Friday, 29 September - Thousand Trails Lake Texoma, Gordonville, TX76245

A little grey this morning but the forecast is to clear with sun back tomorrow : )  The slightly cooler temps we are enjoying now are only a tease, it’s back to hot for Sunday and the next week.

We are off at 9am to the Coffee and Donuts morning over at the Family Centre – mainly just to see what happens there and also to see how many people are here in the Park and who go to these organised events.  Well, there were over 20 people there, the coffee was good and so was my doughnut!  We got chatting with a young couple (well they looked young, but they had a grandson) who only live 30 minutes away but come here for a break.  They can work from here, he is in construction and she does the books in their motorhome.  Some more couples joined and they all have tales to tell.  Will probably catch up with some of them again, there are more events planned for the weekend.

Aww, there is a cat wandering around next door, it has a collar on.

Going over to the Adults Lodge to use WIFI again, want to google “TransferWise” – it might be a better way to transfer NZ$ to US$ without the exorbitant bank fees.  Spent over an hour at the Lodge, streaming all sorts of stuff and actually watching some of the videos posted on FB, instead of just skimming over them.

It was freezing over there, the AC was set at 68C, Kim figured out the code (1111) and turned it up but it didn’t heat up very fast.  So when we got back to the coach it was warmer out than in, so sat outside reading for a while and helped Kim recut the exhaust pipe and remount the chrome turndown, it needed some tweaking.  That noisy grinder had to come out again but there doesn’t seem to be too many people around so hopefully nobody was annoyed.  The grinder has been used on three different occasions now so that constitutes a worthy purchase.  Anyway he’s much happier with the position of the turn down now : )

Nice and shiny, hope it wants to stay attached to our Motorhome!

We have some new neighbours who came in late afternoon.  They have a new 5^th wheel and are having problems getting it all set up.  Kim goes over to help/chat and all is good.

We made burgers for dinner then I kicked myself because there is a pop-up restaurant here on Friday nights, Saturdays and Sundays.  I had mentally planned to go over there for dinner on Saturday night but I just looked at the hours again and they only do dinners on Friday nights - just breakfast and lunch on Saturday!  Dang it all, we missed out on having a night off cooking!

Home made burgers - yum!

Thursday, 28 September - Thousand Trails, Lake Texoma, Gordonville, TX76245

Gentle rain through the night and it hung around during the morning.  We went over to the Adult Lodge and spent a couple of hours wallowing in their excellent WIFI.  Gave it away when my laptop battery got down to 13% - I couldn’t be bothered disconnecting all the NZ to US power adaptors from the motorhome to take it all over.

Did another walk around.  The park is large, there are a lot of well cared for permanents here and they do it quite well, making their site a home away from home, with manicured grave driveways, manicured lawn, all manner of out buildings, pagodas, gazebos, sheds for the golf carts and toys.  They have gardens, garden decorations, pot plants etc.  The vege garden next door has suffered in the heat though.  And they go all out for Halloween!

Halloween is still over a month away and the residents aren't even here!

Our next door neighbours, 3 picnic tables, 2 sheds, 1 gazebo....

Neighbours on the other side, also not home!  But lots of sheds etc.

Watched some more good TV last night, Kiefer Sutherland plays the President in “Designated Survivor” and David Boreanaz is the gun in “SEAL Team”.  America’s winter season is obviously just starting and coming into summer at home I guess we won’t see many of these programmes back there which is a shame, they make good TV.

Jack and Judy next door are chatty.  They rocked up in their extra long fifth wheeler towed by a  big semi tractor unit.  They are stopping here on their way from Washington State back home to Shreveport where they have some land by the sounds of it.  He has someone coming in to do some logging this fall so they are aiming to be home for that.

Kim put on the new chrome exhaust turn down and I went for another walk.

Finished the jigsaw and borrowed another one from the Adult Lodge.

Jigsaw No. 1 done and dusted!

Wednesday, 27 September – Thousand Trails, Lake Texoma, Gordonville, TX76245

Got a few more jigsaw pieces placed then had to put it away, we are travelling today.  We laid the board on the bed and it didn’t move, so we’re all good for later.

Over in the bathrooms a lady told me she saw a snake in the toilet booth I was using, she had to get her son to come get it out!  Then last night she found a tarantula (hand sized) in the shower cubicle next door but she caught that critter herself and put it outside - yikes!!  It rained last night, it might have wanted to come back inside!! 

On the road by 10.30 and on our way to Kingston where we hope they have a McDonalds or at least somewhere with WIFI.  Kim couldn’t get hotspot internet at Ben’s CG so decided to reboot his phone.  But then it wanted to be reactivated but of course we don't have WIFI and it won't do it by cell coverage either.  Of all the places in America, Kingston is the only one without a McDonalds, we saw Subway, Sconic and various local fooderies, but no Maccas.  We could find no free WIFI anywhere else either as we cruised up and down the main street.  So nothing for it but to drive 5 miles or so to back to Madill where we know there is a Maccas because every time was pass one Kim yells Maccas!  Long story short, phone and hotspot now works so we have internet again.  Better get some posts posted!

We drive 20 more miles, across the state line which lays right in the middle of one of the arms of Lake Texoma and we are now back in Texas.  It kinda feels like home!

Texas Longhorn Cattle

We have a booking at Thousand Trails Lake Texoma and they are all ready for us.  We are still on no charge accommodation at TT RV parks, using up our first 30 days no charge.  But we do spring the extra $3/night to upgrade to 50 amp.  We drive around the 10 or so sites recommended, choose one and wait for the ranger to come and unlock the power box so we can plug in the power cable.

We are expecting a carton to be delivered this afternoon, with the chrome exhaust turndown in it, the camp charges $2 fee for receiving UPS mail!!

Anyway there is some cloud cover today and it’s a pleasant 24C so I’m off for a walk to explore this 300 acre campground while Kim furtively washes the coach, not supposed to!  Water is precious, we’ll see if anyone dobs him in!

Wish I was clever enough to carve a squirrel out of a tree stump!

Is it a car or a boat??

A game of horseshoes anyone?

Tuesday, 26 September – Rooster Creek - Bens CG, Lake Texoma SP, near Kingston, OK 73439

The sunrise is just as beautiful here as elsewhere.  A few boats were heading off to try their luck catching ‘the big one’.

Stunning Sunrise

Look at these strange fruit, they are Hedge Apples, also known as bodarks or bois d’arc, to use their French name. Squirrels and deer love them apparently.  They are a member of the mulberry/fig family. Apparently you can eat part of them, but Terri, the camp host told me they are toxic to humans?

We went for a wander down the road, around to the marina, there are about 6 boat shelters but they were all locked.  Great place for a pontoon party boat! What I thought was a café (I could see a Budweiser light in the window) is just the marina office, no dinner out for us tonight.

Catfish Marina

It got so hot in the afternoon we couldn’t stay outside so pulled out the 500 piece jigsaw puzzle we bought at Dollar Tree and started it, around 4pm. I measured it and it fits on the dining table but we got a piece of ply from underneath to lay it on so we can move it.  After one break for a bite to eat we called it quits at midnight with it about 60% done.  They get you every time don’t they!

Monday, 25 September - Rooster Creek - Bens CG, Lake Texoma SP, near Kingston, OK 73439

Nice relaxing start to the day even though it is a travel day.  We only have a short way to go so don’t need to start out early.  Pecans obviously thrive here, we see quite a few orchards. We drive through the little railroad town of Madill and stop there at the Walmart (we’re still in OK, therefore can't buy any wine here).  We spend a bit of time doing general shopping today, ‘cos we can, finishing up with some groceries to last for the next five days or so. 

We drive to one of the closest campgrounds in Lake Texoma State Park, Catfish Bay, it looked the nicest when viewed by satellite on Allstays.  It is nice, situated on a peninsula surrounded by water, but there is little shade.  The Camp Host comes to chat and actually recommends the campground over the other side of the lake , Rooster Creek SP - Ben’s Campground and he has radioed Ben and they have shady 50 amp sites, with sewer.  Brilliant, I have a ton of laundry to do!

We cross the one lane bridge – yay, made it – and drive into the CG and Ben is there to greet us and takes us to the two free big shady sites.  We select one, set up and life is good.  There is a marina just behind us on the other side of this finger of lake.  It looks like they have a bar/restaurant so will go for a walk tomorrow and check it out.

One lane bridge to Rooster Creek CG

Catfish Bay Marine - I hoped the blue roof building was a cafe!

Kim chats to the young couple (mid forties) just along who are packing up to leave this afternoon, they were loading their brand new scooter on the rack at the back of their brand new 45’ motorhome on the way to pick up their party boat.  I didn’t get to meet them unfortunately - I lost Kim for a while.  But they said it’s a pity they weren’t staying or they would give us the keys to the boat so we could have a look around the lake.  Kim thought they seemed genuine, maybe they would have.

Goodness me, the southern states and South America have had more than their share of tragedy.  Puerto Rico, being the third region in less than a month to succumb to Mother Nature’s weather bombs.  Makes me wonder if everyone will go all out to help them with the tragedy coming so close on the heels of Harvey and Irma which affected much more well known and populated areas.  Does people’s compassion wear thin when too much is asked of it?  Mexico’s earthquake affected also need assistance too!

Watched the first programme in the Good Doctor series tonight, hope we get it at home.  It’s about a young surgeon with autism and savant syndrome who joins a prestigious San Jose Hospital and works wonders.  Dr Shawn Murphy played by Freddie Highmore. 

Sunday, 24 September - Lake Murray State Park, OK

Woke early enough to watch the dawn arrive, followed by a colourful sunrise.  It was a respectable time, about 7am.

Canadian Geese in the foreground

Pretty sky reflected

We decided to stay here one more day, it’s such a nice site with the beach etc.  80% of the park has emptied out during the day and we almost have it all to ourselves again.  The picnic table was bombarded by caterpillars again so took the opportunity to get a photo.  Also got some of the turtle heads but you can’t see what they are in the photos so haven't posted any.

Furry lil caterpillar

Jean (from Milton) came by to visit again and brought us some lovely fresh free range farm eggs, one of the rangers brings them in.  Boiling some up for dinner tonight, the yolks are bright yellow and look just like NZ eggs.

Even though it was quite breezy today it was deemed to be no more than 24 mph so Kim flew the drone and got some pics of our campsite on Lake Murray.  He didn’t want to take it up too high in case it didn’t come home!

Looks like the motorhome roof is blue in this photo, but this is our corner of Paradise.

This unseasonal warm weather (about 8 F higher than usual) is due to come to an end on Wednesday with rain and cooler temperatures forecast,  We won't be very far away by then so will probably get it too. They need rain here, haven’t had any in some parts since the end of August and the lake is very low.

Saturday, 23 September - Lake Murray State Park, OK

Lots of early activity on the Lake this morning and there is hardly any wind.  Have our cups of tea outside looking over the lake watching for turtle heads to appear.  They are too far out and too quick to photograph. 

Found this little critter hiding on the bike cover!

Friday, 22 September - Lake Murray SP, Cedar Cove CG

The Camp Host was telling me they have a lady from NZ on the staff here.  Today he brought Jean over to visit.  She hails from Milton but has been here for many years.  Not much of a Kiwi accent detectable any more.  It was nice chatting to her.

The lilo stayed inflated today, leak effectively plugged and it got lots of use! 

Perfect way to keep cool and tan your back

Thursday, 21 September – Lake Murray SP, Cedar Cove CG, OK 73401

Sunshine this morning and it’s going to be another hot one.  Plan to go for a walk over to the other campground – Elephant Rock this morning for some exercise.  So it must be called Elephant Rock for a reason right?  And there is a big rock in the lake just out from the jetty.  However I take numerous photos from all angles and it doesn’t look like an elephant and I can’t find any others resembling elephants either.  I’ve since been told it might have looked like an elephant 80 years ago!

Elephant Rock??

When I get back I see Kim has the sewing machine out again, to repair another tear in the bike cover. He sets it up on the concrete picnic table under the 'caterpillar tree'. Four or five of the furry little critters fall on us just while we are sitting there. They tickle!!

Get the compressor out to blow up the lilo for a nice float on the lake, but a fuse gets blown.  Kim spends the entire afternoon trying to figure out why and where and in the end, as is usual, finds it is the simplest thing - the reset switch in the bathroom needs switching!!

Wednesday, 20 September – Lake Murray SP, Cedar Cove CG, OK 73401

Up early, we are on the move today.  It’s still windy so the next place we will try and be on the west side of the lake.  We head south along Hwy77 to join I 35 stopping at Purcell for supplies.  Note to self: Oklahoma supermarkets do not sell wine – just beer!  What’s with that?  Sexist I’d say!

See some scenery as we head south - hills!

Wind farms!

We bypass the first lakeside State Park, it looks mostly suitable for smaller rigs.  We look at the satellite images of the parks around Lake Murray and see that Cedar Cove is out on a little peninsula (again) so we check that one out first.  It’s pretty quiet being a Wednesday so we have a good selection to choose from and decide on site 19 with it’s own sandy beach on the offshore wind side of the bay.  It’s hot, 29C so once we are set up and I have picked up a shopping bag full of rubbish and cigarette butts, check out the water then pretty much spend the afternoon in and out of it.  We have 50 amp so both ACs are keeping the inside cool.

This is our own private swim beach!

This is all seeming a bit familiar, so I check back and find we stayed here last year, so if we picked it twice, it must be a good place.  Hope the Sheriff doesn’t come calling!

Tuesday, 19 September – Lake Thunderbird, Norman, OK 73069

It’s a nice sunny morning but the wind is up.  We contemplate staying for another day here, the two families in front of us have moved on and it is now nice and quiet.  The wind is a bother though, but probably just as well we have it - forecast is for temps in the 90’s again today (30C+).

We’re on a peninsula again so take a wander around our loop to see if there is a more protected site, with a beach.  Although there are several free sites on the calm side they don’t have flat access to the lake.  So eventually we wander up to the Camp Host and book another day on our site no. 35.  Not long after we get back, the Minnie Winnie in the prime spot on the sheltered side of the lake leaves!  Darn – and we were worried about parking next to them and using their little beach.

Our site in the foreground, photo taken on the no wind day!!

This morning a truck arrives delivering multiple porta loos (?) so while we are up at the Camp Host we ask what’s going on.  They are hosting a big group from the 20^th and are expecting 1,000 people.  It’s only a small campground, 50 RV sites and 24 tent sites, don’t know where they are going to put them all.  We will def leave tomorrow!

I’m sitting out at our concrete picnic table with a coffee just reading and our tame squirrel (or one just like it) climbs up onto the seat then the table, stands on his cute little hind legs and checks me out.  Precocious lil’ critter - not at all timid.  The wind is fluffing up his tail, it’s three times bigger than his body.

Another book - done and dusted.  Need to soon download another 30-40 to keep me going, would hate to run out : )

So I am just walking out into the water to have a little swim and this fishing boat passes in front of me, well within casting distance!  Yikes, don’t know where they came from but I would be worried being so close to shore with this onshore wind.  They only catch a tiddler, which is reassuring ‘cos I am swimming out here.

The wind drops in the evening as usual but there are thunder clouds looming on the horizon.

Pretty sunset Lake Thunderbird

Thunderclouds looming

Monday, 18 September – Lake Thunderbird, Norman, OK 73069

Had some thunder and lightning during the night, with a little rain. It was  drizzly all morning, a good opportunity for some housework.  By noon, as promised by the Channel 9 Meteorologist, the sun came out blazing!  Needed a couple of swims in our own private beach to cool down. Lovely day!

We’re gonna cook on the grill tonight.  Kim is in charge of getting the embers glowing.

Fine figure of a man!!

Our resident squirrel

Then Mother Nature awed us with another spectacular sunset.  How does she do that?

Yep, spectacular!  That's our swim beach in the foreground too.

Sunday, 17 September – Lake Thunderbird, Norman, OK 73069

We’re leaving the State Fair today, just as well, it starts to rain as we are ready to pull out. 

Seeya OK City

Thinking about going to the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum (recommended by Larry).  It’s gonna be another hot day up in the 90’s so might be nice to be inside for a while, especially if the rain continues. It looks like they have sufficient parking for us if we get there early enough.

We arrive at the Museum around 5 mins to noon, just before opening time so all good.  The Museum was commendable. it showcased the native American and western cultures, with an interesting focus on the western movies, stars and costumes etc. (this was Kim’s fave).  One of the first talking movies, if not the first, was apparently a western. John Wayne is still a hero and is well represented here!!

   

Kim and his mate!!

Some of the artwork in the Prix de West Gallery was breathtaking – what you can do with oils!! There were two brilliant paintings of the Grand Canyon which totally got the complex layers of the canyons! Fabulous!

We drive less than an hour south of Oklahoma City to Thunderbird Lake and find a lakefront site at Little Axe Campground. The rain has cleared and the sun is out so we can sit outside for a while, enjoying the ambience and watching the squirrels play.

Saturday, 16 September – OK State Fair

Another hot one today!!  Mid 90’s – that’s 33C+ but some high cloud cover came over during the afternoon which took some of the sting out of it.  Checked on the Mama Sow today, she had 13 piglets last night and her neighbour looks like she will produce tonight.  More chicks have hatched, all is happy in the birthing centre.

Was late for the Vintage Glamping Demo, a cooking show produced out of an old airstream caravan.  Today’s was Healthy French Toast, as I missed most of the show didn’t feel I should in all good conscience wait around for a sample of the food.

I didn’t think The Live Shark Show would amount to much but it was very entertaining.  There are three nurse sharks in a  glass-sided tank, the largest shark is about 5 feet long.  The wrangler gets into the tank with them and does his show under water.  Informative, funny and actually rather impressive!  While we were waiting for the show to begin, music was playing which culminated in the Jaws music of course!  However before that I heard a country song I'd never heard before “Happy Birthday Julie”.  I googled it when I got back, it's by Wayne Hancock but then I found there are at least 16 other songs with "Julie" in the title!!  Who would have thought.

Today’s fair food was finally, been wanting one for ages, the Smoked Turkey Leg (ate less than a quarter of it, brought the rest back for cold meat for the rest of the week).  It was very salty, glad I didn't opt for the bacon wrapped version!  And the 'Cin & Corruption' which, with a gargantuan effort I managed to consume 100% of!!  Over fair food well and truly now!! 

Huge Smoked Turkey Leg, felt like Wilma Flintstone eating it!!

Cinn & Corruption, there is icecream and cinnamon cookie pieces under all that topping!

As usual it gets too hot to walk around forever so back to the motorhome and the very welcome AC for a rest up before the evening’s activities. 

The sky has darkened and there is a 20-30% chance of rain and/or thunder tonight for the Beatlemania Show.  But regardless of the very black sky to the east of us, no rain falls so our umbrella is not required.  We have good seats, got here early and the show starts on time.  The first half of the show, portraying the early days of the Beatles was much better than the second half, even with their costume change.  Glad we went though, it was nice to hear all that old music again and to know most of the words!

Beatlemania

Sgt Pepper costumes

Friday, 15 September – Oklahoma City State Fair

It’s 25C at 9.30 am and forecast to get up in the 30’s again but with a bit more wind.  We might do our Fair stuff earlier today!

So we go over about 11 ish and start at the very far end by the Oklahoma Frontier Experience. The Show doesn't start until 11.30 so check out the birthing unit meantime, some super cute baby goats have already arrived plus a lot of chickens and one sow is about to expand her family, will check on her tomorrow.  Maybe they will be born runners and get snaffled up by the Swifty Swine Pig Racing scouts.

Swifty Swine Pig Races - had my money on Green!

We come all this way to America and see a NZ Rabbit - I guess that makes us if not famous, then at least up there with all the other fluffy bunnies!

NZ Bunny, wonder if he likes American food

The first Frontier Show is the Cowgirl Mounted Shooting, even though it is windy they manage to demolish most of the balloons.  They shoot real Colt 45's but with black powder rather than real bullets and it is the hot powder that actually bursts the balloons, so all of us in the very close audience are quite safe!

Then we get under the Bigtop for Zoppe’s Italian Family Circus which has been going for 175 years.  There must be at least four generations in the show, right down to a two year old toddler who already knows the "moves".  The following Wild West Show was a lesson in history and had trick riders, a family of trick ropers, cattle herding, an Indian Hoop Dancer and long horn cattle.  This was followed up by another act - The Shenani-guns – a quite funny skit about the sheriff and some dynamite toting bank robbers.  Man, it’s hot out here in the sun!  So go off to find some AC too cool down.

Food is next on the agenda, but what to choose?  The winners - an elephant ear for Kim and apple caramel funnel cake for me, had to bring half back home for later!!

Note the two forks, but Kim got Elephant Ears and didn't help me!!

Roast Beef Sundae, Meatloaf Cupcake, Deep Fried Gummy Bear??

Sirloin, or a Pork Chop on a Stick?

What to choose - pickle shooters, cheese on a stick??

A couple of hours back in the coach with our feet up and then we are back for more food (corn dogs) and The Oakridge Boys.  They did not disappoint!  The crowd was right in the zone, even they were a much older group than last night.  The boys put on such a good show, they sung the whole time and did all the faves, Elvira - of course, Bobby Sue and American Made - brilliant!

Good Ole Boys

The Skye Eye Wheel is North America’s largest traveling Ferris Wheel and has 36 gondolas, holding up to six riders each.  It's 155 feet high, so you can see 15 miles over Oaklahoma City. Half a million LED lights certainly lit it up! Apparently it took 12 semi trailers to ship all the 500,000 odd components here.

Skye Eye Wheel - 500,000 LEDS changing colour all the time

Huge disappointment - we can’t get tickets to Willie Nelson and Paul Simon's “Harvey Can’t Mess with Texas” Benefit in Austin TX on 22 Sept.  I checked it all out online, found out where it was and that there are tickets available. Then I found an RV Park right in the city, about three miles away from the venue, but couldn't book online so need to phone the next day.  It looks like it is all coming together!  But, the next day when I went back online to check ticket sales before phoning the park, the Show was sold out : (  It would have been an awesome and very worthwhile show.  I’m watching to see if they do a second show, but I suspect that is just wishful thinking : (  Kicking myself!!

Thursday, 14 September – Oklahoma City

No messing around this morning, we are going to Oklahoma City for the Oklahoma State Fair - again, we had such a good time last year and the Oakridge Boys are playing again, on Friday night.  It’s only an hour along the I40 and we are there before 10.30 am.

Just as we get close to OK City we pass the enormous Tinker Air Force base, one of the largest units in the USA.  Lots of military type planes were visible from the interstate – sorry I didn’t get any photos, kept thinking I wouldn’t have time but I would have, it was ages before we got passed it.  When Hurricane Harvey hit Texas a lot of their air force plans were evacuated here to Tinker.

We book in OK at the RV Park right at the Fairgrounds and are parked facing the bright lights of the fair, we can see the top ¾ of two ferris wheels and various other high rides from our campsite.

We're ready to go over to the fair but the temperature has already risen to 96F (33C) with no cloud cover – yikes!  It is just a very short walk along the road and over the rail crossing and we are at the fair entrance.  First day today and it’s not so busy but being so hot we check out the exhibits inside the AC’d pavilions first.  There is lots of shopping - the expected: spa pools, beds galore, kitchen gadgets, clothing, leather goods, cars, trucks, hurricane shelters which look like extra large plastic shower cubicles and of course food - food - food!

Kim did some damage at the Candy Shop!

We get to where they are holding the Swifty Swine Pig Races just before a show is due to start so we sit in the bleachers to watch.  They are so cute!

Kim gets adventurous and buys a Gyros for lunch, like a kebab in a thick pita bread – messy to eat but he enjoyed every messy mouthful.  And of course we have ice cream ‘cos it’s so hot.

We take a break around 3pm and go back to the AC comfort of the coach to put our feet up until it’s time to go back for dinner (more show food) and to see the show at 7.30 pm.

 

William Michael Morgan is playing at the Adventure Road Stage, he is a young 24 year old, up and coming Country singer/songwriter with a good voice and a couple of singles and an album under his belt already. It was a great show!

William Michael Morgan

Afterwards we walk around the side shows (they have the most awesome, clean looking, huge cuddly prizes) and the heart stopping rides before heading back.  We do see some lucky winners walking around carrying stuffed animals much bigger than them – what do they do with them for the rest of the night?

Huge stuffed toys - prizes for the side shows

Anyway we comment it is SO nice to go out in the evening, in a singlet top, sit around outside and not have to worry about taking extra layers of clothes or jackets!!  Just as well there was a breeze blowing tonight otherwise it would have been unpleasantly hot.

It was a bit noisy at home until the fair closed at 11pm and the car parks emptied but we kept the main AC on and had a good sleep. Zzzz’s…

Wednesday, 13 September - Wes Watkins Reservoir, McLoud, OK

Sun is out again this morning : )  We watched the Hand in Hand Hurricane Relief Telethon on TV last night fundraising for both Harvey and Irma.  They telecast liVe shows from Grand Ole Opry in Nashville, Times Square New York, San Antonio Texas and Los Angeles doing very well raising more than $44 million, at last count. They had some big names there, Cher, Blake Shelton, Justin Beiber and George Strait - it was a great show!

This morning we are on the road before 9.30 am and after leaving the hills around Tenkiller Ferry Lake head west along the I40.

Hill country leaving Tenkiller Ferry Lake, OK

We get 100 miles or so under our belt before we stop for supplies and diesel at Shawnee and - lucky me, there is a shopping mall right next door : )

We are obviously in Indian Country, there are regular signs along the interstate advising what Indian Nation you are leaving and entering.  Plus there are 28 Casino’s dotted throughout the State, we have seen at least five already today.  We contemplate staying overnight in the RV Park at the Grand Casino Hotel Resort at Shawnee but after a quick look at what they offer decide we can do better, something with more ambience and shade.  So we drive another ten minutes and come to North Deer Creek Recreation Area on the Wes Watkins Reservoir.  Nobody is at the gate so we drive around, find a shady site and set up.

It’s pretty quiet here, maybe another 6 campers in the RV section and 2 or 3 tents.  I take off on the bike to pay at the honesty box at the gate and on the way back suss out the swimming beach.  It’s a long way and I find one much closer to where we are camped.  We bike down there and refresh ourselves – nice relief from the 30C sun this afternoon.

Swim Beach, had it to ourselves!!