From the back of a Harley Davidson motorcyle.
We took a long ride yesterday through the northwestern part of Oklahoma heading first to Okarche, then Kingfisher where we met our friends, Dede, a/k/a “Red” and John. They rode with us for the rest of the day. The morning started out refreshingly cool, but after we left Roman Nose State Park just north of Watonga, the weather turned sultry hot. Incidentally, Roman Nose State Park is named after Cheyenne Chief Henry Roman Nose, whose encampment was in this canyon of beautiful springs. The famous sign to the park, which I love, was based upon Chief Roman Nose’s face and features his famous war bonnet. On a personal note, the lodge was recently renovated by my niece who works for the Parks Department.
We “hiked” a very gentle rise to the falls. It being a holiday, children were playing everywhere in the falls and caverns. The pool, built during the WPA, is currently closed to replace the pump. We used to take our children to the pool during the hottest part of the summer. Being spring-fed, the water is very cold and refreshing on a 100F day.
Everywhere we traveled, I saw amber waves of hard, red, winter wheat. It is planted during winter because the crop needs a freeze to bloom. Because I’m gluten free, I don’t eat wheat of course, but it was nice to see the combines working as the farmers harvested what is supposed to be the best wheat crop farmers have had in recent years. From the motorcycle, I took this gorgeous picture of a field ripened in the sun. I noticed as we traveled that different farmers were growing different types of wheat. Some plants were more golden and shorter in stature, while others were taller and sunshine yellow. I didn’t want to make our friends stop so I could examine them more closely. All for another day.
We then went on to Canton Lake, and I bet you never expected a lake in Oklahoma to be this blue. Plus, it has sandy, ‘er gypsum beaches. I think we will be going back later this summer with a boat.
The pink, rock riprap you see at the edge of the highway is pink granite from the area. Granite and gypsum are both quarried nearby. Gypsum is used in sheetrock. After Canton Lake, we rode back to Kingfisher where we said good-bye to our friends until next time when we think we’ll go to the southeast part of the state. I can hardly wait.
See why I love my Oklahoma?
So good to just get out with friends and explore. You found some great sights!
We had a “friends-and-family” reunion in south-central Oklahoma over Memorial Day weekend. As we drove over Lake Eufala, I commented that I didn’t remember the water being so red when we would cross that same stretch when we made the shorter drive from Tulsa many times, many years ago. But apparently it’s always been that way. I loved almost everything about living Tulsa area, except for the winter ice storms. And August 🙂 I loved knowing that storms would always come from the west. Northwest or southwest sometimes – but always from the west. (Not so here in Tennessee – and that can be disconcerting.)
In the balance, I would have to say I don’t miss the constant wind. Mr. Official and I both noticed it while we were there for the weekend. Granted, you get used to it when you live there, and it does keep house siding from growing mildew as easily as it does here…but plants tend to grow lusher here in our “greenhouse-esque” environment. Everything has a a trade-off. I salute you for your passion for your state – I think everyone should be proud of where they came from and where they call home.
Best,
Terry
Hey you were in my neck of the woods! I grew up going to Roman Nose to the swimming pool. And I was working in a grain elevator over memorial weekend taking in wheat. Gotta love those wheat farmers and harvesters! It was a very busy weekend. We are very thankful for the abundant harvest! Thanks for the post!
I live in SC and I’ve visited OK once, but I never knew about the wonders it offered. Thanks for sharing. Yours is one of my favorite blogs.
That stream looks like it could be found in the Blue Ridge, and the lake looks more like the ocean or a bay. I guess I need to re-think Oklahoma.
It is so fun to see pictures from an area so different for my own. The wheat is very beautiful. Thanks for sharing.
Thank you for sharing these photos! I am from Norman; my grandparents lived in Clinton. I loved visiting those same parks and lakes when I was a child. I live in Nebraska, and love the plains. But Oklahoma will always be home.
Kathy, you’re so welcome. I’m glad you liked them. I love our state.
Beautiful country!
Love the State Park sign!
Have a wonderful day!
Lea
Lea’s Menagerie
Thank you so much Lea! I hope your day was wonderful too.
I have driven through OK many times on my way west and it amazes me every time…so diverse and lovely…and now more places the next time I come through!
Thank you Donna. If you drive through again, I hope we can have coffee somewhere.
Brings back memories from my childhood. We spent many a weekend at Roman Nose. The drive from Edmond to Roman Nose was short enough that we three kids didn’t have time to fight too much in the backseat of the car.
My grandfather built his home from pink granite from the Wichita Mountains in southwest Oklahoma. It is such a beautiful stone.
Hi Ann, we have taken our kids many times back to Roman Nose over the years. It’s not far from Guthrie either, and a wonderful place to visit. Horseback riding, swimming, hiking . . . does it get any better?
Used to drive to ‘sandy beach’ on Sundays when I was in high school. I always made fun of Canton Lake at that time as I had lived in Wyoming before Oklahoma. and it didn’t compare with mountain scenes. But it really wasn’t so bad. And I have spent weekends at Roman Nose and played golf there. Boiling Springs would be another state park to visit in that area. Thanks for sharing.
The farmers are in full harvest here also. Beautiful crop this year! This sultry weather is not my favorite however.
Hi Greggo, it’s all about perspective isn’t it? I was so excited to see blue water. As you know, most of our lakes are green in summer and brown in spring when the rains come.
What a fun way to spend a beautiful day. I see why you love it. Beautiful.
It was so lovely Layanee. You’ll have to come visit sometime. I know Bill would give you a spin on the bike.
Looking forward to comin’ to YOUR Oklahoma next week, Dee! I’ll be talking to the OK City MG’s next Wednesday…… c:
Oh Cherie! How is it that I miss you every time you come to speak? I am out of pocket from Wednesday this week through Monday. I’d love to have heard your talk.
Oklahoma is a beautiful state. I love that pink riprap. Here we have big chunks of white rocks that they use for shoring-up roadways etc. I love that carving of Chief Roman Nose. He must have been quite the man.
Lisa, from what I’ve read, he was quite the man. He scared the stockings right off of people when he raided parts of the state.
Thank you for sharing the beautiful part of your state.
Oh, thank you Judy for reading. I appreciate it, and you commented too.
It’s lovely, Dee. I have never been to that part of Oklahoma, thanks for sharing!
Beautiful views! The stream looks cool and refreshing.
Thank you so much Phillip. It was a lovely day. I’ve enjoyed your posts on the Garden Bloggers Fling.