklahoma, United States, North America - page 29

Hello all! This is the beginning page for our great Appalachian Trail hike we are planning to take in late May. We decided to hike on the Ouachita Trail because the trail is close and provides more elevation than we could ever find in Stillwater Oklahoma. This hike is to test our gear and bodies for the grueling but exciting trip ahead of us. Here is how it went.... We arrived in Poteau Oklahoma and enjoyed on last sleep on a bed. When we woke the next morning, ready to get moving, the car wouldn't start. It was Sunday, so prospects for obtaining professional help were low. We knew what was wrong with the car because we had had the problem before, but we lacked the tools to deal with this frequent problem. We walked to ... read more

Obfuscator writes: After a much more peaceful and restful night at Thunderbird Lake, we left for Oklahoma City, to see the state capitol. It's an interesting one to see, if only because it has changed so much in its relatively short life. The building was only completed sometime in the late 20s or early 30s, but only got its big shiny dome (which was in the original plans) in 2002. They ran out of money in the initial construction, and so it just never happened, I guess. It's also an interesting capitol because until fairly recently its grounds were dotted with oil rigs. Though some might think of them as an eyesore, they gave the building great character and uniqueness. I should have liked to see it that way, and it certainly seemed like some of ... read more

Posted By: Onaxthiel: I must preface anything I say about the Oklahoma by saying that I really like the state. It has pretty country, cheap gas prices, and the people driving pickups on the back roads wave at passersby like Dakotans. Really, I find the state rather charming. But the state is filled with ax-murdering psychopaths. And coming from me that should be a telling statement. Our day started off well enough, with a drive out of the Foss Lake State Park we had overnighted in, towards the Black Kettle National Grasslands, a land of many uses. The most direct route was closed, so we ended up driving about twice as far to get to the prime site of interest, the Washita Battlefield. On the way we stopped off at an unremarkable small town post office ... read more

Note 1 to self: Never camp downwind from a feedlot. Note 2 to self: Never choose a campground on a frontage road for I-40. Last night was really noisy with all the trucks on I-40. The smell from the feedlot several miles upwind lessened during the night, but the wind picked up again this morning bringing with it a bovine bouquet. From Amarillo through most of Oklahoma is mostly prairie, though going down in elevation the farther east you go. Oklahoma is a bit greener than Texas was, too. It's been windy all day, the lakes and ponds we passed had whitecaps. We stopped in Yukon, OK, for ice and gas and then Braum's ice cream on Garth Brooks Blvd. Then back to the clickety-clack road surface that began west of Oklahoma City and runs off ... read more

Making Preparations Today I begin my 10-day countdown of preparations for my worldwide venture. As someone said Spread out all the clothes you plan to take and all the money. Take half of the clothes and twice the money. Yesterday I got my Yellow Fever vaccination from one of the few local doctors authorized to administer the shots. I've already updated hepatitis vaccinations, and secured malarial and polio meds. My airline reservations worldwide have been completed with the help of Basel from AirTreks. Only a few lodging reservations have been made as I continue to seek local people to host me as I go. My plan is to minimize the number of hotels/hostels in favor of local hosting. I've been thinking through what to carry in my small backpack and perhaps a small satchel for ... read more